Do you bring Wood back for 2008?

[UK1679666180]

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?

 

Fwiw, I would explore trading Dempster. Although, the market for closers with his salary and mediocre production is likely limited.

[Banedon]

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?

 

Do you think that Dempster, Howry, Marmol and Eyre are better relief pitchers than Wood right now, or do they keep the spots that they have just because Lou doesn't want to get guys out of the "comfort zones" that relievers get into?

 

I admit that I may not be able to be unbiased when it comes to Kerry, but I think he's pitched better lately than all of those pitchers with the possible exception of Marmol...although Marmol has had his moments lately too. If Kerry is feeling good enough to be stretched out into a starter again, what's the problem with putting him as a 4th or 5th starter behind Z, Lilly and Hill? (And probably Marquis since we're likely stuck with him.) I don't think he could be worse than the 5th pitcher options we tried this year.

[soapy]

i'm certainly biased about Kerry, but i am leaning more and more toward bringing him back. he seems to be getting stronger. weather he actually is, or if he's just toughing it out for one last hoorah is up to the Cubs to determine.

 

he's been fantastic lately.

[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?

 

Do you think that Dempster, Howry, Marmol and Eyre are better relief pitchers than Wood right now, or do they keep the spots that they have just because Lou doesn't want to get guys out of the "comfort zones" that relievers get into?

 

I admit that I may not be able to be unbiased when it comes to Kerry, but I think he's pitched better lately than all of those pitchers with the possible exception of Marmol...although Marmol has had his moments lately too. If Kerry is feeling good enough to be stretched out into a starter again, what's the problem with putting him as a 4th or 5th starter behind Z, Lilly and Hill? (And probably Marquis since we're likely stuck with him.) I don't think he could be worse than the 5th pitcher options we tried this year.

 

I think Howry and Marmol are clearly better. Eyre isn't better, but is LH and pitching better. If he continues to pitch that way into next year, he'll be ahead of Wood, simply because of the arm he throws with. I'd like to trade Dempster, and bring back Wood, because he is a better pitcher. But if the Cubs re-sign Kerry, he's gonna get a raise. If he does, the bullpen is gonna be making a lot of money. Granted the 2-2.5 million in savings from Wood to a guy like Gallagher isn't much, but that could be a solid RH bat off the bench, assuming Murton is gone or starting.

[C.C.]

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?

 

Do you think that Dempster, Howry, Marmol and Eyre are better relief pitchers than Wood right now, or do they keep the spots that they have just because Lou doesn't want to get guys out of the "comfort zones" that relievers get into?

 

I admit that I may not be able to be unbiased when it comes to Kerry, but I think he's pitched better lately than all of those pitchers with the possible exception of Marmol...although Marmol has had his moments lately too. If Kerry is feeling good enough to be stretched out into a starter again, what's the problem with putting him as a 4th or 5th starter behind Z, Lilly and Hill? (And probably Marquis since we're likely stuck with him.) I don't think he could be worse than the 5th pitcher options we tried this year.

 

Where would Prior slot in? :wink:

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

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?

 

Do you think that Dempster, Howry, Marmol and Eyre are better relief pitchers than Wood right now, or do they keep the spots that they have just because Lou doesn't want to get guys out of the "comfort zones" that relievers get into?

 

I admit that I may not be able to be unbiased when it comes to Kerry, but I think he's pitched better lately than all of those pitchers with the possible exception of Marmol...although Marmol has had his moments lately too. If Kerry is feeling good enough to be stretched out into a starter again, what's the problem with putting him as a 4th or 5th starter behind Z, Lilly and Hill? (And probably Marquis since we're likely stuck with him.) I don't think he could be worse than the 5th pitcher options we tried this year.

 

Where would Prior slot in? :wink:

 

bullpen in the role Wood vacates to become a starter.

[CubinNY]

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?

 

Do you think that Dempster, Howry, Marmol and Eyre are better relief pitchers than Wood right now, or do they keep the spots that they have just because Lou doesn't want to get guys out of the "comfort zones" that relievers get into?

