Kerry Wood To The Tigers?
By Blake VandeBunte • Nov 13th, 2008 • Category: Kerry Wood, Ryan PerryAdd Kerry Wood to the group of free agent relief pitchers that may possibly sign with the Tigers. The Chicago Cubs made a trade withe Florida Marlins today that got them Kevin Gregg (former Marlins closer) to add to their bullpen. Shortly after the deal was made, Cubs GM Jim Hendry said that it all added up to the end of the line in Chicago for Wood.
Wood has been with the Cubs for his entire pro career and is one of those guys that will just look strange in another uniform. However, would the Tigers give him a shot? I don’t see it happening.
It is believed that the reason the Cubs let Wood go is that he wanted a contract that was too long and too expensive. Given Wood’s injury history, it seems irresponsible to give him more than a one year deal. Wood did have a pretty good 2008 season, a season in which he stayed healthy. He saved games for a first place club, appeared in 65 games, and still struck out more than a batter per inning. There’s something to be said for that.
In 2008 the Tigers lacked that power arm out of the bullpen. They didn’t have that guy who could come in and get them out of a tight spot with a huge strike out. Wood is that kind of pitcher. Unfortunately, he’s also a guy who has a very troubling injury history and is already on the wrong side of 30 years old.
Facts are facts though, and here are his stats from 2008:
- 66.1 innings
- 84 K
- 18 BB
- 1.085 WHIP
- All Star Appearance
- 34 Saves
If Wood is looking for a three or four year deal then I think the Tigers should run from him as quickly as possible. However, if he’s willing to take a two year deal then I think the Tigers should at least take a look. It would be pretty similar to the deal they gave Troy Percival a year back. Percival was of questionable health but the Tigers gave him a two year deal anyway to close games. That deal couldn’t have gone much worse than it did but it was only two years long.
If the Tigers are able to get Wood signed to a two year deal it would provide them with a bridge to all of the young talent they drafted last June. Some scouts see Ryan Perry as the closer of the future in Detroit and he will almost certainly be ready in two seasons.
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Wood is one closer I wouldn’t mind seeing the Tigers sign even for a longer deal than what they have been suggesting. A power pitcher who has gone through some shoulder issues is always a risk, but at an inning per outing he seems to have found a niche. and at age 31 is a bit older and could impart some wisdom to the Tigers resident power pitching reliever Zoom. Maybe another one of those Pudge-Maggs deals for the first year? Could a 3 year could get it done.or 2 with option. who knows. Question is what will he bring on the open market per season?
When I saw the GM’s comments about him getting a big long term deal somewhere, I knew right away he wouldn’t be coming here, alt least not from how DD’s been talking so far.
Two year deal with a mutual option for a third year!
He’s stayed a lot healthier since fully transitioning to the bullpen.