Phil Rogers' column on Kerry Wood

[TXCubsFan]

As spring training was beginning, I wrote that the key for the Cubs was to keep Mark Prior, Carlos Zambrano and Greg Maddux healthy. If those three guys are all right—and Prior has already fallen behind—then this team can be a pleasant surprise. Anything it gets from Wood—25 or 26 starts should still be possible after Monday's surgery—will be a bonus.

 

And then, more likely than not, the Cubs will begin life after Kerry Wood, just as they began life after Sammy Sosa in 2004. Unless Wood returns as a world-beater, this will probably be his last season in Chicago.

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/cs-060304rogerswood,1,914438.column?coll=cs-cubs-utility[/url]

[Outshined_One]

I have to wonder what Kerry did to Phil to piss him off so much. Every other column Rogers writes about the Cubs seems to involve a trade involving Kerry Wood or trashing Wood somehow.

[Mark_R]

I don't see anything appalling in the column at all, in fact, Rogers gives credence to the notion that Wood could go on to dominate somewhere else:

 

He may go on to dominate somewhere else. As full of himself as he is at this point, Curt Schilling was a pedestrian 43-42 with a 3.56 earned-run average eight years into his big-league career. Wood is 70-54 with a 3.67 ERA.

 

Those are similar numbers to Kevin Brown, who was 78-64 with a 3.81 ERA eight years in. He would do enough to be paid an average of $10 million a year for the next 12 years. If Wood can ever stay healthy, he could have the same kind of run in the second half of his career.

 

He didn't write anything that was inaccurate either.

[Shawon12]

Sad but true.

 

Despite my dislike for Rogers.

[hardcorecubfan]

Sad but true.

 

Despite my dislike for Rogers.

 

My assessment as well

[goonys evil twin]

I was actually surprised at some of the positive things he wrote about Wood. And I agree with much of what he writes. Whatever Wood can provide is a bonus (although I'm expecting no less than 25 starts - less then that and this team is in a lot of trouble).

[Rooftop Bum]

I am hoping for 25 starts as well but would not be surprised if he just ends up in the bullpen again like last season. Seriously.