24 hours ago Kerry Wood looked to have probably played his final game as a Chicago Cub as the offers that the Cubs had made were nowhere near what he was getting from other clubs including the Phillies and Tigers. The Reds had also expressed interest but after they were able to sign Ryan Madson to a 1-year deal on Tuesday evening that ended their pursuit of Wood.
Wood has always wanted to stay in Chicago with his family making their full-time home here and his love for the organization never in doubt. However, as of yesterday morning the Cubs' offer was not where it needed to be. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have always spoken glowingly about Wood and their desire to keep him with the Cubs and Epstein even went as far as to say that "if we can't get a deal done with Kerry Wood then we are doing something wrong." Wood though took a below market deal a year ago and was not willing to do so again, especially when the Cubs do not have the budgetary constraints that they had last winter. It appears that later yesterday the two sides found some common ground and a deal appears much more likely.
That deal is not yet done but it now appears it will be and Wood will be where he belongs when the 2012 season begins and that is wearing a Cubs uniform.