Baker joins Cubs as front-office assistant
Former catcher will work in baseball-operations department
Former Cubs catcher John Baker is trading his spikes for a suit and tie.
The 34-year-old Baker recently retired after 14 professional seasons and accepted a job with Chicago as a baseball-operations assistant. The club says he will contribute to all elements of the baseball-operations department, including player development and scouting with an eye toward catching and mental skills.
Baker will visit Minor League affiliates to work with players on and off the field, and he will evaluate amateur players leading up to the 2016 Draft in addition to spending time around the Major League club.
Baker played seven big league seasons with the Marlins (2008-11), Padres ('12-13) and Cubs ('14) before finishing his career with a 17-game stint in '15 at Triple-A Tacoma, a Mariners affiliate.