Wood: No surgury; Wants to return next year as a reliever

[thedaymen]

Wood probably has the biggest stones on the Cubs. Only I guy I know who would come back not 100%, and knowing that he could get re-injury his shoulder, for the sake of helping the cubs.

 

Well it was a wrist, but DLEE pretty much did the same thing a month ago.

[NCCubFan]

The Cubs don't owe Wood a dang thing. Wood owes the Cubs. Regardless of what offers Wood gets from other clubs, he should decline all of them and come back with the Cubs for at least one year - maybe 2 (if a low base salary, incentive-laden contract can be mutually agreed upon). He owes the fans at least another try to get some production from him.

I'm not sure about that. You could make an argument that the Cubs owe him a chance to make up for the likelihood that it was Dusty's abuse in 2003 that lead to his injuries the past few years (remember, he didn't miss a single start in 2002 or 2003; it was after Dusty abused his starters in 2003 that both Wood and Prior were injured more).

[goonys evil twin]

Wood probably has the biggest stones on the Cubs. Only I guy I know who would come back not 100%, and knowing that he could get re-injury his shoulder, for the sake of helping the cubs.

 

Well it was a wrist, but DLEE pretty much did the same thing a month ago.

 

Prior pitched with achilles/ankle pain during the 2003 playoffs, then went out with an achilles injury the next spring. He also pitched after injuring his shoulder against Atlanta.

[FergieJ31]

I know a couple of million dollars is a lot of money but to think Kerry Wood is going to come back to the Cubs for a $1 - $2 million a year contract is pretty unrealistic. Think of your own job. Would you stay if they offered you a 80% - 90% paycut? There is probably even some rule in the player association against it.

 

And this crap that Kerry owes the Cubs or their fans something is BS too. He tried. He pitched hurt last year out of the pen when Hendry and Dusty were still fantazing about jumping over several teams at the end and winning the wildcard. The Cubs have made a heck of a lot more money off of the Kerry Wood phenomenon than they've paid to him.

 

Some team will take a flyer on Wood for $5 - $6 million along with incentives for a couple of million more and if the Cubs don't offer that much you can say goodbye to Kerry. He's going to do what is best for him and his family. He's been pretty loyal to the Cubs but that only goes so far and understandably so.

 

There isn't a rule against accepting less to stay. It's not going to happen via arbitration, but could through normal negotiations. Kerry seems pretty adament that he will not be a starter next year, and probably not for at least a couple years, if ever. I do not think many teams would be at all interested in guaranteeing him $5-6m as an experiment. The Cubs have been one of the most aggressive "experiment" teams, in terms of signing risky injured guys to low guarantees/high incentive contracts. Boston tried and failed with Wade Miller. The Yankees did it with Jon Lieber, but the Cubs seem to do it with somebody every year. I could see a team offering more than the Cubs, but I could also see him staying with the Cubs for a little less, out of some sort of duty. $1m is probably not going to do it. $2m guaranteed with $2-4m more in incentives (and even higher incentives for throwing "starter" innings), plus some sort of option/buyout for the following year could get it done.

 

This would be a fair deal for everyone, a good deal for the Cubs and also for Kerry. I hope something like it happens; I'm on the Kerry for Kloser bandwagon.

[frostwyrm]

it sure is going to be awesome next year when we're spending 25 million dollars on relief pitchers

That's what I was thinking. I really don't want another expensive reliever.

[CP_414]

I know a couple of million dollars is a lot of money but to think Kerry Wood is going to come back to the Cubs for a $1 - $2 million a year contract is pretty unrealistic. Think of your own job. Would you stay if they offered you a 80% - 90% paycut? There is probably even some rule in the player association against it.

 

I don't make $12M a year and fail to be able to perform my job for all but a few weeks a year. I like Kerry a lot, but he doesn't deserve more than $2M +incentives. If I were in his shoes I would feel in debt to the Cubs organization that paid me so well to sit on the DL. I would gladly accept a $1M + incentives deal to prove I can be a dominant relief pitcher and show gratitude for the Cubs. I'm not saying he will do that, but I sure woud.

[Mizzou]

I'm all over the Kerry Wood for closer bandwagon.

 

I think he'd make a filthy closer.

[RynoRules]

What about using Dempster as part of a package to get something we need - like another starter, a corner OF or a middle infielder who can hit - and re-sign Wood at 1 yr and 2 mill with incentives tied to appearances and saves? If Wood falls on his face or gets hurt, you have several candidates to replace him - Howry, Eyre, Wuertz, etc.

