Kerry Wood, out for the rest of 2011 with a torn meniscus in his left knee, told Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago that he will retire if the Cubs aren't interested in bringing him back in 2012. Wood, who intends to undergo surgery next week before beginning a six-week long recovery process, turned down more lucrative offers to return to Chicago on a one-year, $1.5MM contract last offseason.
The Cubs selected Wood in the first round of the 1995 draft and he has since developed strong ties in Chicago, where his family started the Wood Family Foundation this summer. In 51 innings of work, he posted a 3.35 ERA with 10.1 K/9, 3.7 BB/9 and a 35.8% ground ball rate this year. The two-time All-Star is still just 34, so he figures to have more innings in him if his health holds up.
Since the Cubs have yet to appoint a permanent GM, there's no guarantee that the team would like to have Wood back, but it's hard to imagine that there wouldn't be some mutual interest.
why not bring him back, with the shark possibly moving to the rotation or dare i say close if we trade marmot(unlikely since he had a bad year) we would need a solid veteran in the pen. He didn’t do that bad this year either. Wood Marshall Marmol Gaub Dolis
Woods days in the rotation are long over. Though he was an absolute beast before his injuries, it won’t be happening.
I think you may have misinterpreted my post, what I meant top say was jeff samarjzia might move to the rotation leaving a hole in the pen that wood would fill
I say the new gm should just present it as such…3 million a year until you decide you don’t want to play for us anymore…
No offense but why offer him 3 if he is more than willing to play for 1.5. I don’t think he is gonna be greedy at this point in his career. We might as well save as much money as possible and field the best team we can.
Although, that’s a horrible negotiating strategy, it is refreshing to hear. It’s nice to see a player that is happy with what he’s done and if he’s not going to be in a great place for he and his family, he’ll simply walk away. props to Kerry.
His new role will be a roadie for Pearl Jam……..Eddie Vedder loves this guy.
“Cubs or retirement” Guess that means he’s fine with being a life-long loser?
Just like you are happy with being a life long dou che bag!
Haha no doubt you are an angry scrubs fan
Why do people love to play for the Cubs so much?
Most players always say they want to return to their current team, love the city, comfortable, etc. Its not just the Cubs. With Kerry, he was drafted by the cubs, given multiple chances to recover from injuries and is one of the all time favorites to Cubs fans, plus he has so many ties to the city.
This is a much different scenario than “most players”. Most players don’t say they will retire if they can’t play for their current team. I also believe Kerry Wood, he took a pretty good pay-cut to play with them this year. He will be a Cub.
That is why I stated the second part, but I get how my post might have been confusing. I meant the second part to separate kerry from all the other players. I was just trying to say that a lot of players say that they want to stay with their teams because ryanfea stated people love playing for the cubs. Players say they want to play for (insert team here) all the time.
Kerry Wood’s wife is from Chicago and he also has a child with medical problems who receives treatment at Childrens Memorial Hospital, in Chicago.
I guess he thinks his family is more important than chasing down the most money his agent can find.
I see, I wasn’t aware of that issue. But it seems like it is the same deal with a lot of other players like Aramis Ramirez for example. You’d think some of these guys would like to win.
“Why do people love to play for the Cubs so much? ”
The ultra loyal fans and wrigley field, the ultimate retro ballpark that is steeped in history and 1 of 2 ballparks that babe ruth played in that is still in operation.
Last time I checked the Chisox are still in Chicago… you’d think he would be willing to pitch there. I dont know what you clear on 1.5 million but if most of had that sum we could retire. Sure I know he has made a lot of green already but still… another year at 1.5, if he doesnt want it, I bet it would look good to his Foundation.
playin for the sox is like kissin your ugly sister ………….. playin for the cubs is like kissin your hot step sister it isnt exactly right but lots of cub players would do it again.