Wood for starter!

[Schwarber Fan]

He has great velocity and control with his pitches today!!

 

I'm worried about Prior...

 

I sure wish we'd give Woody one more shot at the rotation if he wants it...

[erik316wttn]

I'm pretty sure that ship has sailed. He'll be in the bullpen for the rest of his career.

 

I can see him making an emergency spot start here and there, but he'll never be in the rotation full time again.

[E.J.]

I could see him coming back into the rotation in a couple years time, maybe even next year, but he's definitely going to be in the bullpen this year. I am excited about maybe seeing him in the closer's roll this year though, if he can stay healthy. It would be great having a dominant closer.

[David]

I'm pretty sure that ship has sailed. He'll be in the bullpen for the rest of his career.

 

I can see him making an emergency spot start here and there, but he'll never be in the rotation full time again.

 

I'm not so sure about that. Right now, for the foreseeable future, he's in the bullpen. But in a couple of years, or even next year, I could see him starting again.

 

Heh, guess I should've read EJ's post.

[E.J.]

I'm pretty sure that ship has sailed. He'll be in the bullpen for the rest of his career.

 

I can see him making an emergency spot start here and there, but he'll never be in the rotation full time again.

 

I'm not so sure about that. Right now, for the foreseeable future, he's in the bullpen. But in a couple of years, or even next year, I could see him starting again.

 

Heh, guess I should've read EJ's post.

 

Geez. Am I freakin' invisible here?

 

 

:wink:

[CubColtPacer]

The reason he went to the bullpen in the first place was because he gave out after a certain number of pitches. He was always dominant before that point-for him to be dominant for a few pitches here doesn't change the point that lengthening him out might do the same thing as before. Let's keep him throwing well in the bullpen for now.

[ctcf]

Gonna be a great closer.

[KaiserCesar]

This year could function as a "rehab" year with a possibility of a return to the rotation eventually, kinda like Smoltz. Everything depends on him performing well and team need.

[A New Era]

I'm pretty sure that ship has sailed. He'll be in the bullpen for the rest of his career.

 

I can see him making an emergency spot start here and there, but he'll never be in the rotation full time again.

 

I'm not so sure about that. Right now, for the foreseeable future, he's in the bullpen. But in a couple of years, or even next year, I could see him starting again.

 

Heh, guess I should've read EJ's post.

 

Geez. Am I freakin' invisible here?

 

 

:wink:

 

Did somebody just say something? ::looks around:: 8-[

[Bull]

The reason he went to the bullpen in the first place was because he gave out after a certain number of pitches. He was always dominant before that point-for him to be dominant for a few pitches here doesn't change the point that lengthening him out might do the same thing as before. Let's keep him throwing well in the bullpen for now.

 

if the bolded section implies "ineffective in later innings" I'd disagree. If it means "became susceptible to arm pain if overused" then its worded poorly.

 

Its not that Wood can't be an effective starter, its that his arm won't hold up to 150+ innings.

 

edit: I also agree that after a couple effective years in the pen, it might be wise to stretch him out. Of course that bridge isn't crossable yet.

[CubColtPacer]

The reason he went to the bullpen in the first place was because he gave out after a certain number of pitches. He was always dominant before that point-for him to be dominant for a few pitches here doesn't change the point that lengthening him out might do the same thing as before. Let's keep him throwing well in the bullpen for now.

 

if the bolded section implies "ineffective in later innings" I'd disagree. If it means "became susceptible to arm pain if overused" then its worded poorly.

 

Its not that Wood can't be an effective starter, its that his arm won't hold up to 150+ innings.

 

edit: I also agree that after a couple effective years in the pen, it might be wise to stretch him out. Of course that bridge isn't crossable yet.

 

I was saying that every time he was injured in the last couple years, it's because his arm gave out after 3-4 innings. He would walk off the mound suddenly in the 3rd of a game he was pitching well in. He couldn't take the strain of pitching that many pitches at a time-that's exactly why they moved him to the bullpen in the first place, hoping that if he doesn't go past that pitch mark his arm and shoulder will be able to handle the stress easier.

