Post by Fish Troll on Nov 14, 2008 16:59:13 GMT -5
CHICAGO (AP) -- The Chicago Cubs acquired reliever Kevin Gregg in a trade with the Florida Marlins on Thursday, a move that appears to end Kerry Wood's career with the team.
Wood, the 1998 NL Rookie of the Year who saved 34 games this year, had been the longest-tenured player on the Cubs. General manager Jim Hendry said Wood was deserving of a three- or four-year deal and the Cubs are not prepared to offer him one.
In addition to the right-handed Gregg, who was the Marlins' closer until the final month last season, Chicago also has a talented setup man in Carlos Marmol, who could close.
"We're just in a situation -- and Kerry fully understands -- that length of deal for the kind of salary that he could command right now is not our first priority," Hendry said during a conference call.
Wood, the 1998 NL Rookie of the Year who saved 34 games this year, had been the longest-tenured player on the Cubs. General manager Jim Hendry said Wood was deserving of a three- or four-year deal and the Cubs are not prepared to offer him one.
In addition to the right-handed Gregg, who was the Marlins' closer until the final month last season, Chicago also has a talented setup man in Carlos Marmol, who could close.
"We're just in a situation -- and Kerry fully understands -- that length of deal for the kind of salary that he could command right now is not our first priority," Hendry said during a conference call.
sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/11/13/gregg.cubs.ap/index.html
This trade that brought Jose Ceda seems like a steal for the Marlins. He is young and projected to be ready to the big league as soon as the mid point of this season. Only way this can be a win for the Cubs is they put Gregg as their closer to hope that Gregg becomes a Type A free agent next off season so they can get 2 draft pick after Gregg leave to FA. Ceda can also be useful as a bodyguard for when the Marlins get in a brawl with the other team.
