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.