The Red Sox have agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal with Bobby Jenks....The Jenks' deal with Boston is pending a physical.
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Yes...please...take him, Pirates!
Hendrix bless us, everyone!
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cheers, IE and company
This thread makin' me miss play ball
Wood back in 'family'
Reliever signs 1-year deal for $1.5 million to return to Cubs
In what may be remembered as the Pizza Summit, Kerry Wood and Cubs general manager Jim Hendry huddled Friday night in a cramped hallway at D'Agostino's restaurant in Wrigleyville.
The two had spoken earlier that day at Ron Santo's funeral, but their second meeting at the pizza joint during a charity function for the Ryan and Jenny Dempster Foundation, was Wood's chance to make his pitch.
Wood lives in Chicago and wanted to return to the Cubs, which was no big secret. The Cubs also were known to be seeking a right-handed reliever to set up Carlos Marmol and free up Andrew Cashner for the rotation. But the Cubs' budgetary constraints, combined with Wood's strong second half with the Yankees, made the notion of a second marriage a long shot.
Yet the two agreed to a one-year deal for the relatively paltry sum of $1.5 million, giving Wood an opportunity one day to finish his career in a Cubs uniform. There will be a news conference Friday at Wrigley Field to announce the deal.
Efforts to ready Wood and Hendry for comment on Thursday were unsuccessful.
Wood, once known as "Kid K," was very close with the iconic Cubs' broadcaster and attended Santo's wake and funeral service with his wife, Sarah. But two years after what he called a "bittersweet" departure, Wood is still a significant part of the "Cubs family," as Chairman Tom Ricketts told him that day.
After the funeral service, Wood spoke to reporters about Santo's life on the steps of Holy Name Cathedral. Naturally, he was asked about the possibility of returning to the Cubs.
"Never say never," he replied.
Before the Woods left, Kerry shook hands with us and said goodbye.
"See you in Mesa," I said.
Wood just grinned. A few hours later came the Pizza Summit, and the rest will be history.
Though Wood can increase his salary with incentives based on games finished ? in case Marmol gets injured or struggles ? he reportedly turned down more lucrative offers from the Red Sox and the White Sox, possibly leaving as much as $12 million on the table.
After the '08 season, when Wood offered to sign a one-year deal to return to the Cubs, Hendry told him to test the market to "take care of your family." The Cubs acquired the Marlins' Kevin Gregg, who flopped in the closer's role and lasted only one season. Wood eventually received a two-year, $20 million deal with the Indians, for whom he toiled in near obscurity for the better part of 1 1/2 dismal seasons.
Wood returned to dominance in a setup role for Yankees' closer Mariano Rivera the final two months of the 2010 season.
But he has had a split personality on the mound since leaving the Cubs, compiling a 5.68 earned-run average in the first-halves of the last two years and a 1.79 ERA in the second halves. His injury problems are well known, including 14 stints on the disabled list.
But when Wood is in a groove, he's as dominant as any reliever in the majors. And the cost to the Cubs for 2011 is less that the annual revenue received from the Toyota sign in the left field bleachers.
While there could be some potential problems if Marmol feels threatened, the closer told the Tribune last September he would welcome Wood's return.
"Sounds good to me," he said.
Wood's return means Cashner could become the No. 3 starter behind Dempster and Carlos Zambrano, with Randy Wells, Carlos Silva, Tom Gorzelanny, Jeff Samardzija and perhaps Brandon Webb competing for the other two spots.
The deferred money on Carlos Pena's $10 million deal and Wood's low salary means the Cubs have committed only $6.5 million in 2011 to two free-agents. Hendry can try to sign the rehabbing Webb to an incentive-laden deal or trade for another starter.
No matter what happens the rest of the offseason, the Cubs will have their longtime leader back in the clubhouse. And that may be as important as anything Wood accomplishes on the field.
Reliever signs 1-year deal for $1.5 million to return to Cubs
In what may be remembered as the Pizza Summit, Kerry Wood and Cubs general manager Jim Hendry huddled Friday night in a cramped hallway at D'Agostino's restaurant in Wrigleyville.
The two had spoken earlier that day at Ron Santo's funeral, but their second meeting at the pizza joint during a charity function for the Ryan and Jenny Dempster Foundation, was Wood's chance to make his pitch.
