Wood, Indians reach $20.5 million, 2-year deal
The way Kerry Wood sees it, a deal with the Cubs just wasn't feasible.
The Cleveland Indians introduced Wood as their new closer Saturday, as the two sides agreed on a contract that will guarantee Wood $20.5 million over two years.
Wood gets $10 million in 2009 and $10.5 million in 2010. If he finishes 55 games in either year, an $11 million option kicks in for 2011.
The Cubs said goodbye to Wood in November after he spent all 11 seasons (including one lost to elbow surgery) of his major-league career with them.
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Wood was seeking a multiyear deal, something the Cubs didn't want to do. Shortly after that, Wood said he would have taken a one-year deal to stay in Chicago.
On Saturday, a Chicago-area reporter asked Wood if a one-year deal was indeed feasible.
"I don't think so," he said. "Just to see where they were at, I kind of asked the agents to see what was going on and if that would possibly be in the cards.
"With where they were at, without having an owner and some backloaded contracts, I just don't think that was part of the equation for him (Hendry). I understood it. I started realizing in the first half of the season, where I was at contract wise."
A longtime starter, Wood saved 34 games in 40 chances this year. He was able to joke about the Indians taking their time and doing their "due diligence" on his medical records. Wood came back full time this year after rehabbing from a torn right rotator cuff and said there was no doubt he is healthy.
"My only question was if they were going to need a dolly or a two-wheeler to get it over to them," he said of the folder. "It was pretty thick."
Wood and the Cubs will see each other in spring training as both teams train in Arizona. The Indians come to Wrigley Field for interleague play June 19-21.
"I haven't really thought much about it," he said. "I looked at the schedule and saw that we come in June to Chicago. That'll be about the extent of it. Say hi to the guys and hopefully try to beat them."