Update on Wood

[CuseCubFan69]

I wouldn't mind bringing Wood back with an incentive-laden one year deal assuming that the base salary is in the $2-3 mil a year range.

 

I think it's time for both parties to part ways. I think it would be better for Wood and for the Cubs.

[frostwyrm]

I predict Kerry will try and fail to resuscitate his career in 2007 and retire in the offseason.

[mg420]

bad mechanics, subborn attitutude & questionable work ethic = usless, hurt pitcher. too bad they couldnt have dumped him to texas when he was worth something. i would say his days of 95+ are long gone and unless he can learn to pitch at 90, he doesnt have much value imo. time to dump wood, trade maddux by the deadline & prior by next year and see what marmol, marshall, hill & guzman can do along with miller & z.

[CubbieRich]

Let's move on. Wood is not a major league pitcher, he won't be here next year.

[soapy]

bad mechanics, subborn attitutude & questionable work ethic = usless, hurt pitcher. too bad they couldnt have dumped him to texas when he was worth something. i would say his days of 95+ are long gone and unless he can learn to pitch at 90, he doesnt have much value imo. time to dump wood, trade maddux by the deadline & prior by next year and see what marmol, marshall, hill & guzman can do along with miller & z.

Wait, who says Wood has a stubborn attitude and questionable work ethic?

[mg420]

bad mechanics, subborn attitutude & questionable work ethic = usless, hurt pitcher. too bad they couldnt have dumped him to texas when he was worth something. i would say his days of 95+ are long gone and unless he can learn to pitch at 90, he doesnt have much value imo. time to dump wood, trade maddux by the deadline & prior by next year and see what marmol, marshall, hill & guzman can do along with miller & z.

Wait, who says Wood has a stubborn attitude and questionable work ethic?

wood has refused to change his delivery (which probably has alot to do with his inability to stay healthy) for several years now. i guess he made some progress on that front this year but it looks like too little too late. as far as his work ethic goes, that is an assumption on my part. he seems to have gotten out of shape the last few years and gained some weight. not every pitcher can be like clemens but he is way too young to be slacking off in the conditioning department imo.

[soapy]

bad mechanics, subborn attitutude & questionable work ethic = usless, hurt pitcher. too bad they couldnt have dumped him to texas when he was worth something. i would say his days of 95+ are long gone and unless he can learn to pitch at 90, he doesnt have much value imo. time to dump wood, trade maddux by the deadline & prior by next year and see what marmol, marshall, hill & guzman can do along with miller & z.

Wait, who says Wood has a stubborn attitude and questionable work ethic?

wood has refused to change his delivery (which probably has alot to do with his inability to stay healthy) for several years now. i guess he made some progress on that front this year but it looks like too little too late. as far as his work ethic goes, that is an assumption on my part. he seems to have gotten out of shape the last few years and gained some weight. not every pitcher can be like clemens but he is way too young to be slacking off in the conditioning department imo.

 

Okay. I just wanted to clear up that was opinion based on your part. I've never heard anything about him "refusing" to change his delivery (in fact, I've heard the opposite) and have never heard anyone publicly question his work ethic.

 

What I have seen is a pattern of arm abuse dating back to high school. Most of that stemming from coaches, and likely some stemming from his mechanics, as you mentioned.

[RynoRules]

bad mechanics, subborn attitutude & questionable work ethic = usless, hurt pitcher. too bad they couldnt have dumped him to texas when he was worth something. i would say his days of 95+ are long gone and unless he can learn to pitch at 90, he doesnt have much value imo. time to dump wood, trade maddux by the deadline & prior by next year and see what marmol, marshall, hill & guzman can do along with miller & z.

Wait, who says Wood has a stubborn attitude and questionable work ethic?

wood has refused to change his delivery (which probably has alot to do with his inability to stay healthy) for several years now. i guess he made some progress on that front this year but it looks like too little too late. as far as his work ethic goes, that is an assumption on my part. he seems to have gotten out of shape the last few years and gained some weight. not every pitcher can be like clemens but he is way too young to be slacking off in the conditioning department imo.

