Don't look now...but THE CUBS are tied for 1st place!!

[Jimbo]

Wood came off the DL today....that is HUGE!!! They have not had him ALL year and now they have a healthy Kerry Wood for the stretch run WITHOUT having to give up a player....IF ANY TEAM was able to get a Kerry Wood WITHOUT giving up a player...they would as happy as a pig in slop.

The Tigers are that any team, soon they will get back a player even better than Kerry and he may (hopefully) solidify their bullpen...
Oh btw, that would be Joel Zumaya !!!
Lets hope the Tiger brass don't ruin this young guys career, although I think they are going to be very careful with him.

Now for the Cubs !!!
I will be rooting for the Cubbies to make it in the National side of things !

Jimbo

 

[salsadancer7]

The Tigers are that any team, soon they will get back a player even better than Kerry and he may (hopefully) solidify their bullpen...
Oh btw, that would be Joel Zumaya !!!
Lets hope the Tiger brass don't ruin this young guys career, although I think they are going to be very careful with him.

Now for the Cubs !!!
I will be rooting for the Cubbies to make it in the National side of things !

Jimbo

I think you missed my point. I am saying to pick-up a caliber pitcher like Wood and not giving up anything in the middle of a pennant chase is HUGE and every team would LOVE a pick-up like this....this is like hitting a small lottery hit.

 

[Jimbo]

I think you missed my point. I am saying to pick-up a caliber pitcher like Wood and not giving up anything in the middle of a pennant chase is HUGE and every team would LOVE a pick-up like this....this is like hitting a small lottery hit.

Yes I agree, it's basically the same with the Tigers, Zumaya's been out all year as well.
Difference being, you DON"T know what your going to get from Wood, with Zumaya, he didn't have any shoulder or elbow problems, so I would presume he'll be good to go.

Jimbo

 

[John Kotches]

salsa:

It is unlikely that we'll see Kerry in his top form after being on the DL for months. I hope so; but since he's not going into the starting rotation but rather into middle relief I think it's clear to me that he's a very big question mark.

Cheers,

 

[salsadancer7]

salsa:

It is unlikely that we'll see Kerry in his top form after being on the DL for months. I hope so; but since he's not going into the starting rotation but rather into middle relief I think it's clear to me that he's a very big question mark.

Cheers,

BUT....he is NOT being handled by Baker...and THERE in lies the difference. The occasions he came off the DL, he was going to the same reasons he went to the DL in the first place...the pitching killer named Baker. Pinella, I hope and assume, will treat THIS coming off the DL different.....I hope. I lived in that city 7 years....worked behind the scenes in sports media and if there are ANY FANS that deserve a World Series win...even MORE than the Red Sox and White Sox fans....it is the Cub fans.

 

[John Kotches]

BUT....he is NOT being handled by Baker...and THERE in lies the difference. The occasions he came off the DL, he was going to the same reasons he went to the DL in the first place...the pitching killer named Baker. Pinella, I hope and assume, will treat THIS coming off the DL different.....I hope. I lived in that city 7 years....worked behind the scenes in sports media and if there are ANY FANS that deserve a World Series win...even MORE than the Red Sox and White Sox fans....it is the Cub fans.

None of this will change the fact that he is having spring training right now

 

[salsadancer7]

None of this will change the fact that he is having spring training right now

That's right...BUT, the Cubs are in a pennant race WITHOUT his help....not 20 games out like my Reds....he will start middle relief, but will more than likely be the closer by late August.

 

[Jimbo]

That's right...BUT, the Cubs are in a pennant race WITHOUT his help....not 20 games out like my Reds....he will start middle relief, but will more than likely be the closer by late August.

Yes, thats where I was expecting him to go .. to the closer role, not as a starting pitcher anymore.

Jimbo

 

[John Kotches]

Is it really wise to have someone completely new to the closer role during the heart of a potential pennant race?

By completely new; I mean literally without experience as a closer.

Cheers,

 

[salsadancer7]

Is it really wise to have someone completely new to the closer role during the heart of a potential pennant race?

By completely new; I mean literally without experience as a closer.

Cheers,

John Smoltz had no problem....

 

[Jimbo]

Johnathon Papplebon had no problem

I think alot of Closers around the league don't do the job they are exected to do anymore and should move on for the new guy, but most continue to hang on.

Jimbo