The Chicago Cubs today re-signed Kerry Wood?

Question

Well, in less you live in a cave with no TV, radio, or internet, I bet you know that earlier today the Chicago Cubs annouced they have re-signed Kerry Wood to a 1 year contract, so the Chicago Cubs and Kerry Wood have agreed to a 1 year contract 4.2 million dollars. Which is no where near, the amount of years no money they re-signed Carlos Zambrano for. And let me state right now, I am not a Kerry Wood fan. I think he is one of thier most overrated pitchers they have ever had, and he has spent which will know, if we can even count it as a 10 year carrier with the Chicago Cubs. And you might even wonder, why the heck to I even care. But what do you think of this move? Do you give it thumbs up, or do you give it thumbs down? And also please tell me why you are giving this move thumbs up or thumbs down. Now asnwer this question well, and you might get 10 extra points, and the best answer. And even some thumbs ups from your fellow users like me. I have to give this move a thumbs down.

I just didn't not have enough room for this in my first set of deatis, btu it seems to me that they are going to keep doing this where they have to sign him for a new deal ever year, whether or not he deserves one, when they could sign him to a longer deal worth more then just one year.

Answer 1

Thumbs up for many reasons.

1) Low risk contract for the Cubs: One year and 4 million, not a lot invested there. If he gets hurt then you don't resign him next year, cut your ties with him and move on. If he does well then it will absolutely be worth the money, which can increase to around 7.5 mil with incentives.

2) Low risk for Kerry Wood: Kerry Wood wanted to be here with the Cubs. He has said in the past that he loves being a Cub, loves the city of Chicago, and is grateful that the Cubs drafted him, brought him through their system, stood by him through his injuries and rehab, and continue to support him to this day. The fans love him and still hope he will still live up to the hype. If he were to go elsewhere, say Boston or New York, he might have got more money and another year, but if he gets hurt or does not pitch well you know the fans will be all over him. Kerry wanted to stay in Chicago, the fans wanted him back, the team wanted him back, so this seemed like the best move for him.

3) He's now a relief pitcher: The days of Kerry Wood starting are all but over. The Cubs moved Ryan Dempster to the rotation and are set on their other four starters, meaning Wood is coming out of the pen. Wood will be in the running to be the closer. If not the closer then he will be one of the main setup men. You're not relying on him to throw 100+ pitches every five days, just one inning every other day. He has pitched out of the bullpen before, including all of last year, and he has had success doing so.

4) Who else would you get: Eric Gagne is the only other closer-type available in free agency. He's had recent arm problems and didn't look very good after he joined the Red Sox last year. If you didn't bring back Wood and you don't bother with Gagne, then the Cubs would be left to plug in a rookie. They have some rookies with decent arms, but to be honest I would rather have Wood out there than Kevin Hart or Angel Guzman, who have yet to prove themselves over a full season.

In conclusion, you might think Kerry Wood is overrated, and you might be right. By now I, as well as most Cubs fans, was expecting Wood to be a 20 game winner, a Cy Young contender, a 200 inning 200 K a season pitcher. Arm problems have derailed that version of Kerry Wood. However, Cubs fans and the Cubs organization have stuck by Wood as he has to both of them, and now Wood has a chance to remake his career. He won't be a 20 game winner, but if he is the closer and he can save 30+ games and help the Cubs get back to the playoffs, bringing Wood back would be worth it and then some.

PS> Kerry Wood would not be the first Cub to get back-to-back one year contracts. Mark Grace, my favorite Cub of all time, had several one-year contracts over his career. He loved the city, the fans, and the team so much he was willing to stay for what ever the Cubs were willing to give him for a year. When the team decided he was too old and wasn't worth a one-year deal, the Diamondbacks picked him up and he helped them win the 2001 World Series. I hope Grace comes back to us eventually, as an announcer or a coach.

Answer 2

BIG thumbs up. he looked good coming out of the bullpen last year. Pitched from mid-August until end of year with no pain or complications. Told reporter in an interview he wants to stay in the pen and become a closer. I think he will be good and i also hope we re-sign Prior. Another issue is loyalty. Which is very rare in sports. And Cubs management said Wood turned down multi-year deals for more money to stay in Chicago. You gotta respect that.

Answer 3

As a White Sox fan I say this - Kerry Wood is a class act. He is a great pitcher with a lot of heart. His problem is a career marked with injuries. Prior is a mental midget. Wood wants to be the man, but injuries held him back. Hopefully he can pitch like last year again. He shows loyalty to the Cubs for sticking with him, instead of taking bigger money elsewhere. Good luck to you Kerry.

Answer 4

One year deal is a thumbs up. He needs to prove he can be healthy for a season, then maybe he can get another multi year deal depending on if he stays effective. I don't see him as a starter, but as a set up man or eventual closer. He may regain some velocity if stays healthy and can pitch two or three inning appearances. If his velocity returns better he could maybe be a closer. He wants badly to stay a Cub as he passed up a couple of multi year deals to stay a Cub

Answer 5

this was almost the stupidest thing i have ever seen done
wood and prior are ticking time bombs when ever they are in the league for more than a month the get hurt



except the first couple of years

Answer 6

yeah we did
for $4.2 million, 1 year

Answer 7

Thumbs Down, this guy and Pryor are walking injuries.