 

Okay. I just wanted to clear up that was opinion based on your part. I've never heard anything about him "refusing" to change his delivery (in fact, I've heard the opposite) and have never heard anyone publicly question his work ethic.

 

What I have seen is a pattern of arm abuse dating back to high school. Most of that stemming from coaches, and likely some stemming from his mechanics, as you mentioned.

 

Source?

[Soul]

Too sad.

 

If this is indeed the absolute end for Kerry, then as with Sosa I will remember the good times. The 20 K performance vs. Houston. The 2 dominating starts against Atlanta in the playoffs. Listening to Chipper Jones saying "we're trying to solve the mystery that is Kerry Wood," and knowing that they can't.

 

 

Damn. :cry:

[RynoRules]

Too sad.

 

If this is indeed the absolute end for Kerry, then as with Sosa I will remember the good times. The 20 K performance vs. Houston. The 2 dominating starts against Atlanta in the playoffs. Listening to Chipper Jones saying "we're trying to solve the mystery that is Kerry Wood," and knowing that they can't.

 

 

Damn. :cry:

 

Pretty much how I feel. I wish he would have rectified his problems. The future seemed so bright after 03'. Now it looks like curtains.

[Balsa]

Too sad.

 

If this is indeed the absolute end for Kerry, then as with Sosa I will remember the good times. The 20 K performance vs. Houston. The 2 dominating starts against Atlanta in the playoffs. Listening to Chipper Jones saying "we're trying to solve the mystery that is Kerry Wood," and knowing that they can't.

 

 

Damn. :cry:

 

Pretty much how I feel. I wish he would have rectified his problems. The future seemed so bright after 03'. Now it looks like curtains.

Poor Woody. Gonna miss him. God what happened to this team......

[FergieJ31]

Too sad.

 

If this is indeed the absolute end for Kerry, then as with Sosa I will remember the good times. The 20 K performance vs. Houston. The 2 dominating starts against Atlanta in the playoffs. Listening to Chipper Jones saying "we're trying to solve the mystery that is Kerry Wood," and knowing that they can't.

 

 

Damn. :cry:

 

Pretty much how I feel. I wish he would have rectified his problems. The future seemed so bright after 03'. Now it looks like curtains.

Poor Woody. Gonna miss him. God what happened to this team......

 

Reading that SunTimes story this morning was the saddest news I've seen yet this season. It feels like the end of an era. Contrary to some posts I've seen in this thread, Kerry NEVER struck me as a bad attitude ... just the opposite: a very likeable, conscientious, old-school baseball player.

[tadowdaddy]

Thank god I got Mags for him in our fantasy league. Thank you Tim!

[soapy]

bad mechanics, subborn attitutude & questionable work ethic = usless, hurt pitcher. too bad they couldnt have dumped him to texas when he was worth something. i would say his days of 95+ are long gone and unless he can learn to pitch at 90, he doesnt have much value imo. time to dump wood, trade maddux by the deadline & prior by next year and see what marmol, marshall, hill & guzman can do along with miller & z.

Wait, who says Wood has a stubborn attitude and questionable work ethic?

wood has refused to change his delivery (which probably has alot to do with his inability to stay healthy) for several years now. i guess he made some progress on that front this year but it looks like too little too late. as far as his work ethic goes, that is an assumption on my part. he seems to have gotten out of shape the last few years and gained some weight. not every pitcher can be like clemens but he is way too young to be slacking off in the conditioning department imo.

 

Okay. I just wanted to clear up that was opinion based on your part. I've never heard anything about him "refusing" to change his delivery (in fact, I've heard the opposite) and have never heard anyone publicly question his work ethic.

 

What I have seen is a pattern of arm abuse dating back to high school. Most of that stemming from coaches, and likely some stemming from his mechanics, as you mentioned.

 

Source?

