Still hoping he can work out a one year deal.

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.

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.