CHICAGO -- Nomar Garciaparra and Todd Walker are together again.
The Chicago Cubs filled their middle infield Tuesday by signing
Garciaparra and Walker each to one-year contracts. Garciaparra's deal
calls for an $8 million base salary with a combination of performance
bonuses for games started and plate appearances.
Walker will receive $2.5 million in 2005 and there is a vesting
option for 2006 based on plate appearances. Garciaparra and Walker
were teammates in Boston in 2003 when the Red Sox were five outs away
from reaching the World Series. The shortstop called Walker on
Tuesday shortly before the second baseman signed.
"We just said, 'Let's get after it like we did two years ago,'"
Walker said. "Hopefully it goes one series longer. Nomar's a super
guy and obviously a great talent and it should be a lot of fun."
"I felt that Chicago was the best place for me to be to continue my
career," Garciaparra said Tuesday. "I loved playing there, I loved
the experience I had there. The fans are tremendous, the organization
is first class."
The Cubs acquired Garciaparra on July 31 in a four-team deal, and he
batted .297 in 43 games with four homers and 20 RBIs. He started the
season with Boston and missed the first 57 games because of an
Achilles problem. Garciaparra also was sidelined with the Cubs
because of a sore groin and wrist.
"This is a great, great player," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry
said. "Unfortunately, we saw a good player, but we didn't see the
Nomar that we all know when he's completely healthy.
"You have a guy who plays the game the right way," Hendry said. "He
plays hard all the time. He's a good teammate and a great example for
younger players. He's our kind of player as far as effort and
attitude."
Tuesday was the last date for teams to offer their declared free
agents arbitration. If the Cubs declined to make an offer, they would
lose the right to re-sign or negotiate with the player until May 1.
Once offered arbitration, players have until Dec. 19 to accept or
reject salary arbitration. If the player accepts arbitration, he will
return to the team for at least one year. If he rejects arbitration,
the team can continue negotiations until Jan. 8. Perhaps more
importantly, by offering arbitration, a club receives draft pick
compensation if the player is signed by another team.
The Cubs did offer arbitration to pitcher Matt Clement, but not to
Moises Alou, Ramon Martinez, Tom Goodwin, Mark Grudzielanek, Mike
DiFelice, Ben Grieve or Kent Mercker. Hendry said he would make a
decision on free agents Todd Hollandsworth and Paul Bako by the 11
p.m. CT deadline Tuesday.
"We're very grateful for what [Alou] has done, but we've decided to
move in another direction in left field," Hendry said of the veteran,
who hit 39 homers and drove in 106 runs.
Clement has received multi-year offers from other teams, and if he
does sign elsewhere, the Cubs would be compensated by a draft pick.
Garciaparra was only with the Cubs for two months, but felt right at
home.
"Ever since Nomar got here, he was happy to be here," Hendry
said. "He was genuine and sincere about how well he was received by
the fans. There was a lot of good will between himself and Dusty
[Baker, Cubs manager] and his teammates."
The Cubs medical staff examined Garciaparra, and Hendry met
personally with the shortstop to see for himself that he was healthy.
"He's very optimistic that he's going to have a banner year and is
excited about it," Hendry said.
"Everyone was saying, 'What you need is rest,' and I've had a lot of
rest so far and I've already felt a tremendous difference,"
Garciaparra said. "I'm back working out and preparing myself for next
season. I'm looking forward to putting my Achilles in the past. It
was a bump in the road ... The rest of my body is feeling wonderful."
Garciaparra did receive offers from other teams, but wouldn't
disclose any details. He had spent his entire career with the Red
Sox, and this was his first experience as a free agent.
"I didn't know what to expect," he said. "I just felt that Chicago
was the best place for me. I'm hoping to turn this into a long-term
relationship."
Plus, Garciaparra is a man of honor. Cubs catcher Michael Barrett
gave the shortstop his No. 5 and joked that Garciaparra could have
the number if he promised to stay beyond the 2004 season.
"I made a promise to a particular catcher that if I got a particular
number that I'd be seriously considering coming back," Garciaparra
said.
Anyone who has a Cubs' No. 5 jersey now knows who will be wearing it.
"Both sides agreed that Nomar's value on a multi-year deal would be
enhanced by him playing and playing a lot and not being nicked up,"
Hendry said. "He was very understanding. I think a short-term deal
worked for him, too."
Garciaparra would like to see the Cubs end their World Series drought
just as his former team, the Red Sox, did in 2004. The Cubs have not
won a World Series since 1908, and have not played in one since 1945.
"If I'm not in a World Series, I have a tough time watching a World
Series," Garciaparra said. "But I was pulling for my teammates and
that city. I have great friends and teammates there and to see them
do that was really exciting.
"I was a part of reversing something over there, and I know that," he
said. "Here I am in another organization and I want to be a part of
reversing that as well. I'll be surrounded by people who have that
goal, who want to bring a world championship to a great city."
Walker wanted to stay in Chicago, even though he was seriously
considering an offer from the Texas Rangers.
"During the waiting period, in my gut I was scared [the Rangers] were
going to give us what we wanted. I knew in my gut I wanted to come
back to Chicago," Walker said.
"He's a quality left-handed hitter and a quality makeup guy," Hendry
said. "He played a lot better defensively than advertised."
Walker became the starting second baseman when Grudzielanek was
sidelined with a sore Achilles, and started 88 games. Grudzielanek
made 61 starts at second.
"I said before, I have to get a starting job because it was so
difficult last year," Walker said. "Jim Hendry opened the job for me.
I felt I earned it last year. I get to play alongside Nomar and I'm
comfortable with that. We've had a history together."
Garciaparra is happy, too.
"He's a tremendous bat, he's great on defense," Garciaparra said of
Walker. "He's so solid and there's a comfort zone between us, too.
"We had a great year and a great time when we were together in
Boston," he said of Walker. "If he's there next year, you'll see a
big smile on my face. I'll get to play alongside a great player and
good friend."
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