Free-agent infielder Walker agrees to deal with Cubs
SportsLine.com wire reports
CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs got another left-handed hitter, agreeing Tuesday to a $1.75 million, one-year contract with free-agent infielder Todd Walker.
Walker, 30, played second base for the Boston Red Sox this year, hitting .283 in 144 games. He said he is not going to try to replace Cubs second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, who agreed to a one-year deal Dec. 7 that guarantees him $2.75 million.
"I passed up a few starting jobs to put myself in this position," Walker said. "I want to play for a team that had a chance to win the World Series, you can only say a handful of teams have that opportunity and the Cubs are one of them."
Walker entered the league as a third baseman and can also play first base.
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said the move has nothing to do with Grudzielanek and everything to do with adding left-handed hitters to the lineup.
"It was no secret a couple weeks ago we were very right-handed heavy and now we've evened things out," Hendry said. "Grudzielanek had a great year, a terrific year, that's why we re-signed him."
The lineup of Cubs position players now includes eight right-handers, five left-handers and one switch hitter.
Walker's signing goes well with manager Dusty Baker's philosophy of filling the bench with players that would start elsewhere. Walker said he just wants to help the Cubs get to the World Series.
"I understand the pain and everything the Cubs went through because the Red Sox went through the same thing, so we have some unfinished business," Walker said.
Walker had 38 doubles, four triples and 13 homers while driving in a career-high 85 runs last year. He was the toughest player to strike out in the American League, with an average of one strikeout every 12 plate appearances.
In 12 playoff games last year, Walker hit .349 with five homers and six RBI.
Besides Boston, Walker has played in the majors for Minnesota, Colorado and Cincinnati.
In addition to his salary, Walker can earn $1 million in performance bonuses.
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