Bonds finally signs contract
Barry Bonds finally signed his $15.8 million, one-year deal and it was approved Thursday by the commissioner’s office, ending more than two months of wrangling between the slugger and the San Francisco Giants over contract language.
With both sides satisfied, Bonds is scheduled to report Monday to spring training at Scottsdale, Ariz. He is likely to participate in the Giants’ first full-squad workout Tuesday.
“I expect he will be ready to go,” general manager Brian Sabean said.
Wood hurt in fall from hot tub
Oft-injured Kerry Wood is out again – this time because of a flub in a hot tub.
The Chicago Cubs pitcher is not expected to throw off the mound for a few days after he slipped this week getting out of a hot tub at home. Wood landed on his stomach and chest.
“It was just a little spill,” Wood said. “I didn’t think anything of it. Nothing’s wrong. It’s just going to be a few extra days. My arm feels great. My body feels good.”
Torre to Bernie: Come on down
Joe Torre spoke to Bernie Williams and the message from the New York Yankees’ manager was clear: Come to spring training.
Williams, feeling slighted by the only major league team he’s played for, has thus far refused to accept a minor league contract. After Torre left some telephone messages, the 38-year-old outfielder called back on Wednesday afternoon.
“The only thing I stressed to him yesterday is: ‘If you want to continue to play, you can’t do it if you stay up there. We have to see you,’ ” Torre said.
Drew could have to wait
J.D. Drew might have to wait until 2030 to get all the money in his contract if he gets hurt.
Drew’s $70 million contract with the Boston Red Sox was finalized Wednesday, a deal that pays the outfielder $14 million for each of the next five seasons. But if he doesn’t play at least 500 games from 2007-10 or 375 from 2008-10, then $9 million of his 2011 salary would be deferred at 1 percent interest.
The 31-year-old Drew would receive the money and interest each July 1 starting with payments of $500,000 in 2022 and $750,000 in 2023. He then would get $1 million annually from 2024-29 and $1.75 million in 2030.