Kerry Wood Finalizes Deal with Indians

by cubsonWGN4ever on Dec 13, 2008 3:58 PM CST

I came online to offer my congratulations to Kerry Wood in whichever fanpost had been posted already, but none has been put up yet so here's the link to ESPN's article about Kerry Wood's new deal.

Two years for $20.5 milion. This is exactly why Hendry let Wood go, he couldn't afford to sign woody at this price and Woody deserves this. While I will miss Wood on our team very much, I am very happy for him to be able to come back from all his injuries and be an extremely successful and highly paid closer in the Major Leagues.

Congratulations and Good luck Kerry!

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Good for Kerry

I was worried when Al mentioned the doctors were going over his medical records something was up or there was something more to what happened with the Cubs but now I realize of course they’d be extra careful.

On a related note apparently Dempster is taking over the bowling event.

MaIne South Hawks 2008 Class 8a Champs!

by puckishcubsfan on Dec 13, 2008 4:03 PM CST reply actions

Think of it as a two year vacation

I don’t have any sources, but Wood will be back after this. Till then: Good luck Kerry.

Los Cachorros!

by Laven on Dec 13, 2008 4:07 PM CST reply actions

I'm also glad he went to the Indians

because 1. I like their team in general and 2. we’d only see woody in the world series. :)

by cubsonWGN4ever on Dec 13, 2008 4:07 PM CST reply actions

I believe we play them in July

Los Cachorros!

by Laven on Dec 13, 2008 4:07 PM CST up reply actions

D'oh!

by cubsonWGN4ever on Dec 13, 2008 4:08 PM CST up reply actions

My Bad

June 19-21st. Weekend series at Wrigley

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=chc&m=6&y=2009

Los Cachorros!

by Laven on Dec 13, 2008 4:08 PM CST up reply actions

Score early and often!

No save situation… :)

by cubsonWGN4ever on Dec 13, 2008 4:10 PM CST up reply actions

I'll settle with taking 2-of-3

and letting Woody save one.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Bill Potter on Dec 13, 2008 4:11 PM CST up reply actions

I wholeheartedly

disagree.

Woody can save 70 for all I care, but none against the Cubs.

For your information, the Supreme Court has roundly rejected prior restraint.

by Less is Walrond on Dec 13, 2008 4:27 PM CST up reply actions

Compromise

CUbs win all 3 but because Kerry hasn’t had a save chance in awhile he comes in and pitches so we get to see him.

MaIne South Hawks 2008 Class 8a Champs!

by puckishcubsfan on Dec 13, 2008 5:17 PM CST up reply actions

Come on, one against us wouldnt hurt

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Dec 13, 2008 6:10 PM CST up reply actions

He's not a Cub anymore

Gotta kinda let it go, man.

"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." ~Alvin Dark

by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Dec 14, 2008 2:56 PM CST up reply actions

right but one loss wouldnt matter

if youre keen on seeing Woody pitch

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Dec 14, 2008 11:41 PM CST up reply actions

One loss might very well matter.

What if the Cubs miss the playoffs by one game?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 15, 2008 4:15 AM CST up reply actions

I've seen Woody pitch

I’d be perfectly content if he had to remain sitting on his butt down the Right Field line for all three games. Unless, of course, we’re winning in a laugher and Wedge feels that Kerry needs to get some work in.

"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." ~Alvin Dark

by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Dec 15, 2008 10:59 AM CST up reply actions

Nope

Never ever would I root for the Cubs to lose any game. That’s just plain silly.

"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." ~Alvin Dark

by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Dec 14, 2008 2:54 PM CST up reply actions

Dear Cleveland Indians,

Thank you for keeping Kerry Wood out of the NL. It would have been incredibly painful to see him in a Brewers or Mets uniform, but you’ve spared us the trouble. Please take good care of his right elbow, and do yourself a favor and hire a blister specialist for your training staff. Good luck (except when you play the Cubs).

Sincerely,

Cubs fans everywhere.

"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." - Walt Whitman

by hip2bsquare on Dec 13, 2008 4:10 PM CST reply actions 4 recs

Rec'd

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 13, 2008 4:30 PM CST up reply actions

good for kerry

but this makes me really sad. we should have signed him, period. I won’t get into details as to whys or why nots but I really just think we should have signed him and I will miss him greatly. :(’’’’’’

"I'll play any day. I don't care if I'm 0-for-30, playing baseball is my PASSION. I'll go out and play." - Geo Soto

by CubbyBlues on Dec 13, 2008 5:20 PM CST reply actions

not at that price

Dear Santa:: All I want for X-mas this year is an official 2009 Jake Peavy Cubs Jersey. Oh and a Beimel one too. I've been a real good guy for the most part!!!

by cubsluver22 on Dec 13, 2008 6:05 PM CST up reply actions

Two years at 20 mil

is too much for a setup man.

Marmol’s time is now. It was probably 08 as well, but Wood probably got the closer slot in deference to his years with the Cubs. At one time he stated that he knew that 08 was his final year as a Cub.

I wish him lots of success in the AL, especially against the White Sox.

by Clark Addison on Dec 13, 2008 6:51 PM CST reply actions

Wood was a successful closer in 2008.

Why couldn’t the Cubs have given Kerry one more year with Marmol setting him up again?

I think the Cubs’ bullpen would have been better that way than with Gregg setting up Marmol.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 14, 2008 4:10 AM CST up reply actions

probably so

but not at 10.25 million a year.

Dear Santa:: All I want for X-mas this year is an official 2009 Jake Peavy Cubs Jersey. Oh and a Beimel one too. I've been a real good guy for the most part!!!

by cubsluver22 on Dec 14, 2008 8:39 AM CST up reply actions

I'll bet Wood would have taken less to stay a Cub.

