Sad, but Understandable!

It is not surprising that the Cubs did not resign Kerry Wood, especially if he was looking for a three or four year deal. Wood was very good this past year, but his health is inconsistent. He has done a lot of great things for the Cubs and the city of Chicago (http://www.kerrywoodstrikezone.com/). Hopefully this does not come back to hurt the Cubs like Greg Maddux (the first time the Cubs let him go). It is sad, but not surprising that the Cubs are not bringing back Wood if he is looking for a long term deal.

From the Chicago Tribune --
"Hendry met this week with Wood and his agent, Pat Rooney, and told him the Cubs were going in a different direction. "I think we all feel that Kerry is certainly deserving of a three- or four-year contract," Hendry said. "He’s done everything this organization has asked for the last 14 years, been a warrior the last couple of years. He's come back and health-wise stood the test of time, taken the ball every day we needed, and had no hang-ups, except for (missing one month with a blister injury). "We’re just in a situation, as Kerry fully understands, that that length of deal, for the kind of salary he’d command right now, is not our first priority. We certainly have to finish our rotation, we have offensive situations to address, and by having the prominence that (Carlos) Marmol now brings to the table, it certainly doesn’t come before the other needs we have. We felt it was time Kerry goes out and does what’s best for him and his family, and gets a huge multi-year deal if possible."'
http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2008/11/cubs-wave-bye-t.html


Marmol has the stuff to be closer, but does he have the mental make-up to deal with the pressures of closing games. The pick up of Kevin Gregg will help the bullpen but he is not a closer anymore.



From the Trib --
"The Cubs acquired right-handed reliever Kevin Gregg from Florida on Thursday to plug a hole in the bullpen, sending Double-A prospect Jose Ceda to the Marlins. Whether Gregg will be a closer, as he was in Florida, or a set-up man depends on whether or not Kerry Wood re-signs, or if Carlos Marmol is ready to step into a more significant role. The 30-year-old Gregg, who was 7-8 with a 3.41 earned-run average and 29 saves in 72 outings for the Marlins, has an 18-21 career mark and a 4.00 ERA. He started out well in Florida last year but wound up blowing nine saves, and was not expected to get a shot at the closer’s job if he returned to Florida in ’09. He was 0-4 w2ith a 10.13 ERA in August before moving to middle relief. The Cubs certainly like his salary, which fits into their 2009 budget. Gregg is arbitration eligible, after making $2.5 million last year. Ceda, 21, was ranked as the No. 3 prospect in the Cubs organization by Baseball Prospectus, and was acquired from San Diego in the Todd Walker trade two years ago."
http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2008/11/cubs-acquire-po.html


The Cubs bullpen is becoming younger (and cheaper) and can hopefully hold up to the pressures and innings of a long season and post-season. It looks like they will be relying on Marmol, Samardzija, Hart, and Guzman.
It would be amazing if the Cubs could pick up Francisco Rodriguez, but he probably will want too much money and too many years.
Another interesting idea would be signing Randy Johnson if he was interested in pitching out of the bullpen.
The Cubs still need to go after Jake Peavy, especially if they do not sign Ryan Dempster.