Baker dealt to the Chicago Cubs

When he got the chance to play regularly for the Colorado Rockies, Jeff Baker showed he could hold his own at the major-league level.

But the chances of playing every day were few; his path to being a fixture in the lineup was constantly blocked by an overcrowding of players at his position.

The Gar-Field High School graduate is hoping that Thursday’s trade to the Chicago Cubs will change that and give him a new opportunity to play on a consistent basis.

“It’s a fresh start,” said Baker, who hit .257 with 22 homers and 88 RBI in 231 games with Colorado from 2005-09. “I’m excited about it.”

Baker, who had been a part of the Rockies’ organization since 2002 when Colorado drafted him in the fourth round out of Clemson University, was informed of the trade Wednesday following his rehab assignment with Colorado’s Triple-A affiliate in Colorado Springs.

After the game Baker was called into the office, where he spoke with Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry.

Baker flew out Thursday from Denver to Chicago. He was hoping to be with the team before it began the first game of its four-game homestand Thursday against Milwaukee. Baker got a delayed start out Denver when his original flight was cancelled.

In exchange for Baker, Colorado received minor-league relief pitcher Alberto Alburquerque.

In his initial conversation with the Cubs, Baker was unsure how they planned to use him or at what position.

A utility player with Colorado, Baker spent time at third base, second base, first base and in the outfield.

Chicago’s regular starting third baseman, Aramis Ramirez, is on a rehab assignment and is expected back with the Cubs next Monday.

Baker, 28, was considered a prime candidate for a trade after being placed on the 60-day disabled list April 27 for a sprained left hand.

Baker expected to be activated off the disabled list this week. But the Rockies had a decision to make regarding his future with the organization.

Without any room for Baker on the major-league roster, Colorado either had to take the chance of losing him through waivers or trading him.

Trade rumors involving Baker had been floating around since spring training. Reports surfaced that a number of teams, including Houston and Philadelphia, were interested in him.

With his rehab stint coming to a close with the Rockies this week, Baker was prepared for a trade.

“I got a little bit of this in spring training, but that fell through,” Baker said. “Being on the DL and being out of sight and out of mind, I knew [a trade] was a possibility.”

Baker was originally drafted as a third baseman following an all-American career at Clemson. But the presence of Garrett Atkins at that position forced Baker to look for playing time by moving to other positions.

His first stint with Colorado came in 2005 when he was a last-second fill-in for an injured Atkins at third base. Baker was the Opening Day starter and played 12 games that season with Colorado before being sent back to the minors.

In 2006, he was a September call-up, where in 18 games he hit .368 with five homers and 21 RBI.

His first full season with Colorado was in 2007, where he hit .222 in 85 games.

His highlight that season was hitting the game-winning pinch-hit single in the eighth inning against Arizona to deliver a 2-1 win that pushed Colorado to the National League Championship Series.

Last season, Baker saw action in 104 games. He hit .268 with 12 homers and 48 RBI. He was the National League Player of the Week last June after hitting .435 and homering in four straight games.
This season, Baker was hitting .130 in 12 games before going on the disabled list.

Sports editor David Fawcett can be reached at (703) 878-8052.