Jabroni Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 (edited) "Is Wood open to closer role? Switch to bullpen holds benefits, risks for injured starter" http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sp...ack=1&cset=true Although there are no concrete plans, the idea of moving Wood to the bullpen, at least for 2005, seems to be one many in the organization endorse. After watching Ryan Dempster sacrifice himself for the sake of the team by moving from the rotation into the closer's role, Wood is likely to do whatever it takes to help the Cubs win. That's not to say the Cubs will make the switch. Because of the mysterious shoulder soreness, however, they are thinking about the possibility for the first time. The main drawback of using Wood in relief, obviously, would be his control problems. But Wood remains one of the most difficult pitchers to hit in the majors, with a great fastball and slider. Even with a sore shoulder, Wood was throwing in the range of 95-98 m.p.h. before he was shut down. Edited May 15, 2005 by Jabroni Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerty Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 This isn't talked about every year or anything... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabroni Posted May 15, 2005 Author Share Posted May 15, 2005 (edited) This isn't talked about every year or anything... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> True, but Glendon Rusch has actually been pitching better than Carrie, even as a starter. How many blown saves do the Flubs have this season? It wouldn't be a bad idea... except for the fact that Carrie typically gets rocked in the 1st inning. He is usually wild early on and tends to walk a couple guys in the 1st. Edited May 15, 2005 by Jabroni Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fotop Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 $11 million contract means that there is no way in hell that Wood will close. It just a waste of cash. Combine that with having to pitch multiple days in a row, and I doubt Wood will be closing anytime soon. Who knows how Wood would respond to pitching nearly everyday...and to me, they're stuck because with his track record I don't think his arm could hold up. If I were the Cubs I'd hope and pray that he recovers from this, watch him very, very closely and then put him on strict pitch counts/off-day training when he comes back. If they want to get any return out of the money they invested in Wood, they should change the way they deal with him. But of course with Dusty at the helm I doubt you see this... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 QUOTE(Jabroni @ May 15, 2005 -> 01:48 AM) True, but Glendon Rusch has actually been pitching better than Carrie, even as a starter. How many blown saves do the Flubs have this season? It wouldn't be a bad idea... except for the fact that Carrie typically gets rocked in the 1st inning. He is usually wild early on and tends to walk a couple guys in the 1st. Hence the warmup in the pen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 QUOTE(Fotop @ May 15, 2005 -> 02:15 AM) $11 million contract means that there is no way in hell that Wood will close. It just a waste of cash. Combine that with having to pitch multiple days in a row, and I doubt Wood will be closing anytime soon. Who knows how Wood would respond to pitching nearly everyday...and to me, they're stuck because with his track record I don't think his arm could hold up. How much better spent is this $11 mill putting up a s***ty ERA and not doing well in the rotation or sitting on the DL? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabroni Posted May 15, 2005 Author Share Posted May 15, 2005 How much better spent is this $11 mill putting up a s***ty ERA and not doing well in the rotation or sitting on the DL? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Touche. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan562004 Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 so the idea is to have a guy who can't even stay healthy with getting at least four days rest between pitching in games and have him pitch on consecutive days at times? Yeah, that's really f***ing smart! And that s*** about him being one of the most unhittable pitchers in baseball is just silly at this point. This guy is so overhyped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 QUOTE(SoxFan562004 @ May 15, 2005 -> 10:14 AM) so the idea is to have a guy who can't even stay healthy with getting at least four days rest between pitching in games and have him pitch on consecutive days at times? Yeah, that's really f***ing smart! And that s*** about him being one of the most unhittable pitchers in baseball is just silly at this point. This guy is so overhyped. Ever hear of John Smoltz? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamTell Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 lol he may get more innings as a reliever than a starter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmmmmbeeer Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 QUOTE(Fotop @ May 15, 2005 -> 07:15 AM) $11 million contract means that there is no way in hell that Wood will close. It just a waste of cash. Combine that with having to pitch multiple days in a row, and I doubt Wood will be closing anytime soon. Who knows how Wood would respond to pitching nearly everyday...and to me, they're stuck because with his track record I don't think his arm could hold up. If I were the Cubs I'd hope and pray that he recovers from this, watch him very, very closely and then put him on strict pitch counts/off-day training when he comes back. If they want to get any return out of the money they invested in Wood, they should change the way they deal with him. But of course with Dusty at the helm I doubt you see this... Didn't they just take a HUGE hit just to get rid of Sosa? I don't think they have a problem with wasting money. A shame really, that franchise makes so much loot and can't win a f***ing thing. Good for us, but if I'm a sCrUB fan I'd just be bewildered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hammerhead johnson Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 QUOTE(YASNY @ May 15, 2005 -> 03:25 PM) Ever hear of John Smoltz? In my best Chapelle voice: Gotcha, b****! IIRC, Gagne had some injury issues as a starter as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChWRoCk2 Posted May 15, 2005 Share Posted May 15, 2005 even though i hate the cubs its a move they have to do, now we can rape him out of the pen more often or he can be beaten up on runs more often Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSteve Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 QUOTE(YASNY @ May 15, 2005 -> 10:25 AM) Ever hear of John Smoltz? Smoltz, Isringhausen, Batista, Foulke, Gagne, Dempster (haha), Hermanson, Baez, Affeldt are starters turned relievers off my head. It is not a bad move. I remember when Smoltz did it, he couldn't make it four or five innings as a starter without getting shelled, then just dominated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerty Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 Most times relievers are just failed starters at one point in their career. Gagne was f***ing brutal to watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NUKE_CLEVELAND Posted May 16, 2005 Share Posted May 16, 2005 QUOTE(. @ May 15, 2005 -> 11:37 PM) Most times relievers are just failed starters at one point in their career. Gagne was f***ing brutal to watch. Dude, whats up with that name........or lack thereof. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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