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Were the White Sox Kerry Wood's fallback plan?

January 17, 2012, 8:11 pm

 

Kerry Wood almost posed for a headshot in a White Sox uniform. How weird would that have been? (AP)

 

When Kerry Wood agreed to a new deal with the Chicago Cubs last Friday that was announced during the annual Cubs Convention, fans had no idea as they were cheering the announcement of his signing that he nearly left his long-time team to play somewhere else.

 

While published reports indicated that the teams that were after Wood included the Cincinnati Reds, the Detroit Tigers, the Philadelphia Phillies and the Texas Rangers, multiple sources have confirmed to me tonight that had Wood not re-signed with the Cubs he would most likely have agreed to a deal with the Chicago White Sox.

 

The Sox and Wood had multiple conversations during this year’s free agent process and unlike last offseason when he clearly chose the Cubs' $1.5 million over the White Sox' 2-year/$10 million deal, this winter, Wood seriously considered the Sox and only re-upped with the Cubs after a conversation with Tom Ricketts and Theo Epstein that resulted in the North Siders increasing their offer.

 

Wood had a solid 2011 season when he appeared in 55 games for the Cubs and while he lends tremendous experience to the back end of the bullpen, his leadership in the clubhouse was also a huge factor in the number of teams that were interested in his services.

 

The Sox have long respected Wood and were interested in having him as part of their revamped bullpen that has a major question mark that needs to be answered after the trade of closer Sergio Santos to the Toronto Blue Jays.

 

Wood would have had a legitimate shot at closing for the White Sox but in the end, he chose to stay with the organization that was in his heart.

 

As one source told me, “the Cubs were truly the only place that Woody wanted to pitch. However, if the Cubs had not increased their offer, he would have been willing to move.”

As one source told me, “the Cubs were truly the only place that Woody wanted to pitch. However, if the Cubs had not increased their offer, he would have been willing to move.”

 

I thought it wasn't about the money Kerry, it's just all about pitching for the Cubs. Must have the same agent as Mark.

 

 

Glad it worked out that way!

wood turned down SEVERAL 2 year offers from al teams(including the white sox) to take a 1.5 million deal to rejoin the cubs last year. the white sox offer was reportedly $10 million, and the boston and new york deals werent shabby either. i dont understand his logic in giving ricketts below market deals 2 years in a row. unless ricketts is promising wood a post career job in the organization.

wood turned down SEVERAL 2 year offers from al teams(including the white sox) to take a 1.5 million deal to rejoin the cubs last year. the white sox offer was reportedly $10 million, and the boston and new york deals werent shabby either. i dont understand his logic in giving ricketts below market deals 2 years in a row. unless ricketts is promising wood a post career job in the organization.

He feels bad about being on the DL 50% of the time in his prime.

I did my part last year drunkenly telling Wood to sign with the Sox while at a bar.

I have wood.

wood turned down SEVERAL 2 year offers from al teams(including the white sox) to take a 1.5 million deal to rejoin the cubs last year. the white sox offer was reportedly $10 million, and the boston and new york deals werent shabby either. i dont understand his logic in giving ricketts below market deals 2 years in a row. unless ricketts is promising wood a post career job in the organization.

 

This has already been guaranteed, it may have been in his last contract.

I will say it again dempster and wood are losers.

 

They seem like great guys but they seem to enjoy the rah rah wrigleyville over winning.

This has already been guaranteed, it may have been in his last contract.

 

I do not think they can formally guarantee this .

I do not think they can formally guarantee this .

 

Poo-Holes has it is his contract. For the 10 years after his contract is up, he belongs to the Angels.

Interesting to note that the story says the Sox have a hole in their bullpen now that Santos gone. I still am a bit perplexed about that deal. Maybe it will work out for us though.

OIC What you did there.

I read somewhere that before he returned to the Cubs, Wood actually agreed to a contract with another team, but didn't pull a Dye and backed out of the deal. I wonder if it was the Sox. I hope not.

Edited January 19, 201214 yr by Dick Allen

He feels bad about being on the DL 50% of the time in his prime.

 

Maybe Peavy will do the same if he has a good year in 2012.

This has already been guaranteed, it may have been in his last contract.

it was never disclosed if wood has a personal services deal with the cubs. tommy boy probably promised him a broadcaster job when he retires.

Poo-Holes has it is his contract. For the 10 years after his contract is up, he belongs to the Angels.

personal services contract typically means team ambassador/do nothing job. which was NOT revealed in wood's last 1.5 mil deal with the cubs.

Would we have been chanting "KERRY, KERRY, KERRY" at Soxfest?

I would have boo'd him.

I would have boo'd him.

 

Why after blowing game 7 I love him almost as much as Derek Lee.

Why after blowing game 7 I love him almost as much as Derek Lee.

 

He's a Cub for life and he said he would never pitch for the Sox. That is reason enough for me.

He's a Cub for life and he said he would never pitch for the Sox. That is reason enough for me.

 

Yeah, minus those two years in Cleveland and New York, Cub for life.

Yeah, minus those two years in Cleveland and New York, Cub for life.

 

I meant in spirit more than actuality.

He's got as much milage out of an old 20 strike-out game, as Ken Williams has got out of 2005