The Cubs avoided arbitration with Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Zambrano, reports MLB.com.  Ramirez signed a one-year contract for $8.95 million and Zambrano signed a one-year contract for $3.76 million.  Ramirez had an OPS 18% above league average last year in 606 plate appearances, and has a career OPS 0.5% above league average.  Zambrano had an ERA 65% above league average last year in 209.2 innings, good for third in the league, and has a career ERA 33% above league average.

The Cubs also signed Dave Hansen to a one-year minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.  Hanson has been relegated to a career of pinch-hitting after failing in his one real shot of a full-time third baseman's job as a 23-year-old in Los Angeles in 1993.  He's done it well, posting career numbers of .264/.365/.374, giving him an OPS of 1% above league average.  Hanson hasn't received near the love Lenny Harris has despite doing the pinch-hitting gig much better.  One of Hansen's best years occurred in his one previous year with the Cubs, 1997, in which he hit .311/.429/.450.