Barrett interview on the Score....

[Bgbird68]

The subject of Kerry Wood was brought up and Barrett's response was shockingly honest. (Not a direct quote).

 

He said that the players and Cubs fans should "expect the worst" and that there's a chance he "may not pitch at all next year."

[CubFanPhilly]

If Hendry holds the same opinion as Barrett on this, wouldn't he be out signing a Jeff Weaver or the like?

 

Surely Wood's contract is insured.

[Guest]

That seems to contradict statements he recently gave to local papers.

 

Dick Goss[/url]"]"We are due for a healthy year as a team," Barrett said. Nowhere does that apply more than on the pitching staff.

 

In fact, the oft-disabled Kerry Wood currently is rehabbing after a season where he worked 66 innings total. And although there are some optimistic reports, he may not be ready for the early portion of the regular season.

 

"I talked with Kerry and it sounds like he is doing great," Barrett said. "He is rehabbing well and is anxious to get doing. But the doctors agree this needs to take time. A healthy Wood for a definite period of time is better than an unhealthy Wood for a short period."

I guess something could have changed recently that made Barrett think that Kerry's arm/shoulder was toast, but I hope not. Regardless, I really wish someone (or a lot of people) would get fired for delaying his surgery last year.

[Shawon12]

I'm hoping that the organization has changed it's policy on reporting injuries. For the past three years, they have downplayed them which led to unrealistic expectations and angst within the media and fanbase.

 

I hope now they realize it's better to set the worst case scenario to lessen expectations and for once, maybe deliver better than expected results.

 

Just a thought..

[Balsa]

I'm hoping that the organization has changed it's policy on reporting injuries. For the past three years, they have downplayed them which led to unrealistic expectations and angst within the media and fanbase.

 

I hope now they realize it's better to set the worst case scenario to lessen expectations and for once, maybe deliver better than expected results.

 

Just a thought..

 

Yeah, this has to be it..

[biittner77]

It will be interesting to see what the official word is at convention. I really believe that the Cubs are in fact hedging their bets but do expect Wood back toward the beginning of the season.

 

Either that or they're waiting until after the convention to make an announcement that Wood will miss the whole season so they don't have to answer questions about it ....or get lynched.

[MPrior]

I think that's exactly what it was. Barrett was saying that we all need to expect the worst - because it's not good to be saying to yourself throughout the first month or so of the season "We'll be alright when Wood gets back." You have to assume that the team you're playing with is the team you've got. And if Wood does come back, it's like adding a player.

[erik316wttn]

Being a Cub fan is all about expecting the worst. After all, what have we gotten for the last 97 years?

[Derwood]

I'm hoping that the organization has changed it's policy on reporting injuries.

 

You mean like not completely lying about them? yeah, that would be a pleasant change

[YearofDaCubs]

I think you guys are on to something. I wouldn't be surprised if the Cubs are talking up the injury and looking at it as worst case scenario. I can see it now somebody comes out with a sprained ankle and he might be done for the season according to the Cubs medical staff :)

[RockTheIvy]

I think you guys are on to something. I wouldn't be surprised if the Cubs are talking up the injury and looking at it as worst case scenario. I can see it now somebody comes out with a sprained ankle and he might be done for the season according to the Cubs medical staff :)

 

Nothing the Cubs have done in the past few years tells me that they are that creative.

[biittner77]

On the way home it occurred to me that if Wood was indeed going to miss substantial time this season then there's no way they would have even considered trading Prior.

 

So either they are playing the worst case scenario card or they never considered trading Prior.

[JC]

 

So either they are playing the worst case scenario card or they never considered trading Prior.

 

Or, they realized Kerry's rehab was going badly, and it was the Cubs that pulled Prior out of the equation, thus killing a potential deal. If memory serves, the last few days of trade talk focused more on non-Prior deals.

 

We know that Hendry, Baker, et al. said Kerry would be ready for the season regardless of if the surgery was sooner or later sometime around last August. Recently, the Cubs have hedged on those reports, as has been discussed on this board. We also know that the organization doesn't have a great track record of properly diagnosing/treating injuries this century. :shrug:

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Who cares about Wood, he's always hurt and you can't count on him for anything. 10 more months and he'll be out of Chicago for good.

 

How many innings pitched and victories did the Cubs get for their $45MM, I'm just curious. Biggest contract bust in Chicago baseball history? Yep, that's safe to say.