[SoonerCubFan]

From a physical standpoint I just don't know if he can do it, but I'll echo other people's comments that for the right amount of $ I'd give it a try. The things I'm worried about are:

 

1) Can his arm hold up to warming up quickly and/or possibly days where he has to warm up but doesn't get into the game?

 

2) Can he have enough command when he comes in on short notice - as a starter, it seemed to me that he often had a bit of trouble in the first inning.

 

I had this exact same conversation a few weeks ago when Kerry went back on the DL and I was pitching strongly for this very scenario (i.e., Wood in the pen). My argument then and now is based on the way he threw the ball in 2005 in relief.

 

I think Kerry has a tendency to hold back his stuff as a starter to try to pace himself. Even with the known shoulder problems in 2005, he went from throwing in the low 90s to hitting 100+ on the gun, and his breaking stuff had a lot more wickedness. That suggested to me that his arm was responding quite favorably to that type of use. He had holds in 4 outings, each with a day off in between.

 

The issue about command/first inning troubles I find also answerable by the pacing theory as a starter vs. challenging in relief. In relief, I saw him getting quickly ahead in the count because his fastball became almost unhittable. He would then wipe the hitter out quickly.

 

If we do get him on board next year, of course he shouldn't be expected to be a closer immediately. He should be on a regular outing basis until he gets himslef built back up, then slowly phased into first a setup role. If all goes optimally, maybe he could be a force by midseason.

[Jazz]

What about using Dempster as part of a package to get something we need - like another starter, a corner OF or a middle infielder who can hit - and re-sign Wood at 1 yr and 2 mill with incentives tied to appearances and saves? If Wood falls on his face or gets hurt, you have several candidates to replace him - Howry, Eyre, Wuertz, etc.

 

Dempster, Cedeno, and Jones for Ryan Freel, and Chris Denorfia?

[kente777]

The Cubs don't owe Wood a dang thing. Wood owes the Cubs. Regardless of what offers Wood gets from other clubs, he should decline all of them and come back with the Cubs for at least one year - maybe 2 (if a low base salary, incentive-laden contract can be mutually agreed upon). He owes the fans at least another try to get some production from him.

I'm not sure about that. You could make an argument that the Cubs owe him a chance to make up for the likelihood that it was Dusty's abuse in 2003 that lead to his injuries the past few years (remember, he didn't miss a single start in 2002 or 2003; it was after Dusty abused his starters in 2003 that both Wood and Prior were injured more).

 

IMO, Kerry's arm and shoulder problems have nothing to do with 2003 overuse (which to me is a debatable question anyway), but rather, his terrible throwing form.

[goonys evil twin]

The Cubs don't owe Wood a dang thing. Wood owes the Cubs. Regardless of what offers Wood gets from other clubs, he should decline all of them and come back with the Cubs for at least one year - maybe 2 (if a low base salary, incentive-laden contract can be mutually agreed upon). He owes the fans at least another try to get some production from him.

I'm not sure about that. You could make an argument that the Cubs owe him a chance to make up for the likelihood that it was Dusty's abuse in 2003 that lead to his injuries the past few years (remember, he didn't miss a single start in 2002 or 2003; it was after Dusty abused his starters in 2003 that both Wood and Prior were injured more).

 

IMO, Kerry's arm and shoulder problems have nothing to do with 2003 overuse (which to me is a debatable question anyway), but rather, his terrible throwing form.

 

To claim that they have nothing to do with it is as big of a stretch as saying they are 100% the cause. I would say it's very likely that his mechanics and the overuse combined to ruin his arm.

[Wheelimus]

Since the 3 million buyout counts towards this year payroll, don't even think about it.

 

If you could bring Kerry Wood in for 3 million with incentives, you'd be crazy not to do it. He was nasty last year in relief when he came back and I think he'll be nasty again.

 

And I think we can afford it, you're basically paying him a little more than Scott Williamson.

 

And if you're having trouble affording him, you could always try DFA'ing Neifi and Rusch and see if anyone is dumb enough to claim them. Or if not, see if they get sick of Iowa and want to negotiate a release.

[dalgreen]

Unless Wood changes his mechanics, I wouldn't try to re-sign him for a thing. Over the years, I've placed about equal blame for Wood's injuries on Wood's stubborness to change mechanics, his overuse and relying a lot on the slider -- which can be a killer on the elbow. However, I wonder if the TJ surgery was partially to blame, as well. Matt Morris had TJ surgery about the same time as Wood. The Cardinals chose to use him out of the bullpen in late 2000. However, the vintage Matt Morris has never been seen since. You can also say the same for Jon Lieber. I know there have been some pitchers who were able to regain their form after TJ surgery, but it's not a given.

