Kerry Wood signs 1 year, $1.5 million deal with Cubs

[spiderman]

Here's what the Kaps blog said about "Kerry wood being close to

singing with the cubs." I don't know if I consider it news.

 

 

The Cubs, who have a major need for a veteran right handed reliever are moving towards finalizing a deal with free agent Kerry Wood. Wood, who spent the first 10 years of his major league career with the Cubs spent 2010 with the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees and compiled impressive numbers down the stretch for New York as the Yankees qualified for the post season.

 

Acquired by the Yankees at the trading deadline, Wood went 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA in 24 games. If he finalizes his deal with the Cubs, Wood should provide tremendous support to Cubs closer Carlos Marmol and along with left hander Sean Marshall will form a very formidable back end of the bullpen.

 

Wood has made Chicago his permanent home and told me just last week that whatever decision he made about where he would pitch in 2011 had to be a good fit for his family. Being able to stay home and his longtime relationship with Cubs general manager Jim Hendry are huge factors in the Cubs favor.

 

Per CSN blogs

 

Interesting to see the Cubs trying to compete, but where are they getting the money to do this? I know Lee, Lilly and Theriot are off the books, but there were some reports that they were slashing payroll by 10-20% from last season. They gave Pena $5 million with $5 million more deffered, and my guess is Wood will be another $2-3 million for next season....not sure how they are doing this, and not sure I completely understand why the Cubs needed Wood - I thought their bullpen was in decent shape, but I guess I lost track of them when they had guys coming up and down all season.

 

In any case, they still look like a team that could compete in the NL Central if their veteran's (Ramirez, Zambrano and Soriano in particular) turn back the clock, but, if not, will probably be competetive, but not good enough to overcome the Cardinals and/or Reds.

[Princess Dye]

If Kerry Wood refuses to play for the Sox due to his Cubs roots, I actually think that's kind of good. I wish more players cared about the rivalries a little more. Instead of being check cashers exclusively, etc.

 

It's not the biggest deal to me one way or the other, but just kind of interesting. I also heard AJP say he would not play for the Cubs unless he was broke.

[bschmaranz]

Interesting to see the Cubs trying to compete, but where are they getting the money to do this? I know Lee, Lilly and Theriot are off the books, but there were some reports that they were slashing payroll by 10-20% from last season. They gave Pena $5 million with $5 million more deffered, and my guess is Wood will be another $2-3 million for next season....not sure how they are doing this, and not sure I completely understand why the Cubs needed Wood - I thought their bullpen was in decent shape, but I guess I lost track of them when they had guys coming up and down all season.

 

In any case, they still look like a team that could compete in the NL Central if their veteran's (Ramirez, Zambrano and Soriano in particular) turn back the clock, but, if not, will probably be competetive, but not good enough to overcome the Cardinals and/or Reds.

 

Their problem is too many guys need to return to old form. You can assume one, maybe two of those guys could come back to a respectable level but in order to compete, they need to see Pena, ARam, Zambrano and Soriano all come up big while guys like Soto, Colvin, Silva and Marshall all not regressing.

 

It's just A LOT of question marks.

Edited December 16, 2010 by bschmaranz

[Princess Dye]

Interesting to see the Cubs trying to compete, but where are they getting the money to do this?

Gotta think Wood = revenue for the Cubs. More so than just any old reliever signing, at least. Edited December 16, 2010 by Princess Dye

[bschmaranz]

Gotta think Wood = revenue for the Cubs. More so than just any old reliever signing, at least.

 

Maybe they're close to sending Zambrano to New York too?

[nitetrain8601]

My wife saw Kerry Wood at the western/belmont toys r' us once.

 

That's the worse Toys R Us I've ever been to.

[bschmaranz]

That's the worse Toys R Us I've ever been to.

 

The one by Woodfield is pretty damn run down.

[chw42]

Gotta think Wood = revenue for the Cubs. More so than just any old reliever signing, at least.

 

The Cubs fans love their Wood.

Edited December 16, 2010 by chw42

[justBLAZE]

Not sure if Wood signed with Cubs yet but if that happens I think Kenny leaked info about Sox being interested and forced Cubs hand to sign Wood.

 

 

[Dick Allen]

They just gave Carlos Pena $10M.

Yes, but half of it is deferred.

[southsider2k5]

Yes, but half of it is deferred.

 

80% even. He is only getting $2 million this year, $3 mil in 12, and $5 mil in 13 from his one year contract.

[southsider2k5]

Not sure if Wood signed with Cubs yet but if that happens I think Kenny leaked info about Sox being interested and forced Cubs hand to sign Wood.

 

I'd believe it more if this were the Twins or Tigers. I don't see Kenny trying to go out of his way to sabotage a team he has good relations with.

[Dick Allen]

I'd believe it more if this were the Twins or Tigers. I don't see Kenny trying to go out of his way to sabotage a team he has good relations with.

Yes. If anything its Wood's reps using the Sox to get a longer contract from the Cubs. Money was never mentioned in the Sox offer, just the length.

[southsider2k5]

Yes. If anything its Wood's reps using the Sox to get a longer contract from the Cubs. Money was never mentioned in the Sox offer, just the length.

 

Now that is very believable.

[Chisoxfn]

I'd take me some Kerry Wood.

[Jordan4life_2007]

I'd take me some Kerry Wood.

 

Seems like a formality that he ends up with the Cubs. And that's good. We've got enough injury concerns in Peavy and potentially Sale. I don't want to worry about the inevitable Wood DL trip every day.

[justBLAZE]

Screw him, he said publicly he doesn't want to play for the White Sox. Want no part of that tool.

[Jordan4life_2007]

Screw him, he said publicly he doesn't want to play for the White Sox. Want no part of that tool.

 

Amazing how anybody with his injury history would have the audacity to be picky. But like I said, I want nothing to do with him.

[southsider2k5]

Amazing how anybody with his injury history would have the audacity to be picky. But like I said, I want nothing to do with him.

 

As long as multiple teams are interested, he can be picky.

[whitesoxfan101]

Yes, but half of it is deferred.

 

Which is what makes that deal even dumber that it looked on the surface. That's 5 million dollars less the Cubs can spend in 2011 for a guy that won't even be on the team at that point, and who won't help them contend in 2010 because they're not going to contend.

 

As for Kerry Wood, ehhh whatever. He was great down the stretch for the Yankees IIRC, but I don't trust his health. If he'd rather go play for a 76-86 team and help them sell tickets (and make no mistake, that's the real reason the Cubs want him) than I wish him well.

Edited December 16, 2010 by whitesoxfan101

[justBLAZE]

Kerry Wood signs one-year, $1.5 M deal with Cubs - Chris DeLuca

 

 

WOW, ahhahahahahaha.

[South Side Fireworks Man]

Apparently WSCR reporting Wood signed with Cubs for 1 year @$1.5M.

[scotty22hotty]

what a steal if its 1.5M/1yr

 

[BigSqwert]

what a steal if its 1.5M/1yr

That's Kenny Powers money.

[RockRaines]

Took 2 million less than the Sox offered. I guess going to a losing team for peanuts pretty much proves he's about done.