Indians closer Kerry Wood is one of the most obvious midseason trade candidates. A $10.5MM stopper is unnecessary on a rebuilding club, and Wood could draw interest with a strong first half.
Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer addresses Wood's situation. He says a few teams inquired this winter, "but they wanted the Indians to absorb the lion's share of his 2010 salary." Wood, 32, was prone to home runs and walks in his 55 innings in '09. This year the Indians plan to pitch him more often to avoid rust.
That plan could actually hurt Wood's trade value, as it may make his $11MM option for 2011 more likely to vest. The 2011 salary becomes guaranteed with 55 games finished (the Angels' Brian Fuentes has a similar option). A pitcher gains a game finished by being the last reliever to pitch in a game (win or lose), so it's easier to come by than a save. Of course, a team trading for Wood may choose to use him in a set-up role.
With the woes that have been Cleveland’s starting pitching the last couple seasons. Wood might not get many chances to draw interest.
I still dont know why cubs couldn’t have turned things around with the bradley situtation and just trade for woods. I think their contracts lined up.
Wood is better.
Why would Cleveland have made that move? Not only is Bradley under contract for a year longer, but the Indians already have Brantley, Crowe, Brown and others for left field.
If Cleveland trades Wood, it would be to save money, and maybe to get a prospect back too if possible.
Maybe if Hendry didn’t pull a Sarah Palin and give Bradley a 3yr/$30mil contract, there wouldn’t have been a “situation” in the first place…
How does Sarah Palin tie in?
I made a mistake in the first version of the post – your team does not have to win for you to get a GF.
Games Finished is a nifty stat for closers. It gives them credit for all those times they go out there to keep a 3-4 game close, but their club fails to rally.
No way Wood is traded without the Indians eating some serious money *unless* Wood is absolutely lights out. Not likely though. He should be much better than he was in 09 but that still won’t be enough to turn his contract into an asset.
Yeah, especially if he plays well enough to finish a lot of games. This could end up looking a lot like the Magglio/Millwood situations from last season.
Even if he is lights out the buyers would call for much of the salary to be absorbed. The sellers are not in a position of strength here.
Just too much money and not worth prospects even if the Indians absorb some salary.
I say wood could be sent in-division to the Chi-sox on a significant pay cut or Mariners Braves Cardinals or D-Backs if in contention & Qualls falls off….I see only these 5 teams maybe considering Wood
At about 4-7 mil of his salary eaten up by Cleveland I can only see Wood going to in division Chi-Sox if Jenks gets injured or dosent show top notch closer stuff..to Seattle if Aaardsma cant repeat last yrs #s and mariners are in the race…to the Braves Wagner cant be nowhere near back to form or top-notch closer stuff theyll have to look elsewhere before all-star break and if wood has strong showing in frst half i dont see why the Braves wouldnt take a chance on wood with 7 mil of his contract eaten up…I can see the D-backs going after him too if they are in the race and Qualls falls off