Kerry Wood

[UK1679666180]

I won't, if Kerry has surgery at the end of this year as I expect he will, then they're throwing him out there when he shouldn't be out there. If a pitcher will require surgery, everytime he's out there, he is risking future damage. They're risking future damage for someone who'll see spotty time out of the pen who hasn't pitched in relief and will be used as a starter in the future.

 

They're trying to get as much out of him for this year as possible, for what? Kerry as reliever, isn't worth much to any post-season hope.

[CubfaninCA]

Sportsticker tidbit on Kerry. Looks like it's his call.

 

RHP Kerry Wood will be used out of the bullpen exclusively until he decides to have season-ending surgery on his right shoulder. "Kerry sooner or later will have surgery on his shoulder. We believe there is some fraying in the rotator cuff," Cubs trainer Mark O'Neal said. "You can say that about a good majority of pitchers that are in the big leagues, however we don't expect to find significant damage in the shoulder but we'll know for sure when he has the surgery." Wood pitched a scoreless inning in Friday's 4-1 win over St. Louis. ...

[PackLandVA]

I won't, if Kerry has surgery at the end of this year as I expect he will, then they're throwing him out there when he shouldn't be out there. If a pitcher will require surgery, everytime he's out there, he is risking future damage.

 

Not necessarily. I'm not a doctor (nor play one on tv), but there are some injuries that require surgery that don't neccesarily worsen from use (unless it's overuse). Now it makes sense that a damaged shoulder would worsen from use. But if it is a pitch count thing, maybe it doesn't become inflamed until a higher count. And as long as he's not being 'over-used', then he's okay to go. I'll give the professional doctors the benefit of the doubt.

 

What I would like to know, though, is how delaying surgery a month or two will affect his recovery. Obviously it pushes it back a month or two. But does anyone know the projected recovery for the surgery Wood is expecting. I mean, should we already start the thread about KW missing Spring starts "while he's still recovering from offseason....."

 

If that's the case, DL him now, get the surgery over with and start the recovery ASAP so he's ready for Spring!!

[erik316wttn]

How long will it take him to recover from this surgery? If it means he misses the start of the year and ST again, I say shut him down now, and drag him to the hospital kicking and screaming if you have to. I don't want him to do more damage pitching in (lets face it) meaningless games. Shut him down now and let him be ready for Opening Day 2006.

[UK1679666180]

Not necessarily. I'm not a doctor (nor play one on tv), but there are some injuries that require surgery that don't neccesarily worsen from use (unless it's overuse). Now it makes sense that a damaged shoulder would worsen from use. But if it is a pitch count thing, maybe it doesn't become inflamed until a higher count. And as long as he's not being 'over-used', then he's okay to go. I'll give the professional doctors the benefit of the doubt.

 

Pitching off the mound in game situations is a process of tearing down the various parts of the shoulder. Whether you throw 3 or 300 pitches, it is an unnatural motion of the body.

 

Plus, I don't see the positives of having Wood out there, someone explain how the positives of having Kerry out of the pen in limited is worth the risk of damaging his shoulder more?

 

No one who supports using Kerry in the pen has been able to explain this, I'm missing something here.+

 

What I would like to know, though, is how delaying surgery a month or two will affect his recovery. Obviously it pushes it back a month or two. But does anyone know the projected recovery for the surgery Wood is expecting. I mean, should we already start the thread about KW missing Spring starts "while he's still recovering from offseason....."

 

Who knows at this stage, it isn't worth the time between now and the rest of the year. If the Cubs thought he could start again and had a chance of making the post-season, then I might be more receptive, but Wood in the pen throwing with a shoulder that require off-season surgery doesn't make much sense.

[MattyJLCC]

The entire Wood situation is soo frustrating and difficult to understand. In a perfect scenerio, Wood gets surgery this winter, comes back pain free and has a true breakout season next year establishing himself as the dominant starter we've all seen glimpses of...but, that is a huge IF, and honestly, one that I'm not willing to settle on yet...

