I think this to be a sigh of relief, if true.  According to Bruce Levine, Woody has been signed for a reported 1 yr deal (with no options) for $4million.  

If true, this is likely a steal for the Cubs, and graciuos on Woody's part.  Quite honestly, I'm surprised the Cubs or Wood wouldn't demand a 2 yr deal or one with options.  This obviously could be a good thing or bad thing depending on his health...

also noted here...
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Was reading the game thread from Viva El Birdos from yesterday.  Of course there was rejoicing when Dempster gave up the 3 run HR, but the commentary following regarding the booing of Dempster and defense of Zambrano's comments were quite appalling.  made for interesting reading anyway.  Apparently it's OK to boo Kip Wells off the field after getting knocked around the other day, but not OK for showing disappointment regarding your closer's failure to close out an important game like yesterday or to boo your star pitcher ($90mil) for not showing up to pitch the last 5 starts.  As discussed on here many places, booing certainly has it's place and is certainly the right of the fans, when done appropriately so.  Interesting commentary from the game thread as posted below:

From:  http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/story/2007/9/6/7349/19388#commenttop

Dodgers 1st and 3rd 2 out
and the Dumpster is removed

by Ignatius J Reilly on Thu Sep 06, 2007 at 04:58:35 PM EDT

I have the radio on
was he boo'd off the field?

Call up PJ Walters!

by Hardcore Legend on Thu Sep 06, 2007 at 04:59:40 PM EDT
[ Parent ]  

yes
lusty boos

by Urban Pawnee on Thu Sep 06, 2007 at 05:04:38 PM EDT
[ Parent ]  

who cleans up
after a Dumpster?

Acquire some runs!

by madding on Thu Sep 06, 2007 at 05:00:06 PM EDT
[ Parent ]  

Wuertz

by Hugo on Thu Sep 06, 2007 at 05:00:43 PM EDT
[ Parent ]  

Dumpster hasn't blown a save in months...
...so naturally flub fans boo him to the dugout.

Flubs fans are right there with mets, yanks and bosox fans as the least classy in all baseball

by Ignatius J Reilly on Thu Sep 06, 2007 at 05:00:50 PM EDT
[ Parent ]  

Didn't he blow one
right as he came off the disabled list in the last couple of weeks?

Too bad I wasn't at home today watching the game.  Dang.

by sdrone on Thu Sep 06, 2007 at 05:39:39 PM EDT
[ Parent ]  

I know a several nice ones, . . .
. . . fine people and  fairly good baseball fans, but this statement of yours, IJR, is too often true:

"Flubs fans are right there with mets, yanks and bosox fans as the least classy in all baseball"

It was almost enough to make you feel sorry for Zambrano the other day. Earlier this week I had to explain that mess to my nephew up by Chicago. I found myself not completely disagreeing with Z's initial expressions of being hurt and betrayal by the fans. I found myself completely disagreeing with the part of his next-day apology in which Z said Cubs fans were the best fans in the world.

Almost, but not quite, sorry for Zambrano.

"All you campers, besides the chiggers, you'll come up with a sleeping bag from Bass Pro Shops." Mike Shannon, 08.15, promo for Cardinals Campout

by Nelson Brockabrella on Thu Sep 06, 2007 at 05:59:35 PM EDT
[ Parent ]  

St. Louis signed Kennedy yesterday 3yr/$10mil

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2678901

Hmmmm... It seems that Kennedy was predictedd by many here and other sources a while back to possibly be coming to Chicago.   Comparing the two, it sure seems like Kennedy would be a safer choice/more reliable choice here.  

DeRosa:
 2003:  .263/.316/.699/6HR/1 SB
 2004:  .239/.293/.613/3HR/1 SB
 2005:  .243/.325/.764/8HR/1 SB
 2006:  .296/.357/.813/13HR/ 4 SB

Kennedy:
 2002:  .312/.345/.794/7HR/17 SB
 2003:  .269/.344/.743/13HR/22 SB
 2004:  .278/.351/.757/10HR/15 SB
 2005:  .300/.354/.724/2HR/19 SB
 2006:  .273/.334/.718/4HR/16 SB

Walks/K/Fielding percentage fairly close.

