Tribune: Wood Signs Deal with Cleveland (p. 29)

[SouthSideRyan]

Listen, if Kerry is a man of his word that he'd do anything to be back with the Cubs he simply didn't have to file for free agency.

 

He did.

 

He wasn't willing to do anything to stay with the team.

 

Filing for free agency doesn't mean he wasn't willing to come back here. He's allowed to at least keep his options open as a fallback just in case. Filing for free agency doesn't mean he HAD to negotiate with anyone but the Cubs. It was just that the option was there for him in case the Cubs didn't want him.

My point is that if Kerry really means that he'd have done anything to stay here, he shouldn't have filed. After sitting on his comments all day long, something about them just doesn't feel right to me.

 

We'll see. I'd say there's about a 99.9% chance the Cubs offer arby. If Wood really means it, he'll accept.

 

I somewhat agree, but there is a "we don't want you here" factor involved. When somebody tells you flat out that you're not wanted, do you really want to come back there? I'll definitely soften my stance towards Hendry if he offers arb and Woody declines, but I'm not going to absolve him from all guilt for the way he handled it. One could argue that this was part of the reasoning for telling Wood to look elsewhere to make sure he wouldn't accept the arb. We've seen arbitration tomfoolery in the past going the other way when Grace told the Cubs flat out he would accept whatever they offered him; Lynch didn't offer and after king of the douchebags signed with Arizona he said he only said it so his new team wouldn't lose a pick. It's sports, it's a dirty business, and I see no reason why I'm supposed to take Jim Hendry at his word over Kerry Wood.

[Backtobanks]

I think something is missing here. I have to believe that Wood never actually met with Hendry and pleaded to stay on the team or offer to stay for a one year deal.

 

I agree with you. As I posted before, Wood's agent probably talked to Hendry about a 3/30 contract and then Hendry decided to part ways with Wood. If Wood would have told his agent that he would accept a 1-year deal to stay with the Cubs, Wood would be a Cub right now. The agent went into negotiations with Hendry based on the expected contract Wood could get on the open market and it was more than Hendry wanted to spend.

[flyseye]

I really think, if the statement is even true that Wood would sign a one year deal to remain a Cub, that the one year contract would have had to be for at least 12 mil., probably more.

 

Even then, I have trouble believing it. While Wood has already demonstrated that he will give the Cubs some kind of discount, I just don't see him walking away from a 3/30 or better contract that he can likely get from another team. You are talking about an injury prone pitcher walking away from at least a guaranteed 18-20 million dollars. The man would have to be a fool.

 

If the Cubs offer arbitration, and Wood agrees, fantastic. I just don't see that happening.

[CUBZ99]

I think something is missing here. I have to believe that Wood never actually met with Hendry and pleaded to stay on the team or offer to stay for a one year deal.

 

I agree with you. As I posted before, Wood's agent probably talked to Hendry about a 3/30 contract and then Hendry decided to part ways with Wood. If Wood would have told his agent that he would accept a 1-year deal to stay with the Cubs, Wood would be a Cub right now. The agent went into negotiations with Hendry based on the expected contract Wood could get on the open market and it was more than Hendry wanted to spend.

 

Why would Wood lie about having dinner with his agent and Hendry? Then further lie about Hendry being an honest person by telling him ahead of the FA filing deadline?

[Jehrico]

Listen, if Kerry is a man of his word that he'd do anything to be back with the Cubs he simply didn't have to file for free agency.

 

He did.

 

He wasn't willing to do anything to stay with the team.

 

Filing for free agency doesn't mean he wasn't willing to come back here. He's allowed to at least keep his options open as a fallback just in case. Filing for free agency doesn't mean he HAD to negotiate with anyone but the Cubs. It was just that the option was there for him in case the Cubs didn't want him.

My point is that if Kerry really means that he'd have done anything to stay here, he shouldn't have filed. After sitting on his comments all day long, something about them just doesn't feel right to me.

