Sox, Cubs finalize deals
The White Sox signed John Danks to a one-year, $3.45 million deal Tuesday to avoid salary arbitration, while the Cubs signed five players to avoid arbitration.
The Cubs reached one-year agreements with infielders Jeff Baker and Mike Fontenot, catcher Koyie Hill, right-handed pitcher Angel Guzman and left-handed pitcher Tom Gorzelanny. They have yet to reach agreements with three other players, including Ryan Theriot, Carlos Marmol and Sean Marshall, but that does not necessarily mean their cases will go to arbitration.
Fontenot's deal was reported to be worth $1 million, while Baker will earn $975,000, Guzman will earn $825,000, Gorzelanny will earn $800,000, and Hill will earn $700,000.
Danks was the final arbitration-eligible player remaining for the Sox. The 24-year-old southpaw was 13-11 with a 3.77 ERA in 32 starts last season, when he set career highs in wins and innings pitched. He limited opponents to a .245 batting average, which was fourth-lowest against left-handed pitchers in the American League.
As for the Cubs, Baker and Fontenot are expected to share duties at second base. Baker hit .305 with four home runs and 21 RBIs in 69 games on the North Side last season, while Fontenot hit .236 with nine home runs and 43 RBIs in 135 games.
Hill, 30, is expected to return as the backup catcher to Geovany Soto. He hit .237 with two home runs and 24 RBIs in 83 games last season, and he threw out 20 of 50 attempted base-stealers.
Guzman, 28, was 3-3 with a 2.95 ERA and one save in 55 relief appearances. He is expected to be one of the primary setup men for Marmol, who replaced Kevin Gregg as the team's closer.
Gorzelanny, 27, was 7-3 with a 5.55 ERA in 22 games, including seven starts, between Pittsburgh and Chicago. He will compete for job in the starting rotation.
-Tom Musick
