Cubs name John Baker baseball operations assistant

The Chicago Cubs today named John Baker to the role of baseball operations assistant.

Baker, 34, recently retired after 14 professional seasons as a catcher (2002-15), including the 2014 campaign with the Cubs. Overall, Baker played seven major league seasons with the Florida Marlins (2008-11), San Diego Padres (2012-13) and Cubs (2014).

In his new role with the organization, Baker will contribute to all elements within the club's baseball operations department, including player development and scouting with an eye towards catching and mental skills. He will visit the club's affiliates to work with the minor league players on and off the field, evaluate amateur players leading up to the draft, and spend time around the major league club among additional responsibilities and opportunities.  

Baker was originally selected by the Oakland Athletics in the fourth round of the 2002 Draft out of the University of California, Berkeley and made his major league debut with the Marlins in 2008. He batted .247 (266-for-1,076) with 14 home runs and 120 RBI in 359 big league contests and went 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA (0 ER/1.0 IP) in one career major league relief appearance.