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

[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.

 

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.

You're right; I was thinking Cubs offering as opposed to Wood accepting when I replied.

[SCCubbieFAN]

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.

 

 

But won't the players asso be up in arms about Wood accepting a 1 yr arby deal over a 3 yr much more lucrative deal?

[mul21]

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.

 

 

But won't the players also be up in arms about Wood accepting a 1 yr arby deal over a 3 yr much more lucrative deal?

 

I think they have a bigger problem with leaving dollars per year on the table rather than just years. In other words, they might be upset at taking a 2/$20 deal over a 3/$36 deal but wouldn't care if Woody was to take 1/$8 over 2/$16 or 3/$24.

[Jehrico]

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.

 

 

But won't the players asso be up in arms about Wood accepting a 1 yr arby deal over a 3 yr much more lucrative deal?

No. And the union has absolutely no influence in the matter.

 

I don't understand why people think the players association will come into play in this. Players give hometown discounts to stay where they want all of the time, it's not uncommon. Hell, how many times did Edmonds and other Cardinals allow their deals to be restructured to help the team bring other guys in? I'd like to see Z or Lee or someone like that step up and do what the Cards had some guys do several years ago for the team.

[Jehrico]

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.

 

 

But won't the players also be up in arms about Wood accepting a 1 yr arby deal over a 3 yr much more lucrative deal?

 

I think they have a bigger problem with leaving dollars per year on the table rather than just years. In other words, they might be upset at taking a 2/$20 deal over a 3/$36 deal but wouldn't care if Woody was to take 1/$8 over 2/$16 or 3/$24.

Not really. Teams accept more risk when they give longer deals (ask Baltimore how Albert Belle worked out for them). In exchange for accepting that risk, they ask a player to accept a little less per year than they might be able to get if they played it year by year. You give up some potential salary for security from a career ending injury. Again, the union has nothing to do with it.

[SCCubbieFAN]

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.

 

 

 

 

But won't the players asso be up in arms about Wood accepting a 1 yr arby deal over a 3 yr much more lucrative deal?

No. And the union has absolutely no influence in the matter.

 

I don't understand why people think the players association will come into play in this. Players give hometown discounts to stay where they want all of the time, it's not uncommon. Hell, how many times did Edmonds and other Cardinals allow their deals to be restructured to help the team bring other guys in? I'd like to see Z or Lee or someone like that step up and do what the Cards had some guys do several years ago for the team.

 

But giving a "hometown discount" to stay with your current club or restructuring your contract is quite different from a player accepting a 1 yr deal for 8 mil over a 3 yr deal for 7-8 mil a year. When a player restructures his contract he typically gets the same amount of $$ or more in exchange for it being paid over a longer period of time. Hometown discounts don't typically equate to several million dollars being left on the table as has been suggested in this thread.

[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.

 

 

 

 

But won't the players asso be up in arms about Wood accepting a 1 yr arby deal over a 3 yr much more lucrative deal?

No. And the union has absolutely no influence in the matter.

 

I don't understand why people think the players association will come into play in this. Players give hometown discounts to stay where they want all of the time, it's not uncommon. Hell, how many times did Edmonds and other Cardinals allow their deals to be restructured to help the team bring other guys in? I'd like to see Z or Lee or someone like that step up and do what the Cards had some guys do several years ago for the team.

 

But giving a "hometown discount" to stay with your current club or restructuring your contract is quite different from a player accepting a 1 yr deal for 8 mil over a 3 yr deal for 7-8 mil a year. When a player restructures his contract he typically gets the same amount of $$ or more in exchange for it being paid over a longer period of time. Hometown discounts don't typically equate to several million dollars being left on the table as has been suggested in this thread.

 

Accepting a one year deal over a longer contract is leaving money on the table, but it's not taking it off the table. You act as though every player takes the max money on every deal. Taking a one year deal is actually a very smart move for a player who wants to max out his eventual earnings over time.

[TheDude]

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?

That simply isn't true that his future contracts evaluate to zero, unless it's career-ending. Teams sign rehabbed pitchers all the time to contracts that make you wonder. Only fringe performers coming back from rehab get fringe deals (like Dempster's original Cubs deal).

 

Any pitcher who has had marquee status within two years of an injury will still received a deal worth millions coming back from that injury.

[JeffH]

Teams around baseball are wary of certain Type A/B free agents accepting offers of arbitration. Expect the Cubs to figure out where Kerry Wood stands before deciding whether to offer.

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/11/cubs-rumors-tea.html

 

Don't be surprised if Hendry declines to offer arbitration to Wood.

