The Detroit Tigers entered the 2011 MLB season with one glaring weakness, and manager Jim Leyland told anyone who asked that he was scared to death of his bullpen. While he had the utmost of confidence in closer Jose Valverde, Leyland knew that bridging the gap to get to Valverde in the ninth inning would be difficult at times.
Needless to say, Leyland would prefer to not have to go through the 2012 MLB season with that same sort of anxiety.
Kerry Wood could help reduce the anxiety level of Leyland and Tigers’ fans alike.
Detroit will be without Al Alburqueque, who served as the set up man to Valverde at times last season, until at least the All-Star break in July after undergoing surgery. Joaquin Benoit will be back, and his season just got better and better as the year progressed, so the Tigers will also be counting on a big return campaign from him to help the team get to Valverde in the final inning.
But if Valverde and Benoit can perform as well as they did down the stret...
Found January 11, 2012 on
hardballchat.com:
PLAYERS:
Kerry Wood,
Jim Leyland,
Jose Valverde,
Joaquin Benoit,
Brad Lidge,
Ryan Madson,
Francisco Cordero,
Jonathan Papelbon,
Jose Contreras
TEAMS: Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels
TEAMS: Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels
Original Story:
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In case you haven’t heard by now, the Cubs and Kerry Wood are “close” to a new contract that would bring the reliever back for 2012, with an option for the 2013 season.
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Though it pains me to say, the Cubs should let Kerry Wood go this year and throw him a goodbye party on his way out of town. Wood lovesChicagoand we love him but this relationship has finally reached a point where the Cubs no longer need him. Sure the bullpen will be in tatters this year with all the young faces around but that is no reason to bring him back and make him suffer...
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Kerry Wood's "days as a Cub appear all but over," writes Dave Kaplan of CSNChicago.com after talking to a source with knowledge of the reliever's negotiations with the team. Kaplan quotes his source:
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