First, I should point out that the pioneers of the internet takedown, the writers at Fire Joe Morgan, are done blogging. Sad news for fans of funny. Kerry Wood will be missed, no doubt. But that’s not going to stop the other Carrie from reminding us one more time that Wood sometimes had issues with his health. Maybe that’s a bit of an understatement akin to “This week’s Muskbag sometimes has issues with being good.”

Is it possible Wood could return next year? It makes me sick to picture him in a different jersey.
– Brandan H., Oak Lawn, Ill.

Possible? Of course. It’s possible that he could still return this year. It’s also possible to choose interesting questions for the Muskbag and to answer them in an informative and interesting way.

CARRIE: Anything is possible. Probable? No. The Cubs’ decision to not re-sign Wood was based on several factors. Because of escalating salaries for other players with long-term contracts, because the more pressing needs are to complete the rotation and find a left-handed bat, and because the team’s ownership situation is in flux, there wasn’t the money in the budget for Wood, who probably deserves a multi-year deal but wouldn’t get it from the Cubs.

Good. I’m glad this Wood question was asked and answered. Many Cubs fans will miss Wood and don’t look forward to seeing him in another jersey. Let’s move on to something else.

I can’t believe the Cubs got rid of Wood. I will miss him and miss seeing him in a Cubs jersey. I haven’t been this upset about a player leaving since Ryne Sandberg retired. Please tell Kerry that Cubs nation will truly miss him both on and off the field. And when he pitches against us, I will stand and cheer for him because he’s still a Cub to me.
– Mark B., Rockford, Ill.

Wait, didn’t we just-?

CARRIE: One of the nice things Wood said was that he will continue to call Chicago home. He’ll be missed in the clubhouse as well as on the field.

Couldn’t this sentence just have been included as part of the first-? Ah, forget it. Let’s move on from sentimental Wood stuff. We’ll miss him, and it’s sad to see him go.

I will never forget Wood’s time with the team: the 20-strikeout game, the game-winning hit in ’03, what he did in ’03, period, the curveball to Prince Fielder to end a grueling at-bat. I feel you should have a segment where we can let Kerry know we won’t forget him.
– Ryan P., Bloomington, Ill.

Then who would take over her segment where we let the world know that the vast majority of Cubs fans are drooling idiots?

CARRIE: Several fans have expressed their sentiments for Wood in the “Comments” section of last week’s story on his departure. He knows. My favorite game, all-time, was May 6, 1998, when Kid K struck out 20.

Yeah, those wins over Atlanta in the 2003 playoffs were worthless.

Why would the Cubs want Johnson? At 45, he’s broken down. I think you would want Wood even if for one more year to replace Bob Howry. It would be great to have Wood, [Carlos] Marmol and [Kevin] Gregg for the seventh, eighth, ninth innings. Let’s get smart.
– Ed W., Streamwood, Ill.

Yes, let’s get smart, indeed. Randy Johnson is better than Jason Marquis. He pitched 184 innings last year. He probably won’t be too expensive. And if the Cubs sign Johnson, they’ll no longer have to face him. But, please, enlighten us idiots as to what the “smart” move would be.

CARRIE: The first priority is to re-sign Ryan Dempster, who will be courted heavily and has to decide if he wants to be able to ride his bicycle to work or relocate and pitch for someone else. But if he is lured away by another team, and the Cubs cannot make a deal for Peavy, Johnson has to be considered. He does have a career 91-35 record in day games and did post a 2.41 ERA in the second half this season. He does know Lou Piniella, having pitched for him in Seattle. However, he is a fly-ball pitcher, which doesn’t bode well for Wrigley Field.

That sure explains his 1.00 ERA in 36 innings pitched at Wrigley.

Is there any chance the Cubs will trade for Peavy? I keep hearing rumors that Peavy is interested in the Cubs, but it doesn’t seem like the Cubs are interested in him at all, and I haven’t heard any names the Cubs might be willing to trade for him. Peavy would sure look good in a Cubs uniform.
– David C., Broken Arrow, Okla.

Holy shit, dude. Read the internet.

CARRIE: The problem in completing a deal is that the two teams don’t seem to match up well as far as what the Padres want. The Padres are looking for first-tier players; the Cubs aren’t eager to part with regulars. The two sides will continue to talk, but they may need to get a third team involved to get something done. Peavy’s agent Barry Axelrod did give the Padres a list of five teams he’s willing to go to, including the Cubs, Braves, Dodgers, Astros and Cardinals. Axelrod also said that list is “not cast in stone.” The Braves have decided to “move on,” GM Frank Wren said.

To paraphrase, the Cubs don’t have any prospects worth a damn, so pray that Peavy refuses to go anywhere but Chicago.

Piniella has talked about moving [Kosuke] Fukudome to center, which leaves right field vacant. He also said he’d like another left-handed bat for the middle of the lineup. Rumors have circulated about the Cubs looking at Raul Ibanez, Bobby Abreu and Adam Dunn. However, there seems to be no talk about Micah Hoffpauir. Shouldn’t the Cubs stay in-house with right field and give Micah a chance to prove himself?
– Steve M., Gurnee, Ill.

You know what would be awesome? If your best choice of defensive right fielder was Bobby Abreu?

CARRIE: Hoffpauir is being considered, but he’s probably not the best option defensively in right. You’ll be hearing lots of rumors about which left-handed bat fits in the middle of the Cubs’ lineup. Abreu, for instance, may be the right offensive type player, but he could be better suited for an American League team where he could DH. Ibanez is linked to Piniella, having played for him in Seattle. And Dunn is not exactly a Gold Glove-caliber right fielder. How much do you sacrifice defense for offense? That’s a question Cubs GM Jim Hendry has to decide.

I think you should sacrifice them both equally, like the Cubs did during the playoffs.

After seeing Geovany Soto win Rookie of the Year, it got me thinking. Will Jeff Samardzija be considered a rookie next year? I can’t remember the rules.
– Brandon W., West Monroe, La.

Nor can he remember that one site that you go to for GOOGLING stuff. You know? That search engine that you use to GOOGLE things? I should GOOGLE it to figure out what that site is called.

CARRIE: Yes, he will. Officially, Samardzija has 66 days of Major League service time. But he will still be a rookie in 2009, because that time includes the month of September. According to the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, a player is a rookie unless he has exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues, or has accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a Major League team during the 25-man limit that’s in effect from Opening Day through Aug. 31. The answer was originally posted as saying Samardzija was not a rookie, but the Cubs’ public relations people have set me straight.

The Cubs’ public relations people are now correcting the beat reporter on factual baseball matters? That’s like having a chef tell you that you filed your taxes wrong.

When will the Cubs’ Spring Training schedule be announced?
– Brandon V., Portage, Ind.

2:30.

CARRIE: Last year, the Cubs released the spring schedule on Nov. 19. I don’t get a heads up but would expect it to be available soon.

Carrie usually gets a heads-up right after Al Yellon gets one.