Signing Wood long term

With Javier Vazquez getting a 4 year $45 million dollar deal from the Yankees it virtually sets the market for Kerry Wood. The question is do the Cubs have the balls to sign Wood to a deal worth more than $10 million a season? For the most part the Cubs have been pretty good at keeping fan favorites.

The concern I have always had is Wood hasn't been interested in a long term deal yet. Because if he was, Jim Hendry would of locked him up a long time ago. Wood is a fiery competitor, and wont accept year after year of losing as his good friend Mark Grace went thru. And I am sure Mark Grace said don't believe what management says, only the product they put on the field.

For me we had to win last year. If for nothing else than to keep Kerry Wood. That's why I wanted them to get Pudge, Colon, and Kent. Funny thing was, they won anyways. Not the way I think they should of, as they rode the pitching staff extremely hard, and showed virtually no offense at times. But none the less it was good for the prospect of signing Kerry Wood long term.

Every year everyone wants to talk about other teams stars as being on the Cubs radar because they a) they cant afford them b) he will not resign with them. The reality with Wood is, if he signs another 1 year deal, he is gonna walk after this year probably. Then we as fans and Hendry as management has to run the gauntlet of fears. Trade him and get something in return? Or pray and hope he changes his mind and returns.

We sit here and say Milwaukee cant keep Sexson. It would be stupid for them to keep him and then run the risk of getting nothing in return. Well as Cubs fans if Wood signs a 1 year deal, you have to think along those same lines. But my guess is most fans would be more than willing to run that risk, because its now one of our players. If its someone else's players they have to trade them. But not if he is a Chicago Cub. The rules are different. No they aren't. Just some fans want their cake and ice cream too.

Personally I think Kerry Wood will sign a multi year deal this year with the Cubs. I would be shocked if he didn't. We have a great core of pitching, the offense and bullpen are upgraded. If he needed signs that the Cubs are trying to win, he needs to only look at his roster. While it still can be improved upon its a very good start.

In the end the Cubs have to be willing to offer the big money otherwise this is all mute.