[Bull]

The reason he went to the bullpen in the first place was because he gave out after a certain number of pitches. He was always dominant before that point-for him to be dominant for a few pitches here doesn't change the point that lengthening him out might do the same thing as before. Let's keep him throwing well in the bullpen for now.

 

if the bolded section implies "ineffective in later innings" I'd disagree. If it means "became susceptible to arm pain if overused" then its worded poorly.

 

Its not that Wood can't be an effective starter, its that his arm won't hold up to 150+ innings.

 

edit: I also agree that after a couple effective years in the pen, it might be wise to stretch him out. Of course that bridge isn't crossable yet.

 

I was saying that every time he was injured in the last couple years, it's because his arm gave out after 3-4 innings. He would walk off the mound suddenly in the 3rd of a game he was pitching well in. He couldn't take the strain of pitching that many pitches at a time-that's exactly why they moved him to the bullpen in the first place, hoping that if he doesn't go past that pitch mark his arm and shoulder will be able to handle the stress easier.

 

wow. Not sure I agree. I think it was definitely cumulative. And your conclusion makes a jump without a bridge. Even if it was a threshold of pitches per start, its very possible that would change if the workload was lessened and his arm actually got a chance to heal completely.

[CubColtPacer]

The reason he went to the bullpen in the first place was because he gave out after a certain number of pitches. He was always dominant before that point-for him to be dominant for a few pitches here doesn't change the point that lengthening him out might do the same thing as before. Let's keep him throwing well in the bullpen for now.

 

if the bolded section implies "ineffective in later innings" I'd disagree. If it means "became susceptible to arm pain if overused" then its worded poorly.

 

Its not that Wood can't be an effective starter, its that his arm won't hold up to 150+ innings.

 

edit: I also agree that after a couple effective years in the pen, it might be wise to stretch him out. Of course that bridge isn't crossable yet.

 

I was saying that every time he was injured in the last couple years, it's because his arm gave out after 3-4 innings. He would walk off the mound suddenly in the 3rd of a game he was pitching well in. He couldn't take the strain of pitching that many pitches at a time-that's exactly why they moved him to the bullpen in the first place, hoping that if he doesn't go past that pitch mark his arm and shoulder will be able to handle the stress easier.

 

wow. Not sure I agree. I think it was definitely cumulative. And your conclusion makes a jump without a bridge. Even if it was a threshold of pitches per start, its very possible that would change if the workload was lessened and his arm actually got a chance to heal completely.

 

Well, I would agree. Give the chance for the arm to heal longer, and the ability to stretch out and become a starter might be possible-but that's a ways down the road I think.

[98navigator]

Quotes from AP, by way of the Tribune

 

"That's 95 miles per hour nice and easy," Piniella said, smiling. "After I saw him throw the first five or six pitches, I said, 'I had a good day already."'

 

Wood, 29, said his heart was racing and that he was initially "overamped" in his first game since June 6. He also said he has more energy after losing 25 pounds this winter through exercise and better eating, that his shoulder is healthy, and he's ready to restart his rise-and-fall career as a reliever.

 

"Starting is not even in my thought process," said Wood, who has 178 starts in 189 career games. "I may never start another game again, and if it's that way I'm fine with it.

 

"I'm playing baseball. I can't complain."

[Coach C]

That's all I need to hear. It just sounds like he's just happy to be given another chance to pitch after going through 2 rough years.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Kerry Wood will pitch 200 innings again. It may take 3-4 years to get there, but it'll happen.

[WearingTrousers]

If Woody has a solid, injury-free season in the bullpen, I see no reason to risk more injuries by putting him back in the starting rotation, where he has been only average (13 was his most wins in a season). I guess I don't see the the reward as outweighing the risk.

[David]

If Woody has a solid, injury-free season in the bullpen, I see no reason to risk more injuries by putting him back in the starting rotation, where he has been only average (13 was his most wins in a season). I guess I don't see the the reward as outweighing the risk.

