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

[Jehrico]

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.

That doesn't make any sense. Wood may prefer to stay in Chicago on a one year deal over going to another team at 3-4 years, but he'd prefer to stay in Chicago with a 3 year deal over a one year deal. Common sense should tell you that early in the negotiating process (which is where we'd still be if the talks hadn't been ended by Hendry, the offseason is still young) Wood's camp would still be pushing for a multi-year deal. Of course they wouldn't let Hendry know that he'd be open to a one year deal until it came down to the 11th hour. I'm doubtful Wood and Hendry actually would have found common ground on a one year deal in the end (Wood probably would want some extra concessions or performance-based incentives or options for taking the one year deal), but Wood would have entertained the discussion had Hendry not jumped the gun and shut the door on the discussions.

[Backtobanks]

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.

 

That is what I posted in a couple of earlier posts. The agent talked to Hendry about a multi-year deal (like 3/30) which he could expect on the open market. Hendry decided against that kind of deal and wished Wood luck in getting what he deserved on the open market. Wood probably wasn't even involved until after the media had the story of the Cubs saying goodbye.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Bruce Miles offers this on Kerry Wood.

 

There still is a chance Wood could return to the Cubs. Let’s say he doesn’t get that three-year deal from another team that everybody seems to think he’ll get. The Cubs no doubt will offer him salary arbitration, if for no other reason than to get draft-pick compensation if they do lose him. If Wood accepts, he’s automatically back for at least a one-year deal. That would give the Cubs Wood, Gregg and Carlos Marmol at the back end of the bullpen, with Jeff Samardzija seemingly in the middle. That’s not bad.

[FergieJ31]

Bruce Miles offers this on Kerry Wood.

 

There still is a chance Wood could return to the Cubs. Let’s say he doesn’t get that three-year deal from another team that everybody seems to think he’ll get. The Cubs no doubt will offer him salary arbitration, if for no other reason than to get draft-pick compensation if they do lose him. If Wood accepts, he’s automatically back for at least a one-year deal. That would give the Cubs Wood, Gregg and Carlos Marmol at the back end of the bullpen, with Jeff Samardzija seemingly in the middle. That’s not bad.

 

I've been wondering about just this scenario since the whole "Kerry is gone" story broke. It seems remote that Kerry would be back, accepting a 1 yr deal with the Cubs, but certainly not impossible :beg:

[C.C.]

Bruce Miles offers this on Kerry Wood.

 

There still is a chance Wood could return to the Cubs. Let’s say he doesn’t get that three-year deal from another team that everybody seems to think he’ll get. The Cubs no doubt will offer him salary arbitration, if for no other reason than to get draft-pick compensation if they do lose him. If Wood accepts, he’s automatically back for at least a one-year deal. That would give the Cubs Wood, Gregg and Carlos Marmol at the back end of the bullpen, with Jeff Samardzija seemingly in the middle. That’s not bad.

 

I just can't see that happening. Someone will offer him a deal.

[nilodnayr]

Bruce Miles offers this on Kerry Wood.

 

There still is a chance Wood could return to the Cubs. Let’s say he doesn’t get that three-year deal from another team that everybody seems to think he’ll get. The Cubs no doubt will offer him salary arbitration, if for no other reason than to get draft-pick compensation if they do lose him. If Wood accepts, he’s automatically back for at least a one-year deal. That would give the Cubs Wood, Gregg and Carlos Marmol at the back end of the bullpen, with Jeff Samardzija seemingly in the middle. That’s not bad.

 

I just can't see that happening. Someone will offer him a deal.

 

I would have to think that the Cubs would much much much rather settle with him than go to arbi. You can't have incentives in an arbi deal, can you? I don't know of any rule stating it, but I can't recall an arbi deal that wasn't just straight $.

[jersey cubs fan]

Bruce Miles offers this on Kerry Wood.

 

There still is a chance Wood could return to the Cubs. Let’s say he doesn’t get that three-year deal from another team that everybody seems to think he’ll get. The Cubs no doubt will offer him salary arbitration, if for no other reason than to get draft-pick compensation if they do lose him. If Wood accepts, he’s automatically back for at least a one-year deal. That would give the Cubs Wood, Gregg and Carlos Marmol at the back end of the bullpen, with Jeff Samardzija seemingly in the middle. That’s not bad.

 

I just can't see that happening. Someone will offer him a deal.