Wood lives in Chicago and wanted to return to the Cubs, which was no big secret. The Cubs also were known to be seeking a right-handed reliever to set up Carlos Marmol and free up Andrew Cashner for the rotation. But the Cubs' budgetary constraints, combined with Wood's strong second half with the Yankees, made the notion of a second marriage a long shot.
Yet the two agreed to a one-year deal for the relatively paltry sum of $1.5 million, giving Wood an opportunity one day to finish his career in a Cubs uniform. There will be a news conference Friday at Wrigley Field to announce the deal.
Efforts to ready Wood and Hendry for comment on Thursday were unsuccessful.
Wood, once known as "Kid K," was very close with the iconic Cubs' broadcaster and attended Santo's wake and funeral service with his wife, Sarah. But two years after what he called a "bittersweet" departure, Wood is still a significant part of the "Cubs family," as Chairman Tom Ricketts told him that day.
After the funeral service, Wood spoke to reporters about Santo's life on the steps of Holy Name Cathedral. Naturally, he was asked about the possibility of returning to the Cubs.
"Never say never," he replied.
Before the Woods left, Kerry shook hands with us and said goodbye.
"See you in Mesa," I said.
Wood just grinned. A few hours later came the Pizza Summit, and the rest will be history.
Though Wood can increase his salary with incentives based on games finished ? in case Marmol gets injured or struggles ? he reportedly turned down more lucrative offers from the Red Sox and the White Sox, possibly leaving as much as $12 million on the table.
After the '08 season, when Wood offered to sign a one-year deal to return to the Cubs, Hendry told him to test the market to "take care of your family." The Cubs acquired the Marlins' Kevin Gregg, who flopped in the closer's role and lasted only one season. Wood eventually received a two-year, $20 million deal with the Indians, for whom he toiled in near obscurity for the better part of 1 1/2 dismal seasons.
Wood returned to dominance in a setup role for Yankees' closer Mariano Rivera the final two months of the 2010 season.
But he has had a split personality on the mound since leaving the Cubs, compiling a 5.68 earned-run average in the first-halves of the last two years and a 1.79 ERA in the second halves. His injury problems are well known, including 14 stints on the disabled list.
But when Wood is in a groove, he's as dominant as any reliever in the majors. And the cost to the Cubs for 2011 is less that the annual revenue received from the Toyota sign in the left field bleachers.
While there could be some potential problems if Marmol feels threatened, the closer told the Tribune last September he would welcome Wood's return.
"Sounds good to me," he said.
Wood's return means Cashner could become the No. 3 starter behind Dempster and Carlos Zambrano, with Randy Wells, Carlos Silva, Tom Gorzelanny, Jeff Samardzija and perhaps Brandon Webb competing for the other two spots.
The deferred money on Carlos Pena's $10 million deal and Wood's low salary means the Cubs have committed only $6.5 million in 2011 to two free-agents. Hendry can try to sign the rehabbing Webb to an incentive-laden deal or trade for another starter.
No matter what happens the rest of the offseason, the Cubs will have their longtime leader back in the clubhouse. And that may be as important as anything Wood accomplishes on the field.
One of my fav. sox signings of the year so far. As far as risk/reward goes. They still need a bit more in the way of bullpen help but Jenks is still young and will make a big difference on top of Bard and Pap.
Going to need all the help they can get to contend with the O's new revamped lineup. :box2:
Diamondbacks signed OF Xavier Nady to a one-year, $1.75 million contract.
The 32-year-old can also earn up to $1 million via performance-based incentives. He hit just .256/.306/.353 with six home runs in 317 at-bats this year for Chicago, but it wasn't long ago that he was crushing balls for the Pirates. The D'Backs will use him in the outfield and at first base.
__________
Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers said he expects Xavier Nady to receive 400-500 plate appearances between first base and left field.
He hasn't had that many the last two years combined after an injury-shortened 2009 and backup role in 2010. Nady hit .305/.357/.510 with 25 homers and 97 RBI in 2008, though, and he has a shot to have a nice bounce-back year in the desert. He'll share time at first with Juan Miranda and in left with Gerardo Parra. We suspect he'll end up starting at first base more often than not.
The 32-year-old can also earn up to $1 million via performance-based incentives. He hit just .256/.306/.353 with six home runs in 317 at-bats this year for Chicago, but it wasn't long ago that he was crushing balls for the Pirates. The D'Backs will use him in the outfield and at first base.