 

I admit that I may not be able to be unbiased when it comes to Kerry, but I think he's pitched better lately than all of those pitchers with the possible exception of Marmol...although Marmol has had his moments lately too. If Kerry is feeling good enough to be stretched out into a starter again, what's the problem with putting him as a 4th or 5th starter behind Z, Lilly and Hill? (And probably Marquis since we're likely stuck with him.) I don't think he could be worse than the 5th pitcher options we tried this year.

 

Where would Prior slot in? :wink:

 

bullpen in the role Wood vacates to become a starter.

Vance, I love the sentiment but don't think there is any chance that Wood will ever start a baseball game again.

 

Hell, he was almost retired until the "miricle". He hasn't changed his mechanics and can pitch more than 30 pitches. He is physically unable to start.

 

I think it is time to part company.

[Banedon]

Vance, I love the sentiment but don't think there is any chance that Wood will ever start a baseball game again.

 

Hell, he was almost retired until the "miricle". He hasn't changed his mechanics and can pitch more than 30 pitches. He is physically unable to start.

 

I think it is time to part company.

 

Just because he doesn't pitch more than 30 pitches right now doesn't mean he can't. I realize he's had problems with that in the past, but he really seems healthy now.

 

And Hendry has shown a lot of loyalty to a lot worse players...I think he'll be back, at the very least as a reliever.

[NCCubFan]

I'm not convinced Wood can never be a starter again, but I'd like him to make it through a full season as a reliever without missing any time due to injury first. Even if he's a permanent reliever for the rest of his career, however, I think he's shown he can be a dominant one. Keep Wood, trade Dempster.

[moorecg]

I want him back, as a potentially dominant reliever...if we go into next season with Demp, Marmol, Howry, Wood...We've got a very good pen...thats a good thing.

[CubinNY]

Vance, I love the sentiment but don't think there is any chance that Wood will ever start a baseball game again.

 

Hell, he was almost retired until the "miricle". He hasn't changed his mechanics and can pitch more than 30 pitches. He is physically unable to start.

 

I think it is time to part company.

 

Just because he doesn't pitch more than 30 pitches right now doesn't mean he can't. I realize he's had problems with that in the past, but he really seems healthy now.

 

And Hendry has shown a lot of loyalty to a lot worse players...I think he'll be back, at the very least as a reliever.

I'm pretty sure he can't.

 

Hopefully Hendry won't be around to make those decisions. What worries me about Wood is that he doesn't throw enough strikes on a consistent basis to be an effective reliever. He also hasn't shown that he can pitch at all 3 out of 5 days if need be. And he's likely to cost a lot for a reliever.

[rawaction]

I'm all for keeping Kerry at the expense of Dempster. And I actually like Dempster as a closer. He's not as bad as people make him out to be. But anyway, my biggest issue with re-signing Wood has to do with the fact that he would be making 2-3 million and in a minimal bullpen role. The 7-8-9 innings are all taken. I don't want to pay that much for long-relief or a garbage time reliever. If you take one of the 3 late pitchers (Dempster gone, Marmol to the rotation :D ) out of the equation, I'd gladly re-sign Kerry.

[Banedon]

Vance, I love the sentiment but don't think there is any chance that Wood will ever start a baseball game again.

 

Hell, he was almost retired until the "miricle". He hasn't changed his mechanics and can pitch more than 30 pitches. He is physically unable to start.

 

I think it is time to part company.

 

Just because he doesn't pitch more than 30 pitches right now doesn't mean he can't. I realize he's had problems with that in the past, but he really seems healthy now.

 

And Hendry has shown a lot of loyalty to a lot worse players...I think he'll be back, at the very least as a reliever.

I'm pretty sure he can't.

 

Hopefully Hendry won't be around to make those decisions. What worries me about Wood is that he doesn't throw enough strikes on a consistent basis to be an effective reliever. He also hasn't shown that he can pitch at all 3 out of 5 days if need be. And he's likely to cost a lot for a reliever.

