When Chicago Cubs reliever Angel Guzman went down, presumably for the year, rumors picked up about the Cubs adding another right-handed reliever. The kicker, of course, is that the Cubs were already looking for such a right-handed reliever, and efforts to add a guy now will be met with outrageous demands.
But maybe the Cubs can pick up a guy who’s got an outrageous contract, making the deal slightly more palatable. Maybe it could be someone who is loved by Cubs fans.
Kerry Wood, RHP, Indians — He would make a lot of sense for the Twins, as closer Joe Nathan will likely undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery. Wood makes $10.5 million, and with Minnesota’s budget stretched to $96 million and change — highest in team history — the Indians would have to pick up a good slab of it. The Twins are considering in-house candidates, but don’t be surprised if they look around. Wood also is drawing interest from his former team, the Cubs. The Boston Globe.
It is, of course, unclear why the Boston Globe would have unique visibility to the Chicago Cubs’ reliever desires, and this report also ignores recent statements by both Jim Hendry and Tom Ricketts that the Cubs’ payroll is maxed out.
But if they could swing a deal where they only pick up a few million of Wood’s deal? Maybe they’d consider it. Wood, as you know, spent his entire career in Chicago before leaving via free agency last year to Cleveland. Last year was arguably the worst of his career, and assuredly the worst since he became a reliever – he had a 4.25 ERA, a 1.382 WHIP, and converted just 20 of 26 save opportunities.
Still, he’d look pretty great back in a Cub uniform.
But yes, this team and organization are a pile of crap. 4 years of just... –
[...] Rumors about Indians’ closer Kerry Wood returning to the Cubs continue to [...]
I much as I would love to see Woods back in a Cubs Uniform. I dont see this as a good fit.
Only way if the Indians take up a fair chunk of the contract. I wouldn’t mind having him as a backup closer, especially since Guzman gone for the season.
I wonder if acquiring Wood would unsettle Marmol.