The Arizona Diamondbacks just drafted two pitchers who look fantastic and by all accounts Trevor Bauer could step on to Chase Field tomorrow and be effective. But it doesn't work like that in baseball so if the D-backs want to find some immediate help for the 2011 season it will have to come through a trade.
↵One name floated by local radio host John Gambadoro was Cubs reliever (and former phenom) Kerry Wood. Here's what he had to say on his Monday afternoon show:
↵↵↵"What they want to do is address the need for a seventh inning guy. There's a name that is going to be available that I think the Arizona Diamondbacks should and will look at to address that need. It's a big name. The guy lives here in the Valley. He had a lot of success as a starting pitcher early in his career. Injuries derailed him for awhile but he's come back strong as a relief pitcher. The guy I'm talking about is Kerry Wood."
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It's a fantastic idea for sure. The D-backs would be a much better team with Kerry Wood in the bullpen to eat up another inning and as Gambadoro pointed out, the Chicago Cubs (23-35) are all but done for the season. Wood had an ERA of 0.69 in 24 relief innings for the Yankees last year and has a 2.35 ERA in 23 innings for the Cubs this season. He is on an expiring $1.5 million contract with a no trade clause.
↵It's that clause that's the problem.
↵According to SB Nation's Cubs expert, Al Yellon, Wood sold his house in the Valley and is fully committed to living in Chicago where his wife's family is from.
↵"I doubt he'd approve a trade. His family is here, and that's the reason he signed with the Cubs. Also, I know one of his kids has some health issues. Though he'd be of some value, I don't think he's going anywhere," Yellon said.
↵It's possible Wood could agree to spend a couple of summer months in Arizona for the chance to help the team in a pennant race despite the family ties in Chicago, but it seems far from a no-brainer. It is a deal, though, the D-backs should at least explore.
↵You just don't know how these things will turn out, but isn't it fun to be talking about which players the D-backs can acquire at the trade deadline as opposed to testing the market for salary dumps like last summer?