» Wood Passes Indians Physical; Burnett, Yanks do $82.5M 5-Year

Wood Passes Indians Physical; Burnett, Yanks do $82.5M 5-Year

A.J. Burnett

The Cleveland Indians and free agent former Cub starter/closer Kerry Wood consummated their 2 year deal upon Wood’s successfully passing the club’s physical. There was concern about Wood’s long history of injuries.

MLB’s Anthony Castrovince reports;

What the Tribe saw in Wood was a player who not only fit their need for a prototypical hard-throwing closer but also fit their clubhouse culture and quest for leadership.

“We get the best of both worlds with Kerry,” general manager Mark Shapiro said.

And the Indians officially got him Saturday.

On Friday, Cleveland received the results of the physical Wood took here, and on Saturday the Indians announced that they had signed the right-handed Wood to a two-year contract worth $20.5 million. The contract includes an option for 2011 worth $11 million that vests if Wood finishes 55 games in either ‘09 or ‘10. Otherwise, it is a club option.

Meanwhile, the Yankees further bulked up their starting rotation after signing lefthander CC Sabathia with the acquisition of free agent former Toronto Blue Jays righthander A.J. Burnett, pending his passing a Yankees team physical.

Alhough Burnett’s 18-10, 231 strikeouts in 2008 were impressive, his career record prior to last season was lackluster although his career ERA is sub-4 at 3.81 . Burnett, like Woods, has an injury record going DL several times with elbow and shoulder woes.

MLB.com’s Mark Bowman reports;

Burnett entered the free-agent market with a “buyer beware” tag because of past injury problems, and exited it counting the riches the Yankees will provide him over the course of the next five years.

AP Baseball Writer Ben Walker outlines the deal’s terms and Yankee hopes for Yahoo sports;

The New York Yankees… agreement with free agent A.J. Burnett on $82.5 million, five-year contract.

Burnett’s agreement, which averages $16.5 million annually, was confirmed by the office of his agent, Darek Braunecker.

“I can sense the excitement and the confidence that’s spreading around the entire organization about what we’re getting done and what we may get done still,” Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner said earlier Friday, before Burnett’s decision became known. “A rising tide lifts all boats, and the confidence and the excitement right now among the team and the organization is contagious.”

Burnett joins a rotation that also includes holders Chien-Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain. New York is hoping to re-sign Andy Pettitte…

With their deal for leftfielder Raul Ibanez in the hopper, the Phils continue competing with the Yanks in pitching to sign 35 year old free agent Dodger veteran sinkerballer Derek Lowe while continuing to pursue Chan Ho Park and hoping to re-sign 46 year old veteran lefthander Jamie Moyer.