Greg Maddux becomes a Chicago Cub once again

Greg Maddux during a news conference after signing with the Chicago Cubs at their spring training facility, in Mesa, Arizona, Wednesday. PHOTO: AP

Greg Maddux's return to the Friendly Confines delighted Cubs fans, his new teammates and the pitcher himself.

"It's a privilege to have the chance to come back and play in Chicago," Maddux said Wednesday. "I spent nine great years here when I first started, and I never forgot that.

"I'm just glad this day has come again where I have chance to come back and finish where I started," he said.

The Cubs officially announced Maddux's deal as they opened spring training in Mesa, Arizona. The four-time Cy Young pitching award winner signed a US$24 million, three-year contract.

Slugger Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals made an even bigger deal, reaching agreement on a US$100 million, seven-year contract, a source told AP,

Pujols scheduled for an arbitration hearing Friday -- he was asking for a US$10.5 million salary and the team offered US$7 million. Instead, the sides settled, according to the source, who was familiar with the negotiations and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

At 24, Pujols led the major leagues in hitting at .359 last year. He hit 43 home runs with 124 RBIs and topped the major leagues with 51 doubles.

Pujols second behind Barry Bonds in voting for the National League Most valuable Player award. He made US$950,000 last year.

The deal came two days before the Cardinals opened camp in Jupiter, Florida.

Elsewhere, two other former All-Stars reported for spring training.

Ivan Rodriguez joined the Detroit Tigers at their camp in Lakeland, Florida, while Ken Griffey Jr. arrived at the Cincinnati Reds' complex in Sarasota, Florida.

Maddux, who turns 38 in April, will get an opportunity to earn his 300th career victory with the Cubs. He needs 11 more wins to reach the mark.

"As great a story as it is, it's really about the fact that Greg Maddux can still win a lot of baseball games," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said. "It's a feel-good story, but it's a story based on Greg making us a better ballclub."

Rodriguez, who helped guide a young Florida Marlins team to a World Series championship last season, will have his first official workout Thursday with Detroit's pitchers and catchers.

The signing of the 10-time Gold Glove catcher capped an exciting winter for the Tigers, who signed several veterans in hopes of avoiding another season like last year's 43-119 debacle.

"Having Pudge on board gives us instant credibility," manager Alan Trammell said. "He's a marquee player, and when people say `Tigers' they think of Pudge now."

Rodriguez, who arrived in camp after most of the players had left, tried on his uniform and inspected his catching equipment.

"It's going to be nice," he said of his first workout with Detroit. "It's going to be the same as last year, learning the new pitchers, giving them some confidence."

Griffey hopeful that his 16th major league season won't end like the previous three had -- sidelined by an injury.

After dislocating his right shoulder the first week of last season, Griffey returned and hurt his right ankle.

The last three seasons, the 36-year-old center fielder hasn't even made it to May. Griffey hit .247 and appeared in a career-low 53 games last season.

He is healed from two separate surgeries last year, but will be eased into workouts.