Bear Woods at MLB anyone?

[Jon Gonzo]

The Als have cut him, probably salary cap reasons. Venable - Woods - Ball. That would suit me just fine.

[AngeloV]

In a heartbeat. I hope he's on his way here right now.

[Neely2005]

Yes definitely! Was just posting about this in the Alouettes Thread.

[timlb01]

How nice would that be! I hope it happens.

[Jayahre]

The Als have cut him, probably salary cap reasons. Venable - Woods - Ball. That would suit me just fine.

No not according to Kavis Read, it was football related:


Farhan Lalji‏Verified account @FarhanLaljiTSN (https://twitter.com/FarhanLaljiTSN)



Farhan Lalji Retweeted Matthew Scianitti
Kavis Reed tells me #Als (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Als?src=hash) had enough cap room for Woods' salary & never asked him to renegotiate. Decision was football based

[AngeloV]

No not according to Kavis Read, it was football related:


Farhan Lalji‏Verified account @FarhanLaljiTSN (https://twitter.com/FarhanLaljiTSN)



Farhan Lalji Retweeted Matthew Scianitti
Kavis Reed tells me #Als (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Als?src=hash) had enough cap room for Woods' salary & never asked him to renegotiate. Decision was football based


I take that as Reed putting a media spin on it. There is no way they would make that decision just as camp starts.

[Neely2005]

I take that as Reed putting a media spin on it. There is no way they would make that decision just as camp starts.

Yeah that seems fishy. He was a CFL All Star just last season IIRC.

Anyone know who are they replacing him with?

[Wobbler]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jim Popp confirms that he has already inquired about the possibility of Bear Woods coming to Toronto. Waiting for further talks. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Argos?src=hash">#Argos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFL?src=hash">#CFL</a></p>&mdash; Mike Hogan (@tsnmikehogan) <a href="https://twitter.com/tsnmikehogan/status/869233651845877762">May 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[OV Argo]

Seems like a very strange or iffy move by Mavis Reed there.

But, if Bear comes to Toronto - thanks a lot for the free gift for a big area of Argo need.

[R.J]

In a heartbeat. I hope he's on his way here right now.
I second this. The only concern with Woods would be his injury history, but he's a good mlb, much better than what we currently have.

[AngeloV]

Seems like a very strange or iffy move by Mavis Reed there.

But, if Bear comes to Toronto - thanks a lot for the free gift for a big area of Argo need.

Didn't you refer to Woods as overrated on here in the past? Why the change of heart?

[1971GreyCup]

We agree again! Too much talent on defensive all of a sudden. Timing could come any better.

[gilthethrill]

[QUOTE=AngeloV;110672]I take that as Reed putting a media spin on it. There is no way they would make that decision just as camp starts.[/QUOTE


Woods must had a really poor first practice!

[ArgoGabe22]

If it makes the defence better, yes please.

[OV Argo]

Didn't you refer to Woods as overrated on here in the past? Why the change of heart?

Yep - said he was over-rated in his early Als days; still think he is, a bit anyways; but improved lots as a CFL MLB over time - makes D plays lots, and an experienced guy who is maybe a huge improvement over anything the Argos have now? Big area of Argo need - bring him on; and if he was cut by the Als for non-monetary reasons mostly - as Mavis is blowing smoke - maybe the Argos find out in TC he has slipped or lost a step or is damaged = then he gets cut ? Seemed pretty good just last season for the Als though IMO. Be real interesting to see who they replace him with - likely a younger, much cheaper new import they have signed?; they also signed Plesius and he would be cheaper too, and maybe Mavis wants MLB to be one of their 7 only NI spots ?

[Argo57]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jim Popp confirms that he has already inquired about the possibility of Bear Woods coming to Toronto. Waiting for further talks. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Argos?src=hash">#Argos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFL?src=hash">#CFL</a></p>&mdash; Mike Hogan (@tsnmikehogan) <a href="https://twitter.com/tsnmikehogan/status/869233651845877762">May 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Didn't figure it would take Popp long to be all over this one.

[Stevoman]

If he signs, our linebackers will be set.

[RoRoYoBoat]

Yeah that seems fishy. He was a CFL All Star just last season IIRC.

Anyone know who are they replacing him with?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8hgU2VdkRI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ps0tGkfpzg

[Will]

Woods "flew to Toronto" according to Justin Dunk. Still it's not a slam dunk as Toronto is a hub for connections to elsewhere.

[Wobbler]

Yeah, it's definitely too soon to slam Dunk for this report. ;)

I seriously doubt that he was referring to a connection in YYZ.

[Neely2005]

Woods "flew to Toronto" according to Justin Dunk. Still it's not a slam dunk as Toronto is a hub for connections to elsewhere.

http://3downnation.com/2017/05/30/star-lb-bear-woods-touches-toronto/

[gilthethrill]

Woods "flew to Toronto" according to Justin Dunk. Still it's not a slam dunk as Toronto is a hub for connections to elsewhere.

I suspect he flew to Toronto to go to the Ripley Aquarium. Nothing more.

[Neely2005]

Argonauts offer contract to linebacker Bear Woods, knowing ‘what he’s capable of doing’:

https://theathletic.com/64163/2017/05/31/argonauts-offer-contract-to-linebacker-bear-woods-knowing-what-hes-capable-of-doing/

[Jon Gonzo]

Argonauts offer contract to linebacker Bear Woods, knowing ‘what he’s capable of doing’:

https://theathletic.com/64163/2017/05/31/argonauts-offer-contract-to-linebacker-bear-woods-knowing-what-hes-capable-of-doing/


...And leave the door open for Venable. We never know what is going on at the homefront. Boys wanna play and there can be stressers.

[Jayahre]

Argonauts offer contract to linebacker Bear Woods, knowing ‘what he’s capable of doing’:

https://theathletic.com/64163/2017/05/31/argonauts-offer-contract-to-linebacker-bear-woods-knowing-what-hes-capable-of-doing/

The Argos won't be the only team putting in an offer.
You can bet that his agent is now waiting for 5 or 6 more CFL teams to put their offers in.

[Neely2005]

The Argos won't be the only team putting in an offer.
You can bet that his agent is now waiting for 5 or 6 more CFL teams to put their offers in.

I doubt that there are 5 or 6 teams that have cap space for him at this point in the season.

[jerrym]

Iy's good to hear Popp is pursuing an All-Star of Woods calibre. It would be doubly nice to get him just after Venable retires.

[Will]

I kinda thought they'd surprise us yesterday at fan day or something.

[R.J]

I'm actually surprised we haven't heard anything as of yet, IMO the only other team that would be looking into potentially bringing in Woods would be Winnipeg, so hopefully we hear something soon, as Woods is a heckeva player (when healthy).

[Argo57]

I'm actually surprised we haven't heard anything as of yet, IMO the only other team that would be looking into potentially bringing in Woods would be Winnipeg, so hopefully we hear something soon, as Woods is a heckeva player (when healthy).

Can't blame Woods for taking his time to see what market there is in the CFL for his services, let things play out for a few days at other CFL camps then make a decision.

[Wobbler]

I'm actually surprised we haven't heard anything as of yet, IMO the only other team that would be looking into potentially bringing in Woods would be Winnipeg, so hopefully we hear something soon, as Woods is a heckeva player (when healthy).
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">For those wondering, the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bombers?src=hash">#Bombers</a> kicked the tires on MLB Bear Woods but have zero interest in signing him. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/breakingnews?src=hash">#breakingnews</a></p>&mdash; Jeff Hamilton (@jeffkhamilton) <a href="https://twitter.com/jeffkhamilton/status/871010030379728896">June 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[AngeloV]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">For those wondering, the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bombers?src=hash">#Bombers</a> kicked the tires on MLB Bear Woods but have zero interest in signing him. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/breakingnews?src=hash">#breakingnews</a></p>— Jeff Hamilton (@jeffkhamilton) <a href="https://twitter.com/jeffkhamilton/status/871010030379728896">June 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

kind of an oxymoron of a tweet. If you have zero interest, you wouldn't even be kicking tires.

[R.J]

kind of an oxymoron of a tweet. If you have zero interest, you wouldn't even be kicking tires.
LOL had the exact same thought.

[ArgoGabe22]

Woods is a vet and probably taking his time to miss as many days of camp as possible lol

[Wobbler]

I took the tweet to mean that they looked into it, and afterwards decided they weren't interested.

[Neely2005]

I'm actually surprised we haven't heard anything as of yet, IMO the only other team that would be looking into potentially bringing in Woods would be Winnipeg, so hopefully we hear something soon, as Woods is a heckeva player (when healthy).

Apparently Winnipeg is not interested:

http://m.winnipegsun.com/2017/05/29/bear-woods-cut-loose-by-alouettes

[Rich]

I'm actually surprised we haven't heard anything as of yet, IMO the only other team that would be looking into potentially bringing in Woods would be Winnipeg, so hopefully we hear something soon, as Woods is a heckeva player (when healthy).

Why does everyone assume he's only looking at CFL teams? The guy just became a free-agent unexpectedly. Obviously he's gonna want to see if anybody down south is interested, even if it isn't likely.

[Argo57]

Woods is a vet and probably taking his time to miss as many days of camp as possible lol

You are probably correct.

[Jayahre]

You are probably correct.

I agree, I think when the training camps/pre-season are over he will be signed by someone.

[ArgoRavi]

I agree, I think when the training camps/pre-season are over he will be signed by someone.

Yes, Woods could be waiting to see what the injury situation is around the league at the end of the preseason before committing to anyone. I imagine he wants as much leverage as possible in negotiations and he doesn't have much now with the Argos seemingly the only team to make him an offer so far.

[Mightygoose]

Signed..sealed and delivered.

https://www.argonauts.ca/2017/06/07/bear-woods-signs-argos/

Just in time to face his former team tomorrow

[Neely2005]

Signed..sealed and delivered.

https://www.argonauts.ca/2017/06/07/bear-woods-signs-argos/

Just in time to face his former team tomorrow

Yes!

[R.J]

Hell Yes!

[Stevoman]

Nice! I was excited about Venable but will just pretend they signed Bear Woods back in February instead. Now if only they could still have both!

[gilthethrill]

With Woods coming aboard (fist pump), does Jesse Tuggle become the main backup for Bear? This news really overshadows the retirement of lineman Jay Guillermo.

[argos1873]

Noice!!!!!

[Wobbler]

Nice! I was excited about Venable but will just pretend they signed Bear Woods back in February instead. Now if only they could still have both!
I wonder now if Venable was a good fit anyway. He was signed before Popp/Trestman/Chamblin, who seem to want to play a DB at WLB. Venable is a good OLB, but he's no DB.

Maybe if Venable hadn't retired we'd be happily using him at WLB in a more traditional deployment, but maybe he retired because the new regime asked him to take a pay cut and become a backup.

[Argo57]

Great news, fills a major need for the Argos!!!!!

[jerrym]

Another piece of great news from the Popp-Trestman duo.

[ArgoZ]

Noice!!!!!

865