CHICAGO - Carlos Zambrano's long wait paid off.

The Cubs' talented and emotional ace agreed Friday to a five-year, $91.5 million contract extension that features a 2013 option that could make the deal worth $110.75 million over six seasons.

Zambrano skipped a shot at free agency and its lucrative payday to stay with the only club he ever has known.

"Not everything is about money, you know," Zambrano said. "I know if I got to free agency, there were a lot of things that would come to me and offer me. I feel comfortable here. I feel good here and my family feels good here."

The 26-year-old right-hander, a two-time All-Star, is 14-9 with a 3.86 earned-run average this season and 78-51 in his big- league career.

The $18.3 million average annual value for the deal is the highest for a pitcher with a multiyear contract.

"It's not too often that one player can play his whole career with one organization, and Carlos has a chance to do that," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "Carlos certainly can relax. There's a lot of security there."

"My strong belief is that we couldn't have replaced Carlos," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said. "I didn't have an appetite to be on the free-agent pitching market all winter. There was nobody close to his ability available."

Agent Barry Praver said the no-trade clause was not something that was easy for Hendry to give up during negotiations.

"It was huge, and quite frankly, we're not sitting here if we don't have that," Praver said.

ETC.: The suspension of former All-Star Jose Offerman for a bat attack in an independent league game will remain in effect until his legal case is resolved. Offerman was playing for the Long Island Ducks when he hit the opposing catcher and pitcher Tuesday night in Bridgeport, Conn. . . . The Red Sox put backup catcher Doug Mirabelli on the 15-day disabled list after he injured himself in the first game of a doubleheader Friday. . . . The Red Sox traded outfielder Wily Mo Peña to the Nationals for a player to be named. . . . The Tigers called up touted prospect Cameron Maybin and cut slumping outfielder Craig Monroe, a key member of their World Series team last season. . . . Orioles closer Chris Ray is expected to miss the entire 2008 season after having major surgery on his right elbow. . . . The Angels recalled right-hander Ervin Santana from Triple-A Salt Lake. . . . Athletics outfielder Mark Kotsay was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of lower back spasms. . . . Right-hander Tim Lincecum was placed on the bereavement list by the Giants, clearing the way for infielder Rich Aurilia to return from the 15-day disabled list. . . . White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko will miss the team's weekend series after the death of his grandmother. . . . The Twins recalled outfielder Garrett Jones from Triple-A Rochester

to replace pitcher Ramon Ortiz, traded earlier this week to the Rockies.

Highest baseball salaries

Baseball contracts with average annual values of $17 million or more:

Avg.* Player, club salary

Roger Clemens, Yankees** $28.0

Alex Rodriguez, Yankees $25.2

Manny Ramirez, Red Sox $20

Derek Jeter, Yankees $18.9

Carlos Zambrano, Cubs $18.3

Vernon Wells, Blue Jays $18

Barry Zito, Giants $18

Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners $18

Jason Giambi, Yankees $17.1

Carlos Beltran, Mets $17

Alfonso Soriano, Cubs $17*In Millions; **Joined Team In Midseason And Is Earning $17,442,637.

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