Jed Hoyer: Cubs Offered Wood "Substantial Raise"

Bruce Miles from the Daily Herald reports that new Chicago Cubs GM Jed Hoyer told reporters today that the Cubs had been offering free agent relief pitcher Kerry Wood a substantial raise. Wood made $1.5 million during last season with the Cubs.

The Cubs have been working to sign Wood for sometime, and yesterday we learned that the Philadelphia Phillies had also expressed an interest in the former top pick. Dave Kaplan from CSN Chicago reported earlier today that the Cubs and Wood's days together seem limited, and he reported that the Detroit Tigers, Anaheim Angels and Cincinnati Reds also have interest in Wood.

Wood says he wants to stay in Chicago and wants it to work, and president Theo Epstein has echoed that. Hoyer also claims that they offered him more than last season, but if Wood does indeed have that many teams interested, it does seem very likely that Wood will no longer be a Chicago Cub.