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Word out of chicago is that wood is (has been) the closer. AND (here's the important part) if wood fails, gets hurt, etc...that it will be Howry, not marmol closing games.



Can anyone confirm this rumor?

That's what my buddy from Chi just told me. Wasn't that specific. Just Wood closer and Howry would get next look. Fascinating to me.

I'll give Wood a month until he gets hurt or fails.



The Cubs just refuse to give up on this guy....They blew his arm out early in his career with all these innings and high pitch counts in his career just like they did to Prior.



I'm a hugh Cubs fan but the Cubs need to give up on this guy already...

Always nice to have options, but wierd how the best of the group apparently will get the 3rd chance out of the group. Maybe after Dempster fails as a starter and they put Lieber in the rotation they can move all 3 back down a slot and give Dumpster his job back? What a mess!

It was an open competition and Wood did have the best spring. Marmol had a lower ERA, but I don't think sweet Lou was enamored with the walks.

Wood is what I expected all along, was just a matter of health. They like Marmol as a setup guy since he can go more than an inning when needed; also he doesn't seem to handle the pressure as well when closing. Wood has the perfect make-up for a closer (fierce competitor, smart pitcher, never gives in, doesn't get rattled, believes he can strike out anyone when necessary); if he stays healthy he won't lose the job. Marmol could be a great closer once he develops the confidence and experience of a veteran.



[ March 24, 2008, 02:18 PM: Message edited by: KJ Duke ]

Originally posted by KJ Duke:

Wood is what I expected all along. They like Marmol as a setup guy since he can go more than an inning when needed; also he doesn't seem to handle the pressure as well when closing. Wood has the perfect make-up for a closer, if he stays healthy he won't lose the job. Marmol could be a great closer once he develops the confidence and experience of a veteran. I sure hope so Kevin, as I really do think the Cubs have a chance this year to get to the world series.



Sorry but I guess have been so used to seeing Wood on the DL,that I just can't imagine him being healthy for very long.



Oh well I hope I'm wrong. Go CUBS!!



[ March 24, 2008, 02:23 PM: Message edited by: Da bears ]

Originally posted by Da bears:

quote:Originally posted by KJ Duke:

Wood is what I expected all along. They like Marmol as a setup guy since he can go more than an inning when needed; also he doesn't seem to handle the pressure as well when closing. Wood has the perfect make-up for a closer, if he stays healthy he won't lose the job. Marmol could be a great closer once he develops the confidence and experience of a veteran. I sure hope so Kevin, as I really do think the Cubs have a chance this year to get to the world series.



Sorry but I guess have been so used to seeing Wood on the DL,that I just can't imagine him being healthy for very long.



Oh well I hope I'm wrong. Go CUBS!! [/QUOTE]If Wood can stay healthy, that pen is gonna be real tough with Marmol, Howry, Wuertz and Hart dealing in innings 6-8. No reason they can't take the Central if key players stay healthy.

To be honest, they should have made this move eons ago. Kerry Wood in one inning can be dominant. I expect him to grow into this roll and have success on the scale of when Smoltz made the move. Not right away, but in a year or so.

I will now stop referring to him as Carrie in honor of this announcement.

Kevin



Hit nail on the head. Wood has a closers mentality. Fearless and a toughness about him. I am not a Cub fan but if he stays healthy his tenacity should spill onto the rest of the team. he has the ability to pump up his team mates and could give the team a cockiness or light a fire under some to win the division and get to the series. Marmol too passive and Howry is Howry. Pen should be good though I hear Wuertz is being looked at by the Tigers.





Marty

On the flip side, putting Lieber in the bullpen just doesen't make sense. I'm betting a trade before opening day involving either Dempster, Marquis, or Lieber. Maybe in the Roberts deal or maybe Crisp, I get vibes that the Cubs think of Pie as a AAAA player.

