Kerry Wood: Closer or no?

[Slayer Rules]

I know he was supposed to pitch yesterday (Sunday March 23) and that this performance was going to be the primary catalyst for Piniella's decision.

I haven't heard how it went yesterday (or if he even pitched at all) - does anyone have any info on this - including whether Pinella's going to make an announcement today?

[The River]

From what I've read/heard, Wood will be the closer. But with Pinella, that doesn't mean much and I believe Marmol's value barely drops. Wood is still a good pickup though.

[Slayer Rules]

River - agree with you.

Even if he's not the closer from the outset Marmol has value in that his ratios will be quite solid. I'm looking to deal Wood - his being named the closer will help out my asking price!!

[hett2333]

I live in chicago and on am 670 the score, I heard a report that the cubs have made Wood their official closer.

[Secret Avatar]

From what I understand, Wood is the closer. If he stays healthy and effective the job will remain his. But those are BIG "ifs" (especially the former) and the team has fire-thrower Marmol and steady Bob Howry waiting in the wings. I grabbed Marmol at the end of my draft yesterday on the theory that Wood is brittle and Marmol will be next in line for saves.

[Diggin4third]

Piniella names Wood as Cubs closer, Marquis as fifth starter
ESPN.com news services

Updated: March 24, 2008, 1:51 PM ET

Making three appearances in four days was apparently enough for Cubs manager Lou Piniella to name former starter and oft-injured pitcher Kerry Wood as Chicago's closer for the 2008 season.

Wood struck out two in a scoreless inning Sunday against the Padres and has a 3.60 ERA in 10 innings this spring with 10 strikeouts and no walks.

Piniella quashed any ideas about a closer-by-committee saying Monday that the job was Wood's alone.

"There's no reason he can't pitch three days in a row," Piniella said.

Piniella also said Jason Marquis would be the team's fifth starter while Jon Lieber would hold down the role of long reliever.

Piniella admitted the Cubs would likely need more than five starters during the course of the long season and having Lieber work in long relief will help keep his innings count more in line with a starting pitcher.

As far as other questions surrounding the Cubs batting order, shortstop Ryan Theriot will lead off while left fielder Alfonso Soriano will hit second. Felix Pie has won the starting job in center field and will bat eighth.

ESPN.com's Keith Law and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[superslugger616]

Wood has good stuff, and people are giving him little to no credit. The Cubs closer can wind up being one of the better ones in the league, so i think Wood is a great value pick towards the end of a draft, especially if you grab Marmol too.

[siQ_innovation]

Wood's lookin slick this year showing he has the stuff to close games. I'm a Marmol fan personally but I know Wood's going to do a sufficient job of closing it out for the Cubs.

[goalyboy13]

According to ESPN.com he is the closer. Though it may be a knee-jerk reaction. I've picked him up in place of Brian Wilson (I think the Cubs will win more games that San Francisco)

[The Big Stick]

Kerry Wood-R-Cubs Mar. 24 - 1:44 pm et

Kerry Wood was named the Cubs' closer by manager Lou Pinieilla on Monday.
As expected. Carlos Marmol and Bob Howry will serve in setup roles.
Source: Chicago Tribune
Related: Bob Howry, Carlos Marmol