Wood to return with Cubs in 2008

Wood to return with Cubs in 2008
Veteran signs one-year deal, could be candidate to close
By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com

CHICAGO -- Kerry Wood is staying put.

The Cubs agreed Monday to a one-year, $4.2 million contract with the free agent pitcher, who had been courted by other teams as a setup pitcher.

Wood, coming off his first full season as a reliever, may get the opportunity to be the Cubs' closer in 2008, and will compete for the job this spring along with Carlos Marmol. Ryan Dempster, who saved 28 games last season, is switching to the rotation in 2008.

Wood was 1-1 with a 3.33 ERA in 22 appearances last season, coming back from right shoulder problems that limited him to four games in 2006.

This coming season will be Wood's 14th in the Cubs organization. He ranks fourth on the Cubs' all-time strikeout list with 1,323 K's, while his .215 batting average against is the lowest of any pitcher in franchise history (minimum 1,000 innings pitched).

Last season, he totaled 18 scoreless appearances and gave up one run or fewer in 21 of 22 appearances, as six of his nine runs allowed came in two outings. He limited opponents to a .207 batting average and struck out 24 batters over 24 1/3 innings.