Kerry Wood to stay with Chicago Cubs – MLB News
The Chicago Cubs got the specified outcome on Friday as they succeeded in signing Kerry Wood for a one-year contract. The deal which is worth $3 million for a year also has a club option of the same amount for 2013.
The announcement could not have come at a more appropriate time for both the player and the club given the meetings which coincided on the same day. With the front-office shuffle which brought big names in the team, this change in the roster will certainly
be a reassuring move for the Cubs.
The arbitration-eligible reliever was a player that other teams might have aggressively pursued. However, the Cubs did not evince any panic neither in acquiring the player nor in the possible move of the player to another club.
Nonetheless, the reliever will bring quality to the bullpen. Having achieved a great deal, Wood has got the potential to out-manoeuvre any offence on any given day, which is something that the Chicago Cubs realise well.
"In Kerry's case, I think he has some added value beyond his performance on the field, which is still quite good and still the most important factor," Epstein said.
More than that, the Chicago Cubs eye a future wherein the experienced reliever will mentor the younger team-mates. Kerry, after all, belongs to a team that lost over 90 games this past season, bringing a sense of disappointment for the team.
"[Wood also is] an outstanding teammate and understands the importance of mentoring younger pitchers, he understands how to deal with some of the distractions here in Chicago, he's not shy about setting a good example in the clubhouse and he's an active
member in the community,” said Epstein – who is the president of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs.
The Cubs’ fans think that with this decision, the club has given some refreshing news as Friday was the Convention Day for the club. The move, they hope, will pay off for the team at a time when they need it the most with fast-changing dynamics.
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