erik316wttn

Oy. Jim Hendry sucks. Now I'm pissed. You and me both. I could reasonably understand it if he wouldn't have taken anything less than a multi-year, big money deal. I would have hated it, but I could have accepted it over time. If this is true, it's totally and completely unacceptable and Hendry should be fired. This is crap.

Yeah. I agree. Stats are crap.

The only benefit would be to basically tell other teams don't bother getting into a bidding war with us, we aren't going to offer anything longterm. These comments effectively lower Wood's value on the market. Teams probably assumed they had to offer X more than the Cubs to get him to move. Now the possibility remains that nobody will feel the need to offer Wood a big contract to get it, and maybe he'll stay on the market and eventually resign for a one year deal. However, I completely agree with you and have no idea what benefit there could be to show him the door rather than letting him walk if he doesn't want to sign. The bottom line is the Cubs are worse right now than they were at the end of the season. Here's the benefit: If you're still hoping to sign Wood at some point, the most power you can get in that negotiation is to show a willingness to walk away. In fact, that's really the only power you ever have in a negotiation. If the Cubs perceive that Wood wants to return, but is using the market as leverage against them (again, showing his willingness to walk away) then this was a way to significantly increase their bargaining power. It's not much different from a player making a public statement of intentions by filing for free agency, really. It's not like this is binding in any way. It is different, though. A player filing for free agency isn't necessarily coming right out and saying "I'm not coming back here." Hendry coming out in the media and saying "Kerry Wood will not be a Cub in 2009" is a little different. We're closing that door already. Wood filing for FA wouldn't necessarily make a return to the Cubs impossible. This pretty much does.

If we got fuentes then why would we need Gregg...you talkin loco. Why do we need to replace Howry? He was no good last year and we were fine. So because we made the playoffs, we shouldn't replace a crappy reliever? Huh? Because we have adequate other internal options? You didn't say that, though. You said he shouldn't be replaced. If you would have said "We don't need to sign or trade for a bullpen arm because we have adequate internal options" there'd be no issue. You made it sound like you were arguing for keeping him on the team next year.

God forbid. I'm not saying that's why I don't want him, I'm saying that's why Hendry won't get him. I know. I was agreeing with your post. The "God Forbid" was aimed at Hendry, not you.

If we got fuentes then why would we need Gregg...you talkin loco. Why do we need to replace Howry? He was no good last year and we were fine. So because we made the playoffs, we shouldn't replace a crappy reliever? Huh?

Then state it as the deal is: Gregg for Ceda + Wood and a 4 year guaranteed high dollar contract. How about: 1 year of Gregg as closer four first round draft picks $35M to spend elsewhere over 4 years vs Ceda + Wood Does that make anyone feel any better? you stole my exact post. :( Damn you all with your "logic" and "reason." I was having quite a fun time overreacting. It's very cathartic in a way. BUT, that being said, it's still a bad move for next year. We've weakened both our bullpen and our farm system. And now that Marmol will most likely close, we lose that dominance out of the pen with the game tied in the 7th with 1 out and runners on 2nd and 3rd.

This isn't saying much.

I'd like to hear more of this story, to be honest. If the Cubs aren't even trying, then we need to storm Tribune Towers and take care of Hendry ourselves. If, however, he's going to be really expensive and prohibit addressing some of the bigger needs, I'm reluctantly ok with it. But I'd be more willing to overpay for Wood than I would be for just about anyone else, rational or not. Demp can go wherever. Good luck to him.

I hate my life. :(

Would there be any interest from the Cubs in letting Dempster walk and in exchange offering that money to Lowe? He's been very good the last 4 years for the Dodgers, and I think would be a more sure bet than throwing a little less money at Ryan Dempster. His ERA+ the last 4 seasons has been 114, 124, 118, and 131, which is higher than most anything AJ Burnett put up. And he'd most likely be cheaper and more durable.

God forbid.

We won't get him. A few days ago I thought we would. Then today we trade Ceda for Gregg and let Wood walk. We'll re-sign Demp instead and pay him to suck for the next 4-5 years.

Gotta love the Cubs sometimes.

Hasn't Dempster been an All-Star twice? Yes, in his only two good years in his career. This isn't about Ryan Dempster. Letting Wood go when you have a cheap in house option and Kerry is going to get 3-4 year offers in the range of 10-12 million per is not a bad move. It sucks for those of us who really love the guy, but unless Kerry would have signed for 60% of other offers and for half the years, this is the right move. A bullpen with Marmol and Wood at the back end >>>>>>>>>>>>> a bullpen with Gregg and Marmol at the back end. We now lose the option of bringing probably the most dominant reliever in baseball into tight spots because of this BS "closers can only work the 9th inning" mentality, and we'll sorely miss it next season. Of course Marmol/Wood is better than Gregg/Marmol. But the risk of signing Kerry to a competitive offer giver his injury history is just too high. Listen, I love Kerry as much as anyone. But signing him @ 3/30 or more would be even dumber than trading Jose Ceda for Kevin Gregg. Would that have been the floor for Wood? 3/30 and not a penny less? Would he have given us another discount for a bit below market value? If not, ok, maybe I could learn to live with it. But if so, Hendry should be drawn and quartered. Or at least fired.

Hasn't Dempster been an All-Star twice? Yes, in his only two good years in his career. This isn't about Ryan Dempster. Letting Wood go when you have a cheap in house option and Kerry is going to get 3-4 year offers in the range of 10-12 million per is not a bad move. It sucks for those of us who really love the guy, but unless Kerry would have signed for 60% of other offers and for half the years, this is the right move. A bullpen with Marmol and Wood at the back end >>>>>>>>>>>>> a bullpen with Gregg and Marmol at the back end. We now lose the option of bringing probably the most dominant reliever in baseball into tight spots because of this BS "closers can only work the 9th inning" mentality, and we'll sorely miss it next season.

People are calling Hendry an idiot for trading Ceda for Kevin effing Gregg I'm not calling him and idiot so much for that. I'm not giddy about this trade by any means, but I wouldn't be nearly as pissed if we'd be keeping Kerry Wood. I'm too much of a fan and I get too emotionally attached to players. I'd make a lousy GM.

Hasn't Dempster been an All-Star twice? Yes, in his only two good years in his career.

More Hendry magic.

Wood at 3/24 would still be a better bet than Demp at 4/55. At least Wood has had more than one season of success in his career.

He either sucks or he's awesome. There is no in-between with this man. Getting rid of Kerry Wood places another tally in the "sucks" column.

This had better be a payroll move, and not because we don't think Kerry can get it done anymore. He can stay healthy in the pen not throwing as many pitches. God dammnit... the Peavy news is probably all BS, Wood won't be back... ah, yes, I was forgetting what it was like to get kicked in the nuts by the Cubs. Thanks, guys.

I can't imagine Kerry Wood in any other uniform. Nooooo.... don't leave us, Kerry. :(

first thing i thought of, too we just traded one of our better chips for a guy lou is going to pin to the bullpen bench 10 innings into his cubs career Wow. IMB and I agree on something. I'm pretty sure this is one of the signs of the apocalypse.

If we show Kerry Wood the door because of Kevin freakin' Gregg, I'm going to fly into a murderous rage.