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 Originally I had planned on taking today off because this Cubs offseason questions post was getting far too long, and then I came up with an idea. Instead of bombarding you with an epic post detailing a slew of issues, I would just give you a post for each issue that I think the Cubs are going to have to deal with this offseason. To keep you interested, here is the list that I'm working on right now (there may be more later).
Cubs Ownership
Alex Rodriguez
Team Needs
Alfonso Soriano
Future for Felix Pie
Mark Prior and Kerry Wood
Zambrano/Lilly Pitch Counts
Get Rid of Excess
Jason Marquis Situation (thanks for the reminder gianluca)
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"What the heck is going to happen with Mark Prior and Kerry Wood this off-season?" I think that's been the question most Cubs have been asking every off-season since 2004, and this off-season is no different. Both players face the possibility of leaving the Cubs Organization for the first time in their careers. Wood will be a free agent after the World Series and the Cubs have the option of letting Prior go after paying him $3.75 million for playing catch in Arizona this season. So, what should the Cubs do?
 Kerry Wood - I like Kerry Wood. I know that he's had a lot of injuries and he's probably going to have more, but I think he brings a grittiness and guts to the Cubs. After being a starter his entire career, except for a few games last season, he came out of the bullpen this season and pitched pretty well for the Cubs. Because of his shoulder issues the Cubs can only use Wood at certain times and he needs extra time to warm-up when he's going to come into a game, but when he's in the game, he's as good as anyone the Cubs have outside of Bob Howry and Carlos Marmol. His stuff is still pretty filthy and although he struggles with his command from time to time, he is usually on spot when the game is on the line (see: Marlins series). As always though, the key for Wood will be his health.
If the Cubs felt like they could use Wood on back to back days and that he could warm-up like a regular reliever...then I'd like to see him as the closer next season. Yes, I know all about Carlos Marmol, but I think he's better suited for the 7th or 8th innings right now. I think Wood has the gunslinger's mentality that closer's need and he certainly has the guts to take the ball to get the final three outs of the game. If Wood couldn't be used on back to back days and still needed extra time to warm-up, then the Cubs are going to have to let him go. They have other pitchers in their system who can fill the 'long reliever' role for a much smaller salary. With the new owners coming in, and the escalating salaries of Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez, this could be a way to save money. So, as you can see....it again depends on the health of Kerry Wood. What Cubs Should Do: Let Kerry Wood go.
 Mark Prior - Oh boy, this guy again. We all remember when Prior looked like he was the next Tom Seaver and that seems like so long ago. I think his time with the Cubs organization has come and gone. He's arbitration eligible this off-season and the Cubs aren't allowed to pay him any less than $2.86 million for next season based on the arbitration rules (20% pay decrease). He's coming off surgery and it's doubtful that he'll be ready for Spring Training (was he ever?) and that's a lot of money to pay for a question mark. With the slew of new, talented pitchers the Cubs have in their system they really don't have room for Prior. It's unlikely that he'll become an ace pitcher again in the near future and it's more likely that he'll continue to battle through arm/shoulder/elbow issues for the rest of his career. Lou Piniella likes to know what he has in his pitching staff and it doesn't seem that Prior would fit that mold as he'd constantly be day to day even when he's healthy. What Cubs Should Do: Let Prior go.
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17 Comments
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2008 Cubs Preview
so are you saying to keep Woods as a closer or dump him?
What Cubs Should Do: Let Kerry Wood go.
I like stability, he's not able to give it.
I wouldn't mind seeing Kerry Wood in an Oakland uniform next season. Moneyball likes to pay that one veteran every year. Maybe this will be the year he goes after a pitcher instead of a re-tread DH.
yeah, he might turn into another isringhausen if someone was willing to take the risk
Actually, I could see the NL teams going after Wood being: New York, Atlanta, and Houston.
The AL teams being: Texas, Chicago, Baltimore and Oakland (in my scenario)
He hinted at retirement before he came back at the end of the year so I think he'd stay as close to home as possible (Texas).
I think I'd rather take my chance with Woods than overpay for an unknown middle reliever from somewhere. Cubs did well with getting Eyre and Howry two years ago but then there is Cotts and that stiff Karchner they got for Garland a couple years ago. There is a dearth of quality relief pitching. I'd love to keep Prior as well for another year and see if his new bionic shoulder is ok.
Teams never stay the same. Changes will be made. I just hope it's not Wood and Prior yet. I'm willing to dump Marquis for a case of Old Style and see what the youngins can do.
They don't need to overpay for an unknown middle reliever, they have a lot of talent in the minors (Kevin Hart, Pignatiello) that can fill the role of middle relief.
More on Marquis later....
I wait with baited breath....
What's up with the Cubs ownership?
I would think any big moves would have to wait until that is finalized.
Jack, I agree with your stance on letting Wood go. He's been good when he's not injured, but when is that? You need someone you can rely on that is healthy. I do think Prior might be worth taking a chance on, however.
That said, if Wood is gimpy, Philadelphia would probably be interested. We take on lots of tired, worn horses and waste our money. It's a sick compulsion.
How about Woods and Pie for Aaron Rowand?
Rowand and Wood (no s), are free agents and baseball doesn't have sign and trade deals....Plus, Rowand would make the Cubs lineup too left handed.
JJ...I'll get into the ownership situation and how that effects everything soon. Prior is going to cost the Cubs nearly $3 million dollars and he's probably not going to be ready by Spring Training. They hold the right to keep him, but I think they'll just let him go or trade him for what little he's worth now.
yeah, I know just trying to trick Gillick. He's made a couple doozies with Eaton and Freddy "the Rock" Garcia and he'd probably fall for a sign and trade deal.
Not sure I'm convinced there are too many lefties. Fons, Lee, Ramirez, Soto, Murton, Derosa, Theriot switches.
You have Floyd, Jones, Pie, Fontenot and Ward. How many of those even come back?
WOW... Prior's STILL not going to be ready by the spring?! WOW.. you're right... cut 'em loose! He's starting to sound like Carl Pavano.
Gianluca, you're 100% right on what you said about Gillick. Anyone with a pile of s**t can convince Gillick it's shineola. He's gotten taken on so many deals. If Gillick had half a brain or if Ruben Amaro was in charge, the Phils might still be in the playoffs. Coulda, woulda, shoulda..
Who do you think is the excess fat the Cubs need to cut?
I'm sorry, I meant that by adding Rowand, the Cubs lineup would be too RIGHT handed.
Great idea to break this up into sections - it's just too big of an issue to look at the big picture.
No to Prior. It's risk vs. reward but I'm not exactly sure how much of a reward you get from him. I can't imagine being able to come in and win 10+ games for not only the Cubs but any team and not only this next year but even in subsequent years. I don't see a future for him with the Cubs. Of course, if he goes on and becomes a star somewhere else the media will blast the Cubs for such a bad move even through it made all the sense in the world at the time. Wood is an interesting one. My initial reaction is someone will overpay him based on his limited performance this year and thus he will bolt. I would love to see him stay because he is a warrior on the mound but I think the only way he stays is if loyalty comes out on top.