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

[SouthSideRyan]

It's on the mark, besides a couple of good trades, overall his handling of free agency has been terrible.

 

Lilly, DeRosa, Ramirez, Dempster, Reed, Edmonds.

 

The farm system has not produced a quality position player in years

 

GEOVANY SOTO

 

And Ryan Theriot

[17 Seconds]

It's on the mark, besides a couple of good trades, overall his handling of free agency has been terrible.

 

Lilly, DeRosa, Ramirez, Dempster, Reed, Edmonds.

 

You really shouldn't be counting Dempster in there yet

[Transmogrified Tiger]

It's on the mark, besides a couple of good trades, overall his handling of free agency has been terrible.

 

Lilly, DeRosa, Ramirez, Dempster, Reed, Edmonds.

 

You really shouldn't be counting Dempster in there yet

 

He's been a Cub for 5 years.

[17 Seconds]

It's on the mark, besides a couple of good trades, overall his handling of free agency has been terrible.

 

Lilly, DeRosa, Ramirez, Dempster, Reed, Edmonds.

 

You really shouldn't be counting Dempster in there yet

 

He's been a Cub for 5 years.

 

I think he's referring to the coptract he just signed.

 

either way, it still has yet to be determined if he handled dempster well. he's had one good season as a reliever and one good season as a starter. if that one good season as a starter leads to a 4 year contract and he bombs during those 4 years, then he willed have handled it poorly.

[erik316wttn]

This has probably already been addressed, but is there a deadline for Wood to accept arbitration?

[cubsfan26]

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.

 

 

Hendry has given this team 3 division titles in 6 years, something not many GM's have on their resume over the last six years. As for a precarious postion? What year is it? Hendry has put us in a postion, were we should be right back at the level we were last year, if not better. Soriano is still a 17m dollar per year type of player(in this market), and Zambrano is still a good pitcher. Both guys will help the Cubs win in 09, having them on the team is a postive not negative. Yes it's possible in 2012, that having Soriano/Zambrano on the roster at their cost will be a negative to the team. But I didn't know anybody could look into the future and say it's going to happen for sure. I agree with you about Fukudome, but it's also only the first year of the deal. If he ends up being the player we thought he would be the final three years, it won't be a horrible deal.

 

 

I'm not saying all Hendry signings have been good, but most of his bad signings were minor. Every almost every GM, has a bad contract or two on their roster, especially the big market teams. But when were talking about Hendry bad signings over the last six years(thus far) being Glendon Rusch, Latroy Hawkins, Neifi Perez, and Jacque Jones(this one ended up being not that bad) I think we should feel pretty lucky. My biggest issue with Hendry is the farm system, since he became GM the system seems to have gotten worse. I know the GM isn't the guy who makes the picks in the draft, but he needs to find the right people to get it in better shape. I know he's tried by bringing in Tim Wilkins, but that so far hasn't worked out. We have gotten, some good unexpected production from the farm in Soto, Theriot and Marmol though.

[SouthSideRyan]

It's on the mark, besides a couple of good trades, overall his handling of free agency has been terrible.

 

Lilly, DeRosa, Ramirez, Dempster, Reed, Edmonds.

 

You really shouldn't be counting Dempster in there yet

 

He's been a Cub for 5 years.

 

I think he's referring to the coptract he just signed.

 

either way, it still has yet to be determined if he handled dempster well. he's had one good season as a reliever and one good season as a starter. if that one good season as a starter leads to a 4 year contract and he bombs during those 4 years, then he willed have handled it poorly.

 

I wasn't referring to the contract just signed, that'd be goofy. It's also goofy to count these next 4 years as far as determining whether Dempster for 3/15 was a good contract(it was great)

[NCCubFan]

This has probably already been addressed, but is there a deadline for Wood to accept arbitration?

It was addressed on the previous page. The deadline is Dec. 1.

[CubColtPacer]

This has probably already been addressed, but is there a deadline for Wood to accept arbitration?

