Baker: Wood in the Bullpen When He Comes Back?

[bc2k]

As much as I disagreed with the decision to use KW in the bullpen last year, that made more sense than this decision. KW can't build up strength pitching 1-2 innings 3-4 times a week. He needs to pitch every fifth day and gradually build up his pitch count for him to start on the big club.

[YearofDaCubs]

Wood will work out of the pen? This has got to be the most ridiculous thing I have heard. Why in the heck is Baker still part of this organization?

[JC]

The Kerry Wood situation defies logic, and it has since August. It is a collection of decisions that were objectively improper on their face.

 

This situation is so absurd that I have little doubt that the more intelligently run organizations in MLB are sitting back in astonishment at how stupidly (yes, stupidly) Hendry, MacPhail, Rothschild and Baker handled their multimillion dollar starter.

 

The handling of Kerry was so bad that there is no redemption possible. There is no move possible that can erase the decisions made regarding Kerry's injury. These people are incompetent. I'm sorry if some of you think that is harsh, but there is no reasonable defense to this debacle.

[Jon]

They are, but it should be emphasized that Baker doesn't deserve that much blame for it. This is mostly on the front office and Rothschild.

[2242005CY]

Dusty never said that Wood is goin to the bullpen when he returns. He said that they've thought about Wood pitching in the bullpen, but he's a starter until he can't do that anymore. This is what Dusty said during one of the questions from a fan about Wood at the convention.

 

That's exactly what he said. Dusty said that Wood proved that he can pitch out of the Bullpen and if he HAD to work out of the bullpen, he could. It was a hypothetical, "what if" question. Baker never said Wood will come out of the pen.

[JC]

They are, but it should be emphasized that Baker doesn't deserve that much blame for it. This is mostly on the front office and Rothschild.

 

I'm not about to mitigate anyone's responsibility with respect to this situation. Baker brought him in games and chose to pitch him back to back on occassions, Rothschild never protected his pitcher, Hendry signed off, and MacPhail, at least, gave tacit approval through his constent support of his GM in the face of complete and utter stupidity. To hell with all of them.

[stitchface]

Dusty never said that Wood is goin to the bullpen when he returns. He said that they've thought about Wood pitching in the bullpen, but he's a starter until he can't do that anymore. This is what Dusty said during one of the questions from a fan about Wood at the convention.

 

That's exactly what he said. Dusty said that Wood proved that he can pitch out of the Bullpen and if he HAD to work out of the bullpen, he could. It was a hypothetical, "what if" question. Baker never said Wood will come out of the pen.

 

so this is another NSBB overreaction? Good to hear that though I will continue to expect the worst.

[snoodmonger]

Dusty never said that Wood is goin to the bullpen when he returns. He said that they've thought about Wood pitching in the bullpen, but he's a starter until he can't do that anymore. This is what Dusty said during one of the questions from a fan about Wood at the convention.

 

That's exactly what he said. Dusty said that Wood proved that he can pitch out of the Bullpen and if he HAD to work out of the bullpen, he could. It was a hypothetical, "what if" question. Baker never said Wood will come out of the pen.

 

so this is another NSBB overreaction? Good to hear that though I will continue to expect the worst.

 

Yeah, what exactly was said? Now I'm confused.

[JC]

Dusty never said that Wood is goin to the bullpen when he returns. He said that they've thought about Wood pitching in the bullpen, but he's a starter until he can't do that anymore. This is what Dusty said during one of the questions from a fan about Wood at the convention.

 

That's exactly what he said. Dusty said that Wood proved that he can pitch out of the Bullpen and if he HAD to work out of the bullpen, he could. It was a hypothetical, "what if" question. Baker never said Wood will come out of the pen.

 

so this is another NSBB overreaction? Good to hear that though I will continue to expect the worst.

 

Frankly, Poudre, I don't think it really matters. At this point, we know that Wood getting back to the starting rotation as soon as possible was jeopardized by his usage last season. Even if he manages to start opening day, it doesn't absolve these people from their failings with respect to his handling. Therefore, I don't view anything anyone has to say in criticism of these people on this topic as overreaction.

[Mizzou]

So what was really said? That Wood WILL pitch out of the pen, like Hoops reported, or that he's ABLE able to pitch out of the pen, like deuce and #22 reported? It'd be great if we could stick to the facts when it comes to reporting things that Cubs management says.

