November 26, 2007
Wood Burning Hot Stove
Kerry Wood decided to stay with the Chicago Cubs, agreeing to a $4.2 million dollar, one-year contract:
Wood, the 1998 NL Rookie of the Year, can make an additional $3.45 million in performance bonuses. He had a $1.75 million salary this year.
The right-hander went 1-1 last season with a 3.33 ERA in 22 relief appearances. He didn't join the team until Aug. 5 when he made his first appearance since June 2006.
Kerry came back with good strikeout numbers, but his walks continue to be high. For someone who walked none in his 20 K game, Wood's failure to otherwise master his control has kept him from becoming a truly elite pitcher.
Wood's failure to otherwise master his control has kept him from becoming a truly elite pitcher.
Ummm... not quite.
Wood's failure to stay healthy has kept him from becoming an elite pitcher.
He could have never walked a guy but he still wouldn't have become "elite" with his health.
"Wood's failure to stay healthy has kept him from becoming an elite pitcher."
Exactly.
Every time I hear his name my shoulder starts to hurt.
I think Kerry should try the John Smoltz route for a few seasons...become a short reliver/closer and basically allow his body to achieve a level of health he clearly is not achieving so far. I think his gift for pitching outstrips his body's ability to withstand that gift.
That's a lot of $$$ for a guy who pitched about 25 innings