We won't win with Wood

[BudHouse]

Who didn't see this coming when Lou ignores Marmol's clearly better record and gives the closer job to someone who HAD NEVER CLOSED ONCE. This OJT is not something you do for a closer. 7 closing opportunities--3 blown saves. :-({|=

 

Wood can't go 3 days in a row in any role and has never had good control- 3 HBP already.

 

Lou better wise up and get Wood out of there.

[ctcf]

Weren't you the reason for the "sham closer" joke?

[CuseCubFan69]

How has Wood done in the first inning in his career as a starter?

[BudHouse]

Weren't you the reason for the "sham closer" joke?

 

The 'sham' was the announcement by Lou and Hendry that the closer job was open in ST and the decision would be made based on their performances. Wood had a sore arm the week of the decision, but was given the job anyway. Don't you think it would have made sense to actually have him 'close' a couple of ST games to see how he would do? Seems logical to me.

[ctcf]

Weren't you the reason for the "sham closer" joke?

 

The 'sham' was the announcement by Lou and Hendry that the closer job was open in ST and the decision would be made based on their performances. Wood had a sore arm the week of the decision, but was given the job anyway. Don't you think it would have made sense to actually have him 'close' a couple of ST games to see how he would do? Seems logical to me.

 

Thanks for clearing that up.

[nolanwood]

What an ignorant thread.

[CuseCubFan69]

What an ignorant thread.

 

I don't agree with the "he's never closed before" argument but he hasn't really done well in that role yet. If Dempster was pitching like that in the closer role I'd bet we'd have a lot more threads than Wood has had.

[Cubfanintheknow]

So would you reverse the roles?

 

If Wood comes in and gives up the lead in the seventh or eighth inning, there's no game for Marmol to save. Marmol likely doesn't even get a chance to pitch.

 

Yes, Wood blew the save. But without Marmol as the set-up man in which was much more of a "save situation" than when Wood entered the game, there's probably no ninth inning lead to protect.

[CuseCubFan69]

So would you reverse the roles?

 

If Wood comes in and gives up the lead in the seventh or eighth inning, there's no game for Marmol to save. Marmol likely doesn't even get a chance to pitch.

 

Yes, Wood blew the save. But without Marmol as the set-up man in which was much more of a "save situation" than when Wood entered the game, there's probably no ninth inning lead to protect.

 

Wood has to pick it up. You just said that Marmol had the tougher part of the lineup at a tougher time so Wood must have had an easier part of the lineup to face along with starting off the inning. Marmol is doing his job and the other guys in the pen have to step up.

[BudHouse]

So would you reverse the roles?

 

If Wood comes in and gives up the lead in the seventh or eighth inning, there's no game for Marmol to save. Marmol likely doesn't even get a chance to pitch.

 

Yes, Wood blew the save. But without Marmol as the set-up man in which was much more of a "save situation" than when Wood entered the game, there's probably no ninth inning lead to protect.

 

If it was "much more a 'save situation'" and the game was truly on the line, then Lou would have brought in his most trusted and most experienced closer. That's Wood, isn't it?

 

No wait...

[fromthestretch]

C'mon, guys. Everyone knows you need a proven closer in order to win. I mean, just look at the success the Mariners and Padres have had this season with J.J. Putz and Trevor Hoffman, respectively. Let's face it, since they've had success in that role before, they are guaranteed to be successful everytime they get the ball. They'll never fail. Ever.

[CuseCubFan69]

C'mon, guys. Everyone knows you need a proven closer in order to win. I mean, just look at the success the Mariners and Padres have had this season with J.J. Putz and Trevor Hoffman, respectively. Let's face it, since they've had success in that role before, they are guaranteed to be successful everytime they get the ball. They'll never fail. Ever.

 

 

I think Wood has the potential to be a very good closer but I also think he's getting a free pass because so many of us like him.

[soapy]

Lou used Marmol at the most important part of the game, against the heart of the Brewers order, which is what he should do.

 

I'm still not worried about Wood yet.

[CuseCubFan69]

Lou used Marmol at the most important part of the game, against the heart of the Brewers order, which is what he should do.

 

I'm still not worried about Wood yet.

 

I agree and I hope once it warms up a little Wood will turn up his own brand of heat.

[fromthestretch]

C'mon, guys. Everyone knows you need a proven closer in order to win. I mean, just look at the success the Mariners and Padres have had this season with J.J. Putz and Trevor Hoffman, respectively. Let's face it, since they've had success in that role before, they are guaranteed to be successful everytime they get the ball. They'll never fail. Ever.

 

 

I think Wood has the potential to be a very good closer but I also think he's getting a free pass because so many of us like him.

 

And if you want him to reach that potential, perhaps removing him from the closer's role after a one month isn't the best idea. He's not the only one who has had some problems this season. Howry and Wuertz have a history of success and both have been shaky at best this year. Marmol is most valuable in the situations in which he's currently being used. I don't like the idea of taking him out of those situations and saving him for the 9th just so he can get a save.

[CuseCubFan69]

C'mon, guys. Everyone knows you need a proven closer in order to win. I mean, just look at the success the Mariners and Padres have had this season with J.J. Putz and Trevor Hoffman, respectively. Let's face it, since they've had success in that role before, they are guaranteed to be successful everytime they get the ball. They'll never fail. Ever.