Once he was cut loose, I’m guessing he just said, “I’ll go for the money.”

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 14, 2008 11:02 AM CST up reply actions

Here's the pain...

PAIN!

Pain, BTW, is Kerry Wood’s Cleveland Indians profile, compete with Woody in an Indians uniform.

One thing you learned as a Cubs fan: when you bought you ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth.
Joe Garagiola

by Ryan at Cubshub on Dec 13, 2008 11:33 PM CST reply actions

Sorry.

I can’t click on that link. Would be kinda painful. I have a picture of Wood with his fist up in a Cubs uniform that’s permanently lodged in my brain.

"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.

by zevkalman on Dec 14, 2008 11:35 AM CST up reply actions

heh I was actually coming here to post the same thing

At least he will wear 34

BCB Works Miracles: It saved my English grade!

by Chanman25 on Dec 14, 2008 7:39 PM CST up reply actions

That's too much...

We’ll miss you Kerry :(

by Hilary Lee on Dec 15, 2008 1:42 PM CST up reply actions

Any word whether or not he'll keep the home (and family) in Chicago?

by CaliCub on Dec 14, 2008 10:27 AM CST reply actions

he should for when he will return in two years

BCB Works Miracles: It saved my English grade!

by Chanman25 on Dec 14, 2008 7:39 PM CST up reply actions

It makes sense, since the Cubs are going to be tight on money from 09-10, Wood signs a two year deal somewhere else then comes back to us after that period

Or am I just being extremely optimistic?

BCB Works Miracles: It saved my English grade!

by Chanman25 on Dec 14, 2008 7:40 PM CST reply actions

actually, you're being very Cubs fan-ish... ;-)

and that’s a good thing!

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Dec 14, 2008 7:42 PM CST up reply actions

yeah and Greg Maddux isn't retired, its just a ploy for him to come back to the Cubs

BCB Works Miracles: It saved my English grade!

by Chanman25 on Dec 14, 2008 8:03 PM CST up reply actions

This is why I was OK with trading Vitters

Because Ron will come back and play 3rd after Aramis opts out

For your information, the Supreme Court has roundly rejected prior restraint.

by Less is Walrond on Dec 14, 2008 8:40 PM CST up reply actions

woody

anyone else think kerry wood will get a standing o when he comes back??? hopefully we have the lead and dont have to face him.

by NOMAR on Dec 15, 2008 7:59 AM CST reply actions

Thanks Kerry

Good luck to you in Cleveland. I have a feeling your ability to stay healthy and effective the next two years is in serious question, hence why I stand in the corner that it was the right move to let objectivity rule and wave bye bye. But best of luck in Cleveland. You’ve joined a talent roster plagued with an overrated GM and manager.

by BLou on Dec 15, 2008 1:29 PM CST reply actions

And I believe...

…Kerry Wood’s injury problems were related to being a starter. Limiting his use, combined with rehab and revising his mechanics (and avoiding certain pitches), has given me every reason to believe that he’ll be just fine.

He had an excellent first season as a closer and will probably only get better. Time will tell, obviously, how this all works out but, for now, I’m disappointed the Cubs decided not to retain him. I wish him the best in Cleveland and look forward to following his ’09 season.

Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.

by daver on Dec 15, 2008 2:21 PM CST up reply actions

I don't know what Hendry knows

I’ve got to defer to Hendry on this one. The man has deep and long connection to Kerry Wood and would not have permitted his suprisingly easy exit if not for legitimate strong reasons in my view. Although I have no way of validating I have to believe the Cubs were quite leery on his ability to maintain health and effectiveness.

by BLou on Dec 15, 2008 2:35 PM CST up reply actions

It may have been that...

…but it also may have been a money thing. Hendry may have let Wood go out of some twisted paternal need to see Kerry make more money that he (Hendry) was willing to give him. Perhaps Jimbo could have brought Kerry back for a reasonable sum, but he (Hendry) thought that would somehow be devaluing Kerry. Or something like that.

by daver on Dec 15, 2008 3:19 PM CST up reply actions

Hendry's done a lousy job in salary managment, so yes that could have played a role in Wood's removal

Jim Hendry has cut a lot of fat checks. They’ve started to come back and bite. Which of course would have all been worth it if the Cubs had won a World Series by now.

Personally, I think Carlos Marmol is going to be lights out as a closer and make us forget all about Kerry Wood. The key becomes Kevin Gregg assuming the torch of primary set-up man, the addition of a bonafide quality left handed reliever and perhaps Angel Guzman finally being healthy and surprising the daylights out of everybody. Jeff Spellcheck worries me. I think the hype exceeds the continuing ability to contribute. Hopefully I’m very wrong on him.

by BLou on Dec 15, 2008 3:37 PM CST up reply actions

I think it all came down to....

Hendry knew that he had to choose between Dempster and Wood with a limited budget. Once Dempster was signed, and Marmol waiting in the wings, there was no room for Wood and try to fill the LH rightfielder need.

I wish Kerry all the success that he deserves with the Indians. I think it will be a good fit for him. They are a good team that was a game away from the World Series in 2007, and are in a similar situation that the Cubs are in. The AL central is as up for grabs as the NL central. I look for Woody to have a good year. Most of the AL hitters have not experienced that filthy slider with two strikes or that first pitch fastball that might wind up in your ear.

by montecarlo on Dec 16, 2008 2:53 AM CST reply actions

I can't wait....

for that three game series with Cleveland in June. Woody will be greeted with a heroes welcome, and deservedly so. With all the up’s and downs and injuries during his Cub career, he always carried himself as the class act that he is. He might not be wearing the blue pinstripes anymore, but will always be a Cub in our hearts.

by montecarlo on Dec 16, 2008 3:10 AM CST reply actions