Kerry Wood

[Fanatic3332000]

An excerpt from the U.S.A Today 8/11/05 "RHP Kerry Wood who has been relegated to the bullpen because of shoulder problems hit 100mph on the radar gun in ninth inning mop-up duty Wednesday"

 

Now tell me how that makes any sense at all, hes got shoulder problems but hitting 100 mph on the radar gun?....What will this arthroscopic surgery do to help him pitching? Will he ever be that same starter he was in the 2003 playoffs? Should Kerry Wood be a starter or a closer next season when he returns from the surgery?....these injuries never cease to stop plauging him, you tell me what we should do with him.....

[minnesotacubsfan]

An excerpt from the U.S.A Today 8/11/05 "RHP Kerry Wood who has been relegated to the bullpen because of shoulder problems hit 100mph on the radar gun in ninth inning mop-up duty Wednesday"

 

Now tell me how that makes any sense at all, hes got shoulder problems but hitting 100 mph on the radar gun?....What will this arthroscopic surgery do to help him pitching? Will he ever be that same starter he was in the 2003 playoffs? Should Kerry Wood be a starter or a closer next season when he returns from the surgery?....these injuries never cease to stop plauging him, you tell me what we should do with him.....

 

 

 

question of the century

[minnesotacubsfan]

An excerpt from the U.S.A Today 8/11/05 "RHP Kerry Wood who has been relegated to the bullpen because of shoulder problems hit 100mph on the radar gun in ninth inning mop-up duty Wednesday"

 

Now tell me how that makes any sense at all, hes got shoulder problems but hitting 100 mph on the radar gun?....What will this arthroscopic surgery do to help him pitching? Will he ever be that same starter he was in the 2003 playoffs? Should Kerry Wood be a starter or a closer next season when he returns from the surgery?....these injuries never cease to stop plauging him, you tell me what we should do with him.....

 

 

 

question of the century, well, at least 96 years

[Brian]

He's able to hitt 100 in an inning of work, because his shoulder problems supposedly (I say supposedly because this is what the Cubs are saying) happen afters he's made 40-60 pitches. Knowing that he only has to pitch for 1 inning, he is able to let it all hang out and not worry about conserving for later innings. So there is a spike in velocity.

[CubfaninCA]

Question for the experts:

 

How many days off does he need between 15-30 pitch outings??

[Mark_R]

He's able to hitt 100 in an inning of work, because his shoulder problems supposedly (I say supposedly because this is what the Cubs are saying) happen afters he's made 40-60 pitches. Knowing that he only has to pitch for 1 inning, he is able to let it all hang out and not worry about conserving for later innings. So there is a spike in velocity.

 

This is such short sighted managing with a team out of the running.

[NorthsideAvenger]

He's able to hitt 100 in an inning of work, because his shoulder problems supposedly (I say supposedly because this is what the Cubs are saying) happen afters he's made 40-60 pitches. Knowing that he only has to pitch for 1 inning, he is able to let it all hang out and not worry about conserving for later innings. So there is a spike in velocity.

 

This is such short sighted managing with a team out of the running.

 

I agree. Shut Wood down for the yr, get him the surgery as quickly as possible. Then for the rest of the offseason, have him work out of the pen, cause I am starting to jump on the KW for closer bandwagon. I mean how many closer's are out there that can touch 100 MPH, and have the nastiness that KW has on his secondary pitches. NOT many. There is NOTHING wrong with becoming one of the game's TOP closer, and somebody needs to convince him that. Could you imagine, Prior and/or Z going 8 strong innings, and then when the opponents thinks they can catch a break, they then have to face Wood as closer. Nasty. But the pan for 06, NEEDS to start now.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

Could you imagine, Prior and/or Z going 8 strong innings, and then when the opponents thinks they can catch a break, they then have to face Wood as closer. Nasty.

 

Yeah, that'd be nice. But Prior and Z would be our only two solid starters. IF Maddux can return to decent form, that's three. And that's a big IF. When Wood is healthy and on, he's one of the premier starters in the league. He needs to be starting. They need to shut him down, let him have the surgery, and then someone needs to tell him either he changes his mechanics, or he finds a new team that's willing to pay him to sit on the DL.

[Sarcastic]

Am I the only one who doesn't think that Kerry should be the closer? First, he'll probably be back in the rotation next year, and if the surgery is successful, I don't see why he can't be our third starter. If our rotation wasn't thinning out, I'd keep him in the pen, but unless we can sign Burnett or some other solid starter, we can't afford not to move him back to the rotation next season.

 

Second, Dempster has finally found a spot where he can be successful. He may be able to pitch well out of the pen from any inning, but he hasn't been nearly as good anywhere as he has been as our closer. Until he shows he's lost that, I see no reason to replace him.

[Fro]

He's able to hitt 100 in an inning of work, because his shoulder problems supposedly (I say supposedly because this is what the Cubs are saying) happen afters he's made 40-60 pitches. Knowing that he only has to pitch for 1 inning, he is able to let it all hang out and not worry about conserving for later innings. So there is a spike in velocity.