It was addressed on the previous page. The deadline is Dec. 1.

 

Actually, that's a slightly different question. The Cubs have until December 1st to offer arbitration. If the Cubs do offer it, Wood has until December 7th to accept it.

[Soul]

This has probably already been addressed, but is there a deadline for Wood to accept arbitration?

It was addressed on the previous page. The deadline is Dec. 1.

 

Actually, that's a slightly different question. The Cubs have until December 1st to offer arbitration. If the Cubs do offer it, Wood has until December 7th to accept it.

 

If Wood accepts arby for less money after all this, I'm going to laugh.

[Jehrico]

This has probably already been addressed, but is there a deadline for Wood to accept arbitration?

It was addressed on the previous page. The deadline is Dec. 1.

 

Actually, that's a slightly different question. The Cubs have until December 1st to offer arbitration. If the Cubs do offer it, Wood has until December 7th to accept it.

 

If Wood accepts arby for less money after all this, I'm going to laugh.

I'll jump with joy, because that guarantees he's coming back for at least another year.

[Soul]

This has probably already been addressed, but is there a deadline for Wood to accept arbitration?

It was addressed on the previous page. The deadline is Dec. 1.

 

Actually, that's a slightly different question. The Cubs have until December 1st to offer arbitration. If the Cubs do offer it, Wood has until December 7th to accept it.

 

If Wood accepts arby for less money after all this, I'm going to laugh.

I'll jump with joy, because that guarantees he's coming back for at least another year.

 

I'll laugh first, then jump for joy.

[davearm2]

If Wood accepts arby for less money after all this, I'm going to laugh.

Less money than what?

 

Less than what he was hoping/asking for, or less than was actually offered to him?

 

The reason I ask is, I haven't heard anything about what is actually being offered to him. Those rumors seem to be virtually nonexistent.

[Soul]

If Wood accepts arby for less money after all this, I'm going to laugh.

Less money than what?

 

Less than what he was hoping/asking for, or less than was actually offered to him?

 

The reason I ask is, I haven't heard anything about what is actually being offered to him. Those rumors seem to be virtually nonexistent.

 

Less than the reported 4/50 million monster contract that caused nearly everyone to say we should cut him loose because it's too much money.

[Ivy.n.Denver]

Surely, Kerry has too much pride to accept arby when a multi-year offer is on the table.

[Jehrico]

Considering the glut of closers on the market this year, and the projected relative dearth of closers on the market next year, it might not be a bad move for Woody to come back here for a year, accumulate another healthy year on his resume (knock on wood...), and hit the FA market next year. My guess is he'd likely draw significantly more demand on the market next offseason than this one, esp if he stays healthy for another year.

[mikeyt34]

With the articles I'm reading talking about the glut of closers on the market, I still haven't given up hope that Woody still comes back. I mean what if his best offer on the table is 3yrs/24 Million to go to say the Mets? Then the Cubs come back with a 1yr deal worth 8 Million. Which one do you think Woody would take? Logically you take the 24 million, but money isn't everything to Woody it seems. That boy loves him some Chi-town. Guess we'll have to wait and see, but if I were Hendry, I wouldn't completely shut the door on a 1yr deal. It's a pipe dream I know, but don't underestimate how much Woody would want the opportunity to come back next year for one more try.

[Backtobanks]

With the articles I'm reading talking about the glut of closers on the market, I still haven't given up hope that Woody still comes back. I mean what if his best offer on the table is 3yrs/24 Million to go to say the Mets? Then the Cubs come back with a 1yr deal worth 8 Million. Which one do you think Woody would take? Logically you take the 24 million, but money isn't everything to Woody it seems. That boy loves him some Chi-town. Guess we'll have to wait and see, but if I were Hendry, I wouldn't completely shut the door on a 1yr deal. It's a pipe dream I know, but don't underestimate how much Woody would want the opportunity to come back next year for one more try.

