2012 MLB Free Agents: Cubs Sign Kerry Wood
By Editorial Staff
As expected, free agent reliever Kerry Wood decided where he will pitch for the 2012 season today. Also as expected, Wood’s next team will be the same as his last team, the Chicago Cubs. Wood and Chicago announced a one-year agreement today at the Cubs Convention. Woods new deal will earn him $3 million next season and includes a club option for 2013.
Many figured the Cubs and Wood would eventually reach a deal this winter, as both sides expressed mutual interest in a reunion following the season. After the announcement, Cubs president Theo Epstein noted that something would have been wrong if Chicago and Wood wouldn’t have reached an agreement.
The Cubs made Wood the 4th overall pick in the 1995 MLB Draft. After spending several years in Chicago becoming one of the game’s best and brightest young pitchers, arm problems eventually forced Wood to the ‘pen.
Wood eventually landed with the Indians and Yankees before rejoining the Cubs last December. Working out of Chicago’s bullpen last season, Wood maintained an ERA and WHIP of 3.35 and 1.294 over his 55 appearances and 51 innings pitched. Over that span, Wood posted a SO/9 of 10.1 and BB/9 of 3.7.
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