Possible solution re Wood

[sonofsamiam]

This is cribbed from a BP Under the Knife article, but I think it makes some sense (though will never happen):

 

Since Wood currently is feeling discomfort and losing effectiveness around the 60-pitch mark, why not let him start games with a strict 55-60 pitch count, and then plan on having Guzman relieve, allowing him to get as much work in as reasonable? There could be a rotation of:

 

Z

Prior

Wood/Guzman

Marshall

Marmol

 

...and then the young guys could continue to work on development, and Wood could try to figure things out and build up his strength in real situations. Something similar could be done with Miller, even. Just a thought -- with the season shot, why not experiment, as long as it's not to the detriment of anyone's health?

[C.C.]

This is cribbed from a BP Under the Knife article, but I think it makes some sense (though will never happen):

 

Since Wood currently is feeling discomfort and losing effectiveness around the 60-pitch mark, why not let him start games with a strict 55-60 pitch count, and then plan on having Guzman relieve, allowing him to get as much work in as reasonable? There could be a rotation of:

 

Z

Prior

Wood/Guzman

Marshall

Marmol

 

...and then the young guys could continue to work on development, and Wood could try to figure things out and build up his strength in real situations. Something similar could be done with Miller, even. Just a thought -- with the season shot, why not experiment, as long as it's not to the detriment of anyone's health?

 

What would the point of that be? I say just let Wood sit the year and pitch Guzman the rest of the year. Or Bring up Hill and see what he can do. It's time to look at the future and Wood isn't part of it.

[goonys evil twin]

I'm all for it. I've been calling for some sort of creative work with pairing of starters on certain days. It's not an ideal situation, but it's better than just throwing guys out there and hoping one of them will throw a complete game shutout. I'd like to see Hill paired up with somebody as well.

 

I'd strongly consider making the rotation look like this:

 

Zambrano

Prior

Maddux

Wood/Marshall

Hill/Guzman

Williamson

Ohman

Howry

Eyre

Dempster

 

The 4 paired up guys all are talented enough to dominate over short stretches of a game, and some of them can be used occasionally between outings in a long relief role. See if you can get Wood stretched out to 70, then 80 and even 90 pitches as the season goes on. Let Marmol get his much needed innings in the minors pitching every 5 days. Save Marshall from going way past his past workloads, but keep guys on regular rotations.

 

I see no reason not to experiment with something like this, given the situation. You'd still have 5 everyday relievers, with the ability to call-up Novoa or Wuertz at any time if somebody is overused. You'd also have guys available in between starts for long relief duty if needed. Stagger the combo guys so that it's something like Zambrano, Wood/Marshall, Maddux, Prior, Hill/Guzman, Zambrano, etc.

[goonys evil twin]

What would the point of that be? I say just let Wood sit the year and pitch Guzman the rest of the year. Or Bring up Hill and see what he can do. It's time to look at the future and Wood isn't part of it.

 

The point would be trying to salvage something from an asset. Wood could be part of the future. If he'd sign an incentive laden contract the Cubs would be fools not to give it to him, assuming guarantees are low.

[Banedon]

I'd strongly consider making the rotation look like this:

 

Zambrano

Prior

Maddux

Wood/Marshall

Hill/Guzman

Williamson

Ohman

Howry

Eyre

Dempster

 

Hey hey hey....you left Rusch out!!! :lol:

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I see no reason not to experiment with something like this, given the situation.

 

It's unconventional -- it sets up the starter to not get the W. Not arguing against your idea, because I like it, just giving you the reason.

[goonys evil twin]

I see no reason not to experiment with something like this, given the situation.

 

It's unconventional -- it sets up the starter to not get the W. Not arguing against your idea, because I like it, just giving you the reason.

 

In theory, you could get 5 innings out of the first guy and 4 out of the next, giving your starter a chance for victory. Although it'll probably be more like 3/4 innings for each guy, but that would just give your other starter a shot at the win, and they could rotate the starter A and starter B roles if they want.

 

I know they'd never do it, because they have to stick with conventional wisdom and try to make things respectable. I guess I should say I see no logical reason why you couldn't try something like this. I know they'd have some sort of excuse not to.

[cjbucks]

I see no reason not to experiment with something like this, given the situation.

 

It's unconventional -- it sets up the starter to not get the W. Not arguing against your idea, because I like it, just giving you the reason.

 

How 'bout this - we'll fire Dusty and then we'll just pair up a coach with each of the guys that starts...................oh wait I guess that's been done. Sorry :)

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I see no reason not to experiment with something like this, given the situation.

 

It's unconventional -- it sets up the starter to not get the W. Not arguing against your idea, because I like it, just giving you the reason.

 

In theory, you could get 5 innings out of the first guy and 4 out of the next, giving your starter a chance for victory. Although it'll probably be more like 3/4 innings for each guy, but that would just give your other starter a shot at the win, and they could rotate the starter A and starter B roles if they want.

 

I know they'd never do it, because they have to stick with conventional wisdom and try to make things respectable. I guess I should say I see no logical reason why you couldn't try something like this. I know they'd have some sort of excuse not to.

 

It beats the hell out of what they're doing now. Guzman just had his 3rd grandchild since the last time he saw any action.

[goonys evil twin]

It beats the hell out of what they're doing now. Guzman just had his 3rd grandchild since the last time he saw any action.

 

She's a cutie too, isn't she?

[badgercub]

The only problem this could cause is: The bullpen has been overused already this year. Eyre and Howry both made a lot of appearances last year and this year have been in a lot of games, I am just afraid the cumulative use of the last two years is going to render them useless before the end of their contracts.

[Captain Barnicle]

How about we pair Dusty up with Brently. Dusty can fill out the lineup card and go through the order once or twice, then Bob can take over and deal with the more advanced topics like "Double-Switches" and "Walks AKA Clogging Up Bases". Dusty can give Bob back massages for the second half of the game.