 

We'll see. I'd say there's about a 99.9% chance the Cubs offer arby. If Wood really means it, he'll accept.

Tim,

I think you should go back to your earlier post about Hendry's announcement and bargaining positions. Hendry's only real way he could have gained leverage was showing a willingness to walk away. Players jockey for the same leverage by filing for free agency, which is essentially the same thing...showing a willingness to walk away. I think it's a done deal and Wood is gone, but Wood's filing for free agency shouldn't be regarded as much more than that.

 

If he really is willing to come back for a one year deal, then we certainly should offer arbitration, which would basically guarantee he get at least what he got last year if he were to accept. Then he can prove he's willing to come back on a one year deal.

[BigbadB]

If Hendry and Kerry really had this wonderful relationship, they shouldn't be where they are now.

 

I appreciate that Kerry has given the Cubs some nice hometown discounts, but I have to believe he is interested in a long term deal. For his families sake, he should be going after a long term deal.

 

One can only hope that Kerry will accept arbitration, but he's nuts to do so and turn down a lot of money.

[CubColtPacer]

If Hendry and Kerry really had this wonderful relationship, they shouldn't be where they are now.

 

I appreciate that Kerry has given the Cubs some nice hometown discounts, but I have to believe he is interested in a long term deal. For his families sake, he should be going after a long term deal.

 

One can only hope that Kerry will accept arbitration, but he's nuts to do so and turn down a lot of money.

 

Kerry might have given the Cubs one hometown discount before the 07 season. That one is a little unclear. Last year's deal was certainly not a hometown discount. Kerry took the highest money per year deal that he could, and that was from the Cubs. Other teams were offering a 2nd year, but at dramatically lower money (and the Cubs incentives were attractive, as Kerry proved when he made double his contract this year).

 

I would be very happy with Kerry accepting arbitration, but I don't think there's any way he will. He will take that multi-year deal from somebody else.

[Mephistopheles]

I appreciate that Kerry has given the Cubs some nice hometown discounts, but I have to believe he is interested in a long term deal. For his families sake, he should be going after a long term deal.

 

Yeah I know. He's made only $50m in his career. Sarah and the kids must really be struggling to put food on the table.

[BigbadB]

I appreciate that Kerry has given the Cubs some nice hometown discounts, but I have to believe he is interested in a long term deal. For his families sake, he should be going after a long term deal.

 

Yeah I know. He's made only $50m in his career. Sarah and the kids must really be struggling to put food on the table.

 

Yeah, I forgot that baseball players have no interest in big money and will happily play for free for the right team. Thanks for bringing me back to reality.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

As I said earlier, there's no way the Cubs don't offer arbitration to get the draft picks. So, if Wood really wants to play on a one-year deal and walk away from 3 and 4 year offers from other teams, he'll accept the Cubs offer of arbitration and work out a contract from there.

[ChiCubsFan]

I appreciate that Kerry has given the Cubs some nice hometown discounts, but I have to believe he is interested in a long term deal. For his families sake, he should be going after a long term deal.

 

Yeah I know. He's made only $50m in his career. Sarah and the kids must really be struggling to put food on the table.

 

Yeah, I forgot that baseball players have no interest in big money and will happily play for free for the right team. Thanks for bringing me back to reality.

 

That's not the point. You said for his family's sake he should be going after a long term deal. That's not true. His family would be fine if he never made another dollar in his life. I think if I was Wood I'd tell the Cubs to give me a 10 year deal making like $5M a year and put mutual options in there every couple years. No player would ever do that though.

[BigbadB]

That's not the point. You said for his family's sake he should be going after a long term deal. That's not true. His family would be fine if he never made another dollar in his life. I think if I was Wood I'd tell the Cubs to give me a 10 year deal making like $5M a year and put mutual options in there every couple years. No player would ever do that though.