Kennedy's 30 / bats Left
DeRosa's 31 / bats Right

On paper it seems as though going after Kennedy would be a smarter, and more expected moveto make here.  Cubs need a lefty hitter, he's quicker, established, and a little cheaper.  Water under the bridge now, but did Hendry miss this one?  

We've discussed this at length before, and many here have made their feelings pretty clear (both for/against) with regard to Girardi as a possible replacement.  NO, it's not official, but more definitive reports out of South Florida are saying Girardi has a "zero" chance of coming back to Florida next year.  

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14949055/

That being said, the arguments against Girardi have primarily been that #1 There was no guarantee that he would be available, and if he was available would likely require compensation to the Marlins  and #2 His Florida team is better than most had predicted, therefore questioning his real managerial skill.

Some recent moves he has made have brought some question marks to his managerial decisions (even to me), however, I would still be in favor of bringing him here over other available commodities.  

Assuming the reports are true (which is still speculation)-though it seems at this point that chances of Baker coming back to Chicago may be better than Girardi returning to the Marlins- and assuming he is available without compensation,  who's the choice for the manager of the Cubs next year?

Interesting comment by Maddux:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-0609020070sep02,1,777222.story?coll=chi-sport scubs-hed

Good for him to call out the Cubs horrible play.  Unfortunately, it may seal any possibility of him coming back next year and may further cast a dark cloud over this team to potential free Agents- not that they couldn't see how bad this team is anyway, but to hear, quite possibly, the most respected man in the game, one who rarely dogs anyone, speak so fondly of his former club sure isn't a welcoming to play with the North Siders.  As posted here before by several others, looking more and more like 2008 might have to be our realistic goal.

I know the possibility of Girardi managing in Chicago next year has been hashed/rehashed here before.  Until now, there really hasn't been good reason to believe that he would be let go from Florida- even he was quoted as saying that.  

However, some interesting rumblings continue to brew from South Florida;  the most recent being he Florida's owner basically not giving Girardi his due for the fantastic job he has done in Florida this year:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2562310

With Dusty managing every game lately as to make it impossible to even trust him as a bullpen coach next year, If Girardi is available- GET HIM!

I know there is extreme fondness around here for Fredi Gonzalez in Florida.  I've said it before; between the two, the known entity here is Girardi.  He has taken a minor league team and made it an almost-contender.  His players respond to him.  At this point, he would basically have a minor league team with a few outstanding players here in Chicago anyway next year.  I don't see a better fit for the Cubs at this point than Girardi, if available.  

Assuming, as past free agent markets have dictated, that we are unable to land one of the 'big guys' mentioned above.....and assuming Pierre is re-signed and J.J. stays in Right (of which I hope they can trade him for something soon!)....our needs would be a 1. power hitting outfielder  2. run-producing second baseman  3. possible conisderation of upgrade at SS  and 4. probably TWO starting pitchers (assuming Z, Prior, and Marshall or Marmol can stick).

That said, thinking reasonable, there are still some potential FA's out there who would seem to fit in here well if given the chance.   For instance:

2B:  Luis Castillo would be a Great fit, and unlikely to break the bank

OF: Jermaine Dye (unless the Sox pick up his option),  Jose Guillen (if he can stay healthy), Garciapara (?any convincing to try the outfield again?), Trot Nixon (if given the opportunity to play everyday, might show a little more pop), or even Moises Alou for a one year shot

SS: Lugo,  Counsell (may have some left in the tank)

SP: Gil Meche, Mike Mussina (doubtful to see his Yankee option picked up at that price), Mark Redman, Cory Lidle

Sure it'd be great to get one of the big guys, but the alternatives may not be too far off(with the exception of the OF opening with Carlos Lee) and certainly cheaper.