According to the transactions page on Cubs.com, the team re-signed INF Chris Valaika to a minor league contract on Dec. 28, the signing was posted Friday, Jan. 9. The deal should include a non-roster invitation to Spring Training.
The Cubs should release the list of players that will be in big league camp on non-roster invites by the end of the month, first week in February. Chris Valaika along with INF Jonathan Herrera, OF Adron Chambers and RHP Anthony Carter will likely be on the Cubs first Spring Training roster after signing minor league contracts with the team this winter.
Chris Valaika inked a minor league contract with the Cubs last winter and spent the 2014 season in the organization.
The 29-year old utility man started the year with Triple-A Iowa and batted .278/.344/.423 in 102 games with 21 doubles, 10 home runs and a .768 OPS. Valaika saw time at all four infield positions and left field while wearing an I-Cubs jersey.
The Cubs purchased Valaika’s contract from Iowa on August 1 after the team traded Emilio Bonifacio and James Russell to the Braves for Victor Caratini at the deadline. Valaika spent the remainder of the season with the Cubs. Valaika saw a lot of playing time at first base while Anthony Rizzo was sidelined with a strained back and at second base when Starlin Castro went down with a high ankle sprain.
Chris Valaika hit .231/.282/.339 in 44 games with four doubles, three home runs and a .621 OPS. Against lefties, .263/.275/.316 in 40 plate appearances. Valaika owns a .325/.345/.470 slash line against southpaws in 87 plate appearances in his big league career with a .815 OPS.
The Cubs outrighted Chris Valaika off the 40-man roster to the Iowa Cubs on Oct. 29. Valaika became a minor league free agent and decided to re-sign with the Cubs.