[RedFlash]

Teams around baseball are wary of certain Type A/B free agents accepting offers of arbitration. Expect the Cubs to figure out where Kerry Wood stands before deciding whether to offer.

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/11/cubs-rumors-tea.html

 

Don't be surprised if Hendry declines to offer arbitration to Wood.

 

There is no way Hendry doesn't offer Arb to Wood. Worse case scenerio Wood accepts and the Cubs have a back end of the bullpen of Gregg/Shark/Marmol and Wood. So yeah, Hendry should and will offer arb to Wood.

[FergieJ31]

Don't be surprised if Hendry declines to offer arbitration to Wood.

 

I wouldn't be surprised, only depressed.

 

Can someone tell me please: Why would the Cubs be disincented to offer arby? Is someone (who is theoretically sober) really thinking that Wood isn't worth the likely arb-awarded $?

[jersey cubs fan]

Don't be surprised if Hendry declines to offer arbitration to Wood.

 

I wouldn't be surprised, only depressed.

 

Can someone tell me please: Why would the Cubs be disincented to offer arby? Is the thinking that Wood isn't worth the likely arb-awarded $?

 

Yes, if they chose not to offer it would be so they don't have to pay him. There's no legit reason for them to consider the option, but the fact that they so aggressively pushed him out the door makes me wonder.

[JeffH]

Don't be surprised if Hendry declines to offer arbitration to Wood.

 

I wouldn't be surprised, only depressed.

 

Can someone tell me please: Why would the Cubs be disincented to offer arby? Is someone (who is theoretically sober) really thinking that Wood isn't worth the likely arb-awarded $?

 

If Hendry is really up against a 100% firm budget limit, Wood accepting an arb offer may consume all or most of the remaining money he has to address what he and Lou consider higher priority issues.

 

He may be unwilling to take that risk, in which case he could decline to offer.

 

In such a scenario, he should be fired immediately.

 

Well, he should be fired immediately anyway, but that's a separate discussion.

[jersey cubs fan]

If Hendry is really up against a 100% firm budget limit, Wood accepting an arb offer may consume all or most of the remaining money he has to address what he and Lou consider higher priority issues.

 

He may be unwilling to take that risk, in which case he could decline to offer.

 

In such a scenario, he should be fired immediately.

 

Well, he should be fired immediately anyway, but that's a separate discussion.

 

He should be fired for being cautious with a firm budget?

[Jehrico]

But giving a "hometown discount" to stay with your current club or restructuring your contract is quite different from a player accepting a 1 yr deal for 8 mil over a 3 yr deal for 7-8 mil a year. When a player restructures his contract he typically gets the same amount of $$ or more in exchange for it being paid over a longer period of time. Hometown discounts don't typically equate to several million dollars being left on the table as has been suggested in this thread.

Yes, they sometimes do. I don't understand how you are trying to incorporate the players association into this argument.

[JeffH]

If Hendry is really up against a 100% firm budget limit, Wood accepting an arb offer may consume all or most of the remaining money he has to address what he and Lou consider higher priority issues.

 

He may be unwilling to take that risk, in which case he could decline to offer.

 

In such a scenario, he should be fired immediately.

 

Well, he should be fired immediately anyway, but that's a separate discussion.

 

He should be fired for being cautious with a firm budget?

 

Among other reasons, he should be fired for painting himself into a corner by spending like Mack the Knife.

[Jehrico]

If Hendry is really up against a 100% firm budget limit, Wood accepting an arb offer may consume all or most of the remaining money he has to address what he and Lou consider higher priority issues.

 

He may be unwilling to take that risk, in which case he could decline to offer.

 

In such a scenario, he should be fired immediately.

 

Well, he should be fired immediately anyway, but that's a separate discussion.

I couldn't disagree with you less. Hendry can still make some trades. That salary limit doesn't really come into play until the budget is spent. If Wood accepted arbitration, then he could either a) trade Wood once that process was settled, or b) trade someone else.

 

Hendry is not without his flaws, but look around the league. He's hardly a bad GM. There's no guarantee his replacement would be better. Heck, I'd say it's more likely than not that his replacement would do a worse job than him. I don't understand the strong sentiment to get rid of him, especially after the seemingly endless string of crappy years we endured prior to his tenure. He's won the division half the time since becoming GM.

[JeffH]

I couldn't disagree with you less.

 

Glad to see you come around to my way of thinking.

[Backtobanks]

Don't be surprised if Hendry declines to offer arbitration to Wood.

 

I wouldn't be surprised, only depressed.

