Koyie Hill, Reed Johnson to return

Updated: January 12, 2011, 3:36 PM ET
By Bruce Levine | ESPNChicago.com

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs and backup catcher Koyie Hill avoided arbitration, while the team also signed outfielder Reed Johnson to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training.

Hills gets a one-year deal for $850,000, while the team did not reveal Johnson's contract details.

Hill, 31, has spent the past four seasons in the Cubs organization, backing up Geovany Soto the past two. He batted .214 with one home run and 17 RBIs last season.

Johnson, 34, returns to the Cubs after a season with the Dodgers. He played in Chicago from 2008-09 and batted .287. He's a lifetime .281 hitter who plays primarily left and center field.

Bruce Levine covers baseball for ESPNChicago.com and ESPN 1000.

Bruce Levine | email

Chicago baseball beat reporter
Bruce Levine has covered sports in Chicago for over 28 years and hosts "Talkin' Baseball," heard Saturday mornings on ESPN 1000.

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