Cubs Closer now Wood

[sheetswannabe]

Link

 

What do you guys think?

[bjkrautk]

Pitching on consecutive days in pressure situations certainly won't adversely affect a pitcher with as dependable an arm as Kerry Wood.

 

On the other hand, Wood as the closer also means that the Cubs can pitch their best reliever, Marmol (assuming he can repeat his '07 season), in critical game situations prior to the 9th inning, which would work to their benefit.

 

Still, I tend to think that Wood walks too many batters (over 4 BB/9IP) for me to be comfortable with him locking up a close game. Be it for inconsistency or for injury, I doubt he'll still be the closer by September.

[BrewCrewForever]

We'll see how long that lasts for sweet Lou.

[DrWood]

relievers walk more guys than starters, so I don't know if his bb/9 rate is a problem.

[TooLiveBrew]

Perhaps not, but pairing that with Marmol's control problems... that's a bad combo for your 'best' (most-used) two RP, imo.

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

It's safe to say that Howry will get his share of saves this year because the Cubs will be very careful with Kerry Wood. Over/Under 50 games before he ends up on the DL?

[TooLiveBrew]

Yeah, I'm thinking that either Howry or Marmol will see some time at CP this season as well. Why they're trying to put this much strain on Wood's arm is beyond me. He'd be an ideal 6th/7th inning, non-consecutive-days-usage RP... imho.

[BrianShouseForPrez]

It's safe to say that Howry will get his share of saves this year because the Cubs will be very careful with Kerry Wood. Over/Under 50 games before he ends up on the DL?

I'll take the under.

[derflotr]

I drafted Marmol on my fantasy team hoping he'd win the job...but no one gives a rip about anyone's fantasy team, so I'll shut up.

 

Wood must be looking awfully good for Lou to go with him over Marmol. But either way that bullpen's pretty tough in late innings.

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

I hope Marmol becomes the closer because I think he is more valuable to the Cubs as their setup man in pressure situations and going for multiple innings. I'm all for taking value away from players on the Cubs.

[naivin]

I think this is good news for the Brewers. I also think Marmol will be in that role around the time the weather warms up.

[JohnBriggs12]

I think this is a good move by the Cubs. Wood hasn't walked anybody this spring. Closers generally don't throw as many innings as the setup guys do. For instance Cordero had 66 appearences compared to 77 for Turnbow last year. That's pretty typical.

 

Dempster was actually the weak link in the Cub bullpen last year though he wasn't bad. Marmol and Howry were very effective in their roles and a huge key to them overtaking the Brewers. With Wood closing, those two don't have to switch roles. Don't overlook Wuertz either. He was at the top of the league in allowing inherited runners to score.

 

The Cubs have a solid bullpen. If the pitching staff has a weak link, it will be that Lilly, Hill and Marquis aren't likely to match their results from last year and Dempster is a question mark. On the other hand Zambrano is capable of a better year than he had in 07.

[naivin]

I heard something a couple weeks ago to the effect that Kerry Wood has worked the 9th inning something like 10-12 times total in his 9 years. Translation: He has absolutely no experience closing out games. Does that mean he can't do it? Of course not. Does this hav ethe potential to be a huge stretch? You better believe it does.

[cubfan1126]

And I certainly hope you should get an up close and personal view next week.

[TooLiveBrew]

For instance Cordero had 66 appearences compared to 77 for Turnbow last year. That's pretty typical.

 

But the point is pitching consecutive days, and both of those roles lock guys into situational appearances that can disregard strain on the arm.

 

 

On the other hand Zambrano is capable of a better year than he had in 07.

That's true, but the evidence is starting to become pretty clear that Z's regressing, as opposed to having one off year. His peripherals have been sliding for a couple/few years now, so it's more likely he repeats 2007 or is even worse.

[TooLiveBrew]

Here's some info on Kerry Wood's situation in regards to his back, from The Disabled List Informer (I submitted the question):

 

 

Q: This is a bit off-topic, but it relates to a back issue (as does Blalock's unfortunate car accident). What do you make of Kerry Wood right now? I'm a Brewers fan, so therefore acutely interested in anything to do with our race with the Cubs. Is there anything with Kerry's mechanics that have led him to be hurt more? What does a back injury like his mean in terms of trying to handle the role of closer, in which you may have to throw 3 or 4 days in a row?

 

A: I should dedicate a post to this question, and I will.

But to answer your question briefly, Kerry Wood is always going to have something going on. He is likely out of shape, having focused every ounce of effort on getting his pitching arm ready for the season, that the rest of his body was not targeted as much.

I will have to look at his mechanics further in order to answer your question. I know that he has an awful shoulder/elbow position in the high cocking phase, but beyond that I'll have to look at film and pictures.