Do you bring Wood back for 2008?

[Tim]

He's been inconsistent in his return...not really surprising for someone who has been off the bump for so long. He has flashed some pretty wicked stuff at times, though.

 

I imagine he has to be considered a reliever for next year. The question is, would you sign him? Big health risk, obviously. Still hasn't proven he can be consistent out of the pen.

 

But, oh man, what an upside.

[apete6]

Bring him back, but only on a very similar contract as this year. Maybe give him a vesting option or something if he wants multiple years.

[jersey cubs fan]

If you can keep the price down, and for 1 year, sure. Maybe add an option that kicks in with appearances, as well as incentives. But if somebody throws a 3/$15m contract at him, it would be hard to justify getting involved.

[shnsajax]

Yes, assuming he doesn't have outrageous demands which I doubt he will. We don't need him to close or even be the primary setup man. Like you said the upside is huge.

[Brian]

Yeah, I'd think he'll be reasonable in salary demands. Depends on who the owner and GM is when it comes time to decide what the Cubs want to do though.

[UMFan83]

I haven't been impressed with Wood's performance this season. Not to say that he has been awful, but when people say "boy what an upside" I tend to disagree. I just don't see the dominating Wood of 2003 reemerging, or even the dominant setup man of 2005 coming back. Plus I still can't buy that he's healthy after his 'miraculous' recovery of a month ago. I say no on Kerry next year.

[SouthSideRyan]

Not if they continue to only pitch him in non-important situations. If he stays healthy the rest of the year I have no problem bringing him back, but as everyone else says, the base can't be too high.

[rawaction]

Nope. Too much money invested in the pen as is. Howry, Dempster, Eyre, will make well over $10M combined. Probably gonna go after a more reliable LH out of the pen, because I don't see them wanting to go with Ohman, Cotts, Rapada, or Pignatiello. That's too much money spent on the pen, especially when you have a huge hole in the offense.

 

Wood is probably a middle reliever on next year's team, clearly behind Demp, Howry and Marmol.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

Considering how Wood has expressed his love for Chicago and his desire to stay here, I would begin contract negotiations real low..2 years 3 million.

 

Even a fraction of Kerry is better than other garbage options that will be out there..IMO.

[Guest]

Nope. Too much money invested in the pen as is. Howry, Dempster, Eyre, will make well over $10M combined. Probably gonna go after a more reliable LH out of the pen, because I don't see them wanting to go with Ohman, Cotts, Rapada, or Pignatiello. That's too much money spent on the pen, especially when you have a huge hole in the offense.

 

Wood is probably a middle reliever on next year's team, clearly behind Demp, Howry and Marmol.

 

Demp to the rotation seems to be plausible.

[CubmanPi]

I'm in support of the low-base, incentives-laden contract, but I also agree that he needs to be used in higher-pressure situations. His current use seems to be quite the waste of a roster spot, and if Lou is unwilling to change that, then it's time to part ways with Kerry.

[WindyCity]

Nope. Too much money invested in the pen as is. Howry, Dempster, Eyre, will make well over $10M combined. Probably gonna go after a more reliable LH out of the pen, because I don't see them wanting to go with Ohman, Cotts, Rapada, or Pignatiello. That's too much money spent on the pen, especially when you have a huge hole in the offense.

 

Wood is probably a middle reliever on next year's team, clearly behind Demp, Howry and Marmol.

 

Demp to the rotation seems to be plausible.

 

I'd prefer Demp to the trading block -- his save percentage this year should boost his value to other teams. Get something for him and move late innings to Marmol/Howry/Wuertz and possibly Wood (I would like to see him back for a low base/incentives deal).

[SouthSideRyan]

Nope. Too much money invested in the pen as is. Howry, Dempster, Eyre, will make well over $10M combined. Probably gonna go after a more reliable LH out of the pen, because I don't see them wanting to go with Ohman, Cotts, Rapada, or Pignatiello. That's too much money spent on the pen, especially when you have a huge hole in the offense.

 

Wood is probably a middle reliever on next year's team, clearly behind Demp, Howry and Marmol.

