Wood To Return Next Year as a Reliever

Oft-injured Chicago Cubs SP Kerry Wood said that he intends to return next season a reliever. Wood will not have surgery to repair a partially torn rotator cuff. Wood has been repeatedly sidelined with injuries during his over-hyped career. Relief pitching might offer a glimmer of hope to this fading star. Shorter appearances might lessen the load on his fragile shoulder and elbow. In the relief, role Wood would likely look to regain the poise and dominance the world witnessed when he entered into the major leagues.

Source

• http://www.rotoworld.com/content/Headlines.aspx?sport=MLB

Date

Thu 08/03/06, 3:37 pm EST

Jgov05All-American

1241 days ago

Score 2

Throughout his entire career I've thought Wood could be dominant as a closer. He wouldn't suffer as much from the injury problems either.

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DemonboyDraft Pick

1241 days ago

Score 1

Last year he was doinate in relief... he'll also follow good company of starters turned relivers - Dennis Eckersley, Eric Gagne (started in minors but turned closer in majors) & John Smoltz... the only problem is - at what price? 8Mil? 10Mil? or less like 5Mil? Another thing is, who will he be playing for? If it's the Cubs, what will they do with thier existing closer (Dempster) make him the setup? Interesting dilema Hendry has....

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I am a cpcpMajor Leaguer

1241 days ago

Score 0

how big of a pay cut he's willing to take is a big issue. he has never been tested as a closer, so to give him closer money might even be pushing it. he may have to do a one year for cheap and prove he's healthy and capable.

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EnyboDiv-I Stud

1241 days ago

Score 2

First of all Dempster sucks. Second, I hope Hendry doesn't slot Wood into the closer role. I am tired of Hendry depending on injured players to get healthy, it hasn't worked in the past and hopefully he can learn from his mistakes. Third, the Cubs will supposedly offer him an incentive based contract.

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Bball3345Draft Pick

1241 days ago

Score 0

Finally...

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UfgatorsDiv-I Stud

1241 days ago

Score 0

maybe kerry wood reads acgm? i hope he does in fact become a closer, and not pull one of those curt schilling one-time relief things.

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JoebookRed-Shirting

1240 days ago

Score 2

One question I'd like answered is: When did players earn the liberty to say what position they are going to play? What if the Cubs sign him again to use as a starter? I don't think Wood has the power to say he's coming back as a reliever. Will he pull a Soriano, so that when a team tries to use him as a starter, he'll threaten to hold out? Just seems a little strange...

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