 

I think the idea of using Wood out of the pen as a closer is also a great idea...in the few appearances this seaon he seems to be solid out of the pen and he can really put up some powerful speed for one or two innings. Problem I have is - are we really going to pay 12.5 mil a year for a closer? I just dont think it's worth it.

 

So my question - which is better for the team and for the $ we're paying - A probably partial year of Wood on and off of the DL as a starter, or a possible full year of Wood at Closer? Granted both of those are probables, but they seem the most realistic to this point...

[AAApittsburgh]

The entire Wood situation is soo frustrating and difficult to understand. In a perfect scenerio, Wood gets surgery this winter, comes back pain free and has a true breakout season next year establishing himself as the dominant starter we've all seen glimpses of...but, that is a huge IF, and honestly, one that I'm not willing to settle on yet...

 

I think the idea of using Wood out of the pen as a closer is also a great idea...in the few appearances this seaon he seems to be solid out of the pen and he can really put up some powerful speed for one or two innings. Problem I have is - are we really going to pay 12.5 mil a year for a closer? I just dont think it's worth it.

 

So my question - which is better for the team and for the $ we're paying - A probably partial year of Wood on and off of the DL as a starter, or a possible full year of Wood at Closer? Granted both of those are probables, but they seem the most realistic to this point...

Next year is his contract year. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that he puts together a solid season as a starter, even if that means pitching through some pain.

[frostwyrm]

I'm guessing Kerry's fate depends largely on whether we can get AJ Burnett. With Burnett, Z, Prior, Maddux, and Hill/Williams in the rotation the Cubs would probably want Kerry in the bullpen as closer or setup man. Without Burnett the Cubs would probably let Kerry start again.

[erik316wttn]

I'm guessing Kerry's fate depends largely on whether we can get AJ Burnett. With Burnett, Z, Prior, Maddux, and Hill/Williams in the rotation the Cubs would probably want Kerry in the bullpen as closer or setup man. Without Burnett the Cubs would probably let Kerry start again.

 

I disagree. Can you imagine a rotation of

 

Prior

Z

Burnett

Wood

Maddux?

 

4 flamethrowers and a crafty vet.

[frostwyrm]

I'm guessing Kerry's fate depends largely on whether we can get AJ Burnett. With Burnett, Z, Prior, Maddux, and Hill/Williams in the rotation the Cubs would probably want Kerry in the bullpen as closer or setup man. Without Burnett the Cubs would probably let Kerry start again.

 

I disagree. Can you imagine a rotation of

 

Prior

Z

Burnett

Wood

Maddux?

 

4 flamethrowers and a crafty vet.

 

Yeah, but that assumes Wood can stay healthy as a starter. I really think the organization will be much less inclined to gamble on Wood's health if Burnett is on the team. They will stick him in the bullpen where his arm is in less danger and he could be a closer or a dominant setup man. Hill and Williams can fill the 5th starter slot adequately. It's not like you even need a 5th starter all the time.

[Cubfanintheknow]

Kerry Wood is scheduled to make $11 million next season. Unless the front of the jersey says "Yankees," you don't pay $11 million for a closer, much less one who has never closed a game in his life. He's only made four relief appearances! So give the "Wood for Closer" talk a rest, because it isn't going to happen.

 

Wood's career has taken a very similar path to that of Matt Morris. Both had Tommy John surgery and come back from it. After last season, a very trying one for him, Morris had arthrscopic surgery to clean out his labrum, a surgery Wood is going to have as well.

 

As long as the Cubs are mathematically alive for the wild card, Wood will pitch out of the bullpen. When the Cubs are officially done in 2005, Wood will go under the knife, then start re-habbing. He'll be ready to join the rotation in 2006 with plenty of time to spare.

 

Ryan Dempster has done pretty well in the closer's role thus far, especially considering it's his first season--and not even a full one at that. I'd be willing to give him a multi-year deal with incentives for games closed.

