Cubs wont be starstruck anymore

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Perhaps this all ends Friday night, with everyone holding up a No. 34 jersey and flashbulbs popping inside a Hilton Chicago ballroom.

But its the middle of January and Kerry Wood is still a free agent. The 34-year-old reliever is being linked to contenders like the Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels. Maybe its time to chase a ring.

This is an iconic player who came back at a discount and will always be identified with this city. Hes also someone who, by his very nature, is proud and competitive and likes to keep score.

Whatever happens, Wood remaining unsigned past Christmas and well into the New Year shows that Theo Epstein isnt going to be starstruck. A deadline of sorts appears to be this weekends Cubs Convention.

We continue to want Kerry back in Chicago, general manager Jed Hoyer said Tuesday. Weve offered him a substantial raise and we certainly hope it gets done.

These executives are not worried about external pressure from the fans or media. They are not pretending that the team is one Prince Fielder megadeal away from the World Series. They are interested in value and walled off from sentiment, not particularly attached to this group of players.

This front office is playing the long game, which is why the Matt Garza trade rumors arent going away anytime soon. The signing of Paul Maholm became official on Tuesday and that represents another incremental move that wasnt made to sell tickets.

Maholm went 6-14 with a 3.66 ERA for a bad Pittsburgh Pirates team last year. He will receive 4.25 million this season, with a 6.5 million club option for 2013 (or a 500,000 buyout).

Maholm was shut down with shoulder soreness late last season, but described it as a pulled muscle, nothing major. He has been working with the training staff for Dr. James Andrews and expects to be good to go in spring training.

The Cubs now have six starters on paper: Garza, Maholm, Ryan Dempster, Randy Wells, Chris Volstad and Travis Wood. Hoyer wouldnt comment on the Garza reports, but said that the Maholm deal is not a precursor to anything.

Garza and Wood are two big names that would fit in on any team built to win now. The Cubs are looking to make a splash in 2014 and beyond.

Thirteen months ago, Wood attended Ron Santos funeral and felt a pull back toward the Cubs and a place that felt like home.

Wood took a below-market dealone year at 1.5 millionthat was negotiated by Jim Hendry, the general manager at the time. Their relationship went back to the 1995 draft, when the Cubs took the kid out of Grand Prairie High School (Texas) with the fourth overall pick.

There was also an understanding with chairman Tom Ricketts that Wood would have a role within the organization after his playing career was over.

Near the end of last season, Wood said he would probably retire if he couldnt pitch for the Cubs in 2012. The reliever laughed when it was suggested that he just gave away all his leverage.

Wood and his family live in Chicago during the offseason. His wife, Sarah, grew up in the citys suburbs and together theyve launched a charitable foundation that will hold a fundraiser on Friday night at Harry Carays Tavern on Navy Pier.

Several Cubs players are scheduled to attend the event, along with Ricketts and Epstein, who has called re-signing Wood a priority. A new administration might have a different idea of what Wood is worth.

We come in with somewhat of a fresh set of eyes, Hoyer said. That doesnt diminish what people have done long before were here. We both understand the history of the organization and we understand which players mean a lot to the fans. Kerry is one of them (and) were aware of (that).

Fresh eyes are one thing, but that doesnt mean you sort of ignore the rich past that the Cubs have.

Late Monday night Maholm announced the deal on his personal Twitter account. The next morning he told the media on the conference call: I wasnt trying to scoop any of you guys. Decision time is coming again soon, so you might want to follow @KerryWood.

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