 

I'm not at all convinced that Hendry is going anywhere. And he loves to pay a lot for relievers...if you're gonna pay a reliever, I'd rather it be Kerry.

[USSoccer]

If you have the choice of keeping Dempster or Wood, you keep Wood without hesitation.

[Flames24Rulz]

If you have the choice of keeping Dempster or Wood, you keep Wood without hesitation.

 

+1000

 

Wood has to be brought back next year.

[NCCubFan]

If you have the choice of keeping Dempster or Wood, you keep Wood without hesitation.

Agreed. I wouldn't object if they kept both, but I consider the must-return relievers to be Wood, Marmol, and Howry.

[Burtonbell]

If you have the choice of keeping Dempster or Wood, you keep Wood without hesitation.

Agreed. I wouldn't object if they kept both, but I consider the must-return relievers to be Wood, Marmol, and Howry.

 

I would add Wuertz to that list if Marmol, Howry, or Wood will be replacing Demp as the closer.

[inari]

If you have the choice of keeping Dempster or Wood, you keep Wood without hesitation.

Agreed. I wouldn't object if they kept both, but I consider the must-return relievers to be Wood, Marmol, and Howry.

 

Pretty much true. Though Eyre will almost certainly be back as well.

[NCCubFan]

If you have the choice of keeping Dempster or Wood, you keep Wood without hesitation.

Agreed. I wouldn't object if they kept both, but I consider the must-return relievers to be Wood, Marmol, and Howry.

 

I would add Wuertz to that list if Marmol, Howry, or Wood will be replacing Demp as the closer.

Good point; I agree.

[Irrelevant Dude]

If you have the choice of keeping Dempster or Wood, you keep Wood without hesitation.

 

+1000

 

Wood has to be brought back next year.

I hope so, but regardless of whether or not the Cubs resign him he has earned himself a pretty decent contract. If the Cubs aren't going to pay him setup/closer money, someone else will.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

I see the Cubs trading for a #4 starter and a veteran LOOGY this offseason; Ohman is let go. Marquis and Marshall will compete with Hart and Gallagher for the #5 starter spot in Arizona. Prior is the wild card/bonus if he makes it back by mid-season. Whichever or both of Hart and Gallagher don't make it, they'll go to AAA no problem. I see the Marquis/Marshall loser as trade bait.

 

And at 12-9, mid 4's ERA, 190 IP I think the Cubs can move Marquis if they want to in this pitching depleted league. Mets will need several starting pitchers this offseason as one example. They gave up value for El Duque, so don't snicker, it could happen.

 

I really hope Dempster is sent packing, he just isn't good enough. Seems like a swell guy, but we have several better options. Like other posts here, I'd love to see Wood take over the 7th inning job, Howry kept in the 8th, and Marmol promoted to closer for 2008. Lou loves Howry though, if he wanted to go Marmol 8th and Howry to close, I could live with that, too.

[Lefty]

In Wood's last eight games spanning the last three weeks of the season he pitched 9 2/3 innings, gave up 3 hits, 0 runs, struck out 13 and walked 3. And this was September, pennant race baseball. Yes he has to be handled more gently than most relievers, but this is the problem of everybody having to have a specific role etc. Wood can pitch three times a week up to five innings, let's say. You could get 80 or 90 good high-leverage innings if he's handled correctly. Why wouldn't someone make the effort to accommodate him?

[wvcbxl]

If you have the choice of keeping Dempster or Wood, you keep Wood without hesitation.

 

You certainly do.

I would be in favor of trading away Dempster, if possible.

[shnsajax]

If you have the choice of keeping Dempster or Wood, you keep Wood without hesitation.

 

You certainly do.

I would be in favor of trading away Dempster, if possible.

 

Dempster in part of the package to get Tejada

[Derwood]

of COURSE you bring back your 2007 World Series MVP ;)