Again. I'm not sure he'll ever be able to consistently carry a full workload as a starter - he's got such a violent delivery, and Dusty Baker isn't helping. His future might be as a closer - at least for a few years.
Wasn't Baker the one who let him throw 120 pitches in Spring Training, after being out for a few weeks with arm problems? Since being pulled early from his start against Houston earlier this month, Baker has allowed him to throw 95, 112 and 104 pitches.
He's had arm problems for a long time; story goes during the playoffs his Sr. year, his H.S. coach at Duncanville pitched him 150 or so pitches on a Wednesday, and then another 150 or so pitches on Friday, and *then* a relief appearance on Saturday. And lo & behold, he started having arm problems shortly thereafter. Of course this is all from memory, so the details may be a bit off.
For this reason I don't understand why people want to blame Baker for this guy's problems. He's been eratic and hurt ever since he got to the majors. Do you realize that game he struck out 20 Stros was 7 seasons ago.
People blame Baker because he 1) Has a track record of overusing pitchers, 2) Hasn't exactly instituted a radical reform in the way the Cubs pitchers are handled. Obviously, Wood's been overpitched probably since little league - and that hasn't changed at all in the majors - no matter who his manager was - Don Baylor or Dusty Baker.
If the Cubs want to save their starters, there's only one guy who can help them: (Actually, this idea might not be so far-fetched... he's got to be on the short list of potential managers out there, if he wants to be. If any man could ever juggle a 6-pitcher no-hitter... he knows how to handle a battered pitching staff)
i think wood's injuries compounded with prior's on-again-off-again appearances on the DL is helping the "baker don't know how to use his pitchers" story.
They need to just move him to the closer role. It's stated he probably needs surgery after the season again. Move him to a closer for a year or two and try him out again. Look at the success of Lidge and Wagner. They used to be starters with injury problems and their value is just as high as almost any starter. Good closers are harder to find than a good starting pitcher nowadays.
Steve Stone said that if Kerry Wood did not change his mechanics he would be selling cars really soon. It is his mechanics that are causing the problems...someone needs to teach him how to throw the ball properly to avoid these issues....but not until the Astros pick him up cheap. DD
But the manager having known that, should watching his pitch count accordingly. Baker isn't soley to blame, but he definitely is contributing to the problem.
I agree with this..KW should be able to pro-long his career with the right mgmt...I would love to see him in a Stos' uni for cheap...