 

And that's my point. Why would Wood want to sign a 1 year deal with a team, which could inevitably be the last contract he ever signs, if he can likely get a 3 or 4 year deal for much more. Why would anyone do that?

 

It would be great if he would do that, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

[ChiCubsFan]

That's not the point. You said for his family's sake he should be going after a long term deal. That's not true. His family would be fine if he never made another dollar in his life. I think if I was Wood I'd tell the Cubs to give me a 10 year deal making like $5M a year and put mutual options in there every couple years. No player would ever do that though.

 

And that's my point. Why would Wood want to sign a 1 year deal with a team, which could inevitably be the last contract he ever signs, if he can likely get a 3 or 4 year deal for much more. Why would anyone do that?

 

It would be great if he would do that, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

Because he doesn't want to uproot his family, likes his teammates, likes the city, etc. I know players don't do that, but I don't really understand why they don't. For example, I'm going after a clinical pharmacist job that will likely pay $20,000-$30,000 less than what I could make if I wanted to work as a community pharmacist.

[imb]

That's not the point. You said for his family's sake he should be going after a long term deal. That's not true. His family would be fine if he never made another dollar in his life. I think if I was Wood I'd tell the Cubs to give me a 10 year deal making like $5M a year and put mutual options in there every couple years. No player would ever do that though.

 

And that's my point. Why would Wood want to sign a 1 year deal with a team, which could inevitably be the last contract he ever signs, if he can likely get a 3 or 4 year deal for much more. Why would anyone do that?

 

It would be great if he would do that, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

Because he doesn't want to uproot his family, likes his teammates, likes the city, etc. I know players don't do that, but I don't really understand why they don't. For example, I'm going after a clinical pharmacist job that will likely pay $20,000-$30,000 less than what I could make if I wanted to work as a community pharmacist.

 

20 grand versus like $25 million gee i wonder

[USSoccer]

That's not the point. You said for his family's sake he should be going after a long term deal. That's not true. His family would be fine if he never made another dollar in his life. I think if I was Wood I'd tell the Cubs to give me a 10 year deal making like $5M a year and put mutual options in there every couple years. No player would ever do that though.

 

And that's my point. Why would Wood want to sign a 1 year deal with a team, which could inevitably be the last contract he ever signs, if he can likely get a 3 or 4 year deal for much more. Why would anyone do that?

 

It would be great if he would do that, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

Because he doesn't want to uproot his family, likes his teammates, likes the city, etc. I know players don't do that, but I don't really understand why they don't. For example, I'm going after a clinical pharmacist job that will likely pay $20,000-$30,000 less than what I could make if I wanted to work as a community pharmacist.

 

Relating your life to an MLB player, especially in terms of salary, isn't the way to make good points.

[ChiCubsFan]

That's not the point. You said for his family's sake he should be going after a long term deal. That's not true. His family would be fine if he never made another dollar in his life. I think if I was Wood I'd tell the Cubs to give me a 10 year deal making like $5M a year and put mutual options in there every couple years. No player would ever do that though.

 

And that's my point. Why would Wood want to sign a 1 year deal with a team, which could inevitably be the last contract he ever signs, if he can likely get a 3 or 4 year deal for much more. Why would anyone do that?

 

It would be great if he would do that, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

Because he doesn't want to uproot his family, likes his teammates, likes the city, etc. I know players don't do that, but I don't really understand why they don't. For example, I'm going after a clinical pharmacist job that will likely pay $20,000-$30,000 less than what I could make if I wanted to work as a community pharmacist.

 

20 grand versus like $25 million gee i wonder

 

It's all relative. But it's not like he'd make $25 million less by accepting a 1 year offer unless he suffers a career ending injury. In which case he takes the $50 million he's made in his life and uses it to wipe away the tears of regret for not taking that 4 year contract.

[ChiCubsFan]

That's not the point. You said for his family's sake he should be going after a long term deal. That's not true. His family would be fine if he never made another dollar in his life. I think if I was Wood I'd tell the Cubs to give me a 10 year deal making like $5M a year and put mutual options in there every couple years. No player would ever do that though.

 

And that's my point. Why would Wood want to sign a 1 year deal with a team, which could inevitably be the last contract he ever signs, if he can likely get a 3 or 4 year deal for much more. Why would anyone do that?

 

It would be great if he would do that, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

Because he doesn't want to uproot his family, likes his teammates, likes the city, etc. I know players don't do that, but I don't really understand why they don't. For example, I'm going after a clinical pharmacist job that will likely pay $20,000-$30,000 less than what I could make if I wanted to work as a community pharmacist.

 

Relating your life to an MLB player, especially in terms of salary, isn't the way to make good points.

 

Why not? I know the circumstances are completely different but I just don't understand why players uproot their families, leave the teammates they've grown close to, and leave the cities they love so that they make $12 MIL per year instead of $9 MIL.

[imb]

his arm is hanging by a thread, the next pitch he throws could be his last. $40 million (or whatever) guaranteed vs. $10 million is too much to just throw away, i don't care how much you've made in your life.

[ChiCubsFan]

his arm is hanging by a thread, the next pitch he throws could be his last. $40 million (or whatever) guaranteed vs. $10 million is too much to just throw away, i don't care how much you've made in your life.

 

I guess I'll just agree to disagree. That said, Wood was supposedly willing to take that risk to sign with the Cubs for 1 year.

[USSoccer]

his arm is hanging by a thread, the next pitch he throws could be his last. $40 million (or whatever) guaranteed vs. $10 million is too much to just throw away, i don't care how much you've made in your life.

 

I guess I'll just agree to disagree. That said, Wood was supposedly willing to take that risk to sign with the Cubs for 1 year.

 

To put himself in position to make a multiyear deal possible.

 

Lets use our brains for thinking, folks.

[ChiCubsFan]

his arm is hanging by a thread, the next pitch he throws could be his last. $40 million (or whatever) guaranteed vs. $10 million is too much to just throw away, i don't care how much you've made in your life.

 

I guess I'll just agree to disagree. That said, Wood was supposedly willing to take that risk to sign with the Cubs for 1 year.

 

To put himself in position to make a multiyear deal possible.

 

Lets use our brains for thinking, folks.

 

What are you talking about? According to KW, he would have taken a 1 year deal for the 2009 MLB season with the Cubs despite having the ability to get a 3 or 4 year deal right now. So what the hell are you talking about?

[erik316wttn]

his arm is hanging by a thread, the next pitch he throws could be his last. $40 million (or whatever) guaranteed vs. $10 million is too much to just throw away, i don't care how much you've made in your life.

 

I guess I'll just agree to disagree. That said, Wood was supposedly willing to take that risk to sign with the Cubs for 1 year.

 

To put himself in position to make a multiyear deal possible.

 

Lets use our brains for thinking, folks.

 

Who cares if he'd sign for one year to set himself up for a multi-year deal? We'd still have him next year. The window of opportunity isn't getting any bigger.

[cubsfan26]

I heard Bruce Levine on the radio last night, and he said he didn't think Wood comments were legitimate. He said Wood agent never was willing to accept a one year deal, and was always talking about 3 years plus. Levine said if Wood was serious about staying at one year, he would have stepped in and said otherwise.

[Derwood]

let's not pretend that pro athletes are philanthropists all of a sudden. the union won't let them accept something well below market value

[Jehrico]

let's not pretend that pro athletes are philanthropists all of a sudden. the union won't let them accept something well below market value

The union doesn't have a say in it, so long as they're not taking a paycut below what the CBA provides for. The union only gets involved when teams and players are possibly going to violate the CBA, or when there is collusion driving down salaries in the marketplace. If a guy wants to accept a below-market deal that's still in accordance with the CBA in order to stay at home, the union has absolutely no say or influence in the matter.