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Do IT this week: Layering
Serious arm injuries are behind right-hander
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sports writer
Published on Sunday, Dec 14, 2008
With Kerry Wood's history, the first question always involves the healthy condition of his right arm.
After undergoing a physical Thursday, Indians medical operatives pored over the data and pronounced Wood fit — to sign a contract worth $10 million in 2009 and $10.5 million in 2010. Moreover, if Wood finishes at least 55 games in either season, an $11 million option will automatically kick in for 2011.
We should all be so healthy.
After several frustrating years of battling serious arm injuries — including Tommy John (elbow) and rotator cuff surgery — and being forced onto the disabled list 12 times, Wood emerged with a new career in 2008, saving 34 games as the Chicago Cubs' closer.
But free agency beckoned following the season, and the Cubs preferred 26-year-old Carlos Marmol to be its closer. So Wood, now 31, went shopping and discovered Cleveland.
''They have a beautiful stadium and came at me hard from Day 1,'' Wood said on Saturday, when his signing became official. ''The record is also something I looked at. They had the best record in the second half.''
According to General Manager Mark Shapiro, Wood was target No. 1 from the outset of the winter trading season.
''Kerry was our first choice,'' he said. ''I don't know that there was anyone else available I would rather have pitch the ninth inning for us.''
Shapiro added that there is no reason to think that Wood will have a recurrence of any of the injuries that have marred his career. ''Obviously we did our medical due diligence, and he took a physical,'' Shapiro said. ''The most encouraging thing is how Kerry adapted to his new role last year. Not only did he hold up the whole season, he worked three days in a row multiple times and pitched in both ends of a doubleheader.''
Wood stressed that the Cubs never tried to baby him in his first year of closing.
''I was pretty much left alone,'' he said. ''I came in for two innings sometimes and for four outs. The only thing they didn't let me do was go out for a fifth day in a row. But they did call down there once on the fifth day (to see if he was available), but they ended up not needing me. So there were no restrictions on me.''
When Wood began his big-league journey as Rookie of the Year in 1998, he was a feared fireballing starter. But a cascade of injuries left his career in tatters, until he began to resurrect it in the final two months of 2007 as a reliever.
Winning the closer job last spring training, Wood's save total was fourth best in the National League, blowing six saves and compiling a 5-4 record and 3.25 ERA in 65 appearances (661/3 IP).
Wood was named to the All-Star team and averaged 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings. He no longer routinely throws in the high 90s, but Shapiro has a power arm in the closer role for the first time in his tenure as GM. ''He consistently throws in the mid-90s,'' Shapiro said.
Shapiro's quest to bolster the bullpen has ended, barring an unforeseen deal he can't refuse. In addition to Wood, the Tribe acquired sidearm specialist Joe Smith from the New York Mets. They'll join Jensen Lewis, Rafael Perez and Rafael Betancourt to form the 2009 bullpen.
With Wood as closer, the sorting out process will depend in part on spring training performances.
''Every year is a new year with a bullpen,'' Shapiro said. ''We will look at what guys accomplished in the past, but that won't be the only barometer.''
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com.
With Kerry Wood's history, the first question always involves the healthy condition of his right arm.
Get the full article here.
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