[frostwyrm]

Kerry Wood is scheduled to make $11 million next season. Unless the front of the jersey says "Yankees," you don't pay $11 million for a closer, much less one who has never closed a game in his life. He's only made four relief appearances! So give the "Wood for Closer" talk a rest, because it isn't going to happen.

 

11M is only a few million more than elite closers are paid. It would suck to overpay for a closer, but it's preferrable to putting Wood in the rotation and having him land right back on DL again. People, including myself, are going to speculate about this stuff. That's what message boards are for.

[Cubfanintheknow]

Kerry Wood is scheduled to make $11 million next season. Unless the front of the jersey says "Yankees," you don't pay $11 million for a closer, much less one who has never closed a game in his life. He's only made four relief appearances! So give the "Wood for Closer" talk a rest, because it isn't going to happen.

 

11M is only a few million more than elite closers are paid. It would suck to overpay for a closer, but it's preferrable to putting Wood in the rotation and having him land right back on DL again. People, including myself, are going to speculate about this stuff. That's what message boards are for.

 

Except Kerry Wood is not an elite closer. He's not even a closer. And you still want to pay him "a few million more" than an elite closer?

 

It's more of a risk having him close than putting him back in the rotation, in my opinion.

[Exile on Waveland]

Kerry Wood is scheduled to make $11 million next season. Unless the front of the jersey says "Yankees," you don't pay $11 million for a closer, much less one who has never closed a game in his life. He's only made four relief appearances! So give the "Wood for Closer" talk a rest, because it isn't going to happen.

 

11M is only a few million more than elite closers are paid. It would suck to overpay for a closer, but it's preferrable to putting Wood in the rotation and having him land right back on DL again. People, including myself, are going to speculate about this stuff. That's what message boards are for.

 

Except Kerry Wood is not an elite closer. He's not even a closer. And you still want to pay him "a few million more" than an elite closer?

 

It's more of a risk having him close than putting him back in the rotation,

in my opinion.

 

The only reason Wood is not an elite closer is because he hasn't been one yet. If he is moved to closer -- and I'm not saying he should be, he's more valuable as a starter -- he'll immediately be an elite one.

[erik316wttn]

Kerry Wood is scheduled to make $11 million next season. Unless the front of the jersey says "Yankees," you don't pay $11 million for a closer, much less one who has never closed a game in his life. He's only made four relief appearances! So give the "Wood for Closer" talk a rest, because it isn't going to happen.

 

11M is only a few million more than elite closers are paid. It would suck to overpay for a closer, but it's preferrable to putting Wood in the rotation and having him land right back on DL again. People, including myself, are going to speculate about this stuff. That's what message boards are for.

 

Except Kerry Wood is not an elite closer. He's not even a closer. And you still want to pay him "a few million more" than an elite closer?

 

It's more of a risk having him close than putting him back in the rotation,

in my opinion.

 

The only reason Wood is not an elite closer is because he hasn't been one yet. If he is moved to closer -- and I'm not saying he should be, he's more valuable as a starter -- he'll immediately be an elite one.

 

I say give him one more honest chance in the rotation before moving him to closer. But we have a closer that can get the job done, one that is far cheaper than Wood.

 

$12.5 million is a hella expensive closer. I'd rather have him going every 5th day.

 

And we may have to overpay to land Burnett, but at this point we need another starter.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

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.

Umm...if Kerry is healthy enough, there is no way that he has to fight for a spot in the rotation...

 

And sign Millwood or Weaver? :puker:

[Backtobanks]

Kerry Wood is scheduled to make $11 million next season. Unless the front of the jersey says "Yankees," you don't pay $11 million for a closer, much less one who has never closed a game in his life. He's only made four relief appearances! So give the "Wood for Closer" talk a rest, because it isn't going to happen.

 

11M is only a few million more than elite closers are paid. It would suck to overpay for a closer, but it's preferrable to putting Wood in the rotation and having him land right back on DL again. People, including myself, are going to speculate about this stuff. That's what message boards are for.

