Cubs sign Paul Bako, Caribbean World Series next week

Cubs.com reports that Paul Bako has signed a one year deal with the Cubs. He will earn about 750,000 dollars. Bako will compete for the back up catchers job with Koyie Hill this spring. The Rich Hill trade is not yet official, so the 40-man roster is now full.

Next week, we'll have a chance to see some live baseball on the MLB Network. Four teams will compete in the Caribbean World Series. Here's the schedule (all times Central);

Mon. (2-2)- Venezuela VS Dominican Republic 4:00
Puerto Rico VS Mexico 9:00
Tues.- DR VS PR 4:00
Mex VS Ven 8:00
Wed.- Ven VS PR 4:00
Mex VS DR 8:00
Thu.- DR VS Ven 4:00
Mex VS PR 8:00
Fri.- PR VS DR 4:00
Ven Vs Mex 8:00
Sat.- PR Vs Ven 4:00
DR VS Mex 8:00
former Cub Dan Plesac will call the Wed. & Sat. 8:00 games for MLB Network.

We know 3 of the teams that will be in. The 4th will be determined by a Game 7 of a series tonight night to see who will represent Venezuela. We will see some Cubs and former Cubs in action. Here is a list of the teams we know are in and the players with Cubs connections.
Mexico:
No players from Cubs organization, but 20 players in big league systems.

Dominican Republic:
Carlos Marmol (Cubs pitcher)
Welington Castillo (catcher)
Jake Fox (catcher, 1B)
Billy Petrick (former Cub)
Felix Pie (former Cub, traded to Baltimore)
Craig Monroe (former Cub)
Fransis Beltran (former Cub)

Puerto Rico:
No current players in Cubs organization
Angel Pagan (former Cub, now with Mets)
Ramon Martinez (former Cub)

Game 7 Coming Up Tonight to determine Venezuelan team that will advance. Here are the teams and lists of player from Cubs organization:

Aragua:
Rich Hill (close to being traded to O's)
Justin Berg (minor league pitcher)
Ronny Cedeno (traded to Sea)
Sam Fuld (OF)
managed by Buddy Bailey (Cubs minor league manager)
Caracas:
Jose Ascanio (pitcher)
J.R Mathes (minor league pitcher)
Matt Murton (former Cub, now with A's)
Josh Kroeger (former Cub, now with White Sox)

Next week I'll have posts with scores from every game, and stats from these players. I'll update this post tonight after the Caracus/Aragua game with info on who won and stats from the listed players.

Numbers Breakdown: Henry Blanco VS Paul Bako

Yes, the Cubs say they want to get a guy who can hit left handed as the back up catcher. But how important is that? I'm sure they can still have 2-3 left handed bats off the bench even if they kept Blanco. Bruce Levine reported yesterday that if the Cubs sign Paul Bako it will be for the same amount or more than what Blanco signed for with the Padres (750,000). Let's compare the 2:

Clubhouse/personality/fan favorite/mentor
Blanco is a great guy in the clubhouse, he did a great job as the mentor for Soto in 2008, the fans love him, and he has a great personality. Nothing against Bako, but he isn't as great of a guy to have around as Henry.
Point Blanco.

Batting Average in 2008:
Blanco: .292
Bako: .217
point Blanco

BA for career:
Blanco: .292
Bako: .231
point Blanco

SLG % for 2008:
Blanco: .392
Bako: .328
point Blanco

SLG % for career:
Blanco: .364
Bako: .317
point Blanco

OBP for 2008:
Blanco: .325
Bako: .299
point Blanco

OBP for career:
Blanco: .289
Bako: .305
point Bako

Fielding % 2008:
Blanco: .992
Bako: .993
point Bako

Fielding % career:
Blanco: .993
Bako: .990
point Blanco

runners CS/ SB for 2008
Blanco: 10 CS, 12 SB
Bako: 22 CS, 55 SB
point Blanco (close)

Past Balls per 9 innings 2008:
Blanco: .1048
Bako: .1051
Point Blanco

The Cubs want a left handed hitter so we'll give Bako +1.
Final score: Blanco- 9, Bako- 3
I think you get my point.

Please comment with your thoughts!
Next weekend I'll compare Felix Pie and Joey Gathright.