Truth & Rumors > MLB

Wood leads Cubs closer race

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The battle that figures to receive the most attention in Cubs camp is the one for the closer's role, and, whether he admits it or not, Kerry Wood enters the spring as the odds-on favorite. Wood has built-in incentives in his one-year contract based on games finished. He's apparently injury-free for the first time in years. And he has seniority, with 10 years in a Cubs uniform entering the 2008 season.

Chicago Tribune

Kerry Wood , AP Kerry Wood , AP
February 15, 2008  06:19 AM ET

go Carlos Marmol! You can win this job. Burn the wood!

February 15, 2008  07:44 AM ET

I don't think he'll have to work too hard at doing that. Wood will do his usual and be injured by the first couple of weeks of the season and be done for the reamainder. Why he still is wearing a Cubs uni is beyond me.

February 15, 2008  09:45 AM ET

Ummm...
Yeah- I just have way toooooooo many things to really say about this headline but I just don't think I have the time to discuss it. I mean how long has this guy- yeah, never mind... I think I just injured my fingers and will not be able to type for the rest of the baseball season... Crap.

February 15, 2008  11:03 AM ET

Let's keep our fingers crossed he can do it or better yet - let's knock on "wood".

February 15, 2008  11:55 AM ET

Thank goodness the Red Sox showed no interest in him.

February 15, 2008  12:46 PM ET

Last year, Marmol looked like an All Star Closer in training. Going with Wood would be a huge mistake, not because Wood stinks, he is good, but because Marmol has some true up and coming talent and could show alot of people who great he really can be.

February 15, 2008  12:56 PM ET

wood would be a great middle relief but thats about it...he's one of those guys...considering he WAS starter....those long relief pitchers that just tend to stick in for 3-4 innings when ur starter really screwed up big time....

thats all he's good for...GO MARMOL!

February 15, 2008  01:21 PM ET

Marmol just has to wait until late April when Kerry inevitably gets hurt and goes on the DL. Then Carlos can be the closer.

February 15, 2008  01:21 PM ET

Wood's done...fork 'em!

February 15, 2008  01:30 PM ET

Truth - fork yourself.

though i agree marmol will end the year with the most saves

February 15, 2008  01:32 PM ET

duany:

Are you trying to defend Wood? I mean on what possible platform would you have to serve as support? NO STIMEY, YOU SIR ARE DONE!!!!!

NO SOUP FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!

February 15, 2008  02:09 PM ET

He's been with the team 10 YEARS?! I bet he's played a total of 2 whole years combined!

Comment has been removed
February 15, 2008  03:15 PM ET

Man if the cubs plan to have wood as their future closer they are leading up to another dissapointment. it wont take long till wood gets injured. This guy is a complete joke he wont last long until he starts feeling shoulder problems.

February 15, 2008  06:01 PM ET

WHY CUBS!!!!???????????? You have Howry and Marmol, PLEASE USE ONE OF THEM!!!

February 15, 2008  06:21 PM ET

what kind of bearing does seniorityhave in the decision? Marmol has played more in the last two years than wood has in his career.

February 15, 2008  06:31 PM ET

If Wood last thru spring training why not make him the closer? Seems like this Marmol cat would be a great set up man. Nothing wrong with having a lockdown 8th and 9th inning. If Wood gets hurt, Marmol slides right into that slot. Seems like it would work out either way.

February 15, 2008  10:11 PM ET

Why didn't they do this 5 yeara ago? They held out and went through all the years of injuries when Woods could have been one of the best closers in the game, if not the best!!

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February 19, 2008  10:30 PM ET

this is a good move dont be hatin kerry wood cause he is not on ur team and he gets injured. he is still a great pitcher that is why he is a closer. Marmol is one of the five best set up pitchers in the league and he is up and coming his time will come just cause he is not the closer does not mean he wont have one of the most important roles on the team. next to football it does not seem it but baseball is the biggest team sport

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