 

I don't have a source. I just remember reading multiple times, coming into this year especially, that the coaching staff was working in tweaking Wood's delivery to lessen the strain on his shoulder. In addition, I believe he's changed how he's thrown certain breaking pitches (the "slurve"?) since his TJ surgery.

[badger1679666666]

bad mechanics, subborn attitutude & questionable work ethic = usless, hurt pitcher. too bad they couldnt have dumped him to texas when he was worth something. i would say his days of 95+ are long gone and unless he can learn to pitch at 90, he doesnt have much value imo. time to dump wood, trade maddux by the deadline & prior by next year and see what marmol, marshall, hill & guzman can do along with miller & z.

Wait, who says Wood has a stubborn attitude and questionable work ethic?

wood has refused to change his delivery (which probably has alot to do with his inability to stay healthy) for several years now. i guess he made some progress on that front this year but it looks like too little too late. as far as his work ethic goes, that is an assumption on my part. he seems to have gotten out of shape the last few years and gained some weight. not every pitcher can be like clemens but he is way too young to be slacking off in the conditioning department imo.

 

that's a pretty baseless and stupid assumption.

 

 

 

God this sucks. I am uber depressed. I guess I will always have that game 7 HR against the Marlins to give me chills - "Kerry Wood plays longball"

 

My favorite player ever on the Cubs, and his career with us will fizzle to an end.

 

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[gflore34]

bad mechanics, subborn attitutude & questionable work ethic = usless, hurt pitcher. too bad they couldnt have dumped him to texas when he was worth something. i would say his days of 95+ are long gone and unless he can learn to pitch at 90, he doesnt have much value imo. time to dump wood, trade maddux by the deadline & prior by next year and see what marmol, marshall, hill & guzman can do along with miller & z.

Wait, who says Wood has a stubborn attitude and questionable work ethic?

wood has refused to change his delivery (which probably has alot to do with his inability to stay healthy) for several years now. i guess he made some progress on that front this year but it looks like too little too late. as far as his work ethic goes, that is an assumption on my part. he seems to have gotten out of shape the last few years and gained some weight. not every pitcher can be like clemens but he is way too young to be slacking off in the conditioning department imo.

 

that's a pretty baseless and stupid assumption.

 

 

 

God this sucks. I am uber depressed. I guess I will always have that game 7 HR against the Marlins to give me chills - "Kerry Wood plays longball"

 

My favorite player ever on the Cubs, and his career with us will fizzle to an end.

 

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

 

I believe its more than just an end to his Cubs career, its an end to Baseball for Wood (as a pitcher).

[Chocolate Milk]

that's a pretty baseless and stupid assumption.

 

Aren't you the one who said Prior was 'a girl' or soft because he wasn't playing? Perhaps you shouldn't be the one throwing stones.

[badger1679666666]

that's a pretty baseless and stupid assumption.

 

Aren't you the one who said Prior was 'a girl' or soft because he wasn't playing? Perhaps you shouldn't be the one throwing stones.

 

 

I said he was soft, then 8 posts later, I retracted my statement and said I was wrong.

 

Thanks for playing though.

[Jon]

What is there to suggest that he likely won't be able to start this year or for the rest of his career?

 

 

What is there to suggest Wood will make some sort of recovery and pitch regularly/effectively again this season? The silly questions go both ways.

 

I'll go with Wood's track record of not pitching as the basis on the belief he won't be back in any regularly scheduled (ie every fifth or sixth day) appearance the rest of the season.

Other pitchers coming back from this surgery, Wood being able to pitch effectively for 3.5 out of the 4 previous seasons before this injury, and progress (while stalled) throughout his minor league rehab assignment. And there's 3.5 months left.

[Soul]

Too sad.

 

If this is indeed the absolute end for Kerry, then as with Sosa I will remember the good times. The 20 K performance vs. Houston. The 2 dominating starts against Atlanta in the playoffs. Listening to Chipper Jones saying "we're trying to solve the mystery that is Kerry Wood," and knowing that they can't.

 

 

Damn. :cry:

 

Pretty much how I feel. I wish he would have rectified his problems. The future seemed so bright after 03'. Now it looks like curtains.

