Bruce on WSCR - Cubs may let Wood go and close with Marmol

[cubsfan26]

I also think we need to realize(like it or not) that Marmol is going to be moved to the closer spot in the next year or two. Stud relievers like Marmol usually aren't set-up men for very long, and it's only a matter of time before he's moved to closer role. That could be another reason why Hendry might not wanna give Wood closer money beyond a year or two. So if Wood doesn't accept the deal he can just make the switch now, and add another reliever at a cheaper price.

[Bote McBoteface]

Give him a 2 year deal with a vesting option for the third year. Do NOT let him walk :cry:

[C.C.]

Give him a 2 year deal with a vesting option for the third year. Do NOT let him walk :cry:

 

Sounds good to me...As long as the salary is reasonable.

[FergieJ31]

Give him a 2 year deal with a vesting option for the third year. Do NOT let him walk :cry:

 

Sounds good to me...As long as the salary is reasonable.

 

This is very reasonable. Cubs & Woody have to figure out a way to make this happen, and Wood shouldn't have to give a hometown discount to make it work. He has proven to be reasonably durable (outside of the blister episode) and very effective since returning Aug 2007. Besides the fact that he is the heart & soul of the Cubs, the bullpen simply needs Wood.

[Elrhino]

No fan wants to see Wood go, but objectively looking at it paying huge money to a closer with a long history of arm problems coming off a rebound year isn't the most sound decision.

[Butterscup1679666578]

I fear if Hendry lets Wood go, he's going to give one or two relievers a ridiculous contract, a la Howry/Eyre.

[gflore34]

Which Bruce?

 

Good Bruce or Dumb Bruce?

 

I was fixing to ask that :-)

 

shnsajax that clip of the block is incredible. The best aspect is it was crisp and clean, looks like the Oklahoma DB had just spotted UT player and was starting to turn left and blammo!!!!

[Guest]

I fear if Hendry lets Wood go, he's going to give one or two relievers a ridiculous contract, a la Howry/Eyre.

 

That's my problem, I don't think Hendry has learned to not give out poor contracts to relievers.

 

I think this might just be posturing.

[windycityfan]

What about a two-inning closer? Is there such thing? Would that make Marmol more valuable?

[C.C.]

What about a two-inning closer? Is there such thing? Would that make Marmol more valuable?

 

There is no such thing. A two inning closer probably wouldn't make it though the second half of the season.

[mdwilla]

Don't get Cheap with us Cubs that 97 win season means nothing after the no show in the playoffs.

[cbbryan]

id rather lose with wood than win without him. i know i cant be in the minority here.

 

 

I'm with you on this one, Meph. As much money as Hendry has thrown away at mediocre players over the years it would be insane to not pay Woody.

 

Give Woody 3 years. Even offer a 4th year that vests with appearances or something like that that rewards health.

[Colin Wyers]

I'm with you on this one, Meph. As much money as Hendry has thrown away at mediocre players over the years it would be insane to not pay Woody.

 

I don't see how this follows. Whether or not Wood at three years is a good idea is dependant largely on how well you expect Wood to perform, what you can replace him with and what you can do with that money otherwise. (If anything, bad contracts make it less feasible to retain Wood, because you have less salary flexibility.)

 

As for the closer role - I think I saw someone refer to it as "useless" or somesuch. It's overrated, but far from useless. I think that's a case of the pendulum swinging too far in a reaction against conventional wisdom.

[nilodnayr]

Don't get Cheap with us Cubs that 97 win season means nothing after the no show in the playoffs.

 

It would be literally impossible for the cubs to "get cheap with us".

[cbbryan]

I'm with you on this one, Meph. As much money as Hendry has thrown away at mediocre players over the years it would be insane to not pay Woody.

 

I don't see how this follows. Whether or not Wood at three years is a good idea is dependant largely on how well you expect Wood to perform, what you can replace him with and what you can do with that money otherwise. (If anything, bad contracts make it less feasible to retain Wood, because you have less salary flexibility.)

 

As for the closer role - I think I saw someone refer to it as "useless" or somesuch. It's overrated, but far from useless. I think that's a case of the pendulum swinging too far in a reaction against conventional wisdom.

 

I agree that bad contracts hinder team flexibility, but I would rather risk being hampered by a Wood deal than a Marquis deal.

[B]

I fear if Hendry lets Wood go, he's going to give one or two relievers a ridiculous contract, a la Howry/Eyre.

 

That's my problem, I don't think Hendry has learned to not give out poor contracts to relievers.

 

I think this might just be posturing.

What if it's K-rod?

