Wed May 20 2015 | 18:49 | Baker released Wednesday |
Baker was released Wednesday, MLB.com's Greg Johns reports. |
The Mariners optioned Jesus Sucre to Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday, so a roster move was necessary to clear a spot. The 34-year-old Baker was hitting just .161/.185/.194 in 17 games on the season. |
Mon Mar 30 2015 | 19:53 | Baker reassigned to minor-league camp Sunday |
Baker was reassigned to minor-league camp Sunday, the Seattle Times reports. |
Jesus Sucre, as expected, won the backup catching job to Mike Zunino. It is unclear the 34-year-old Baker will opt out of his contract to seek a major-league job elsewhere. |
Tue Mar 24 2015 | 10:38 | Baker expected to lose backup catching job to Jesus Sucre |
Baker is expected to lose the backup catching job to Jesus Sucre, the Tacoma News Tribune reports. |
The Mariners value defense in a backup catcher, and Sucre has the edge behind the plate over Baker. Plus, Sucre is already on the 40-man roster. |
Wed Jan 28 2015 | 11:39 | Baker signed minor league contract with Mariners on Tuesday |
Baker signed a minor league contract with the Mariners on Tuesday, and received an invite to spring training, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports. |
There is no reason the 34-year-old catcher cannot win the backup job behind Mike Zunino in Seattle, as they could value his veteran presence. However, Baker hit .192 with zero home runs and zero steals in 208 plate appearances last year with the Cubs. If he didn't bring excellent qualities in the clubhouse and working with young pitchers, he would have been out of the big leagues years ago. |
Tue Dec 2 2014 | 22:24 | The Cubs declined to tender Baker to contract |
The Cubs declined to tender Baker to a contract, the Chicago Sun-Times' Gordon Wittenmyer reports. |
Baker posted a negative-1 WAR in 2014 despite playing in just 68 games. In 208 plate appearances he slashed .192/.273/.231 with zero home runs and zero steals, making him completely useless in fantasy leagues, and in the Cubs' estimation, he was similarly expendable as the backup catcher. |
Sun Aug 31 2014 | 09:26 | Baker 0-4 during Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader with St |
Baker went 0-for-4 during Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader with St. Louis. |
Baker is hitting just .121 in 33 at-bats in August. The 33-year-old veteran could be nearing the end of the line. |
Wed Jul 30 2014 | 22:40 | Baker walked and scored winning run in 16th inning Tuesday, but ... |
Baker walked and scored the winning run in the 16th inning Tuesday, but he also became the first Cubs' non-pitcher to earn a win in franchise history. |
Baker faced three batters in the 16th inning, walking one and inducing an inning-ending double play. He's hitting just .216 this year as the backup catcher on a last-place team, so it's possible this will be the highlight of his 2014 season. |
Sun Jul 6 2014 | 17:51 | Baker reaches base four times against Nats |
John Baker had two hits and two walks in Sunday's loss to the Nationals. |
The catcher reached base in all four plate appearances, pulling his line up to .200/.280/.229 for the year. He remains a part-time player for the Cubs and not worthy of fantasy ownership. |
Source: Rotoworld.com | |
Fri Jun 27 2014 | 19:25 | John Baker plates four runs, Cubs defeat Nats |
John Baker had monster day at the plate on Friday, going 3-for-3 and driving home four runs as he led the Cubs to a 7-2 victory over the Nationals. |
Baker got the Cubs on the board with an RBI single in the second inning, then put the game out of reach with a three-run double in the seventh. He also drew a walk, reaching base safely in all four of his plate appearances. Despite the strong day though, he still owns a disappointing .186/.252/.216 slash line on the season. |
Source: Rotoworld.com | |
