Wood out 6-8 Weeks

[DougHeil]

Next will find out that Branyan is out for two months.

I'm fine with all the old guys being out. I'd rather play the youngsters anyway.

 

[Damage]

I wouldn't consider Kerry Wood a big name. I guess for the Indians, he could be though. However, the only reason Wood is a "big name" is because everyone knows him for failing to reach his potential because of all his injuries. That will always be what people think of when they hear Kerry Wood.

Well I'm glad you know what everyone thinks about a certain person.

 

[macbdog]

Well I'm glad you know what everyone thinks about a certain person.

Kerry reached his potential- he was one of baseball's best arms from 2001-2003. He just didn't stay there once the elbow blew. Not to mention that he still throws hard and many other former top starters have made the transition to closing and excelled. Wood appeared to have done the same with the Cubs in 08.

The Tribe took a gamble when they signed him that they would contend and he would be the anchor for the pen. Problem is that the team had bigger issues in starting pitching than they wanted to admit and everything unraveled- even if Wood had been dominant it wouldn't have mattered, the rest of the bullpen and most of the rotation was a pumpkin.

Either way, I don't necessarily understand fans who want to see 10M pitchers on the shelf. That makes me scratch my head, especially in the case of Wood, who still has good stuff and is productive when healthy. Even coming back for 2 years shows huge progress for a guy who couldn't get more than 50 innings for 3 straight years without being shut down. I wouldn't be shocked if he pitches another 3-4 years after this.

 

[Damage]

Kerry reached his potential- he was one of baseball's best arms from 2001-2003. He just didn't stay there once the elbow blew. Not to mention that he still throws hard and many other former top starters have made the transition to closing and excelled. Wood appeared to have done the same with the Cubs in 08.

The Tribe took a gamble when they signed him that they would contend and he would be the anchor for the pen. Problem is that the team had bigger issues in starting pitching than they wanted to admit and everything unraveled- even if Wood had been dominant it wouldn't have mattered, the rest of the bullpen and most of the rotation was a pumpkin.

Either way, I don't necessarily understand fans who want to see 10M pitchers on the shelf. That makes me scratch my head, especially in the case of Wood, who still has good stuff and is productive when healthy. Even coming back for 2 years shows huge progress for a guy who couldn't get more than 50 innings for 3 straight years without being shut down. I wouldn't be shocked if he pitches another 3-4 years after this.

I'm gonna C&P an exact quote from someone on my board regarding the matter. It sums up my feelings to a T:

This should pretty much guarantee that Wood won't reach 55 games finished, which means his $11M option won't vest. This is great news for the Tribe for 2 reasons: 1) Wood will be a free agent and they won't have to pay him, and 2) teams should be more willing to deal for him knowing that it would be a short term rental to strengthen their pen for the remainder of the season only, while giving them flexibility in 2011.

The nice thing about this injury is it should give the Tribe a chance to see what they have in another reliever. I'd love to see Judy take his roster spot, but there is still some value in giving some innings to someone like Hector Ambriz, Jamey Wright, or Saul Rivera. Worst case scenario: they tank and the team dumps them and replaces them with someone else. Best case scenario: they catch fire and the team can spin them at the deadline. It's basically a no-lose situation

 

[Gunther]

Wood thinks he'll be back sooner than 8 weeks. I think the 55 games finished is still possible. If it happens, it's a good thing for a lot of reasons:

1. it means we needed Wood for 55 games closed, which should be an indication of contention
2. it means Wood is healthy enough to close 55 games
3. 1 & 2 would give us a reasonably-priced option for another season - not a bad thing
4. Chris Perez is being groomed the whole time. It takes time to make a kid a closer.

 

[Randolphkeys]

This should pretty much guarantee that Wood won't reach 55 games finished, which means his $11M option won't vest. This is great news for the Tribe for 2 reasons: 1) Wood will be a free agent and they won't have to pay him, and 2) teams should be more willing to deal for him knowing that it would be a short term rental to strengthen their pen for the remainder of the season only, while giving them flexibility in 2011.

Hell yeah. This is what baseball is all about. If we get a minor leaguer whose name I barely recognize for him, my summer will be complete.

 

[macbdog]

I'm gonna C&P an exact quote from someone on my board regarding the matter. It sums up my feelings to a T:

btw I quoted you b/c I was agreeing; I didn't realize that the quote didn't snag the person you quoted.
Your sentiment- having Wood miss just enough time to keep him from vesting, followed by him returning and kiciking arse- isn't the same one I keep reading, though. The opinion most prominent is the 'good riddance' one, even though Wood hasn't gone anywhere yet.

And while I concur in general- I would love to see the exact same scenario play out too- I just think that is absolute best-case scenario. The more likely pattern is that Wood will come back rusty, having missed most of spring training, and probably not peak until shortly before the deadline. Teams in need of a closer will be leery of him after his up-and-down performance from last year and the Tribe will either be low-balled or ignored. I think the club would have stood a better chance of making a move if Wood had been healthy from day one and showed he was productive. I hope your scenario works out, I just have my doubts. Wood would have to not only come back and pitch very well, but the Tribe will also have to get him into games to showcase himself- which in turn cuts into his games finished quota. Double-edged sword, frankly.