 

 

I think Wood has the potential to be a very good closer but I also think he's getting a free pass because so many of us like him.

 

And if you want him to reach that potential, perhaps removing him from the closer's role after a one month isn't the best idea. He's not the only one who has had some problems this season. Howry and Wuertz have a history of success and both have been shaky at best this year. Marmol is most valuable in the situations in which he's currently being used. I don't like the idea of taking him out of those situations and saving him for the 9th just so he can get a save.

 

I never said to remove him. I said he's getting a free pass due to being a popular Cub and needs to improve.

[fromthestretch]

C'mon, guys. Everyone knows you need a proven closer in order to win. I mean, just look at the success the Mariners and Padres have had this season with J.J. Putz and Trevor Hoffman, respectively. Let's face it, since they've had success in that role before, they are guaranteed to be successful everytime they get the ball. They'll never fail. Ever.

 

 

I think Wood has the potential to be a very good closer but I also think he's getting a free pass because so many of us like him.

 

And if you want him to reach that potential, perhaps removing him from the closer's role after a one month isn't the best idea. He's not the only one who has had some problems this season. Howry and Wuertz have a history of success and both have been shaky at best this year. Marmol is most valuable in the situations in which he's currently being used. I don't like the idea of taking him out of those situations and saving him for the 9th just so he can get a save.

 

I never said to remove him. I said he's getting a free pass due to being a popular Cub and needs to improve.

 

I never said you did. The original poster has wanted him removed from that role since the middle of spring training. Not everything is about you. :P

 

I'm also not arguing that some people may be giving him a free pass due to his popularity amongst fans, but that's obviously not my reason for wanting to keep him in that role.

[CuseCubFan69]

C'mon, guys. Everyone knows you need a proven closer in order to win. I mean, just look at the success the Mariners and Padres have had this season with J.J. Putz and Trevor Hoffman, respectively. Let's face it, since they've had success in that role before, they are guaranteed to be successful everytime they get the ball. They'll never fail. Ever.

 

 

I think Wood has the potential to be a very good closer but I also think he's getting a free pass because so many of us like him.

 

And if you want him to reach that potential, perhaps removing him from the closer's role after a one month isn't the best idea. He's not the only one who has had some problems this season. Howry and Wuertz have a history of success and both have been shaky at best this year. Marmol is most valuable in the situations in which he's currently being used. I don't like the idea of taking him out of those situations and saving him for the 9th just so he can get a save.

 

I never said to remove him. I said he's getting a free pass due to being a popular Cub and needs to improve.

 

I never said you did. The original poster has wanted him removed from that role since the middle of spring training. Not everything is about you. :P

 

I'm also not arguing that some people may be giving him a free pass due to his popularity amongst fans, but that's obviously not my reason for wanting to keep him in that role.

 

Then quote who you are talking too! :D

 

I wonder how Smoltz did when he first started as a closer and if he struggled in the beginning as well and then turned it up.

[Abe Frohman]

Nevermind the fact that Wood's defense was stellar for him last night. Soriano should have caught that ball, for starters.

[BudHouse]

I wonder how Smoltz did when he first started as a closer and if he struggled in the beginning as well and then turned it up.

 

Smoltz started pitching in relief in 2001. Bobby Cox did the smart thing by letting him prove himself in middle relief and then close. For the first two months:

 

17-Games, 18.1-Innings, 1 Earned Run, 3-Saves, 0-Blown Saves and 5-Holds

 

Sham Closer

13-Games, 14-Innings, 5.15 ERA, 4-Saves, 3-Blown Saves and 0-Holds

[soapy]

Also of note, A-Ram4MVP1654 posted Wood's April numbers in yesterday's game thread:

 

So for April:

 

1.50 ERA

11K/BB

.122 BAA

.163 OBPA

.244 SLGA

.407 OPSA

.138 BABIP Against

54 OPS+ Against

0.50 WHIP

8.25 K/9

 

We should probably step back from the ledge.

[Soul]

Woody definitely needs to improve, but I don't think it's time to tank him after only 7 opportunities. Let's see if he grows into that role over the next month or so.

 

Besides, Marmol is magic in the 8th inning. We could move him to closer only to watch our other relievers give up leads earlier and never give Carlos an opportunity in the first place.

[Sammy Sofa]

I wonder how Smoltz did when he first started as a closer and if he struggled in the beginning as well and then turned it up.

 

Smoltz started pitching in relief in 2001. Bobby Cox did the smart thing by letting him prove himself in middle relief and then close. For the first two months:

 

17-Games, 18.1-Innings, 1 Earned Run, 3-Saves, 0-Blown Saves and 5-Holds

 

Sham Closer

13-Games, 14-Innings, 5.15 ERA, 4-Saves, 3-Blown Saves and 0-Holds

 

Wood also pitched middle relief before becoming a closer.

[Banedon]

But but but...Wood has closed now, so he should be ok the rest of the way now right? Cuz he has experience.

 

Budhouse, where were you when Wood was closing well and had a nice little scoreless innings streak going? Now Wood blows a save and here you are, loud and clear. I suspect after he makes his next few saves you'll be amazingly quiet again.

[Roast]

I agree that i'm not really at all worried about wood.

 

That said, dempster blew this many saves last year. In the ENTIRE SEASON. And we all talked about what a crappy closer he was. Definitely a double standard.