 

I hope Wood comes back too, but no matter what you say about Wood (loves Chicago, money isn't everything, etc.) he would have to be crazy to take the Cubs 1-year deal and leave $16 million on the table (in your example). I'm sure he knows his medical history better than any of us and he should take the most guaranteed money he can find in case his medical problems reappear.

[jersey cubs fan]

With the articles I'm reading talking about the glut of closers on the market, I still haven't given up hope that Woody still comes back. I mean what if his best offer on the table is 3yrs/24 Million to go to say the Mets? Then the Cubs come back with a 1yr deal worth 8 Million. Which one do you think Woody would take? Logically you take the 24 million, but money isn't everything to Woody it seems. That boy loves him some Chi-town. Guess we'll have to wait and see, but if I were Hendry, I wouldn't completely shut the door on a 1yr deal. It's a pipe dream I know, but don't underestimate how much Woody would want the opportunity to come back next year for one more try.

 

I hope Wood comes back too, but no matter what you say about Wood (loves Chicago, money isn't everything, etc.) he would have to be crazy to take the Cubs 1-year deal and leave $16 million on the table (in your example). I'm sure he knows his medical history better than any of us and he should take the most guaranteed money he can find in case his medical problems reappear.

 

I don't see why that is being described as having to be crazy. He's already financially set for life. He can do whatever the heck he wants. And he could end up making a heck of a lot more than $24m over 3 years if he takes a 1 year deal and signs longterm after next season. It's a risk, but it's not a horrible risk or a crazy decision.

[davearm2]

If Wood accepts arby for less money after all this, I'm going to laugh.

Less money than what?

 

Less than what he was hoping/asking for, or less than was actually offered to him?

 

The reason I ask is, I haven't heard anything about what is actually being offered to him. Those rumors seem to be virtually nonexistent.

 

Less than the reported 4/50 million monster contract that caused nearly everyone to say we should cut him loose because it's too much money.

Which team offered 4/50 million?

[TheDude]

I don't see why that is being described as having to be crazy. He's already financially set for life. He can do whatever the heck he wants. And he could end up making a heck of a lot more than $24m over 3 years if he takes a 1 year deal and signs longterm after next season. It's a risk, but it's not a horrible risk or a crazy decision.

 

We've the shift in recent years by some players. Many of them want long-term deals for security, and that has been the push and standard. But in the last two years we've seen several players opt out of lucrative deals, only to sign more lucrative deals because the salary inflation is so rapid, such that the back end of a 4 or 5 year deal may not maximize value. You end up with possibilities where you could argue someone was underpaid at the back-end of his contract.

 

Wood is 31. A one-year arbitration does nothing to hurt his value next off-season at age 32, unless a season-ending injury occurs. So as Goony points out, it's not crazy at all. 3/24 this off-season or next, there is little Wood could do to damage that value, again barring a season-ending injury.

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't see why that is being described as having to be crazy. He's already financially set for life. He can do whatever the heck he wants. And he could end up making a heck of a lot more than $24m over 3 years if he takes a 1 year deal and signs longterm after next season. It's a risk, but it's not a horrible risk or a crazy decision.

 

We've the shift in recent years by some players. Many of them want long-term deals for security, and that has been the push and standard. But in the last two years we've seen several players opt out of lucrative deals, only to sign more lucrative deals because the salary inflation is so rapid, such that the back end of a 4 or 5 year deal may not maximize value. You end up with possibilities where you could argue someone was underpaid at the back-end of his contract.

 

Wood is 31. A one-year arbitration does nothing to hurt his value next off-season at age 32, unless a season-ending injury occurs. So as Goony points out, it's not crazy at all. 3/24 this off-season or next, there is little Wood could do to damage that value, again barring a season-ending injury.

 

If he makes it through the season healthy, thus showing he can handle the bullpen workload 2 years in a row, 5/50-60 wouldn't be out of the question next offseason.