__________
Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers said he expects Xavier Nady to receive 400-500 plate appearances between first base and left field.
He hasn't had that many the last two years combined after an injury-shortened 2009 and backup role in 2010. Nady hit .305/.357/.510 with 25 homers and 97 RBI in 2008, though, and he has a shot to have a nice bounce-back year in the desert. He'll share time at first with Juan Miranda and in left with Gerardo Parra. We suspect he'll end up starting at first base more often than not.
The Giants and Cubs discussed a Rowand-for-Fukudome trade, said a BB source. A classic bad-contract, change-of-scenery deal.
I/E - have you heard anything about Pavano, Gregg or Dotel to the Pirates. Some sports news guy said last night the Pirates were in the hunt big time for these 3 guys. I wouldn't want Gregg. But the other 2 for sure. Thanks in advance for your findings.
I looked and saw Pavano was talking to the Nats and Twins. Pirates weren't mentioned.
I looked and saw Pavano was talking to the Nats and Twins. Pirates weren't mentioned.
think they are waiting for the asking prices of low-risk, high-reward starting pitchers to drop.
Brandon Webb is possible...
not sure if signing will take place, could be a medium level trade coming up ...
Brandon Webb is possible...
not sure if signing will take place, could be a medium level trade coming up ...
Report: Rangers set to bring in Webb
The Texas Rangers are reportedly on the verge of signing starter Brandon Webb.
The Morning News reported late Sunday afternoon, quoting several sources, that the 31-year-old, who has not taken the mound since April 2009 due to persistent shoulder problems, has a tentative agreement to join the club with a one-year deal.
In his last full season, 2008 with Arizona, the right-hander finished with an NL-best 22 wins against seven losses with a 3.30 earned-run average in 34 starts. He was second in the Cy Young voting and represented the Senior Circuit as an All-Star.
Click here to find out more!
Webb won the NL Cy Young in 2006 after going 16-8 with a 3.10 ERA in 33 turns with the Diamondbacks, and followed that with an 18-10 season in 2007.
Over seven major-league seasons, all with the Diamondbacks, the Kentucky native and eighth-round pick of Arizona in the 2000 amateur draft has compiled an 87-62 mark and 3.27 ERA in 199 games, all but one of those starts.
The Texas Rangers are reportedly on the verge of signing starter Brandon Webb.
The Morning News reported late Sunday afternoon, quoting several sources, that the 31-year-old, who has not taken the mound since April 2009 due to persistent shoulder problems, has a tentative agreement to join the club with a one-year deal.
In his last full season, 2008 with Arizona, the right-hander finished with an NL-best 22 wins against seven losses with a 3.30 earned-run average in 34 starts. He was second in the Cy Young voting and represented the Senior Circuit as an All-Star.
Click here to find out more!
Webb won the NL Cy Young in 2006 after going 16-8 with a 3.10 ERA in 33 turns with the Diamondbacks, and followed that with an 18-10 season in 2007.
Over seven major-league seasons, all with the Diamondbacks, the Kentucky native and eighth-round pick of Arizona in the 2000 amateur draft has compiled an 87-62 mark and 3.27 ERA in 199 games, all but one of those starts.
Ex-Cubs 1B Lee gets 1-year deal with Orioles
Former Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee and the Baltimore Orioles have reached an oral agreement on a one-year contract pending a physical.
Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail disclosed the deal Friday. He has been looking for a power-hitting first baseman since Ty Wigginton left as a free agent to sign with Colorado in mid-December.
The 35-year-old Lee split time with the Cubs and Atlanta Braves last season, totaling 19 homers and 80 RBIs in 148 games.
Lee has 312 career home runs, highlighted by the 46 he hit in 2005. He brings much-needed punch to the Orioles, who were led in home runs last year by Luke Scott (27).
Lee has never played in the American League.
Former Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee and the Baltimore Orioles have reached an oral agreement on a one-year contract pending a physical.
Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail disclosed the deal Friday. He has been looking for a power-hitting first baseman since Ty Wigginton left as a free agent to sign with Colorado in mid-December.
The 35-year-old Lee split time with the Cubs and Atlanta Braves last season, totaling 19 homers and 80 RBIs in 148 games.
Lee has 312 career home runs, highlighted by the 46 he hit in 2005. He brings much-needed punch to the Orioles, who were led in home runs last year by Luke Scott (27).
Lee has never played in the American League.