 

This is such short sighted managing with a team out of the running.

 

Oh, it's pretty likely we're out of it, but you can't fold up the tent completely yet. Stranger things have happened. If we'd run off a big winning streak we'd be right back in it.

[bannor10]

I'm starting to like the closer bandwagon myself....Give Kerry and the Cubs the best oppurtunity to succeed....

 

In '06 Either move Dempster and or Rusch to the rotation and hope J.Williams, Hill,Guzman,mitre, wellmeyer or a someone else can step it up.

 

I wonder if the vets on the cubs will pass thru waviers and a few trades could be made to acquire some talent for 2006.

 

Burnitz, walker, or even Dempster come to mind( do the Giants have any prospects left?)

 

How about Dempster to the Angels for Brandon Wood!! ok maybe not

[Fanatic3332000]

Am I the only one who doesn't think that Kerry should be the closer? First, he'll probably be back in the rotation next year, and if the surgery is successful, I don't see why he can't be our third starter. If our rotation wasn't thinning out, I'd keep him in the pen, but unless we can sign Burnett or some other solid starter, we can't afford not to move him back to the rotation next season.

 

Second, Dempster has finally found a spot where he can be successful. He may be able to pitch well out of the pen from any inning, but he hasn't been nearly as good anywhere as he has been as our closer. Until he shows he's lost that, I see no reason to replace him.

 

Dempster has been good, but i still find a way not to believe in the guy. My heartbeat increases when he goes in the game depending on if hes wild or not. When he gets ahead he is a very good pitcher. I think he never will be a dominant closer. I really think we should go out and get a guy like Billy Wagner this offseason or switch to wood because i believe he will be dominant, its worked with Gagne, Smoltz, Schilling, Dotel (sort of)

[Sarcastic]

Am I the only one who doesn't think that Kerry should be the closer? First, he'll probably be back in the rotation next year, and if the surgery is successful, I don't see why he can't be our third starter. If our rotation wasn't thinning out, I'd keep him in the pen, but unless we can sign Burnett or some other solid starter, we can't afford not to move him back to the rotation next season.

 

Second, Dempster has finally found a spot where he can be successful. He may be able to pitch well out of the pen from any inning, but he hasn't been nearly as good anywhere as he has been as our closer. Until he shows he's lost that, I see no reason to replace him.

 

Dempster has been good, but i still find a way not to believe in the guy. My heartbeat increases when he goes in the game depending on if hes wild or not. When he gets ahead he is a very good pitcher. I think he never will be a dominant closer. I really think we should go out and get a guy like Billy Wagner this offseason or switch to wood because i believe he will be dominant, its worked with Gagne, Smoltz, Schilling, Dotel (sort of)

 

Dempster has done very well so far. There is no guarantee that he can be dominant, but it's worth a shot. There are better ways to spend 6-8 million dollars than on a closer, and if Wood's surgery is successful, he can probably help the team more in the rotation than from the bullpen. Without him, the Cubs' 2006 rotation looks like this:

 

Prior

Zambrano

Maddux

Williams

Hill

 

I don't know about you, but I don't think that's going to be enough.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Am I the only one who doesn't think that Kerry should be the closer? First, he'll probably be back in the rotation next year, and if the surgery is successful, I don't see why he can't be our third starter. If our rotation wasn't thinning out, I'd keep him in the pen, but unless we can sign Burnett or some other solid starter, we can't afford not to move him back to the rotation next season.

 

Second, Dempster has finally found a spot where he can be successful. He may be able to pitch well out of the pen from any inning, but he hasn't been nearly as good anywhere as he has been as our closer. Until he shows he's lost that, I see no reason to replace him.

 

Dempster has been good, but i still find a way not to believe in the guy. My heartbeat increases when he goes in the game depending on if hes wild or not. When he gets ahead he is a very good pitcher. I think he never will be a dominant closer. I really think we should go out and get a guy like Billy Wagner this offseason or switch to wood because i believe he will be dominant, its worked with Gagne, Smoltz, Schilling, Dotel (sort of)

 

Dempster has done very well so far. There is no gaurantee that he can be dominant, but it's worth a shot. There are better ways to spend 6-8 million dollars than on a closer, and if Wood's surgery is successful, he can probably help the team more in the rotation than from the bullpen. Without him, the Cubs' 2006 rotation looks like this:

 

Prior

Zambrano

Maddux

Williams

Hill

 

I don't know about you, but I don't think that's going to be enough.

 

I completely agree with your sentiment, but Dempster is a free agent after this year, so he may be commanding 6-8 million to stay around. That's an interesting thing to keep an eye on this winter, how Dempster's contract demands compare to better options like Ryan and Wagner.

[minnesotacubsfan]

with the free agent class lacking as it is, and as few good pitchers there are, Demp may get a huge deal to start elsewhere. that would suk, I like him in the role he is now for us.

 

Of course we still got Williamson....

