Yardbarker: Jeff Baker

Stumping for a Fontenot/Baker Platoon

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:03:38 -0500

We’ve had a lot of discussion around here about the 2nd base job next season. There aren’t any projection systems available yet, but I thought it might be a good idea if we come up with some numbers. The 4 players often talked about are Mike Fontenot, Jeff Baker, Placido Polanco and Felipe Lopez. Polanco and Lopez are free agents and could command a large contract. Fontenot and Baker are arbitration eligible for the first time and will likely make no more than $750,000 each ...

Requiem For A Season: Cubs Lose Road Finale 5-1 To Giants

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:18:34 -0500

More photos » by George Nikitin - AP Jeff Baker is 6-2, 210. Pablo Sandoval makes him look... tiny. Browse more photos » Throughout this September, with the Cubs desperately clinging to hope of a postseason berth with a 16-9 start to the month, I kept thinking "stranger things have happened". From time to time, as you know, I'd cite various other late-season pennant collapses or pushes, such ...

Step 16 Revealed: Jeff Baker Goes Yard

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 09:45:12 -0500

Last Thursday I provided you with a step-by-step synopsis of the Colorado Rockies plan to set up the San Francisco Giants for devastating and irrevocable heartbreak. I only covered the first 15 steps at that time, mainly because I was instructed not to or I’d lose my writing privileges, but also because I didn’t want to ruin the fun for everyone watching and reading. But now, with last night’s games in the books, I can officially tell you that Jeff Baker’s two-out, two-strike, two-run, game-winning home run off of Giants closer Brian Wilson was indeed part of Colorado’s elaborate plan. See, the Rockies traded Baker to Chicago on July 2nd fully aware of the Cubs four game series in San Francisco in September. In...

Baker Leads Cubs Past Former Candlestick Players, 3-2

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:01:05 -0500

More photos » by Eric Risberg - AP Jeff Baker, home run hero. Who would have thought? Browse more photos » As the Cubs and their coaches and manager came onto the field for the handshakes and high-fives after their come-from-behind 3-2 win over the Giants, I saw something I don't think I've seen all year. A smile on Lou Piniella's face. Sorry it took so long, Lou, but that one was definit...

S.F. fails to gain ground for wild card

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:19:31 -0500

Jeff Baker hit a two-out, two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning and the Chicago Cubs staved off playoff elimination for a day by handing the San Francisco Giants a blow to their postseason hopes with 3-2 victory Thursday night.

Now We're Cooking: Baker Helps Lead Cubs To 3-1 Win Over Pirates

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 17:02:15 -0500

More photos » by Charles Rex Arbogast - AP Hitting hero Jeff Baker. Who knew? Browse more photos » It was quieter at Wrigley Field this afternoon; the jets appearing at the Chicago Air & Water Show didn't make their main entrance till after the game was over, and Cubs bats poked out just nine hits and three runs, but it was enough for their second straight win over the Bucs, 3-1. I almost feel s...

Jeff Baker ... The Difference Maker - Cubs 3 Pirates 1

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 15:51:53 -0500

Game One Hundred-Fifteen - Cubs 3 Pirates 1 WP - Tom Gorzelanny (5-2) LP - Zach Duke (9-11) Save - Kevin Gregg (23) Tom Gorzelanny improved to 2-1 in a Cubs' uniform with a solid outing against his former team. Gorzelanny qualified for the win but left after five innings. Lou Piniella indicated Gorzelanny was not able to get his work in during the week due to the injury he suffered in Colorado and they wanted to shorten him up. Gorzelanny threw the ball well, except for one inning an...

Rockies trade Jeff Baker to Cubs for minor league pitcher Alberto Alburquerque

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:25:10 -0500

Jeff Baker #10 / Second Base / Colorado Rockies Height: 6-2 Weight: 210 Bats: R Throws: R Born: Jun 21, 1981 According to Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago, the Rockies have sent infielder Jeff Baker to the Chicago Cubs for Alberto Alburquerque. Baker's been a stalwart on the bench for the Rockies the last few seasons, but had his playing time cut with the emergence of Ian Stewart. The Cubs have been searching for some offensive pop to revive a moribund offense u...

From the Wire....Cubs Acquire Jeff Baker

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:14:52 -0500

According to a report from Yahoo Sports, the Cubs have acquired Jeff Baker from the Colorado Rockies.

When They Pull Out a Knife, The Cubs Pull Out Jeff Baker

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:06:08 -0500

The Cubs countered the Cardinals acquisition of Mark DeRosa with one of their own, acquiring 2B/3B Jeff Baker from the Colorado Rockies. It's like countering a handgun with a slingshot. Seemingly running out of players to put on the disabled list, Baker is already on it with a left hand sprain suffered back in April, so he should fit right in with the Cubs. He did start a rehab assignment in mid-June, so I presume he's ready to play again and the Rockies were just out of roster space.

The player the Cubs are sending back is unknown at the moment, most likely a player to be named later.

Baker to Cubs

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:49:03 -0500

Baker to Cubs The Cubs acquired Jeff Baker from the Rockies, according to Yahoo Sports.