Yesterday, after lengthy negotiations, the Cubs signed Greg Maddux to a three-year, $24M contract. Maddux reportedly will receive a salary of $6M in 2004, $9M in 2005, and $9M in 2006. However, if he doesn't pitch a total of at least 400 innings between 2004 and 2005, the contract will end following the 2005 season.

Chicago drafted Maddux out of high school in the second round of the 1984 draft, and he made his major league debut with the club on September 6, 1986. In a long regretted move, the Cubs allowed him to depart for the Braves as a free agent following the 1992 season. His return to Chicago generated considerable buzz, but Cubs' fans were upbeat about the state of the team prior to the signing, so the move wasn't needed to create excitement.

Maddux joins a rotation containing Mark Prior, Kerry Wood, Carlos Zambrano, and Matt Clement. Juan Cruz was the Cubs projected fifth starter prior to the Maddux acquisition. Cruz quite likely would have filled the role effectively, but if he'd struggled Cubs' fans would have turned on him quickly, knowing Chicago passed up an opportunity to sign Maddux. Now the Cubs will have Cruz in reserve to insert into the rotation in case of injury to one of the main five or in the event they decide to deal pending free agent Matt Clement.

Re-signing with the Cubs, opens the discussion of what hat Maddux will wear into the Hall of Fame. He has three years to increase his 289-win total, so there's no question he'll eventually enter Cooperstown. Maddux spent 11 years with the Braves. With the exception of 1994, Atlanta was the division champion in the NL East every season Maddux was with the Braves. The club also went the World Series three times and won once. Over that span, Maddux appeared on six All-Star teams, won three Cy Young Awards, and earned ten Gold Gloves.

While he opened his career with seven seasons on the Cubs, Chicago's case for Maddux entering the Hall of Fame as a Cub rests on their success over the next few years. In his first stint with Chicago, Maddux made two All-Star teams, won one Cy Young Award, and earned three Gold Gloves. However, the Cubs were only champions of the NL Central once. In order to persuade Cooperstown to brand Maddux a Cub, I think several things need to happen. Chicago must make a strong showing in the playoffs over the next few years, including at least one World Series win. Maddux also should remain with the Cubs long enough to equal his time with Atlanta.