By Paul Sullivan, 3:39 p.m.

Kerry Wood called it a "pretty easy decision" to return to the Cubs, and left no doubt he's psyched about the opportunity to replace Ryan Dempster as the closer in 2008.

"I would think anybody that plays this game wants to be in that position," Wood said after signing a one-year, $4.2 million deal that includes significant incentives for number of games finished.

"If you're playing short, you want the ball hit to you and to make the last out of the game. So sure, you say you want to be in that role, and the adrenaline of it every night and the excitement of it.

"It's not an easy job. Dempster got some harsh criticism last year, and I think he was fourth or fifth (in the Majors) in saves percentage. And he had a rough time out there (from fans) going out and doing that. It's fun. It's a rewarding job, and you definitely know when you're in the game, the game is on the line.

"That's fun. That's why we play the game -- that adrenaline, that excitement. It's a high-pressure job. We just need someone down there that's going to get it done. 'Demp' has done a great job for us, and he's moving on to starting now, so somebody's got to fill his role."

Dempster last season ranked third in the NL and fifth in the Majors in saves percentage, converting 28 of 31 save opportunities.

Wood turned down some lucrative multi-year offers to remain with the Cubs in '08. He hopes to stay with the organization the rest of his career, and how he succeeds as a closer will have a large say in making that happen.

"Hopefully if I go out and throw the ball well and show the Cubs I'm healthy, before the season's over hopefully we can work on that," he said. "You've been here this long, and you can't help but think about it. You start getting towards the latter stages of your career and you've still been with the same team, so it's definitely a possibility.

"It doesn't happen very often, and I've been fortunate to stick around, and the Cubs have been great to me."

The long road from starter to closer is one the Cubs envisioned for Wood as far back as May of 2005, when he battled shoulder problems that eventually led to a stint in the bullpen in August and eventual labrum surgery. When Wood returned in '06, a rotator cuff tear was discovered. He opted not to have surgery, rehabbing on his own in the off-season and turning into a leaner, meaner version of himself.

Despite an early season setback in '07, Wood returned in August and quickly adjusted to the bullpen role. He said he doesn't plan on going back to a starting role at any time in the near future.

"I feel strong enough to go out and do it, sure," he said. "Physically I feel like I can do it. I know what it takes to go out and eat 200-plus innings, and I know what kind of toll it takes on your body. With what I've been through, I don't think it's wise of me to take that chance again right away."

Believe it or not, the man they called Kid K when he tied a major league record with 20 strikeouts in only his fifth major league start has turned into the elder statesman of the team at the tender age of 30. Wood has outlasted four managers and countless players, and also figures to outlast Tribune Co.

"Years ago I thought I'd be here forever," Wood said. "And not so many years ago I couldn't believe I was back. I'm grateful to the Cubs for giving me the opportunity to get healthy, and last year I thought they did a great job with me, putting me in situations that weren't high-stress, high-pressure.

"They gave me an opportunity to go out and pitch and show them I'm healthy, and ultimately to show some other teams I was healthy. And I think that was part of the reason I got some interest … As the season came to a close, I felt like I was getting really strong. That was great of them to let me do that, but again, I'd like to have a little more of a pressure role than that."