Cubs decline arbitration on all their players
Submitted by Cliff on Monday, 1 December 2008 2 Comments
In a somewhat surprising move today, the Chicago Cubs declined to offer arbitration to Kerry Wood. I figured that the team would offer Wood arbitration so they would atleast get the two extra draft picks if Wood signed with another team. I guess management didn’t want to risk it and have Wood accept and end up paying him more money then they wanted to for the 2009 season.
Bob Howry, Daryle Ward, Jim Edmonds, and Henry Blanco were the other players that were not offered arbitration.
Your opinions on Wood not being offered?
The Cubbies have declined to do arb on those guys because they are making room for their new left fielder.
Mr. Home Run King Himself!
Kerry Wood would have accepted the arbitration. Clearly the Cubs are trying to do something behind closed doors that is big. They are saying that they are out of the race for Jake Peavy, but I think they are still hoping a third team works out to get the trade completed.
The Cubs were dealt a major blow in getting the Orioles involved, since Baltimore wanted Kalil Greene, but he was just traded to St. Louis. The Cubs will most likely have to part with Felix Pie (who cares), and either Ronny Cedeno (who cares) or Mike Fontenot (noooooo!). There are also talks that the Cubs may have to dump Derrek Lee’s salary to get the Peavy deal done and try and get Teahan or another big power lefty to play first.
A lot of things have to line up for the Cubs to improve their team and refusing Wood arbitration is the first thing on the list.