CHICAGO (AP) - The Chicago Cubs declined the $3 million option for backup catcher Henry Blanco on Friday.
The Cubs bought out Blanco's 2009 option for $300,000. Chicago could re-sign Blanco as a free agent for a lower guaranteed salary.Blanco, 37, batted .292 in 2008, 65 points higher than his career average of .227, with three home runs and 12 RBIs in 120 at-bats.
Manager Lou Piniella has credited Blanco with mentoring No. 1 catcher and Rookie of the Year candidate Geovany Soto.
Blanco's 2007 season was limited to 22 games with a cervical herniated disk in his neck. He came back after playing for Leones in the Venezuelan Winter League.
Blanco signed with the Cubs as a free agent in December 2004. The Caracas, Venezuela, native has also played with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins.
