Cubs Re-sign Wood to be Closer

November 28, 2007 @ 16:36:59

By Aaron Adams
Edited by Ryan Dodson

The Deal

On Nov. 26 the Chicago Cubs announced that they had re-signed right-handed pitcher Kerry Wood. Wood had a surprising amount of interest in his very talented, but often injured, right arm. However, he decided to return to the team that drafted him fourth overall in the 1995 amateur player draft. Wood was signed to compete for the closer role to the tune of a one-year deal worth $4.2 million. Wood could earn an additional $3.45 million in incentives based on games finished.

What has Wood done lately?

While Wood's injury history suggests that he is highly likely to see some time on the disabled list year in and year out. When he has been on the field he has been one of the game's most dominant pitchers. It remains to be seen, however, just how long Wood can go without any health issues as he has been pitching with a partially torn rotator cuff that occurred during his fifth start of the 2006 season. Wood opted at that time to not have it surgically repaired and sat out the remainder of the season. Wood finally returned to the field for the Cubs on Aug. 5, as a reliever. Wood finished the 2007 season with a 1-1 record in 22 games over 24.1 innings pitched. He struck out 24 and held hitters to a mere .207 batting average against en route to a 3.33 ERA. Wood also appeared to only get better as his short season progressed, with his fastball gaining speed as the season went on and finally topped out at 97 during the playoffs. 

What kind of Fantasy Value does Wood have heading into 2008?

Wood was brought back by the Cubs front office with every intention of making him the closer for next season as Ryan Dempster will move to the starting rotation. Wood has the stuff to be a dominant closer. He possesses a mid-to-upper-90s fastball, which has tremendous movement, a wicked slider that reaches the lower 90s, a down-breaking curveball and a solid changeup. While he obviously has the makeup to be a successful closing pitcher, he must prove that he is able to pitch in three consecutive games before "Sweet" Lou Piniella names him their closer. If Wood can prove that he can remain healthy, he should have no problem beating out relievers Bobby Howry and Carlos Marmol for the coveted spot at the back of the bullpen. If he is unable to win the job outright in spring training due, we should see him closing games by at least mid-season. Wood's natural ability and talented right arm should have him on your fantasy radar heading into the 2008 season, but his injury history make him a high-risk, high-reward type player. He should be targeted no earlier than the mid-to-late rounds of your draft. Wood should be treated as a No. 3 closer on your fantasy roster as there is tremendous risk associated with counting on him to carry your team in saves. Monitor his health during Spring Training as Wood will be competing for the closer role, if he proves that he can be effective in consecutive outings, bump him up on your draft board.

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Aaron Adams
Aaron has been with KFFL since 2007.

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