[stitchface]

Dusty never said that Wood is goin to the bullpen when he returns. He said that they've thought about Wood pitching in the bullpen, but he's a starter until he can't do that anymore. This is what Dusty said during one of the questions from a fan about Wood at the convention.

 

That's exactly what he said. Dusty said that Wood proved that he can pitch out of the Bullpen and if he HAD to work out of the bullpen, he could. It was a hypothetical, "what if" question. Baker never said Wood will come out of the pen.

 

so this is another NSBB overreaction? Good to hear that though I will continue to expect the worst.

 

Frankly, Poudre, I don't think it really matters. At this point, we know that Wood getting back to the starting rotation as soon as possible was jeopardized by his usage last season. Even if he manages to start opening day, it doesn't absolve these people from their failings with respect to his handling. Therefore, I don't view anything anyone has to say in criticism of these people on this topic as overreaction.

 

Nevertheless, the impact on next season is huge.

[JC]

 

Nevertheless, the impact on next season is huge.

 

Without question, which contributes to my ire.

[Houston_Cub_Fan]

Why not just let him start on a strict pitch count and have Rusch/Williams ready to go in long relief?

[stitchface]

maybe you should change your avatar - that definitely pisses me off every time I see it.

[Jon]

They are, but it should be emphasized that Baker doesn't deserve that much blame for it. This is mostly on the front office and Rothschild.

 

I'm not about to mitigate anyone's responsibility with respect to this situation. Baker brought him in games and chose to pitch him back to back on occassions, Rothschild never protected his pitcher, Hendry signed off, and MacPhail, at least, gave tacit approval through his constent support of his GM in the face of complete and utter stupidity. To hell with all of them.

Baker is going to use him if he's available. It wasn't his responsibility to shut down Wood. That falls on management and Rothschild, especially since it was such a no-brainer.

 

There's plenty of things to blame Dusty for, but I don't think this is one of them. Sure he misused him, but only because other people allowed that to happen.

[JC]

They are, but it should be emphasized that Baker doesn't deserve that much blame for it. This is mostly on the front office and Rothschild.

 

I'm not about to mitigate anyone's responsibility with respect to this situation. Baker brought him in games and chose to pitch him back to back on occassions, Rothschild never protected his pitcher, Hendry signed off, and MacPhail, at least, gave tacit approval through his constent support of his GM in the face of complete and utter stupidity. To hell with all of them.

Baker is going to use him if he's available. It wasn't his responsibility to shut down Wood. That falls on management and Rothschild, especially since it was such a no-brainer.

 

There's plenty of things to blame Dusty for, but I don't think this is one of them. Sure he misused him, but only because other people allowed that to happen.

 

Jon...he is the manager. Baker is ultimately responsible for the usage of every man on his roster.

[FergieJ31]

So what was really said? That Wood WILL pitch out of the pen, like Hoops reported, or that he's ABLE able to pitch out of the pen, like deuce and #22 reported? It'd be great if we could stick to the facts when it comes to reporting things that Cubs management says.

 

Amen. I think what deuce and #22 reported sounds far more plausible (yes, even from Dusty).

[Jon]

They are, but it should be emphasized that Baker doesn't deserve that much blame for it. This is mostly on the front office and Rothschild.

 

I'm not about to mitigate anyone's responsibility with respect to this situation. Baker brought him in games and chose to pitch him back to back on occassions, Rothschild never protected his pitcher, Hendry signed off, and MacPhail, at least, gave tacit approval through his constent support of his GM in the face of complete and utter stupidity. To hell with all of them.

Baker is going to use him if he's available. It wasn't his responsibility to shut down Wood. That falls on management and Rothschild, especially since it was such a no-brainer.

 

There's plenty of things to blame Dusty for, but I don't think this is one of them. Sure he misused him, but only because other people allowed that to happen.

 

Jon...he is the manager. Baker is ultimately responsible for the usage of every man on his roster.

On his roster. That's the point. He never should have been on the roster. Hendry should have shut him down and Rothschild should have supported that.

 

Leaving Dusty in charge of the situation is getting more and more like two parents leaving an 8-year-old in charge of their younger siblings. If the parents can't figure out that an 8-year-old isn't competent enough to be in charge of others, they shouldn't be parents any more. You could blame Dusty, but it's time the higher-ups take much more of the brunt of responsibility.

 

I'm at the point where I blame Hendry for everything Dusty does wrong.

[indifferent]

I'm at the point where I blame Hendry for everything Dusty does wrong.