[nilodnayr]

I'm with you on this one, Meph. As much money as Hendry has thrown away at mediocre players over the years it would be insane to not pay Woody.

 

I don't see how this follows. Whether or not Wood at three years is a good idea is dependant largely on how well you expect Wood to perform, what you can replace him with and what you can do with that money otherwise. (If anything, bad contracts make it less feasible to retain Wood, because you have less salary flexibility.)

 

As for the closer role - I think I saw someone refer to it as "useless" or somesuch. It's overrated, but far from useless. I think that's a case of the pendulum swinging too far in a reaction against conventional wisdom.

 

I agree that bad contracts hinder team flexibility, but I would rather risk being hampered by a Wood deal than a Marquis deal.

 

But thats besides the point...we already ARE hampered by the Marquis deal. You cant just pretend like its not there.

[hossdriver]

I find it funny how some would think that Dempster is sure to regress... He was the most consistent Cubs starter in 2008. He slowed down in the second half as he started logging more innings. His approach and even that lil glove flip helped him tremendously.

 

I, for one, think he will be BETTER after a full year of starting and getting stamina back. He should be able to maintain further into August and September (hopefully October).

 

He loves playing for the Cubs and he was the best starter... Sign him...

 

 

On Marquis... Marquis was better than he's been in a couple seasons. He SAVED the Cubs in August and September by throwing QS's and winning games. How is he hampering the Cubs with a $7M/yr contract? He throws 170 innings and wins 11 games with a 4.53 ERA. Did you know that you only need a 4.50 ERA (3ER over 6IP) to have a quality start? He's right on par (salary-wise) with Lilly ($10M per) and Zambrano ($16M per) in terms of production... You won't be able to name a BETTER #5 starter in the game...

 

On Wood... You are dumb if you let him walk. He's the Patriarch. He's the anchor. He's a leader in the clubhouse. He's the highest tenured Cub, and has given his right arm to the organization. He's effective in the closer's role. $8-10M for two or three years would be worth EVERY penny.

 

On trading Lee and signing Texiera... 3 words... NO TRADE CLAUSE... Or did you think Jim could just push the 'Force Trade' button?

 

What do any of you care about payroll anyway? Payroll teams COMPETE year in and year out. No they don't always win the World Series, but their chances are magnified by multiple chances. The Cubs have shown willingness to spend. If they re-sign these guys, keep the nucleus and at least TRY to upgrade the bullpen and bench, why would anyone complain? Injuries? Sabathia, or Lidge, or KRod could have arm problems next year too.

[17 Seconds]

lol at that entire cliche filled post.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

lol at that entire cliche filled post.

 

If you disagree, explain why. That response adds nothing.

 

On trading Lee and signing Texiera... 3 words... NO TRADE CLAUSE... Or did you think Jim could just push the 'Force Trade' button?

 

Several media outlets have picked up on the possibility of Lee being dealt, the rationale is that he'd waive his NTC to go to the west coast to be closer to his blind(or nearly blind?) daughter.

[17 Seconds]

lol at that entire cliche filled post.

 

If you disagree, explain why. That response adds nothing.

 

I'm going to later. I just didn't know where to start and figured I'd give someone else the first crack at it.

[SouthSideRyan]

I fear if Hendry lets Wood go, he's going to give one or two relievers a ridiculous contract, a la Howry/Eyre.

 

That's my problem, I don't think Hendry has learned to not give out poor contracts to relievers.

 

I think this might just be posturing.

What if it's K-rod?

 

Then it would probably be an even poorer contract.

[Sammy Sofa]

I fear if Hendry lets Wood go, he's going to give one or two relievers a ridiculous contract, a la Howry/Eyre.

 

That's my problem, I don't think Hendry has learned to not give out poor contracts to relievers.

 

I think this might just be posturing.

What if it's K-rod?

 

Then it would probably be an even poorer contract.

 

No probably about it. He's be rivaling Soriano for worst contract on the team.

[5412]

Honestly, as much as I love Woody, I have no interest in overpaying him. The pen will be fine.

 

The pen will be fine? You're taking Marmol out of the most valuable role for the team and you're losing Wood. Who'd be the primary set up man? The highly inconsistent Samardzija? Bring back Bob Howry?

 

I wish they were more worried when they were giving Soriano 8 year contracts.

