John Baker
C FA
Wed 5/20/15 6:49 PM

Baker was released Wednesday, MLB.com's Greg Johns reports. The Mariners optioned Jesus Sucre to Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday, so a roster move was necessary to clear a spot. The 34-year-old Baker was hitting just .161/.185/.194 in 17 games on the season.

John Baker
C FA
Mon 3/30/15 7:53 PM

Baker was reassigned to minor-league camp Sunday, the Seattle Times reports. Jesus Sucre, as expected, won the backup catching job to Mike Zunino. It is unclear the 34-year-old Baker will opt out of his contract to seek a major-league job elsewhere.

John Baker
C FA
Tue 3/24/15 10:38 AM

Baker is expected to lose the backup catching job to Jesus Sucre, the Tacoma News Tribune reports. The Mariners value defense in a backup catcher, and Sucre has the edge behind the plate over Baker. Plus, Sucre is already on the 40-man roster.

John Baker
C FA
Wed 1/28/15 11:39 AM

Baker signed a minor league contract with the Mariners on Tuesday, and received an invite to spring training, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports. There is no reason the 34-year-old catcher cannot win the backup job behind Mike Zunino in Seattle, as they could value his veteran presence. However, Baker hit .192 with zero home runs and zero steals in 208 plate appearances last year with the Cubs. If he didn't bring excellent qualities in the clubhouse and working with young pitchers, he would have been out of the big leagues years ago.

John Baker
C FA
Tue 12/2/14 10:24 PM

The Cubs declined to tender Baker to a contract, the Chicago Sun-Times' Gordon Wittenmyer reports. Baker posted a negative-1 WAR in 2014 despite playing in just 68 games. In 208 plate appearances he slashed .192/.273/.231 with zero home runs and zero steals, making him completely useless in fantasy leagues, and in the Cubs' estimation, he was similarly expendable as the backup catcher.

John Baker
C FA
Sun 8/31/14 9:26 AM

Baker went 0-for-4 during Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader with St. Louis. Baker is hitting just .121 in 33 at-bats in August. The 33-year-old veteran could be nearing the end of the line.

John Baker
C FA
Sun 7/6/14 5:51 PM

John Baker had two hits and two walks in Sunday's loss to the Nationals. The catcher reached base in all four plate appearances, pulling his line up to .200/.280/.229 for the year. He remains a part-time player for the Cubs and not worthy of fantasy ownership.

John Baker
C FA
Fri 6/27/14 7:25 PM

John Baker had monster day at the plate on Friday, going 3-for-3 and driving home four runs as he led the Cubs to a 7-2 victory over the Nationals. Baker got the Cubs on the board with an RBI single in the second inning, then put the game out of reach with a three-run double in the seventh. He also drew a walk, reaching base safely in all four of his plate appearances. Despite the strong day though, he still owns a disappointing .186/.252/.216 slash line on the season.

John Baker
C FA
Sat 6/7/14 4:49 AM

John Baker returned to action on Friday June 6.

John Baker
C FA
Thu 6/5/14 4:34 PM

John Baker (throat) is out of Thursday's lineup against the Mets. Baker was hit in the throat with a foul ball on Wednesday and is dealing with some soreness. It's unclear if he'll be available off the bench. Eli Whiteside will start behind the plate while Luis Valbuena will serve as the emergency catcher.