Could Kerry Wood be a fit for the Diamondbacks?
Jun 6, 2011, 9:41 PM | Updated: 10:46 pm
It’s no secret that the Arizona Diamondbacks are interested in adding bullpen depth via trade. Their team president, Derrick Hall, told fans and the media as much last week.
For the first time, we have a name that general manager Kevin Towers and the club could have interest in.
Sports 620 KTAR’s John Gambadoro thinks the team should pursue former Chicago Cubs star starter, and current reliever, Kerry Wood to solidify the seventh inning of games.
“What they want to do is address the need for a seventh inning guy,” Gambadoro said Monday on Gambo and Ash. “There’s a name that is going to be available that I think the Arizona Diamondbacks should and will look at to address that need. It’s a big name. The guy lives here in the Valley. He had a lot of success as a starting pitcher early in his career. Injuries derailed him for awhile but he’s come back strong as a relief pitcher. The guy I’m talking about is Kerry Wood.”
After struggling for years with injuries as a starter, Wood has finally found his place pitching out of the bullpen. This season he has posted a 2.35 ERA while striking out 19 batters in just 23 innings of work. He split his time in 2010 between the Cleveland Indians and the New York Yankees where, in 46 innings of work, he posted 3.13 ERA and struck out 49 hitters.
The veteran right hander is an interesting proposition. He’s proven that he can shut down opponents out of the pen and could help further strengthen a unit that has been a major bright spot for the club. The one concern is durability. Woods has failed to stay healthy throughout his career. If the D-backs are looking to acquire him for the stretch run, that has to be a main concern.
If the cost is right, Wood could really help the team win the division. Gambo thinks he wouldn’t cost the D-backs a top prospect.
“You’re giving up a guy that’s probably not a top 10 prospect in your organization but probably somebody that’s along the lines of 10 to 20,” he said. “You’re probably giving them a good prospect because Kerry Wood can help this team. He could be the difference between making the playoffs and not making the playoffs.”
It’s a deal that could make some sense. The Cubs are 11 games under .500 and are probably looking towards the future at this point. If they can get a young prospect in return for Wood, why wouldn’t they do it? The D-backs could make that happen.
Whether they trade for Wood or not, one thing is clear. It’s nice to hear the D-backs being talked about as buyers rather than sellers this summer.