 

Can someone tell me please: Why would the Cubs be disincented to offer arby? Is someone (who is theoretically sober) really thinking that Wood isn't worth the likely arb-awarded $?

 

If Hendry is really up against a 100% firm budget limit, Wood accepting an arb offer may consume all or most of the remaining money he has to address what he and Lou consider higher priority issues.

 

He may be unwilling to take that risk, in which case he could decline to offer.

 

In such a scenario, he should be fired immediately.

 

Well, he should be fired immediately anyway, but that's a separate discussion.

 

How can Hendry be up against a 100% firm budget when he's flirting with names like Peavy, Abreu, and Ibanez all of which will command more money than Wood will get in arbitration.

[cubsfan26]

If Hendry is really up against a 100% firm budget limit, Wood accepting an arb offer may consume all or most of the remaining money he has to address what he and Lou consider higher priority issues.

 

He may be unwilling to take that risk, in which case he could decline to offer.

 

In such a scenario, he should be fired immediately.

 

Well, he should be fired immediately anyway, but that's a separate discussion.

 

He should be fired for being cautious with a firm budget?

 

Among other reasons, he should be fired for painting himself into a corner by spending like Mack the Knife.

 

 

You're hate for Jim Hendry is just unhealthy. How about we wait and see what happens, before people start freaking out about what might or might not happen. Bruce Miles just said last week that the Cubs will probably offer Wood arb. So now there's a rumor saying their unsure? Fans really need to stop bashing the GM(whoever he is) on rumors, if he makes good or bad move feel free to give your opinion. But it's pointless to start bashing the GM, over potential rumors.

Edited November 26, 2008 by cubsfan26

[jersey cubs fan]

How can Hendry be up against a 100% firm budget when he's flirting with names like Peavy, Abreu, and Ibanez all of which will command more money than Wood will get in arbitration.

 

If Wood accepts and brings him much closer to that budget, he couldn't afford any of those players, which would be the problem.

[SaorsaDaonnan]

But giving a "hometown discount" to stay with your current club or restructuring your contract is quite different from a player accepting a 1 yr deal for 8 mil over a 3 yr deal for 7-8 mil a year. When a player restructures his contract he typically gets the same amount of $$ or more in exchange for it being paid over a longer period of time. Hometown discounts don't typically equate to several million dollars being left on the table as has been suggested in this thread.

Yes, they sometimes do. I don't understand how you are trying to incorporate the players association into this argument.

 

it's a commonplace that we are in a buyer's market for closers this offseason,

economic troubles notwithstanding, so it shouldn't be too hard for Wood to

make the argument that a shorter, cheaper deal for the hometown team won't

do much to depress the market for other closers down the road. if necessary

he could also mention the fact that he's perhaps the largest injury risk to go

on the FA market in recent years (Sheets might be more likely to get hurt, but

Wood is more likely to suffer a catastrophic injury)

 

...all of this assuming that the MLBPA even has real influence over this sort of

thing, which is far from obvious...

Edited November 25, 2008 by SaorsaDaonnan

[CUBZ99]

How can Hendry be up against a 100% firm budget when he's flirting with names like Peavy, Abreu, and Ibanez all of which will command more money than Wood will get in arbitration.

 

If Wood accepts and brings him much closer to that budget, he couldn't afford any of those players, which would be the problem.

 

Even if the Cubs can't afford any more players, the reward significantly outweighs the risk. If Wood accepts arbitration, the Cubs would be going into the season as essentially the same team that won the most games in the NL. The only major change would be having Gregg in the bullpen rather than Howry.

[SouthSideRyan]

How can Hendry be up against a 100% firm budget when he's flirting with names like Peavy, Abreu, and Ibanez all of which will command more money than Wood will get in arbitration.

 

If Wood accepts and brings him much closer to that budget, he couldn't afford any of those players, which would be the problem.

 

It would also be a problem that we're paying 5M for a 7th inning pitcher because Hendry didn't have the foresight to think about the arbitration possibility. If a 1Y/10M contract for your closer cripples you from making any moves, the 1Y/10M contract isn't your problem.

[Illini Iceman]

If Hendry is really up against a 100% firm budget limit, Wood accepting an arb offer may consume all or most of the remaining money he has to address what he and Lou consider higher priority issues.

 

He may be unwilling to take that risk, in which case he could decline to offer.

 

In such a scenario, he should be fired immediately.

 

Well, he should be fired immediately anyway, but that's a separate discussion.

 

He should be fired for being cautious with a firm budget?

 

Among other reasons, he should be fired for painting himself into a corner by spending like Mack the Knife.

 

Spending like Mack the Knife?