 

Demp to the rotation seems to be plausible.

 

Replacing who? Barring a trade there's no room for another starter.

[Guest]

Nope. Too much money invested in the pen as is. Howry, Dempster, Eyre, will make well over $10M combined. Probably gonna go after a more reliable LH out of the pen, because I don't see them wanting to go with Ohman, Cotts, Rapada, or Pignatiello. That's too much money spent on the pen, especially when you have a huge hole in the offense.

 

Wood is probably a middle reliever on next year's team, clearly behind Demp, Howry and Marmol.

 

Demp to the rotation seems to be plausible.

 

Replacing who? Barring a trade there's no room for another starter.

 

I certainly wouldn't do it and don't see how he'd fit in but I definitely think Dempster in the rotation is on Piniella's radar.

[jersey cubs fan]

Nope. Too much money invested in the pen as is. Howry, Dempster, Eyre, will make well over $10M combined. Probably gonna go after a more reliable LH out of the pen, because I don't see them wanting to go with Ohman, Cotts, Rapada, or Pignatiello. That's too much money spent on the pen, especially when you have a huge hole in the offense.

 

Wood is probably a middle reliever on next year's team, clearly behind Demp, Howry and Marmol.

 

Demp to the rotation seems to be plausible.

 

Replacing who? Barring a trade there's no room for another starter.

 

I certainly wouldn't do it and don't see how he'd fit in but I definitely think Dempster in the rotation is on Piniella's radar.

 

As for the "no room" comment, um, it's a starting rotation, there are currently only 5 guys with no sure thing #6. There is definitely room. There's simply no way the Cubs go virtually all of 2007 and 2008 with these same 5 guys. Aside from trades, there's injury, as well as ineffectiveness. Marquis has probably only begun to reach the depths of his suckitude as a Cub.

 

I'd prefer to trade Dempster while his value is inflated with the "closer" tag. Wood's peripherals aren't any good right now, but he's got far more upside than Dempster.

[soccer10k]

If you can keep the price down, and for 1 year, sure. Maybe add an option that kicks in with appearances, as well as incentives. But if somebody throws a 3/$15m contract at him, it would be hard to justify getting involved.

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

Low base + incentives is perfect if he's willing to take it. But I would only offer him one year guaranteed maybe with a team option for a second year.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Wood would have to sign a deal similar to what he got this year or else I'd have no interest.

[shnsajax]

I am curious to see what he can hit on the radar gun at the end of this season.

[biittner77]

He's been inconsistent in his return...not really surprising for someone who has been off the bump for so long. He has flashed some pretty wicked stuff at times, though.

 

I imagine he has to be considered a reliever for next year. The question is, would you sign him? Big health risk, obviously. Still hasn't proven he can be consistent out of the pen.

 

But, oh man, what an upside.

 

But what is his upside? A dominant set up man? A reliable closer? Wood walks too many hitters to really be either of those. Unless there's a chance he can return to the rotation I just don't see Wood being worth more than 2 million per.

[imb]

I love him, but I wouldn't bring him back unless we can somehow ditch Eyre. Just too much money tied up in the pen considering that we can use someone like Gallagher for no money.

[Abe Frohman]

I have to think Wood is a lifelong Cub, unless the very unlikely circumstance of him asking for unreasonable things happens.

 

I think Wood retires a Cub. I hope he does.

[frostwyrm]

I very much doubt anyone will get more than 50 innings out of Wood next year. It probably won't even be that much. It's not worth the expense or the aggravation.

[Omar]

Yes. As soon as he goes to another team, he will become Cy Young...

 

So leave him here so we won't regret the move.

[TheDude]

Those that aren't impressed with Wood have to remember the guy is still basically in ST or early April pitching shape, but in pennant game situations.

 

I want to see his September and decide then. But I'm leaning on bring him back for a base 1-year low salary deal that performance can improve.

 

[edit]You also have to remember that likely alternatives are names like Rocky Cherry, Roberto Novoa, [insert AAA name here], etc. I don't see how a chance on Wood is worse than a chance on any alternative.[/edit]

[Mephistopheles]

Yes