Rumor: Arizona Diamondbacks, Among Other Teams, Might Want Kerry Wood

Kerry Wood signed a meager $1.5 million, one-year contract to come back to his team, the Chicago Cubs. It was a sweetheart deal, and demonstrated the depth of his affection for the Cubs and the city of Chicago. It came with a no-trade clause, which may be the single most deserved no-trade clause in the history of the term.

I say this first, because that set of facts will inform any and all discussions that arise over the next few months about trading Kerry Wood.

And there will be many.

As a successful, hard-throwing reliever with an immensely reasonable, one-year contract, Kerry Wood is going to be a very popular target of trade talks this rumor season. Indeed, Gordon Wittenmyer confirms that “teams consistently suggest [Wood] has the value to stir a market of bidders.”

The Cubs will undoubtedly hold discussions with other teams about Wood, but I doubt they even bring a trade to his attention for approval unless he’s already let them know that he is interested – not willing, interested – in heading out to a contender (and/or doing another favor for the Cubs).

Wood, himself, says he’s not sure what he would do if a trade came up.

“I’d have to talk to a lot more people,’’ he said. ‘‘I’d have to talk to my wife. I haven’t really even thought about it yet.”

Ok. Enough preambles. On to this particular Wood trade rumor.

The surprisingly-competitive Arizona Diamondbacks might be interested in putting together an offer for Wood. The team has made it widely known that they’re looking to add some depth to their bullpen, and they believe Wood could be their new seventh inning guy. John Gambadoro, a sports radio guy in Arizona, thinks that not only does Wood make sense for the D-Backs, but believes the team will pursue him.

Gambadoro says that the return on Wood would probably not be a top ten prospect, but more like “somebody along the lines of a 10 to 20,” which would be a nice return for half a season of Wood.

Of course, the Cubs won’t consider moving Wood until they decide they’re officially out of the race, which – especially with the Phillies, Brewers, and Yankees on deck – could happen any day.