 

FWIW, everyday I hear stories about what free agents the Mets and Yankees are after, two teams in need of bullpen help, and Wood's name never comes up.

[C.C.]

Bruce Miles offers this on Kerry Wood.

 

There still is a chance Wood could return to the Cubs. Let’s say he doesn’t get that three-year deal from another team that everybody seems to think he’ll get. The Cubs no doubt will offer him salary arbitration, if for no other reason than to get draft-pick compensation if they do lose him. If Wood accepts, he’s automatically back for at least a one-year deal. That would give the Cubs Wood, Gregg and Carlos Marmol at the back end of the bullpen, with Jeff Samardzija seemingly in the middle. That’s not bad.

 

I just can't see that happening. Someone will offer him a deal.

 

FWIW, everyday I hear stories about what free agents the Mets and Yankees are after, two teams in need of bullpen help, and Wood's name never comes up.

 

Strange. I wonder why? Maybe teams are worried about his long term health. I'd think one of these two teams would give him a shot.

[jersey cubs fan]

Strange. I wonder why? Maybe teams are worried about his long term health. I'd think one of these two teams would give him a shot.

 

Depending on who misses out on whom, he will get offers. 3/30? Who knows?

[Blue W]

Given Kerry's injury history and the fact that the FA market is glutted with topnotch relievers (not to mention that the Astros are looking to trade Valverde) I think it is a distinct possibility that Kerry doesn't get a 3-year deal. he may decide to sign a one-year deal with the Cubs and test the waters again next year when there is a better market for his skills.

[jersey cubs fan]

Given Kerry's injury history and the fact that the FA market is glutted with topnotch relievers (not to mention that the Astros are looking to trade Valverde) I think it is a distinct possibility that Kerry doesn't get a 3-year deal. he may decide to sign a one-year deal with the Cubs and test the waters again next year when there is a better market for his skills.

 

I think there will be plenty market for his skills. One year, however, might answer the question as to whether the switch to the bullpen was the trick to keeping him healthy.

[woodprior04]

With K-Rod, Wood, Fuentes and Hoffman being free agents and a number of others potential trade targets, it is very possible Wood doesn't get the deal he's looking for. Jayson Stark did a good article on this a couple days ago.

[Illini Iceman]

Bruce Miles offers this on Kerry Wood.

 

There still is a chance Wood could return to the Cubs. Let’s say he doesn’t get that three-year deal from another team that everybody seems to think he’ll get. The Cubs no doubt will offer him salary arbitration, if for no other reason than to get draft-pick compensation if they do lose him. If Wood accepts, he’s automatically back for at least a one-year deal. That would give the Cubs Wood, Gregg and Carlos Marmol at the back end of the bullpen, with Jeff Samardzija seemingly in the middle. That’s not bad.

 

I've been wondering about just this scenario since the whole "Kerry is gone" story broke. It seems remote that Kerry would be back, accepting a 1 yr deal with the Cubs, but certainly not impossible :beg:

 

This is why (sorry to say because Kerry has always been one of my favorite players ) I am calling [expletive] on the whole "I would have taken anything to stay" act. He CAN take anything to stay. Just accept the arbitration. But he won't. And it will be because he wanted a long term contract and was probably put off by the fact that Hendry would not give it to him so he retaliated by making Hendry look bad in the press. Hendry is doing the right thing not giving him a multi year eight figure annual deal. I think he will break down with another major injury before those three years are up. The magically healed shoulder makes me nervous.

[The Other 15]

I don't know what's going to happen. But players can get left behind in free agency. Especially players with legitimate injury concerns. While others get very popular (see Penney). I wouldn't be surprised in the least if Wood and Sheets end up getting the leftover deals after all the primary FA's are gobbled up. If that happens, Axelrod and Hendry could end up talking again about Wood.

[davearm2]

Illini Iceman makes an excellent point:

 

Hey Kerry, if you really truly will take anything to stay, up to and including a 1-year deal, then just accept arbitration and you're golden. The ball will be in your court once arbitration is offered, which I presume is just a formality.

 

(Technically that wouldn't preclude Hendry from trading you though, I suppose.)

[CUBZ99]

Bruce Miles offers this on Kerry Wood.

