WHY WOOD SHOULD BE ON THE RADAR

(Photo: NY Daily News)
When the Yankees acquired Kerry Wood last year from Cleveland I just thought he would be a reliever who came in the sixth or seventh inning and wouldn't pitch in many pressure spots. I say this because when he was with the Indians last year he was shaky at best, posting a 6.30 in 23 games pitched, although he was battling through shoulder issues. But once he put the pinstripes on he shined, and was clearly more than a sixth or seventh inning guy.(Photo: NY Daily News)
Last year Wood was perfect with the Yankees, or at least close to it. In 24 games pitched he had an incredible 0.69 ERA, while punching out 31 batters in 26 innings. He also learned a new cut fastball--to go along with his hard 4-seamer and his sharp slider--taught to him by the great Mariano Rivera of course. Last year when Wood was in pinstripes, it seemed like all the Yankees had to do was get a lead after seven innings, hand it to Woody in the eighth, and Mo in the ninth, and see ya tommorow night.

It's too bad Kerry Wood didn't return to the Yankees in favor of heading back home to Chicago to play with the Cubs. The Cubs gave him just a one year deal worth just a little more than $1 million, he also has a full no-trade clause. But, the Yankees wanted to sign him before they wanted to sign Rafael Soriano. And since they couldn't sign Wood, they signed Soriano instead, and thus far that hasn't worked out yet.

But right now the Yankees are hurting in the bullpen. Joba is going to be out the rest of the season, and the majority of next season with Tommy John surgery. Rafael Soriano is already out due to an injured elbow, and so are lefties Pedro Feliciano and Damaso Marte. Soriano could be back by the All Star break, and so could Feliciano, yet Soriano hasn't played toss yet while Feliciano just started--so they're both still aways. Obviously, the Yanks need an arm in the 'pen and Wood makes the most sense for a number of reasons.

1. He has pitched in New York and has been effective, so you know he can handle the pressure.
2. He's very cheap. He signed a 1+ million dollar deal and will have just a fraction left on that deal.
3. The Yankees wouldn't have to give up much for him. The Cubs would be high out of their minds if they even asked for one of the "Killer B's", or Jesus Montero, or any top prospect the Yankees have, becasue you already know that Brian Cashman can be reluctant to part ways with those guys even for the best pitchers in baseball.
   

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, along with relievers Grant Balfour, Heath Bell, Michael Wuertz, and Matt Capps, Wood could become available immediately. And right now the Yankees bullpen is in a world of hurt. Make the move Cashman!



--Jesse Schindler, BYB Staff Writer







--Jeana Bellezza, BYB Associate Editor




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