So Long, Kerry, and Sorry
The Cubs front office’s decision to part ways with Kerry Wood had to be a tough one for Jim Hendry, but not because of all this wishy-washy b.s. about family and better opportunities elsewhere. Volunteering to lose a great player and team leader isn’t the same as volunteering in a breadline. Whatever spin and old-timey politeness is put on this, the fact is that this send off is weird.
Kerry is only 31 years old. Yes he’s been in the Cubs organization for 14 years, and yes he has donned signature facial hair that occasionally makes him look older, but the next several years should be some of his best. HE’S NOT AN OLD MAN.
Whatever you thought of Kerry’s performance on the field on his worst days last season, his average and better than average days more than made up for a few blown saves and other close calls. Compare Wood’s stats with newly acquired Kevin Gregg’s stats and it’s clear that the better pitcher just got the pink slip. Oh yeah, and Kerry Wood made just $1.75 million more last season than Gregg. Bobby Howry (cough cough), who is as good as gone, made $4.5 million last season. Money isn’t the issue.
That the Cubs want to go in a direction that doesn’t include Kerry Wood is fine. I personally don’t agree with it, but I understand it. Carlos Marmol is an awesome talent. Kevin Gregg is a decent insurance plan. I just loathe the way they went about this:
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.
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.”
Telling a man what’s best for his family isn’t courteous, it’s insulting. The Cubs turned on their PR machine last Thursday night and clearly they are working against any chance that Kerry would sign a 1-year deal, which he later said he would have entertained.
He doesn’t want to move, and his family doesn’t either.
The ball is in your court, Kenny Williams. The Cubs may be mannerly, but they’re also a little rude sometimes.
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Tags: Jim Hendry, Kerry Wood
6 Responses
Sheps November 15th at 11:31 pm
Wood is one of two Cubs I don’t want to see in another uniform. I know a 3 or 4 year deal is stupid, but I love the guy. This blows.
CrankyShoulder November 17th at 11:47 am
A few things make the departure of Kerry Wood pretty tough to accept.
1) The media initially reporting he should get a 3-4yr deal somewhere else. Then finding out that it was the Cubs that TOLD him to look for that deal.
2) His quote that he wanted to stay and would even do a 1-yr deal. Wood has had opportunities to leave several times but he chose to stay and at a discount.
3) He is good. This isn’t like losing Howry who did his job and burnt out. Woody is on a career revival so why dump him now?
4) Community. What Cub does more for Chicago than Wood. Sure, it’s mostly Mrs. Wood but still, the guy went through the good and bad years with the same positive attitude towards his charities and everything.
5) He loves Chicago. Unlike many players who give their team city the fake-love treatment. Kerry Wood WANTS to be here. He’s done everything possible to stick with this team and even after they said he’s on his way out he’s said that he’s still going to live here. So why the heck were we in a rush to throw him out?
I really don’t want to see him on another team simply because I’ll be subconsciously rooting against him. My guess for the brush off is that he’s hurt again and Hendry is protecting the franchise, but if he continues to succeed then I’m really upset that he’s gone.
Adam November 18th at 2:00 pm
I don’t like seeing Kerry go or the prospect of him wearing, say, a Cardinals jersey. But as far as how the Cubs are handling this, I have to disagree with you on this one.
First off, I think you have to differentiate between what Jim Hendry tells the public and what Jim Hendry told Kerry Wood to his face. Yeah, Hendry’s saying to the press that he’s making this move because it’s better for Kerry, but I highly doubt he gave that same pitch to Kerry. Glossing over the real reasons for dumping Kerry IS the best thing for Hendry to do. If he said, “Look, I love the guy, but he’s injury prone and wild, and I think we can do better,” that would devalue Kerry on the free agent market.
And you simply must compare this situation to how Trevor Hoffman got dumped in San Diego. They offered him a contract in bad faith and withdrew it, revealing they never intended to re-sign him. Then they refused to meet with him face-to-face and instead notified his agent by fax that his 15-year stay with them was over.
THAT, my friend, is crap. Now, you can make the case that the Cubs are better off with Kerry Wood, but they were honest with him. Publicly, they put the BS spin on it, but Kerry couldn’t ask for a more tactful parting of the ways.
zimmerlovesvancelaw November 20th at 10:07 am
Bad move by the Cubs. His leadership, ability, and that “connection with fans” can’t be replaced. This reminds me of parting ways with Mark Grace. Look what he did after leaving…..
Still hoping he can work out a one year deal.
roxann December 3rd at 1:58 pm
I agree with Sheps…I love the guy… this does blow!
Rox
roxan December 3rd at 2:00 pm
nice job, Lou