[Sarcastic]

I completely agree with your sentiment, but Dempster is a free agent after this year, so he may be commanding 6-8 million to stay around. That's an interesting thing to keep an eye on this winter, how Dempster's contract demands compare to better options like Ryan and Wagner.

 

But Dempster has only been this good for about 2/3 of a season. He'll get a raise, but Dempster lacks the reputation of being a sure thing. No player is really a sure thing, but since Dempster hasn't had results like this in his entire career, I don't think he will draw as much attention or money as Wagner. If the Cubs can't sign him for a reasonable amount, Wood could take his chances as the closer, but I think they'll be able to bring him back.

[UK1679666180]

Kerry could hit 97 as a starter, not too surprising since most starters do not give max effort as far as velocity when utilized as a starter compared to throwing out of the pen. They have to conserve. I mention this in another thread, but when I seen Hill as Lansing he was hitting 93-94 in relief. He has sat in the upper 80s as a starter with the Cubs, it might be a result of a never fully injury or he may be holding back to go 6IP.

 

With that said, the shot in Kerry's shoulder probably as much to with this as anything else as it probably feels as good as it ever has.

 

Kerry should be a starter, roll the dice as far as correcting his mechanics and workload to the point where he can make it 1 more season and go from there.

[CubfaninCA]

Dempster could command $6-8 mil?? woah!

 

Sign either Millwood or Weaver. Rotation ~ Z, Prior, Weaver or Millwood, Maddux and let Wood, Williams and Hill fight for the 5th spot. Although I prefer Wood traded.

[AcesHigh]

I wouldn't be against Wood as the closer. If he could avoid walking people, he could become dominant. Williamson in the 8th and KW in the 9th is a scary back end of the bullpen.

 

This would mean we would have to go out and find another starter, but quality #4 or 5 starters are easier to find than dominant closers.

[CarolinaCubFan]

Kerry could hit 97 as a starter, not too surprising since most starters do not give max effort as far as velocity when utilized as a starter compared to throwing out of the pen. They have to conserve. I mention this in another thread, but when I seen Hill as Lansing he was hitting 93-94 in relief. He has sat in the upper 80s as a starter with the Cubs, it might be a result of a never fully injury or he may be holding back to go 6IP.

 

With that said, the shot in Kerry's shoulder probably as much to with this as anything else as it probably feels as good as it ever has.

 

Kerry should be a starter, roll the dice as far as correcting his mechanics and workload to the point where he can make it 1 more season and go from there.

 

You make a good point about Hill's Stamina. I hope he gets to chew away at some innings and build up his strength. It's okay if he get's shelled a few times if it means we could be getting him up in the low 90's. His game would be much improved.

[Fro]

I wouldn't be against Wood as the closer. If he could avoid walking people, he could become dominant. Williamson in the 8th and KW in the 9th is a scary back end of the bullpen.

 

This would mean we would have to go out and find another starter, but quality #4 or 5 starters are easier to find than dominant closers.

 

We wouldn't be replacing a 4th or 5th starter though. If this team gets anywhere next year, it'll be with Wood, Prior, and Z healthy and at the top of the starting rotation.

[erik316wttn]

I wouldn't be against Wood as the closer. If he could avoid walking people, he could become dominant. Williamson in the 8th and KW in the 9th is a scary back end of the bullpen.

 

This would mean we would have to go out and find another starter, but quality #4 or 5 starters are easier to find than dominant closers.

 

We wouldn't be replacing a 4th or 5th starter though. If this team gets anywhere next year, it'll be with Wood, Prior, and Z healthy and at the top of the starting rotation.

 

I agree. That could be a filthy top 4 in the rotation if we'd sign Burnett. Maddux would make a decent 5th (and I'm not getting into the debate of his contrct next year0.

[CubfaninCA]

How many of you are medical doctors?? I'm going to go against the grain and go w/ what Cub doctors think. Let Kerry pitch!!

[UK1679666180]

How many of you are medical doctors?? I'm going to go against the grain and go w/ what Cub doctors think. Let Kerry pitch!!

 

I don't think you need to be a doctor to know that there is damage to his shoulder that will need to be cleaned out via surgery and that the cortisone is a short-term heal that weakens the cartilage around the point of injection.

 

They should've shut him down, IMO. Sorry, I don't have the qualifications, how many here have played pro-ball? Why should any of us have any of opinion that might go against what any team does?

[CubfaninCA]

How many of you are medical doctors?? I'm going to go against the grain and go w/ what Cub doctors think. Let Kerry pitch!!

 

I don't think you need to be a doctor to know that there is damage to his shoulder that will need to be cleaned out via surgery and that the cortisone is a short-term heal that weakens the cartilage around the point of injection.

 

They should've shut him down, IMO. Sorry, I don't have the qualifications, how many here have played pro-ball? Why should any of us have any of opinion that might go against what any team does?

 

I just doubt the Cubs are going to risk hurting him more and throwing all $12.5 million down the drain next year. I'll give their doctors and the organization the benefit of the doubt.