Poor Woody. Gonna miss him. God what happened to this team......

 

Reading that SunTimes story this morning was the saddest news I've seen yet this season. It feels like the end of an era. Contrary to some posts I've seen in this thread, Kerry NEVER struck me as a bad attitude ... just the opposite: a very likeable, conscientious, old-school baseball player.

 

Likeable? Definitely.

 

I do wish he would have changed his delivery much earlier, though. But that's all water under the bridge now.

 

I will say it's kind of hard to tell a guy who has achieved a level of greatness that he needs to change. The tendency is to continue doing what got you the success in the first place.

[Jon]

If you combine the loss of value that comes from switching from a starter to a reliever, the lack of need for another reliever/closer, and his contract status, there isn't much to gain for either the Cubs or for Wood by going to the bullpen.

 

Well, I laid out my reasons how it would be quite beneficial to all concerned. Smoltz gained a lot from his switch, as did his team. I have no illusions that the Cubs would be as savvy as the Braves, but it could certainly work.

 

Hey, I was Kerry's biggest defender on other Cubs' message boards back in the day. If I thought for one minute he could get back to his 2003 form and keep it, I'd be just as adamant that he follow that course. But, after watching him throw about 8-10 MPH slower now just to preserve his arm for 80+ pitches, I have serious doubts he'll ever get back there, at least not for a while, and slowly building back in the bullpen has worked for other starters.

 

I'm sure we'll continue to disagree, and I'm sure the Cubs will follow the worst possible path that will either get him hurt again or will get him primed to have a great career somewhere else.

The difference being, though, that Smoltz was about five years older, under contract (I believe), and the Braves had a need for it. Wood still needs to gain the remaining 4-5 mph on his fastball during this rehab, But even if the Cubs were looking to re-sign him, it's not going to be as a bullpen pitcher, where there is a real possibility of him overdoing it or being subject to harmful usage patters. Not with three late-inning bullpen pitcher with multi-year deals. So, in my opinion, it would benefit everyone more if Wood can take his time rehabbing this as they're doing (where he can throw in a controlled setting and communicate with Rothschild/O'Neal) and start again later on.

[Jon]

It's worth noting that the Sun-Times article said nothing that wasn't already reported and only loosely speculated that there's a possibility that he could be done for the season.

[goonys evil twin]

It's worth noting that the Sun-Times article said nothing that wasn't already reported and only loosely speculated that there's a possibility that he could be done for the season.

 

Any updates on Wood's towel throwing? He's probably just going to keep throwing that towel all over the place until the used car market picks up and he can find a new job.

[Chocolate Milk]

that's a pretty baseless and stupid assumption.

 

Aren't you the one who said Prior was 'a girl' or soft because he wasn't playing? Perhaps you shouldn't be the one throwing stones.

 

 

I said he was soft, then 8 posts later, I retracted my statement and said I was wrong.

 

Thanks for playing though.

 

You never said you were wrong, you said you were a bit harsh. You also called Prior "the biggest girl I have ever seen." I know you're a big Wood fanboy but considering your history perhaps you should be a little bit more forgiving when people say things out of frustration.

[badger1679666666]

that's a pretty baseless and stupid assumption.

 

Aren't you the one who said Prior was 'a girl' or soft because he wasn't playing? Perhaps you shouldn't be the one throwing stones.

 

 

I said he was soft, then 8 posts later, I retracted my statement and said I was wrong.

 

Thanks for playing though.

 

You never said you were wrong, you said you were a bit harsh. You also called Prior "the biggest girl I have ever seen." I know you're a big Wood fanboy but considering your history perhaps you should be a little bit more forgiving when people say things out of frustration.

 

I've been asked about this 4 times since I made the initial post and every time I said I was wrong, I never called Prior the biggest girl I've ever seen, if I did - prove it.

 

After saying I was wrong, I cite Goony's eloquent disection of how Baker screwed Prior up. This is the 5th time now I've admitted I was wrong regarding Prior.