Wood Makes Deal With Cubs

[DurableTear]

Credit: AP

 

 

02/27/2004??14:54:11?EST

Wood Makes $32.5 Million Deal With Cubs

 

 

MESA, Ariz. - Kerry Wood agreed Friday to a $32.5 million, three-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, a deal that includes a mutual option for 2007.

 

The 26-year-old right-hander had agreed last month to a one-year deal worth $9.75 million. He would have been eligible for free agency after this season.

 

His new agreement calls for a $3 million signing bonus, payable at $1 million annually over three years, and salaries of $7 million this season, $8.5 million in 2005 and $11 million in 2006.

 

The Cubs have a $13.5 million option for 2007 with a $3 million buyout, and the 2007 salary would become guaranteed if Wood pitches 400 or more innings in 2005 and 2006 combined. But Wood also can reject the option, making himself eligible for free agency after the 2006 season.

 

Wood made the NL All-Star team last year, going 14-11 with a 3.20 ERA in 32 starts. He struck out a major league-high 266 batters and held opponents to a .203 average.

 

In his fifth major league start in 1998, Wood struck out 20 Houston batters, tying the major league record for a nine-inning game.

 

He won two games in the division series against Atlanta last fall and was the losing pitcher in Game 7 of the NL championship series against Florida.

 

Wood had elbow ligament replacement surgery in 1999 and missed the entire season. He has a 59-41 career record, averaging 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings.

[Marlins]

The NL Central is going to be very intresting between the Astros and Cubs.

[Ramp]

let's not count out the Brewers yet

 

everyone is in 1st place right now

[Marlins]

let's not count out the Brewers yet

 

everyone is in 1st place right now

well...IMO the Cubs, Astros, Cardinals are better than the Brew Crew.

[Admin]

well...IMO the Cubs, Astros, Cardinals are better than the Brew Crew.

In everyone's opinion.

[Marlins]

well...IMO the Cubs, Astros, Cardinals are better than the Brew Crew.

In everyone's opinion. If you say so...

 

The Brewers aren't a team to be afraid of.

[JBurque]

Nice deal for Kerry. He gets the big $ and he's not tied down.

[SorianoFanHFW]

he probably could of made 15 a season if he waited for king stein to make a move.

[rferry]

A three-year deal makes him 30. That's atleast 6 years to bounce around the league looking for a ring.

[RippyO]

Awwwww yeahhhh Cubs REP-RE-SENT!

 

Not too sure about Lee though. I'd rather see the money used for next offseason.