 

For Wood, the only person I would pair him up with is Doc from Back to the Future. I'd have him build Wood a custom robot arm. Saw off Wood's sholder and attach the new bionic arm.

[goonys evil twin]

The only problem this could cause is: The bullpen has been overused already this year. Eyre and Howry both made a lot of appearances last year and this year have been in a lot of games, I am just afraid the cumulative use of the last two years is going to render them useless before the end of their contracts.

 

That could be a problem. But, with the two man combo groups, you should be able to get 8 innings out of them. You'd still have 5 strictly bullpen guys, plus, in between their outings, the guys who start and only go 3-4 innings, can pick up garbage innings here and there. Plus, you can always bring Wuertz, Novoa, Marmol and others up from the minors if anybody is getting overworked.

 

This would take smart moves by the manager. Dempster has had rest periods of 7, 4, 4 and 6 days between outings, while Howry and Eyre have worked practically every other day. It doesn't have to be like that.

[badger1679666666]

The only problem this could cause is: The bullpen has been overused already this year. Eyre and Howry both made a lot of appearances last year and this year have been in a lot of games, I am just afraid the cumulative use of the last two years is going to render them useless before the end of their contracts.

 

That could be a problem. But, with the two man combo groups, you should be able to get 8 innings out of them. You'd still have 5 strictly bullpen guys, plus, in between their outings, the guys who start and only go 3-4 innings, can pick up garbage innings here and there. Plus, you can always bring Wuertz, Novoa, Marmol and others up from the minors if anybody is getting overworked.

 

This would take smart moves by the manager. Dempster has had rest periods of 7, 4, 4 and 6 days between outings, while Howry and Eyre have worked practically every other day. It doesn't have to be like that.

 

I don't think Dusty knows how to think outside the box like that...

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I don't think Dusty knows how to think outside the box like that...

 

Most days I wonder if Dusty can think inside the box.

[Tomarken]

I don't think Dusty knows how to think outside the box like that...

 

Most days I wonder if Dusty can think inside the box.

 

Dusty likes to think inside boxes that have been in storage for over twenty years.

[TB_11]

The only problem this could cause is: The bullpen has been overused already this year. Eyre and Howry both made a lot of appearances last year and this year have been in a lot of games, I am just afraid the cumulative use of the last two years is going to render them useless before the end of their contracts.

 

The other problem is that Dusty won't do it, since he's playing to win today instead of developing players for next year. I like the idea since it saves Marshall, and gives Wood/Marmol/Hill solid innings, but it concedes this year as done. Dusty won't do it since he's coaching for another contract.

[goonys evil twin]

The only problem this could cause is: The bullpen has been overused already this year. Eyre and Howry both made a lot of appearances last year and this year have been in a lot of games, I am just afraid the cumulative use of the last two years is going to render them useless before the end of their contracts.

 

The other problem is that Dusty won't do it, since he's playing to win today instead of developing players for next year. I like the idea since it saves Marshall, and gives Wood/Marmol/Hill solid innings, but it concedes this year as done. Dusty won't do it since he's coaching for another contract.

 

I don't think it concedes this year. It could actually make this year's starting rotation more solid. 3-4 innings of Wood and 3-4 innings of Marshall could be better than 5 innings of either.

 

Although I'm sure such a drastic change would make them feel like they are giving up. I'd say it's more like admitting that what you are doing isn't working and trying something different.

[Wilmo]

I still don't understand why Baker/Rothschild are so dead set against putting Wood in the pen. If the guy is only good for a limited number of pitches this seems to be the best option. One of a few things could happen.

 

He continues to pitch and actually contributes to the team. While building arm strength in hopes to someday return to being a starter. (similar to Smoltz after his surgery, it worked pretty well for him)

 

He could flourish in the pen and possibly become a good closer some day.

 

Or, he could blow out his arm/shoulder/elbow, in which case he goes back to not contributing to the team, kinda like now, and he's gone at seasons end. And he isn't the Cubs problem anymore.

 

I guess it goes back to thinking outside the box. The way it is now, we get NOTHING out of this guy. Do something!!!

[goonys evil twin]

I still don't understand why Baker/Rothschild are so dead set against putting Wood in the pen. If the guy is only good for a limited number of pitches this seems to be the best option. One of a few things could happen.

 

He continues to pitch and actually contributes to the team. While building arm strength in hopes to someday return to being a starter. (similar to Smoltz after his surgery, it worked pretty well for him)

 

He could flourish in the pen and possibly become a good closer some day.

 

Or, he could blow out his arm/shoulder/elbow, in which case he goes back to not contributing to the team, kinda like now, and he's gone at seasons end. And he isn't the Cubs problem anymore.

 

I guess it goes back to thinking outside the box. The way it is now, we get NOTHING out of this guy. Do something!!!

 

Two problems, recovery time and getting lose. It supposedly takes a while for Wood to warm up, which isn't good for a guy in the bullpen, and he needs time between outings to recover, again, not good in the bullpen.

 

It's not like they never put him in the pen before. They foolishly did it last year when he was to go under the knife.

[Wilmo]

Two problems, recovery time and getting lose. It supposedly takes a while for Wood to warm up, which isn't good for a guy in the bullpen, and he needs time between outings to recover, again, not good in the bullpen.

Always something isn't it? Maybe that's why he can only go 60 pitches in the game, he takes 100 pitches before the game to get the noodle loose.

 

It's not like they never put him in the pen before. They foolishly did it last year when he was to go under the knife.

 

I thought since he wasn't injured this year, it would be a better option than last season.

[n l doormat]

This would take smart moves by the manager.

That leaves Dusty out then.