We've been following a few vesting options this month, including Josh Beckett's and Magglio Ordonez's, but there's one player whose vesting option we haven't touched on: Kerry Wood. If he finishes 55 games this season, his $11MM option for 2011 will be guaranteed, however Wood is sitting on 45 GF at the moment with just 16 games left in Cleveland's season.
Considering the team's financial plight and Wood's substandard year, I think it's safe to say this is one option the Tribe would have gone out of its way to make sure it didn't vest. It seems like it would be a lot easier to keep a reliever from finishing games without making it look suspicious than it would be to keep an everyday player from picking up plate appearances or a starter from racking up innings.
The Indians will have to pay attention to how many games Wood finishes next year though, because if the same 55 GF trigger in is effect again. If the option doesn't vest, the club can still choose to pick it up.
Thanks to Cot's Baseball Contracts for the contract info.
