Chicago Cubs, Righthander Michael Wuertz Agree to 2008 Contract

01/21/2008, CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs and right-handed pitcher Michael Wuertz have agreed to terms on a one-year contract for the 2008 campaign, thus avoiding salary arbitration. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Michael Wuertz, 29, last season ranked second in the National League by stranding 33-of-38 inherited runners, an 86.8-percent success rate that trailed only teammate Carlos Marmol (87.8 percent success rate) for best in the National League. The righthander went 2-3 with a 3.48 ERA (28 ER/72.1 IP) in 73 relief appearances, second-most on the club behind Bob Howry (78 appearances).

A member of the Cubs organization since being selected in the 11th round of the 1997 June Draft, Wuertz is 12-6 with one save and a 3.56 ERA (86 ER/217.2 IP) in 220 relief appearances since making his major league debut in 2004. He has 240 strikeouts in 217.2 innings pitched, an average of 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

Source: MLB

Bookmark/Search this post with:

 •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •    •