It’s Official: Kerry Wood is Named Cubs’ Closer
UPDATE: (3/24) 2:15pm (EST) - As per Paul Sullivan at The Chicago Tribune, Lou Pinella has officially named Kerry Wood as the Cubs’ closer, as expected.
UPDATE: (3/23) 12:43am (EST) - According to mlb.com, Kerry Wood will pitch one inning on Sunday. This will be the final test for Wood as far as being named the Cubs’ closer. He pitched on Saturday against the White Sox and struck out two of the three batters he faced. The Cubs want to see how he responds to back-to-back days of work. If all goes well, expect an announcement that Wood is the Cubs closer early next week.
UPDATE: (3/19) 2:01 pm (EST) - Surprise! The Chicago Tribune reports that Wood has experienced back spasms today, preventing him from working back-to-back days for the first time this spring. This new development could throw a monkey wrench into the Cubs’ closer situation.
Mar 18, 10:53am (EST) - According to Jay Mariotti at the Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs manager Lou Pinella is expected to name Kerry Wood as the team’s closer to begin the 2008 regular season. Sweet Lou has now changed his mind more times then older folks change their diaper. But he did say, “Once we make a determination, unless there’s an injury, let’s just stay with how we go instead of going back and forth.” Uh huh, Lou.
Of course, Wood was competing with Carlos Marmol and Bobby Howry for the right to close. Most people, as do I, feel that Marmol should be the guy. But for now, it seems Lou has his mind made up that Wood will close, Marmol will pitch the 8th and Howry the 7th. That is of course, until he changes it again.
Our former thoughts on the Cubs closing situation can be found here.
Filed under: Chicago Cubs
I like this call.
I don’t think you can go wrong either way, really. Both Wood and Marmol are tough. But Howry belongs in the 7th. Very dominant pen.
I thought Wood could be ok to give a chance, with Marmol being the all-around clean-up guy… but this is like a splash of water in the face, a reality check. It’s Kerry Wood. It would be a very nice story for him to pitch in 50 games this year with a decent ERA, revitalizing his career, but to suddenly put the injury-prone king in a high stress, high profile spot right now is probably a mistake, especially with the nasty stuff Marmol has shown. Let’s go with Carlos, Howry and Hart can setup, Wood can be used when he is feeling ok and rested. Extra innings he goes two, 7th, 8th innings, etc. Maybe by midseason he is a spot starter and one day a n ace again, or more likely works his way into a closer role here or elsewhere, who knows. Just not right now. Water on face. It’s Kery Wood.
over and under on when he hits the DL?
June 1st?