[Backtobanks]

I don't see why that is being described as having to be crazy. He's already financially set for life. He can do whatever the heck he wants. And he could end up making a heck of a lot more than $24m over 3 years if he takes a 1 year deal and signs longterm after next season. It's a risk, but it's not a horrible risk or a crazy decision.

 

We've the shift in recent years by some players. Many of them want long-term deals for security, and that has been the push and standard. But in the last two years we've seen several players opt out of lucrative deals, only to sign more lucrative deals because the salary inflation is so rapid, such that the back end of a 4 or 5 year deal may not maximize value. You end up with possibilities where you could argue someone was underpaid at the back-end of his contract.

 

Wood is 31. A one-year arbitration does nothing to hurt his value next off-season at age 32, unless a season-ending injury occurs. So as Goony points out, it's not crazy at all. 3/24 this off-season or next, there is little Wood could do to damage that value, again barring a season-ending injury.

 

If he makes it through the season healthy, thus showing he can handle the bullpen workload 2 years in a row, 5/50-60 wouldn't be out of the question next offseason.

 

And if he hurts his arm, his future contracts would be zero. It's a gamble, but he's at a point that he needs to think about long-range security. Also, this discussion was based on him being offered 3/24. What if there's a 3/32 or 4/40 offer this year?

[Soul]

I don't see why that is being described as having to be crazy. He's already financially set for life. He can do whatever the heck he wants. And he could end up making a heck of a lot more than $24m over 3 years if he takes a 1 year deal and signs longterm after next season. It's a risk, but it's not a horrible risk or a crazy decision.

 

We've the shift in recent years by some players. Many of them want long-term deals for security, and that has been the push and standard. But in the last two years we've seen several players opt out of lucrative deals, only to sign more lucrative deals because the salary inflation is so rapid, such that the back end of a 4 or 5 year deal may not maximize value. You end up with possibilities where you could argue someone was underpaid at the back-end of his contract.

 

Wood is 31. A one-year arbitration does nothing to hurt his value next off-season at age 32, unless a season-ending injury occurs. So as Goony points out, it's not crazy at all. 3/24 this off-season or next, there is little Wood could do to damage that value, again barring a season-ending injury.

 

If he makes it through the season healthy, thus showing he can handle the bullpen workload 2 years in a row, 5/50-60 wouldn't be out of the question next offseason.

 

And if he hurts his arm, his future contracts would be zero. It's a gamble, but he's at a point that he needs to think about long-range security. Also, this discussion was based on him being offered 3/24. What if there's a 3/32 or 4/40 offer this year?

I'd imagine he would take that.

[SouthSideRyan]

I don't see why that is being described as having to be crazy. He's already financially set for life. He can do whatever the heck he wants. And he could end up making a heck of a lot more than $24m over 3 years if he takes a 1 year deal and signs longterm after next season. It's a risk, but it's not a horrible risk or a crazy decision.

 

We've the shift in recent years by some players. Many of them want long-term deals for security, and that has been the push and standard. But in the last two years we've seen several players opt out of lucrative deals, only to sign more lucrative deals because the salary inflation is so rapid, such that the back end of a 4 or 5 year deal may not maximize value. You end up with possibilities where you could argue someone was underpaid at the back-end of his contract.

 

Wood is 31. A one-year arbitration does nothing to hurt his value next off-season at age 32, unless a season-ending injury occurs. So as Goony points out, it's not crazy at all. 3/24 this off-season or next, there is little Wood could do to damage that value, again barring a season-ending injury.

 

If he makes it through the season healthy, thus showing he can handle the bullpen workload 2 years in a row, 5/50-60 wouldn't be out of the question next offseason.

 

And if he hurts his arm, his future contracts would be zero. It's a gamble, but he's at a point that he needs to think about long-range security. Also, this discussion was based on him being offered 3/24. What if there's a 3/32 or 4/40 offer this year?

 

He has long-range security. He doesn't have to work another day in his life. He's at a point where he can easily afford to take a 1 year gamble to gain one last giant paycheck.