[SoonerCubFan]

Matt Morris had TJ surgery about the same time as Wood. The Cardinals chose to use him out of the bullpen in late 2000. However, the vintage Matt Morris has never been seen since. You can also say the same for Jon Lieber. I know there have been some pitchers who were able to regain their form after TJ surgery, but it's not a given.

 

??? After the year in the pen, Morris came back to win 22 and then 17 games while increasing his Ks and holding steady on WHIP. The Cubs should have done the same with Kerry in 2000, and definitely should have from day 1 this year.

[dalgreen]

Matt Morris had TJ surgery about the same time as Wood. The Cardinals chose to use him out of the bullpen in late 2000. However, the vintage Matt Morris has never been seen since. You can also say the same for Jon Lieber. I know there have been some pitchers who were able to regain their form after TJ surgery, but it's not a given.

 

??? After the year in the pen, Morris came back to win 22 and then 17 games while increasing his Ks and holding steady on WHIP. The Cubs should have done the same with Kerry in 2000, and definitely should have from day 1 this year.

 

My bad. You're right. I forgot about his first full season back. I think the offense he was surrounded with helped his 17 win season, though.

[goonys evil twin]

Matt Morris had TJ surgery about the same time as Wood. The Cardinals chose to use him out of the bullpen in late 2000. However, the vintage Matt Morris has never been seen since. You can also say the same for Jon Lieber. I know there have been some pitchers who were able to regain their form after TJ surgery, but it's not a given.

 

??? After the year in the pen, Morris came back to win 22 and then 17 games while increasing his Ks and holding steady on WHIP. The Cubs should have done the same with Kerry in 2000, and definitely should have from day 1 this year.

 

My bad. You're right. I forgot about his first full season back. I think the offense he was surrounded with helped his 17 win season, though.

 

Anybody remember Matt Morris criticizing the Cubs for rushing Wood back at the time? I was in "defend the Cubs against all naysayers" mode, and didn't have much concern for pitcher abuse, etc. Oops.

[badger1679666666]

Wood sat in the third inning with Len and Bob. Talked about his charity work with Children's hospital (which could hit 1 million this year). Bowling tourney is this weekend.

 

He mentioned again that he doesn't want surgery and he wants to come back next year in a reliever role at first and pitch pain free. That's his main goal.

 

Kerry said fans have the right to get on him even thought they haven't because he just hasn't been out there. He knows he's been a popular player and not gotten the patterson/hawkins treatment. Just my impression that he really wants to come back and stay in Chicago and would take an incentive-laden deal. I think he has enough pride to want to prove to the Cubs and it's fans that he still has it.

 

Just seeing him makes me want him to come back.

[soccer10k]

If Woody wants to come back to the Cubs I think he will have to take less guaranteed money, and maybe a year less as well, than other teams will offer him.

[FergieJ31]

Just seeing him makes me want him to come back.

 

Me too my friend.

 

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/adc/10127553A~Kerry-Wood-2003-NLCS-Game-7-Home-Run-Posters.jpg

 

(apparently we can no longer torment ourselves with that electrifying "and Kerry Wood plays long ball!" YouTube.com video)

[badger1679666666]

Just seeing him makes me want him to come back.

 

Me too my friend.

 

(apparently we can no longer torment ourselves with that electrifying "and Kerry Wood plays long ball!" YouTube.com video)

 

I probably watched that clip 200 times. Never stopped giving me chills especially when they panned to the crowd outside on waveland (I think it was waveland).

[RynoRules]

Just seeing him makes me want him to come back.

 

Me too my friend.

 

(apparently we can no longer torment ourselves with that electrifying "and Kerry Wood plays long ball!" YouTube.com video)

 

I probably watched that clip 200 times. Never stopped giving me chills especially when they panned to the crowd outside on waveland (I think it was waveland[/b ].

 

Correct.

 

I really believed that his HR would swing the momentum back to us.

 

 

:cry:

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Kerry's HR was the greatest sports moment of my life (until the last 19 seconds of the UCLA-Gonzaga game this past March). Man, those 2 events were such highs...

[Andy]

Kerry's HR was the greatest sports moment of my life (until the last 19 seconds of the UCLA-Gonzaga game this past March). Man, those 2 events were such highs...

Agreed. UCLA's comeback won me some money so I enjoyed that too.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Kerry's HR was the greatest sports moment of my life (until the last 19 seconds of the UCLA-Gonzaga game this past March). Man, those 2 events were such highs...

Agreed. UCLA's comeback won me some money so I enjoyed that too.

 

Did you win more money on that game than Adam Morrison did?