 

Wow.

 

Welcome to the forum, though!

[badger1679666666]

If Woody has a solid, injury-free season in the bullpen, I see no reason to risk more injuries by putting him back in the starting rotation, where he has been only average (13 was his most wins in a season). I guess I don't see the the reward as outweighing the risk.

 

Not this argument again.

 

:roll:

Edited March 6, 2007 by badger

[98navigator]

If Woody has a solid, injury-free season in the bullpen, I see no reason to risk more injuries by putting him back in the starting rotation, where he has been only average (13 was his most wins in a season). I guess I don't see the the reward as outweighing the risk.

 

Welcome to the board!

 

Wood has been much better than average and 14 wins is his highest single season total. However, wins and losses don't tell the whole story... If he is indeed healthy, I'd like for him to develop into the primary setup man or closer.

Edited March 6, 2007 by 98navigator

[KaiserCesar]

I think for another team Wood could start, and he may want to at some point and leave, but with the Cubs, there will likely be little room for such a risky proposition in the rotation.

[WearingTrousers]

Thanks for the welcome guys. I can't believe how long I put up sifting through the crappy cubs.com message board.

 

As far as Wood goes, I am as big a Wood fan as there is. I know that he is a better starter than his numbers indicated, his support has been laughable in the past. Again, it just comes down to risk reward for me. Is it worth testing Wood in the rotation one more time, knowing that if he gets injured he will be shut down again. I will be content with a dominant Woody in the pen, and I wouldn't want to tempt the baseball gods by putting him back in the rotation. Seems like none of you concur, am I alone in this feeling?

[KaiserCesar]

Thanks for the welcome guys. I can't believe how long I put up sifting through the crappy cubs.com message board.

 

As far as Wood goes, I am as big a Wood fan as there is. I know that he is a better starter than his numbers indicated, his support has been laughable in the past. Again, it just comes down to risk reward for me. Is it worth testing Wood in the rotation one more time, knowing that if he gets injured he will be shut down again. I will be content with a dominant Woody in the pen, and I wouldn't want to tempt the baseball gods by putting him back in the rotation. Seems like none of you concur, am I alone in this feeling?

 

If the numbers you use are wins, then yes he was better than indicated. Overall, I think people (myself included) want to see him in the bullpen this year. I'd be content with him in there forever, but a "wait and see" approach would be acceptable whether or not he should start. I just don't think he will be needed to start for this club in the forseeable future.

[Guest]

Thanks for the welcome guys. I can't believe how long I put up sifting through the crappy cubs.com message board.

 

As far as Wood goes, I am as big a Wood fan as there is. I know that he is a better starter than his numbers indicated, his support has been laughable in the past. Again, it just comes down to risk reward for me. Is it worth testing Wood in the rotation one more time, knowing that if he gets injured he will be shut down again. I will be content with a dominant Woody in the pen, and I wouldn't want to tempt the baseball gods by putting him back in the rotation. Seems like none of you concur, am I alone in this feeling?

 

I think I disagree with the idea that he is as valuable in the pen as he is as a starter - which isn't exactly what you are saying. I don't know enough medically to evaluate the risk of trying him as a starter - where he is on the order of three times as valuable - versus keeping him as a reliever. I'm also not sure one ST relief appearance is enough to convince me he is healthy and will remain healthy in the bullpen. Look at Gagne, Isringhausen, and other closers who have broken down. How much greater is the risk in the rotation, really? I don't think I have enough information to know.

 

But, I do know I would rather see a healthy wood starting.

[WearingTrousers]

I just don't think he will be needed to start for this club in the forseeable future.

 

So I guess you would rather have Wood in the pen because of circumstances around him, not his own capabilities. If things go as expected, I agree with you about the Cubs not needing him in the rotation. However, too many times now have I seen our seemingly solid starting rotation fall apart because of injuries. I'm of the opinion, that even if our rotation were to be decimated, I would rather find another option rather than try Wood there again. I simply don't think his arm can take it. We'll find out if his arm can take the bullpen role.