Current Contract:
Signed a one-year, $4 million contract on November 28, 2006.

2007: $4,000,000

*Wells can earn an additional $1.75 million in performance bonuses: $500,000 each for 165 and 185 innings pitched, and $750,000 for 200 innings pitched. Award bonuses include: $100,000 for Comeback Player of the Year, $100,000 for Cy Young ($50,000 for 2nd or 3rd, $25,000 for 4th or 5th), $50,000 each for LDS, LCS or WS MVP, $50,000 for Gold Glove or All Star ($25,000 for selection).

Agent: Randy and Alan Hendricks, Hendricks Sports Management

Became a Cardinal:
Signed as a free agent on November 28, 2006.

2006 Season:
Wells began the 2006 season on the Pittsburgh disabled list as he underwent surgery on March 6 to repair a blocked artery in his right arm. The ailment was a complete blockage of the axillary artery, which is located in the upper chest beneath the clavicle and supplies blood to the head and arms (armpit). The procedure, which involved replacing the artery with a vein taken from Wells' leg, was performed in St. Louis by Dr. Robert Thompson of Barnes Jewish Hospital.

Wells made his 2006 season debut on June 20 and went 1-5 with a 6.69 ERA (36.1 IP / 27 ER) in seven starts for the Pirates, including a 1-1, 1.83 mark in his final three outings before being dealt to Texas at the trade deadline for minor leaguer Jesse Chavez. He made two starts with the Rangers (1-0, 5.63 ERA) before a sprained left foot suffered on August 11 versus Seattle ended his season. Wells was a combined 2-5 with a 6.50 ERA (44.1 IP / 32 ER) in his nine starts with the Bucs and Rangers and was 2-1 with a 2.93 ERA (27.2 IP / 9 ER) over his final five starts.

Wells underwent surgery on the foot to repair a ligament on September 1. He had the pins removed on November 29.

Career Notes:
A first round pick (16th overall) of the Chicago White Sox in 1998, Wells was traded along with Josh Fogg and Sean Lowe to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Todd Ritchie and Lee Evans in December, 2001. He owns a career mark of 57-74, 4.46 ERA with his best season coming in 2003 as he went 10-9 with a 3.38 ERA for the Pirates. He had an N.L.-best 2.12 home ERA that season.

Contract Info: Cot's Baseball Contracts

Photo: MLB Photos