The Indians appear to be close to signing closer Kerry Wood to a two-year contract.
Castrovince, official site.
UPDATE: 3:45 p.m. A.C. says it's down to technicalities. Shapiro to meet with reporters later this afternoon.
about 3 years ago
fleerdon
279 comments
2 recs |
Comments
UPDATE: One thing worth mentioning here. Wood is a Type A free agent, but the Indians wouldn’t lose any Draft picks if they signed him, because the Cubs didn’t offer him salary arbitration. I’ve heard the Cubs didn’t offer arbitration because Wood, who really wanted to stay in Chicago, indicated that he might accept it. ~ A.C.
by fleerdon on Dec 9, 2008 3:24 PM EST up reply actions
Because one year of Kerry Wood at ~$10MM would be such a horrible thing. Might ruin the entire franchise.
Yeah, why Chicago had no interest in this is the element that escapes me. Screw effective, competitively priced relievers! Who needs ’em?
by fleerdon on Dec 9, 2008 3:44 PM EST up reply actions
I have a depth chart on my dry erase board, and I’m not joking about that.
by fleerdon on Dec 9, 2008 2:33 PM EST up reply actions
I think you should take digital pic of the dry erase board and fan shot it.
"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter
by Denver Tribe Fan on Dec 9, 2008 3:33 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Too jumbled. It’s competing for space with my state action doctrine flowchart.
by fleerdon on Dec 9, 2008 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
Jesus, you know the state action doctrine makes no sense (or maybe it’s just the way I teach it). Just erase that part.
Or maybe there’s a way to set up an interactive dry erase board depth chart on LGT? Jay?!
"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter
by Denver Tribe Fan on Dec 9, 2008 3:36 PM EST up reply actions
Mixed feelings here. I’m happy about the signing, but on the other hand now I don’t get to post a Fan Shot with the title “Mourning Wood”
by Logodaedalus on Dec 9, 2008 2:33 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
Had anybody else been wondering why, exactly, we need to “wait for the Mets to knock over the first domino”? And what the hell that even meant?
by fleerdon on Dec 9, 2008 2:36 PM EST reply actions
Because the big spending team can set the market, especially in this case when they’re only willing to spend so much on a closer.
With the dearth of closers on the market and the biggest spender out of the equation it because a super depressed buyers market since the remaining clubs are in another spending bracket altogether.
by world dictator on Dec 9, 2008 2:40 PM EST up reply actions
What I meant, actually was
1. I don’t think Kerry Wood’s value is tied all that closely to Francisco Rodriguez’s value. Wood isn’t going to get to ask for 3 years/$45MM if the Mets give Rodriguez something ridiculous like 3 years/$55MM. Seemed like commentator bloviation to me.
2. There really isn’t a dearth of closers. There are several good available options and not too many teams shopping for them, comparatively speaking.
3. Even at a higher value, Kerry Wood was likely to be within our budget and to fit our needs.
Add it up, I didn’t see a compelling reason not to strike first, other than that writers would rather write about Rodriguez and the Mets instead of Wood and the Indians.
by fleerdon on Dec 9, 2008 3:00 PM EST up reply actions
If it’s a 2-year deal, then I definately like it (depending on the money of course). With Kerry Wood you always run the risk of him getting injured, so to go any higher than 2 years guaranteed could come back to haunt you. It will also allow for our youngers arms like Meloan, Miller and Stevens to get used to the majors instead of them immediately being thrown into the deep as a closer.
I know this is a longshot, but I wonder if one of Sipp, Stevens, and/or Meloan becomes a potential trading chip?
by world dictator on Dec 9, 2008 2:42 PM EST up reply actions
Seems he’s expendable if we get Wood. Raffy L and JLew as set up men. But we may want to keep bullpen depth with Wood’s health history.
"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter
by Denver Tribe Fan on Dec 9, 2008 3:34 PM EST up reply actions
of those three, I think Stevens would be the only one with much value, as both Sipp (injury) and Meloan (struggles as a starter in 2008) have questions surrounding them
by APV on Dec 9, 2008 2:46 PM EST up reply actions
I’m excited. When do we sign Prior?