 

Bold statement, care to elaborate?

[JC]

This thread feels disjointed.

[Jon]

I'm at the point where I blame Hendry for everything Dusty does wrong.

 

Bold statement, care to elaborate?

It's basically that Hendry is in a position of more power and considering the fact that he and Dusty have been together for three years already, he should know exactly what Dusty's weaknesses are and how to counteract them. Or rather, he would if he didn't have the same weaknesses himself. I refuse to believe that Hendry just fails to control him anymore. That just can't be the case. Maybe Dusty brainwashed him, but he and Hendry are on the same page...and that really scares me.

 

I've said it before, but I think both Hendry's use of Cedeno and Hill last season and the two-year deals that Perez and Rusch received support my feelings. Promotions/demotions and contracts are all on Hendry, not Dusty. Whether it be not giving young players a chance to prove themselves vs. mediocre (at best) veterans, a deemphasis on team OBP, or even the managerial position, it all goes right back to Jim. And he can't be portrayed as a bystander anymore (not that he has in this thread).

[indifferent]

Thanks for the explanation.

 

It seems people were willing to give Hendry the benefit of the doubt for awhile, because he does pull off some great trades from time to time, as recently as the Hawkins for Williams and Aardsma trade. If appears he is philosophically in line with Baker at this point though, as evidenced from his costly re-signings of Rusch and Perez. You have to wonder is it the chicken, the egg, or one and the same? The manager obviously lobbies for certain players in the off season (and LaRussa does this).

[Jon]

Thanks for the explanation.

 

It seems people were willing to give Hendry the benefit of the doubt for awhile, because he does pull off some great trades from time to time, as recently as the Hawkins for Williams and Aardsma trade. If appears he is philosophically in line with Baker at this point though, as evidenced from his costly re-signings of Rusch and Perez. You have to wonder is it the chicken, the egg, or one and the same? The manager obviously lobbies for certain players in the off season (and LaRussa does this).

I'd imagine he does. Of course, there's a difference between giving in a signing Neifi to a one-year deal and taking the initiative to sign him to a two-year deal.

 

Maybe this will clear up what Dusty said:

Trib[/url]"]The only real news culminating from the Q & A at the Chicago Hilton & Towers was Baker's revelation that the Cubs are considering using Kerry Wood as a reliever, at least at the outset of his comeback from shoulder surgery. Wood has steadfastly maintained over the winter that he plans to return as a starter.

 

Baker later clarified his remark in a meeting with reporters.

 

"It just depends on how Woody is," Baker said. "We have Woody slated as a starter, but if his endurance isn't up and he's ready, then that might be another way. That's just an option."

[DeuceBaseman]

I was at the convention, and the guy in front of me asked the question about all this. He said "Do you see Kerry Wood as a relief pitcher in the future." and Dusty said something like "Yes I do, somewhere down the road. Right now all our intentions are for Kerry to be a starter until he proves otherwise. But Kerry proved he could pitch out of the pen. But the doctors fixed the problem that gave Kerry discomfort in his shoulder when he would throw passed 50 pitches, so when completely healthy he will be a starter for us, and hopefully its only a week or 2 into the season until hes back in the rotation."

[USSoccer]

Thanks for the explanation.

 

It seems people were willing to give Hendry the benefit of the doubt for awhile, because he does pull off some great trades from time to time, as recently as the Hawkins for Williams and Aardsma trade. If appears he is philosophically in line with Baker at this point though, as evidenced from his costly re-signings of Rusch and Perez. You have to wonder is it the chicken, the egg, or one and the same? The manager obviously lobbies for certain players in the off season (and LaRussa does this).

I'd imagine he does. Of course, there's a difference between giving in a signing Neifi to a one-year deal and taking the initiative to sign him to a two-year deal.

 

Maybe this will clear up what Dusty said:

Trib[/url]"]The only real news culminating from the Q & A at the Chicago Hilton & Towers was Baker's revelation that the Cubs are considering using Kerry Wood as a reliever, at least at the outset of his comeback from shoulder surgery. Wood has steadfastly maintained over the winter that he plans to return as a starter.

 

Baker later clarified his remark in a meeting with reporters.

 

"It just depends on how Woody is," Baker said. "We have Woody slated as a starter, but if his endurance isn't up and he's ready, then that might be another way. That's just an option."

 

 

That seems much more reasonable and sane. Maybe Dusty has a case of "Contract-Year-itis" and is going to be a sane, effective manager.