Cubs president Theo Epstein wants right-hander Kerry Wood to return to the team for a 13th season. Wood has said that he'd retire if he didn't have a chance to return to Chicago. Epstein recently met with Wood for the first time since the executive took over the Cubs on Oct. 21. "I'll leave the details of the meeting confidential," Epstein said. "But I have no trouble going on the record saying that Kerry Wood is a very important part of the Chicago Cubs. We want him back. He makes us a better team because of what he brings to the bullpen. He also makes us a better organization." Wood, who signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal before last season to return to the Cubs, didn't pitch again after Sept. 18 after suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee.