So, we know the Kerry Wood saga is over in Chicago. Jim Hendry, a very close friend of Wood’s, realized it would be better for Wood — after having quite a comeback year — to move on, find more money in a long-term deal and be able to buy an even bigger ranch for himself back in Texas someday. The Cubs made the best player personal move for themselves with others waiting in the wing (or via trade) for the closer’s role, even if was at the expense of a guy that had always come back to the organization, always tried his best even when it looked like his career might have been done and gone. Both parties ended it amicably. It’s a nice story about loyalty and friendship, really.

Oh, but remember that Dusty Baker guy that was here for that magical year in 2003 when Wood and Mark Prior were on top of the world? Yeah, he might have a little interest in old Woodie.

“We have a closer already in [ Francisco] Cordero, who we have under contract for a few more years,” Baker said Monday. “But somebody can use Kerry Wood. I am going to call him. I like Kerry Wood as a person, not just as a ballplayer, but as a person. I will give him a call and see what’s up.”

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Baker plans to consult with Reds general manager Walt Jocketty as the annual winter meetings commence next week in Las Vegas.

“We will probably address that while we are down there. It depends on a lot of stuff,” Baker said. “I have to talk to Kerry first. He did a pretty good job for the Cubs.”

First off: there’s nothing incredibly telling in these quotes that Baker wants Wood, other than “we will probably address that.” And well, it’s for the same reason Baker states: the Reds already have a closer and  bringing in Wood a a reliever or setup man seems kind of silly.

It was a brilliant, dizzying, and in the end, sad chapter in Cubs history — the Baker-Wood-Prior routine of 2003.

And that’s where it likely will forever stay.