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Kerry Wood

Cubs Rumors: Teahen, Edmonds, Marquis

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Earlier today I spoke with a source familiar with the Cubs’ thinking, and dug up enough info for a fresh post.

  • While Mark Teahen is a player of interest for the Cubs, they certainly won’t be trading Mike Fontenot and Sean Marshall for him.  The Cubs don’t consider Teahen the middle of the order bat they require.
  • Royals outfielder David DeJesus also interests the Cubs, but the source has the impression Dayton Moore would have to be overwhelmed to trade him.  There seems a good chance DeJesus stays put this winter.
  • The Cubs aren’t keen on bringing Jim Edmonds back for 2009.
  • There are no perfect fits for the right field vacancy, and the Cubs are willing to sacrifice some defense to add that middle of the order lefthanded hitter.
  • The Cubs are hoping a market forms for Jason Marquis, and are willing to eat salary "within reason."  They would be content with Marquis as their fifth starter if nothing surfaces.  I couldn’t get any specifics, but the Cubs do feel that they have reasonable options to clear payroll other than trading Marquis.
  • Teams around baseball are wary of certain Type A/B free agents accepting offers of arbitration.  Expect the Cubs to figure out where Kerry Wood stands before deciding whether to offer.

Odds and Ends: Wade, Crisp, Holliday

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Links for Thursday…

Gammons’ Latest: Penny, Jenks, Salty

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Let’s take a look at Peter Gammons’ Saturday blog post.

  • Gammons indicates that Brad Penny is working hard this offseason, and teams such as the Cardinals, Red Sox, Rangers, and Blue Jays "appreciate" his past success.
  • The Mets are apparently worried about Bobby Jenks’ declining strikeout rate, a sentiment echoed by Joel Sherman.  Sherman talked to a Mets official who said the chances of acquiring Jenks are "close to zero."
  • The Rangers apparently wanted Clay Buchholz or two of Justin Masterson/Nick Hagadone/Michael Bowden for Jarrod Saltalamacchia.  The Red Sox aren’t biting.
  • The Rangers would probably have to trade Hank Blalock ($6.2MM) to make room for Kerry Wood.

Closer Roundup: K-Rod, Fuentes, Wood, Hoffman

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Joel Sherman of the New York Post takes a look at the sudden surplus of potentially available closers in major league baseball, a situation that certainly benefits the Mets considering their need to upgrade the bullpen this offseason.

Two free agent closers that seemed destined to retire with their 2008 teams, Trevor Hoffman and Kerry Wood, now appear to be more available than was expected in October. That pair, along with Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes, give the Mets and other teams several options in free agency.

Other relief pitchers with experience in the 9th inning have been recently mentioned in trade rumors. The list includes Huston Street, who may move again before the 2009 season begins, along with JJ Putz, Jose Valverde, and Bobby Jenks, mentions Sherman.

Sherman also provides a short list of teams, beyond the Mets, that may need a reliever with closing experience for 2009. The Texas Rangers, seemingly always short on pitching these days, may be a good fit for Kerry Wood; the Detroit Tigers, the St. Louis Cardinals, and most recently the Milwaukee Brewers, faced with the sudden retirement of Salomon Torres, are also in need of 9th inning help.

Sherman suggests Fuentes may be the favorite for the Mets’ closing job at this point.

Kerry Wood Comments

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The Chicago Tribune’s Paul Sullivan spoke to free agent reliever Kerry Wood, with whom the Cubs recently cut ties.

Wood says he would have done anything to stay with the Cubs, including signing a one-year deal.  In light of that information, the Cubs’ decision seems more questionable.

While Wood has a preference for the National League, he’s open to pitching anywhere.  It doesn’t sound like the Tigers are interested, while Adam McCalvy makes a case against the Brewers.   ESPN’s Keith Law ranked Wood as the top free agent reliever despite the health risk.

Kevin Gregg Trade Reactions

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The Cubs acquired one year of reliever Kevin Gregg for six of Jose Ceda yesterday.  Chicago teams apparently went 0 for 2 yesterday, as the reactions favor the Marlins.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Swisher, Wood, Hermida

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A look at the newest column from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

  • Rosenthal believes the Nick Swisher trade is a prelude to other moves for the White Sox, and shouldn’t be judged in isolation.
  • Darren Oliver could follow Damaso Marte and re-sign quickly, as his market value is also diminished by his Type A status.
  • Texas native Kerry Wood is a good match for the Rangers, though they’re not going to want to do three years at $10MM per (I think).  Jim Hendry says Wood will always be welcome to come back to Chicago.  Rosenthal says the Rangers also have interest in Colorado’s Huston Street.
  • The Cubs and the Rays are two suitors for Florida’s Jeremy Hermida, though they’ve cleared enough payroll already to be deliberate with this one.

Cubs Acquire Gregg, Part Ways With Wood

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4:12pm: Dave Cameron sees a net loss of 1-2 wins for the Cubs, swapping out Wood with Gregg.

2:18pm: GM Jim Hendry says the Cubs will part ways with lifetime Cub Kerry Wood.  Replacing him with Gregg should save the team a good $6MM.  The Cubs just couldn’t pony up a huge multiyear deal for Wood.

1:06pm: The Miami Herald’s Clark Spencer says the Marlins will receive relief prospect Jose Ceda in return.  Seems pretty good for one year of Gregg.

12:57pm: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs acquired Kevin Gregg from the Marlins today.  It seems that Gregg could become the Cubs’ setup man for Carlos Marmol if Kerry Wood departs.

Mets Closer Plan Starts With Free Agents

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Let’s try to decipher the Mets’ strategy for acquiring a new closer.

  • Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post says the Mets will pursue a free agent out of the gate, perhaps with Brian Fuentes ranked above Francisco Rodriguez on their list.  Still, K-Rod’s agent noted that they’re not "wedded" to a five-year deal, and he didn’t toss the reported $15MM demand out there.  Hubbuch believes the Mets will move on to trade targets such as Bobby Jenks and Huston Street if they fail to sign Fuentes or Rodriguez.
  • Ken Davidoff and David Lennon mention J.J. Putz as well, while suggesting the Mets don’t love Street.  They agree that the Mets will try free agency first, with Kerry Wood a third target.  Davidoff likes Jenks over K-Rod, but expects it’d cost Fernando Martinez and maybe Bobby Parnell.  The White Sox have reportedly scouted Parnell and Eddie Kunz.

Peavy Pursuit Affects Dempster, Wood

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Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune writes today about how the Cubs’ pursuit of Jake Peavy affects their efforts to re-sign pitchers Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood.

Sullivan believes Dempster would be less likely to give the Cubs a discount if they acquire Peavy, who is set to earn an average of $15.75MM per year.  Jeff Blair, on the other hand, heard Dempster would be willing to give the Cubs a discount due to his desire to be part of a Cubs super-rotation.  It seems that Dempster wants five years and $70MM.  Sullivan says the Cubs offered $50MM over four years, while Ken Rosenthal pegged it as closer to Kyle Lohse’s $41MM.

Would acquiring Peavy and retaining Dempster leave any money for Wood?  Wood anchors the Cubs’ pen, and his Chicago/Jim Hendry loyalty runs deep.  Still, the Cubs would probably have to offer a multiyear deal.  Unloading even half of Jason Marquis’ $9.875MM could go a long way.

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