 

Except Kerry Wood is not an elite closer. He's not even a closer. And you still want to pay him "a few million more" than an elite closer?

 

It's more of a risk having him close than putting him back in the rotation,

in my opinion.

 

The only reason Wood is not an elite closer is because he hasn't been one yet. If he is moved to closer -- and I'm not saying he should be, he's more valuable as a starter -- he'll immediately be an elite one.

 

Woods as an elite closer? He's not even an elite starter when he's healthy. I think Kerry has a lot to prove in the areas of health and [/b]consistency before he has a label of "elite" anything.

[PackLandVA]

He's been pretty consistent in landing himself on the DL.

[Houston_Cub_Fan]

You have to admit that, for the time being, it's nice having Kerry comming in in the 7th or 8th and mowing them down. He brings an intimidation factor that is undeniable. After this year, I hope they give him another shot at the rotation. Until then, I'm really enjoying him in his new role.

[erik316wttn]

You have to admit that, for the time being, it's nice having Kerry comming in in the 7th or 8th and mowing them down. He brings an intimidation factor that is undeniable. After this year, I hope they give him another shot at the rotation. Until then, I'm really enjoying him in his new role.

 

It's nice, but totally unneccessary. He should be on an operating table ASAP to get him ready for next season.

 

A frayed labrum sounds like something that would land him on the DL to start next year. I want him ready and completely healthy for Opening Day.

[Houston_Cub_Fan]

The doctors say he is not doing any additional damage. The Cubs have said that they will shut him down when they are out of the WC race. Unless you know something I don't about the recovery time for this surgery, I don't see what 5-6 weeks is going to change. Even if we make the playoffs he would have five months to recover from what is considered a routine proceedure. A frayed labrum is a lot different from a torn labrum.

[YearofDaCubs]

The doctors say he is not doing any additional damage. The Cubs have said that they will shut him down when they are out of the WC race. Unless you know something I don't about the recovery time for this surgery, I don't see what 5-6 weeks is going to change. Even if we make the playoffs he would have five months to recover from what is considered a routine proceedure. A frayed labrum is a lot different from a torn labrum.

Let's hope so because Wade Miller, Matt Morris, and Joe Borowski all lost at least 2mph from their fastball.

[Houston_Cub_Fan]

"Let's hope so because Wade Miller, Matt Morris, and Joe Borowski all lost at least 2mph from their fastball."

 

So Kerry will only be able to hit 98! Seriously though, the point is that he can't injure it anymore than he has already. Miller never even had surgery on his, and never had the stuff that Wood does. Morris had the surgery in November and is having a pretty good season 12-5 3.80 ERA. And I'm pretty sure Borowski's injury was a tear.

[Houston_Cub_Fan]

Here's a breakdown of the recovery time based on this surgery if the labrum is torn. So factor in that this is worst-case scenario for a frayed labrum:

 

"After surgery, you will need to keep your shoulder in a sling for three to four weeks. Your physician will also prescribe gentle, passive, pain-free range-of-motion exercises. When the sling is removed, you will need to do motion and flexibility exercises and gradually start to strengthen your biceps. Athletes can usually begin doing sports-specific exercises after six weeks, although it will be three to four months before the shoulder is fully healed."

 

As a worst case scenario, even if Kerry waits to have the surgery until Novemeber- like Morris- he will be fully healed by February. Since Kerry's is only frayed, expect a somewhat faster recovery .

[erik316wttn]

The doctors say he is not doing any additional damage. The Cubs have said that they will shut him down when they are out of the WC race. Unless you know something I don't about the recovery time for this surgery, I don't see what 5-6 weeks is going to change. Even if we make the playoffs he would have five months to recover from what is considered a routine proceedure. A frayed labrum is a lot different from a torn labrum.

 

These are the same Cub doctors who last year said Prior would be ready for Opening day, then miss a start, then two starts, and then he came back in June.

 

Forgive me if I don't believe much of what the Cubs docs say.