 

My thoughts are that we need a guy. Without Wood, we still need a guy to be at the back end of our bullpen. Regardless of whether you are deploying Marmol as the closer or using him in higher leverage situations that aren't the nineth, the bullpen, without Wood is down one good arm. Now, I think the issue is that the Cubs are concerned as to whether or not Wood is that guy. This is most certainly a defensible position. Wood is a guy a year ago that nearly quit because his shoulder was so screwed up. Then one day, miraculously, it was better. With no rhyme or reason his shoulder didn't hurt anymore. You have to take the position that anything you got from Wood this year was gravy. Hes pitching on borrowed time. Just as easily as his shoulder miraculously one day went from terrible to functional, the opposite can happen. We are fortunate that it didn't happen this year and of course, the more time Wood puts the bum shoulder behind him, the more we can put creedence into the idea that he's healed, but the fact remains that he is one very normal bullpen pitch away from being done and those chances are one thousand fold more for Wood than the average pitcher.

 

Conversely, it all depends on years and money. If Wood is willing to take a discount (which I contended he DID NOT do last offseason), then maybe that risk will be worth it. Additionally, you need to look at who his possible replacements could be and how much they would cost to see if the risk is worth it. Those will ultimately be the questions the cubs will have to ask themselves.

 

I disagree with you on the fact that Wood did not take a discount. He has given a home team discount for years. Reason why is this. At the Cub convention Hendry mentioned that he wished they were all like Kerry Wood. Basically he told the Cubs to pay him what he was worth and left it at that. After 2003 he had a shot at filing for free agency and instead signed with the Cubs for something like $36 million when he could easily have garnered $50 million on the open market. He contended that the Cubs were the team that gave him a chance and he was loyal to them to stick around.

 

I would not want to lose Wood; not only for what he does on the mound but what he does in the clubhouse. Perhaps two years with a mutual option for a third year and a buyout clause. Hendry and Wood will find a way to get it done.

[nilodnayr]

Honestly, as much as I love Woody, I have no interest in overpaying him. The pen will be fine.

 

The pen will be fine? You're taking Marmol out of the most valuable role for the team and you're losing Wood. Who'd be the primary set up man? The highly inconsistent Samardzija? Bring back Bob Howry?

 

I wish they were more worried when they were giving Soriano 8 year contracts.

 

My thoughts are that we need a guy. Without Wood, we still need a guy to be at the back end of our bullpen. Regardless of whether you are deploying Marmol as the closer or using him in higher leverage situations that aren't the nineth, the bullpen, without Wood is down one good arm. Now, I think the issue is that the Cubs are concerned as to whether or not Wood is that guy. This is most certainly a defensible position. Wood is a guy a year ago that nearly quit because his shoulder was so screwed up. Then one day, miraculously, it was better. With no rhyme or reason his shoulder didn't hurt anymore. You have to take the position that anything you got from Wood this year was gravy. Hes pitching on borrowed time. Just as easily as his shoulder miraculously one day went from terrible to functional, the opposite can happen. We are fortunate that it didn't happen this year and of course, the more time Wood puts the bum shoulder behind him, the more we can put creedence into the idea that he's healed, but the fact remains that he is one very normal bullpen pitch away from being done and those chances are one thousand fold more for Wood than the average pitcher.

 

Conversely, it all depends on years and money. If Wood is willing to take a discount (which I contended he DID NOT do last offseason), then maybe that risk will be worth it. Additionally, you need to look at who his possible replacements could be and how much they would cost to see if the risk is worth it. Those will ultimately be the questions the cubs will have to ask themselves.

 

I disagree with you on the fact that Wood did not take a discount. He has given a home team discount for years. Reason why is this. At the Cub convention Hendry mentioned that he wished they were all like Kerry Wood. Basically he told the Cubs to pay him what he was worth and left it at that. After 2003 he had a shot at filing for free agency and instead signed with the Cubs for something like $36 million when he could easily have garnered $50 million on the open market. He contended that the Cubs were the team that gave him a chance and he was loyal to them to stick around.

 

I would not want to lose Wood; not only for what he does on the mound but what he does in the clubhouse. Perhaps two years with a mutual option for a third year and a buyout clause. Hendry and Wood will find a way to get it done.

 

I'm not talking about his 2004-2007 deal (and he couldn't have filed for FA after 2003 anyway, 2004 was his last year of arbi). Wood most definitely did not take a discount to sign with us last year. Reports were that he had 2 yr 5-6M offers from Boston, Texas, and Milwaukee, but decided to return to the cubs for 1 yr 4.2M with 3.45M in bonuses. It was never reported what the bonuses were for the other deals he had on the table, but even just based on the guaranteed money, the Cubs were offering him a much better deal. Sure, we may have offered him what we thought he was worth, but that figure was more than anyone else offered him. I don't mean to say Kerry's a bad guy or anything, but the notion that he turned down better deals to sign with us last year is just plain wrong.