 

There still is a chance Wood could return to the Cubs. Let’s say he doesn’t get that three-year deal from another team that everybody seems to think he’ll get. The Cubs no doubt will offer him salary arbitration, if for no other reason than to get draft-pick compensation if they do lose him. If Wood accepts, he’s automatically back for at least a one-year deal. That would give the Cubs Wood, Gregg and Carlos Marmol at the back end of the bullpen, with Jeff Samardzija seemingly in the middle. That’s not bad.

 

I've been wondering about just this scenario since the whole "Kerry is gone" story broke. It seems remote that Kerry would be back, accepting a 1 yr deal with the Cubs, but certainly not impossible :beg:

 

This is why (sorry to say because Kerry has always been one of my favorite players ) I am calling bullHowry on the whole "I would have taken anything to stay" act. He CAN take anything to stay. Just accept the arbitration. But he won't. And it will be because he wanted a long term contract and was probably put off by the fact that Hendry would not give it to him so he retaliated by making Hendry look bad in the press. Hendry is doing the right thing not giving him a multi year eight figure annual deal. I think he will break down with another major injury before those three years are up. The magically healed shoulder makes me nervous.

 

We have no clue what Wood is thinking. I'm guessing that the lack of rumors concerning him, makes it likely that he will consider accepting arbitration. A bullpen with Gregg as the third best pitcher would be spectacular.

[JeffH]

Perfect storm of incompetence combined with bad luck:

 

Hendry is up against a firm budget limit.

 

Hendry is worried that Wood might accept arbitration and that his arb-determined salary would consume all his remaining payroll before he can address "higher priority matters".

 

Hendry declines to offer Wood arbitration.

 

NSBB finally recognizes that Hendry is one of MLB's worst GMs.

[dougdescenzo]

Perfect storm of incompetence combined with bad luck:

 

Hendry is up against a firm budget limit.

 

Hendry is worried that Wood might accept arbitration and that his arb-determined salary would consume all his remaining payroll before he can address "higher priority matters".

 

Hendry declines to offer Wood arbitration.

 

NSBB finally recognizes that Hendry is one of MLB's worst GMs.

 

This is completely and utterly ridiculous.

[Derwood]

NSBB finally recognizes that Hendry is one of MLB's worst GMs.

 

 

saying it over and over and over* doesn't make it true

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* and over and over and over

[imb]

i was driving home late last night (or early this morning, i guess) and sporting news radio was playing an interview one of their guys did with hendry over the weekend.

 

an interview where jim hendry referred to himself in the third person no less than three times.

[ThePenguin11]

Didn't the Cubs have a deadline to offer Wood arbitration??? Like, before the free agent signing period???

[CubColtPacer]

Didn't the Cubs have a deadline to offer Wood arbitration??? Like, before the free agent signing period???

 

They do have a deadline..December 1st is the last day the Cubs can offer arbitration to Wood.

[ThePenguin11]

Didn't the Cubs have a deadline to offer Wood arbitration??? Like, before the free agent signing period???

 

They do have a deadline..December 1st is the last day the Cubs can offer arbitration to Wood.

 

Thanks.

[jiml60]

Perfect storm of incompetence combined with bad luck:

 

Hendry is up against a firm budget limit.

 

Hendry is worried that Wood might accept arbitration and that his arb-determined salary would consume all his remaining payroll before he can address "higher priority matters".

 

Hendry declines to offer Wood arbitration.

 

NSBB finally recognizes that Hendry is one of MLB's worst GMs.

 

This is completely and utterly ridiculous.

 

What's so ridiculous about that statement? It's on the mark, besides a couple of good trades, overall his handling of free agency has been terrible. The farm system has not produced a quality position player in years. Despite the 2 division titles, he's left this team in a precarious position with the ridiculous deals to Soriano, Fukudome, Zambrano, etc.

[Bote McBoteface]

Perfect storm of incompetence combined with bad luck:

 

Hendry is up against a firm budget limit.

 

Hendry is worried that Wood might accept arbitration and that his arb-determined salary would consume all his remaining payroll before he can address "higher priority matters".

 

Hendry declines to offer Wood arbitration.

 

NSBB finally recognizes that Hendry is one of MLB's worst GMs.

 

This is completely and utterly ridiculous.

 

What's so ridiculous about that statement? It's on the mark, besides a couple of good trades, overall his handling of free agency has been terrible. The farm system has not produced a quality position player in years. Despite the 2 division titles, he's left this team in a precarious position with the ridiculous deals to Soriano, Fukudome, Zambrano, etc.

 

Uh, Geovany Soto?