Pondering Kerry Wood at closer for the Braves

by gondeee on Nov 13, 2009 1:58 PM EST in Trade News Comment 19 comments

Keith Law makes some good points about the Indians closer, Kerry Wood:

"Wood had a better year than he's getting credit for having - once you consider ballpark, defense, and league, he probably had the best year of the three major free agent closers from last winter. With just one year left on his deal and a team motivated to cut payroll, he could be a nice pickup on the cheap for a team unwilling to go multiple years for Rafael Soriano or Mike Gonzalez."

He's not cheap at $10 million for 2010, and he may not have the durability to be used like Bobby Cox likes to use his relievers and closers, but in the right trade he could be a bargain, as Law says.

I think we'll settle on our closer late in the off-season after we let some of the other players find homes. I get the feeling that the Braves see the closer position as an off-season need, and perhaps even a priority, but not their top priority.

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closer

what about Smoltz as closer? Or is that bridge burned ?

by AlbaBrave on Nov 13, 2009 4:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It’s funny, I was just looking at the Indians 2010 payroll obligations last night and saw Wood as a potential closer option. I believe he also has a 2011 option, but at that point, probably better to just pony up for Gonzalez.

If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.

by Yakker on Nov 13, 2009 4:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and

Another reason to trade for Wood for 2010 rather than resign Gonzalez or Soriano is that Wood will likley be a Type A free agent at the end of the season, if you’re willing to offer him arbitration.

If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.

by Yakker on Nov 13, 2009 4:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

But for who?...

you’d assume they’d be doing it to cut salary, so that would take Lowe out of the equation, unless they wanted an innings eater at the top to abuse while waiting on younger guys to develop.

by Mr. Sanchez on Nov 13, 2009 4:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I can see it now

I can already picture Jeff Porter sprinting out to the mound with Booby following behind in his famous waddle, while Wood’s arm is dangling from his should after his 14 appearance in 15 nights.

by JFP on Nov 13, 2009 5:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Why?

Why would you trade prospects for a more expensive closer who has a huge injury history. When Mike Gonzalez is cheaper, costs no prospects, and has only been injured once?

by palioc33 on Nov 13, 2009 5:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Why

Less total commitment, better, and up to 4 first round draft picks (2010 and 2011).

Why indeed.

If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.

by Yakker on Nov 13, 2009 6:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

actually no.

If Gonzo or Soriano accept arb then you have them for one year as well, same as Wood. Gonzo will cost about half of what Wood would cost in one year, and you’ll only get those draft picks if you offer arb to Wood following 2010. If he accepts, your probably on the hook for 12 million or more, if his stated 2009 salary is 10 million. It’d be a disaster. That’s not even looking at the injury risk that come with him. Not sure Wood is a better answer to our closer situation then DeJesus is to our LF/power option that was mentioned by KRos earlier.

by jwrocks on Nov 13, 2009 6:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It’s unlikely (as in no chance in hell) that either Soriano or Gonzalez accept arbitration. If they do, great. No need to sign Wood.

If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.

by Yakker on Nov 13, 2009 6:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

some serious shit needs to go wrong for either of those guys to accept arbitration, like global systemic collapse or soemhting….or as my buddy would say gamma ray bursts

Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?

by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST

by Swo12bv on Nov 13, 2009 6:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh man, that’d totally be great if they did accept, but like you said, highly unlikely. My point was I’d rather have guys probably not accept arb if they deserve it then have Wood, who would be arb, accept and not be worth the money or have the stats to back up that amount.

by jwrocks on Nov 14, 2009 4:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Fair enough. But you don’t even have to offer Wood arbitration after 2010, if you don’t want. Personally, I’d love the picks, but I understand the concern.

If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.

by Yakker on Nov 14, 2009 5:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nah

I would rather sign Wagner. Soriano is on top of my wish list but Wagner is #2

by drumzalicious on Nov 13, 2009 6:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If you could ship a fringe prospect to Cleveland and they'd still eat half his salary

Then you have to make sure he doesn’t finish 55 games in 2010, but still, I like the idea a lot. Cleveland might be willing to pay $5 million just to get that contract off the books. If nobody else is willing to take on the full contract (which I believe may happen) you might as well give it a shot.

http://www.capitolavenueclub.com/

by PWHjort on Nov 13, 2009 8:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

you can make a clause that voids that section of the contract when you make the trade… if Wood isnt willing to accept tht then we don’t make the deal.

or soemething of that sort

Heyward,Hanson,and Shaffer r ready now!! Why do you think they havent signed the "right handed bat"?

by fatazfoot on Jan 7, 2009 8:59 PM EST

by Swo12bv on Nov 14, 2009 9:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Woods as a closer candidate...but not THE closer

I would love to see a volume acqusition for the bullpen. It was nice to have Gonzalez AND Soriao at the end of the bullpen last year. I would be ok for trading for someone like Woods if it was discounted ALOT…assuming we sign a Gonzalez, Soriano, wagner etc. There are A LOT of quality closers in the market right now and I don’t think the Braves need to overpay early…nor do they need to only target one person.

If the price is reasonable I would be ok bring back the same guys…but that isn’t going to happen.

I would also like them to look at some upside guys…Tony Pena Jr..for example supposedly had great stuff with AZ (though I can’t recall if he was hurt).

The Angels aren’t happy with Fuentes…could he be had cheap?

There are A LOT of options available out there.

by calbers on Nov 14, 2009 2:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think you mean Tony Pena, not Tony Pena Jr, the converted P from SS. The former was traded from AZ to CWS at the deadline for Brandon Allen, and I believe he’s under control for a few more years.

If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.

by Yakker on Nov 14, 2009 4:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

IF . . .

If the Braves truly want a closer that can be counted on, why not Billy Wagner? Remember his lights out games against our boys when he came off DL? They have other options if they are trying to save money by not paying a huge contract in the bp, Moylan, Medlin could be options if that is the fact. There are other low budget pitchers that will be available on the market so that they could go after a big bat.

by GeneN on Nov 14, 2009 4:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs