The Chicago Cubs have signed 29-year old switch-hitting infielder Mike Tolbert to a minor league deal. Tolbert played in 87 games for the Twins last year and he was 41 for 207 (.198 avg, .518 OPS) with 22 runs scored, 0 homers, 11 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. He has now played in 247 games in his first four years in the majors and he is 139 for 605 (.230 avg, .607 OPS) with 76 runs scored, 3 homers, 54 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. Tolbert will get a shot this spring to win a job on the Cubs’ bench due to his versatility in the field.

The Cubs have signed 29-year old switch-hitting catcher Jason Jaramillo to a minor league deal. He played in 23 games for the Pirates last year and he was 14 for 43 (.326 avg, .751 OPS) with 1 run scored, 6 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Jaramillo has now played in 119 games in his first three years in the majors and he is 79 for 336 (.235 avg, .621 OPS) with 23 runs scored, 4 homers, 38 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Jaramillo will have a good shot of winning the backup catcher job for the Cubs this spring.

The Chicago Cubs have re-signed 36-year old righty starting pitcher Rodrigo Lopez to a minor league deal. Lopez pitched in 26 games (16 starts) for the Cubs last year and he was 6-6 with a 4.42 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. He has now pitched in 253 games (215 starts) in his first 10 years in the majors and he is 81-88 with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Lopez will have a good shot at winning a job on the pitching staff this spring as he is versatile enough to start or relieve for the Cubs in 2012.

The Chicago Cubs are taking a sledgehammer to the roster for 2012 as they are starting a rebuilding project, or so it seems. Here is a look at the new faces for 2012 so far:

In the field: The Cubs signed David DeJesus to play right field early on in free agency and he should rebound in 2012 for them with a decent year. The Cubs went out and dealt for 3B Ian Stewart and 1B Anthony Rizzo who both really struggled in the majors last year, but, they both have huge upsides and could start for them in 2012. Outfielders Joe Mather and Dave Sappelt will be competing for bench jobs this spring. Infielders Alfredo Amezaga and Edgar Gonzalez will also be vying for bench jobs this spring.

On the mound: The Cubs have added three new starting pitchers so far this winter. Lefty Paul Maholm was signed to a 1-year deal and he will slot near the top of the Cubs’ rotation. The Cubs have acquired lefty Travis Wood and righty Chris Volstad in separate deals and they will both likely be in the Cubs’ opening day starting rotation in 2012. Righties Manny Corpas and Andy Sonnanstine will likely be competing for jobs in the Cubs’ pen this spring.

Overall: The Cubs are looking to get younger in 2012 and that usually is accompanied by losing.

The Cubs have re-signed 34-year old righty reliever Kerry Wood to a 1-year, $3 million dollar deal with a club option for the 2013 season. Wood pitched in 55 games (0 starts) for the Cubs last year and he was 3-5 with 1 save, a 3.35 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. He has now pitched in 331 games (78 starts) in his first 11 years with the Cubs and he is 80-66 with 35 saves, a 3.63 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. This was a good move for the Cubs as Wood still has a lot left in the gas tank.