Cubs exercise option on 1B Ward

Nov 3, 2007 - 5:46 PM CHICAGO (Ticker) -- The Chicago Cubs on Saturday announced that they have exercised the 2008 option for first baseman Daryle Ward.

Signed in December as a free agent, Ward batted .327 with three home runs and 19 RBI in 79 games with the Cubs last season.

The 32-year-old led the team with 54 pinch-hit appearances, batting .268 (11-for-41) with 18 walks in that situation.

Ward's 72 career pinch hits is tied for fifth among active players. Mark Sweeney of the San Francisco Giants leads all active players with 163.

In addition, the team has declined the 2008 options on outfielder Cliff Floyd and pitcher Steve Trachsel.

The move was more of a formality as both Floyd and Trachsel formally filed for free agency on Wednesday.

Floyd played in 63 games and hit .284 with nine home runs and 45 RBI in his first season with the Cubs. Trachsel, acquired from Baltimore on August 31 in exchange for pitcher Rocky Cherry and infielder Scott Moore, went 1-3 with an 8.31 ERA in 17 1/3 innings over four starts.