Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - The Chicago Cubs announced on Friday they have agreed to terms with catcher Paul Bako on a contract for the 2009 season. Terms of the deal were not announced.
Despite being a veteran of 11 seasons, Bako set career highs in home runs (6), runs batted in (35) and runs scored (30) last year while hitting at a .217 clip in 99 games with the Cincinnati Reds.
Bako is a career .231 hitter, totaling 21 homers, 186 RBI and 183 runs scored over 745 games. That includes a stint with the Cubs in 2003-04, as he was a member of a Chicago club that won the National League Central in 2003 on the way to an appearance in the NLCS.
The 36-year-old has played with 10 different clubs in his 11-year career, including the Tigers, Astros, Braves, Marlins, Brewers, Cubs, Dodgers, Royals, Orioles and Reds.
In Chicago, Bako will backup 2008 NL Rookie of the year Geovany Soto.