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

On the flip side, putting Lieber in the bullpen just doesen't make sense. I'm betting a trade before opening day involving either Dempster, Marquis, or Lieber. Maybe in the Roberts deal or maybe Crisp, I get vibes that the Cubs think of Pie as a AAAA player. Agree Dough, one will be moved. On that, I can't see them moving Lieber - they know him well enough to understand he is underrated and a good teammate. I think they probably have more confidence in Dempster than anyone else right now, so I doubt he is going anywhere. Lou's recent, I overreacted with my negative comments on Marquis speech smacks of "let's not devalue this guy in public while we're trying to trade him". I think Marquis is a goner by next week, he's pitched well enough recently to attract some interest.

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

On the flip side, putting Lieber in the bullpen just doesen't make sense. I'm betting a trade before opening day involving either Dempster, Marquis, or Lieber. Maybe in the Roberts deal or maybe Crisp, I get vibes that the Cubs think of Pie as a AAAA player. A three-way deal (or two deals) involving Marquis, Wuertz, Pie and prospects in return for Roberts and a proven CF like Coco would make perfect sense. I hope it happens and I think the odds are decent.

I drafted Carlos Marmol and backed him up with Bobby Howry. I'm astonished that Piniella has chosen Kerry Wood. This isn't the Devil Rays playing in a warm dome and providing one save chance per week. Theoretically, the Cubs are a contender. That means back-to-back save opportunities in chilly April weather. Wood won't make it to May before hitting the DL.



Kevin

Originally posted by kgrady:

I drafted Carlos Marmol and backed him up with Bobby Howry. I'm astonished that Piniella has chosen Kerry Wood. This isn't the Devil Rays playing in a warm dome and providing one save chance per week. Theoretically, the Cubs are a contender. That means back-to-back save opportunities in chilly April weather. Wood won't make it to May before hitting the DL.



Kevin I think in all likelihood you drafted yourself a setup guy for this season, even if Woody gets hurt. He might pick off a few saves here and there, but 10+ would be a real surprise. Marmol's a really good setup guy and that's where the Cubs want him.

Originally posted by KJ Duke:

I think in all likelihood you drafted yourself a setup guy (Marmol) for this season, even if Woody gets hurt. He might pick off a few saves here and there, but 10+ would be a real surprise. Marmol's a really good setup guy and that's where the Cubs want him. [/quote]


Perhaps, but that's where Bobby Howry comes in. If Howry saves 30 games for me while Marmol sets him up and Wood spends most of the year on the DL, selfishly I'm OK with that.



Frankly, I don't understand Piniella's thinking with Wood. Wood still has ability, and he could play an important part in the Cubs pen. Piniella said that he feels the low innings of a closer will keep him healthy. But a closer is expected to pitch back-to-back nights. With Wood's injury history, it's hard to believe he can do that over the course of a full season. As a set-up/middle man, Piniella could more readily regulate *when* Wood pitches.



Kevin

Wood is just the type of guy I think every manager, and fan, would love to have in that role. If he doesn't prove up to the task health-wise, obviously have talent to choose from. Howry wouldn't be my next choice assuming Marmol doesn't move from set-up, but he may be Lou's next choice. Hart reminds of a younger, healthier Joe Borowski. No nonsense get it done type of guy that could be good in that role if he had a shot. Wuertz might be ok too, but I think he'd be a better setup guy.

I think Wood as a closer makes perfect sense, a defined role where he knows exactly when he will be called upon and there will be no get up to warm up and then sit down sessions. With his history, limiting the number of times he gets up will help him. He has the stuff and the attitude to be a great closer if he can stay healthy. I think he has a shot to be the top surprise closer in baseball this year.

Maybe the Padres need to convert Prior to the closer position also.

This one is easy for Lou...



Wood is a delicate flower (closers dont have to pitch as frequent)



Marmol is clearly the most durable of the 3 so he should be the setup guy all year...



Howry gets to close if and when Wood sprains his Uterus..