Mike Baxter signed to minor league deal by Chicago Cubs

Aug 15, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; New York Mets pinch hitter Mike Baxter (23) scores the go ahead run during the eighth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs made another small move on Saturday, signing outfielder Mike Baxter to a minor-league deal. It’s likely he’ll receive a non-roster invite to spring training, but I would expect he’s going to land in Triple or Double-A as a reserve.

The San Diego Padres took Baxter in the fourth-round of the 2005 draft, and had been treading water until a solid year in Triple-A in 2010. He hit .301/.382/.517, with 18 home runs while stealing 22 bases. He moved to the Mets organization the following year via waivers, but only saw part-time action and didn’t repeat his performance from 2010.

He was picked up by the Dodgers via waivers last season, and had just seven at-bats for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He played in only four games, including the two the Dodgers played in Australia. He hit .289/.365/.439 for Triple-A Albuquerque last season.

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The lefty will be one of approximately 25 NRI to camp, if the Cubs keep to what they’ve from past years. There’s no expectation for Baxter to make the team, or any other NRI that comes to camp as the roster is just about fully booked. You can never say never when it comes to baseball, and an injury or stellar spring can change a players direction quickly.

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