The Chicago Cubs agreed to a two-year contract Wednesday with backup catcher Henry Blanco.
There is a mutual option for 2009.
Blanco batted .266 in 74 games last season. He served as a backup to Michael Barrett and filled in when Barrett missed most of the last month after being hit in the groin with a foul tip.
Blanco spent the last two seasons with the Cubs and is known for his defence. He has thrown out 41.4 per cent of runners attempting to steal during his career, second among active catchers to Detroit's Ivan Rodriguez.
Blanco has also played with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins. He is a .225 career hitter with 49 homers and 225 RBIs in 666 games.
The Cubs, with new manger Lou Piniella, have been busy. They signed free agent second baseman Mark DeRosa on Tuesday and last week re-signed free agents Aramis Ramirez, Kerry Wood and Wade Miller.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
