Do you bring Wood back for 2008?

[RynoRules]

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

 

Agreed. Also, isn't 08' the last year of Demp's contract? If so, this offseason would be prime-time to move him.

[mdwilla]

The upside is too huge and maybe his health has turned the corner after he gets more inngs as reliver he'll turn the corner.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

The upside is too huge and maybe his health has turned the corner after he gets more inngs as reliver he'll turn the corner.

 

As long as he's a reliever, the upside isn't huge. There are lots of players that had great arms and are now relievers because of injuries that teams take chances on, Wood isn't much different than them. Even if it's Spring Training for him now, that means he's still an unknown for next season, which further adds to the similarity between him and the numerous other castoffs that are available.

 

The "we wasted money on Blanco, we can waste money on Wood" argument is a weak one too. It sucks that we're stuck paying Blanco, but it's faulty logic. We don't have unlimited resources, and there's definitely an amount where it's not a smart gamble to pay Wood, even if we add significantly to the payroll.

 

At the same time, it's better to have too many options for a bullpen than too few, and Wood has shown a lot of loyalty to the team that he would conceivably sign a reasonable deal. But we have to put aside Wood's past(in the sense that we're attached to him), as well as previous Hendry screw-ups when talking about whether it's worth bringing him back.

[CubinNY]

Does Wood throw enough strikes to be a bullpen pitcher?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Does Wood throw enough strikes to be a bullpen pitcher?

 

Good question. He walked quite a few in his first stint as a reliever(5 in 12 IP), but made up for it by K'ing 17 and only allowing 4 hits. If his stuff isn't good enough to blow people away when he's not wild, then his ceiling as a reliever is even more limited.

[Irrelevant Dude]

I'm a huge Kerry Wood fan and I want him back, but I don't really think he fits into the Cubs bullpen long-term. Dempster has done a good job as Closer and Marmol is right behind him to take over as the future closer if he slips. I can't see Dempster moving into the starting rotation when all 5 starters have been solid this year. Howry has the setup role locked down, so is Wood really worth a couple million dollars a year as a middle reliever with questionable durability? I'm sure there are teams out there who will be willing to take a chance on him as long as he makes it through the rest of the year healthy, so it would have to be another case of Wood taking a hometown discount to stay with the team. I hope that happens, but I'm not confident that it will...

[Ivy Walls]

Always take a chance on genuine talent and pass on marginal talent. What is Wood's upside? Each week he pitches he gains confidence and it he has turned the corner physically he will continue to be ever more effective.

 

Come on how many of you thought Marmol was valuable after last year's rookie performance....none of you......but he has talent...

 

Wood has talent to develop into a powerful set up man next year and learn the reliever game and could possibly turn into a closer....that is talent...

[Guest]

Come on how many of you thought Marmol was valuable after last year's rookie performance....none of you......but he has talent...

[-X

 

Some did.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Come on how many of you thought Marmol was valuable after last year's rookie performance....none of you......but he has talent...

[-X

 

Some did.

 

quite a lot actually

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Come on how many of you thought Marmol was valuable after last year's rookie performance....none of you......but he has talent...

[-X

 

Some did.

 

quite a lot actually

 

Heck, Truffle was calling for it for like 2 years.

[badnews]

I don't think Wood's upside is particularly huge at all. I don't even think he can outpitch Dempster. Dempster is simply not bad. Look at his numbers, I particularly like the home run prevention. Dempster's fine. I think the idea of moving him to the starting rotation is a poor one.

 

I'm getting a little weary on Wood. I'd rather we use his roster spot to steal a young flamethrower from another team, but seeing as how this club doesn't have that foresight (they passed on Fernando Cabrera, a guy who I think could be the next Jenks/Turnbow) go with Wood, fine. To me though it'll be like the Wade Miller signing - I expect nothing. Wood, to me, has reached that spot Matt Mantei was at in his career a few years ago, where you take a shot on him but almost wonder why you do it.

[dbeider]

Yeah I don't think there is much upside to the 2 innings he pitched yesterday and hit 96. That has no place in the bullpen.

 

Let's have guys like Wuertz in the pen instead.

[SouthSideRyan]

Yeah I don't think there is much upside to the 2 innings he pitched yesterday and hit 96. That has no place in the bullpen.

 

Let's have guys like Wuertz in the pen instead.

 

Bah, it wasn't a close situation, therefore he can't pitch in close situations.

[Chocolate Milk]

But if somebody throws a 3/$15m contract at him, it would be hard to justify getting involved.

 

Seems unlikely that someone would do that, doesn't it?

[badger1679666666]

12.7 IP

8 hits

0 HR

4 ER/Runs

10K/8BB

2.84 ERA

1.26 WHIP

ERA+ 159

7.11k/9

.585 OPS against

 

He seems to be gaining more and more confidence with each successful outing. I'd like him to be a 4th guy that would pitch in tight situations (along with Marmol, Howry, and Demp).

[NCCubFan]

After today I don't think there's any question you bring back Wood. He was in the biggest situation he's been in all year, bases loaded and none out, and he gets out of it without allowing a run. I think Marmol (if he doesn't go back to the rotation), Wood, and Howry could bring back memories of the Reds' Nasty Boys of the 90s.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'd like to stretch Wood back out as a starter for next season.

[baseball7897]

I'd like to stretch Wood back out as a starter for next season.

 

Not a chance in hell would Kerry stay healthy as a starter. He is better off staying in the pen throwing limited pitches.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'd like to stretch Wood back out as a starter for next season.

 

Not a chance in hell would Kerry stay healthy as a starter. He is better off staying in the pen throwing limited pitches.

 

I think he'd be fine. Just as Smoltz was fine when he reverted back to starting.

[Banedon]

I'd like to stretch Wood back out as a starter for next season.

 

I'm with you. I'd like to see if he can start again. I definitely want him back in some capacity.

 

I really miss Woody the starter.

[shnsajax]

Wood needs to be back. He has looked to good lately not to bring him back.

[Rusch33]

Wood needs to be back. He has looked to good lately not to bring him back.

 

I agree.

[Smack]

Wood needs to be back. He has looked to good lately not to bring him back.

 

I agree.

 

+1

 

If we're going to overpay a relief pitcher it might as well be Kerry Wood.

[soccer10k]

I'd like to stretch Wood back out as a starter for next season.

 

Not a chance in hell would Kerry stay healthy as a starter. He is better off staying in the pen throwing limited pitches.

 

I think he'd be fine. Just as Smoltz was fine when he reverted back to starting.

 

Smoltz had nowhere near the injury history Wood has and I don't think you can compare the two situations. Just leave well enough alone with Woody.

[rawaction]

I think loyalty to Kerry is clouding a lot of people's decisions. As things stand right now, he's a middle reliever. He's behind Dempster, Howry, and Marmol on the reliever totem pole. Can argue that Eyre has passed him too, because he's left handed. Do you guys really want to pay 2-3 million for one of the least important roles in the bullpen?