Sat Jun 7 2014 | 04:49 | John Baker returned to action on Friday June 6 |
John Baker returned to action on Friday June 6. |
Source: Rotoworld.com | |
Thu Jun 5 2014 | 16:34 | Baker (throat) out of lineup Thursday |
John Baker (throat) is out of Thursday's lineup against the Mets. |
Baker was hit in the throat with a foul ball on Wednesday and is dealing with some soreness. It's unclear if he'll be available off the bench. Eli Whiteside will start behind the plate while Luis Valbuena will serve as the emergency catcher. |
Source: Carrie Muskat on Twitter | |
Sun Mar 30 2014 | 16:01 | John Baker added to Cubs' roster |
Cubs purchased the contract of C John Baker from Triple-A Iowa. |
Baker will serve as the backup catcher behind Welington Castillo. He beat out Eli Whiteside for the job. |
Source: Rotoworld.com | |
Wed Mar 26 2014 | 14:22 | Baker wins spot on Opening Day roster |
John Baker has won a spot on the Cubs' Opening Day roster. |
The Cubs released George Kottaras on Wednesday, so Baker will serve as a backup to Welington Castillo. He ultimately won the gig over Eli Whiteside, who will provide depth at Triple-A |
Source: Mark Gonzales on Twitter | |
Fri Dec 13 2013 | 16:34 | Cubs sign John Baker to minor league deal |
Cubs signed C John Baker to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. |
Baker batted just .150/.261/.150 in 46 plate appearances this past summer with the Padres. It's a depth signing for the Cubs, who also have Welington Castillo, George Kottaras and Eli Whiteside at catcher. |
Source: Mark Gonzales on Twitter | |
Sat Jun 15 2013 | 17:14 | Dodgers claim John Baker off waivers from SD |
Dodgers claimed C John Baker off waivers from the Padres; optioned him to Triple-A Albuquerque. |
Baker was designated for assignment by San Diego earlier this week after opening the season with an ugly .150/.261/.150 batting line. He'll serve as depth for LA. |
Source: Rotoworld.com | |
Mon Jun 10 2013 | 19:37 | John Baker designated for assignment |
Padres designated C John Baker for assignment. |
The 40-man roster spot was needed with Logan Forsythe coming off the 60-day DL. Baker has batted only .223/.301/.258 over 79 games the last two years for the Padres. He's had some success in the past, though, and some teams might view him as an upgrade to their backup catcher situation. |
Source: Rotoworld.com | |
Tue May 28 2013 | 08:42 | Padres option C Baker to Triple-A |
Padres optioned C John Baker to Triple-A Tucson. |
The move clears a spot for Yasmani Grandal on the active roster. Baker, 31, is batting .150 (6-for-40) with two RBI in 16 games with the Padres this season. |
Source: Rotoworld.com | |
Tue May 28 2013 | 03:18 | Baker headed to the minors on Tuesday |
John Baker will be sent to the minors Tuesday to make room for Yasmani Grandal, who will be reinstated from suspension. |
When you're slugging more than 60 points less than your body weight, you probably aren't long for the majors. Baker enjoyed a few months in the majors as Nick Hundley's backup thanks to Grandal's poor judgement, but did nothing to lock himself into a long-term bench gig, batting an unsightly .150/.261/.150 in 16 games. |
Source: Corey Brock on Twitter | |
Tue Feb 26 2013 | 19:48 | John Baker scratched with wrist injury |
John Baker was a late scratch from Tuesday's Cactus League lineup due to a sore right wrist. |
It's not anything to worry about. "During the season, John would be playing," Padres manager Bud Black said. Consider Baker day-to-day. |
Source: Padres.mlb.com | |
Fri Jan 18 2013 | 13:10 | John Baker avoids arb. with Padres |
Padres avoided arbitration with C John Baker by agreeing to a one-year, $930,000 contract. |
He was in his second year of arbitration. Baker batted only .238/.310/.280 without a homer in 2012 but will share time with Nick Hundley in 2013 while Yasmani Grandal serves his suspension. |
Source: Rotoworld.com | |