Cubs non-tender both John Baker, Wesley Wright

It was reported yesterday by ESPN Chicago’s Jesse Rogers that the Cubs non-tendered both catcher John Baker and left-handed reliever Wesley Wright on Tuesday, making them free agents.

Baker was signed to a minor league deal that included an invitation to spring training almost a year ago by the Cubs. The season veteran headed to training camp being involved in a battle for the back-up role with George Kottaras but would eventually end up winning the job outright.

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In 68 games played with the Cubs in 2014, Baker recorded 35 hits, seven doubles, 15 RBI’s, 19 walks, while striking out 58 times with a batting line of .192/.273/.231. His offensive production wasn’t anything to brag about compared to his work behind the dish while filling in for Welington Castillo.

Baker picked up 55 starts behind the plate while fielding .996 with 437 put outs, 30 assists, two errors, and two double plays. Fans won’t forget the night where he picked up his first major league win as a pitcher in a marathon against the Colorado Rockies on July 29.

Not only did he pick up the win in that contest, Baker scored the game winning run on a line out by Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro to end the game. He became the first position player to earn a win since Chris Davis in 2012.

Chicago wants to add a solid veteran presence to back up Castillo from here on out so it was obvious that Baker’s run with the Cubs was only going to last one season. They made a run at free agent Russell Martin and discussed Miguel Montero with the Arizona Diamondbacks not too long ago.

Left-handed relief pitcher Wesley Wright (0-3, 3.17 ERA) was a little bit of a surprise in this outcome considering how well he pitched against lefties. In 77 at-bats against Wright, left-handed hitters were only able to record three runs off 21 hits with one walk and a .273/.321/.273 line.

Right-handed hitters on the other hand got the best of the soon to be 30-year-old lefty as they were able to plate 16 runs off 27 hits in 106 at-bats. This will be the second year in a row where a club has decided to non-tender his contract – the first being Joe Maddon and the Tampa Bay Rays.

There’s a slight chance that Wright could receive another call from the Cubs later on down the line for another shot if he hasn’t been picked up by anybody else.