The best thing probably is to hit [Grady] 2nd -- Jay
by Buckeye Brad on Dec 9, 2008 2:41 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I’m sorry — really, I regret that I didn’t have the willpower not to make that joke.
by fleerdon on Dec 9, 2008 2:47 PM EST up reply actions
Ohboyohboyohboyohboy
Burn on, big river, burn on...
by Turkmenbashi on Dec 9, 2008 2:45 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
i almost made the exact same post (give or take an ohboy or two)
by APV on Dec 9, 2008 2:48 PM EST up reply actions
I dunno why I’m so excited. Wood isn’t so much the NEW AND SHINY that we always seem to be after as he is the kinda rusty but DAMN will he look good with a new coat ofpaint.
Burn on, big river, burn on...
I’d be happy for some sort of reverse Eckersley effect
by APV on Dec 9, 2008 3:31 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
so true
One of these days... bang, zoom, straight to the moon...
by mixmasterasia on Dec 9, 2008 3:34 PM EST up reply actions
just look at some highlight clips on mlb.com — that 96 MPH fastball and insane curveball will make alot of hitters look foolish
Yes, I’m drooling. There was a clip of his 20 strikeout game floating around at some point… the last strikeout pitch was just… god, pure ownage in every sense of the word.
Burn on, big river, burn on...
I want:
1) this to be made official
2) the Tigers to respond by making a horribly ill-advised signing/trade for a closer
Tigers have to go all in and hope for a major rebound. All their chips are on the table, the farm system is depleted, the payroll is maxed, and the group won’t be together much longer. Might as well empty it out further and see if they can be competitive.
How does Detroit get Putz? What do they have that Seattle wants?
by cleveland teamer on Dec 9, 2008 3:22 PM EST up reply actions
HA!
That was good. I’ll have a bruise.
And do I have permission for “Mourning Wood” when it applies?
by Ian Casselberry on Dec 9, 2008 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
Also…if this doesn’t happen, Castrovince is dead to me (at least until the next news of a big signing that he breaks)
Castrovince said back during the teahen rumor that he was going to be more careful about this kind of thing. i’m pretty confident – though, i’m not to the bottom of this thread yet, so for all i know, this could have blown up already.
This is probably a bit low. I hadn’t read about the $14MM vesting option on K-Rod’s contract until a minute ago.
Ya know, there is the off chance that this is a guy. It’s also the #1 result for “vote kerry sticker”.
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
thats not a guy
Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.
by Gradyforpresident on Dec 9, 2008 3:19 PM EST up reply actions
me too
Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.
by Gradyforpresident on Dec 9, 2008 4:27 PM EST up reply actions
If you find this one not funny, potentially understandable. I was shocked by your statement that all were not funny.
See “trying to hard to be smart” discussion in the thanksgiving thread.
I actually legitimately flagged this post, because I wanted to point out that xkcd comics are:
1. Drawn poorly (hence he intentionally does exclusively stick figures, until recently he has tried to do more but is failing miserably. Hell, physics/math majors couldn’t possibly have spent the right amount of time in a studio to master this crap anyway, it’s arrogance to assume he could be as practice as someone like Brad Neely, and if he didn’t study physics/math then his content would’nt be so…)
2. Terrible. His jokes just purely aren’t funny. You can cream yourself if you get the wikipedia/WiReD science reference, but if you don’t get it, you fail.
I don’t go in for the tech geek ones so much, because they draw on extremely specific knowledge, but the ones that draw on more general nerddom are often pretty funny. The one I posted isn’t a shining example (no pun intended, for real) — it just happened to be relevant.
I don’t actually think that he’s “trying to be smart” in any sort of pretentious way — he just happens to be part of a nerdy world (as do most in his target audience), and taps into that shared reference frame to make often (but not always) funny strips. Of course even Gary Larson and Bill Watterson weren’t funny all the time — and for the record I am not putting Randall Munroe into the same category as those guys, just using them as a gold standard.
And I don’t think it’s reasonable to hold every artist (whatever their medium) to the standard that they must try to appeal to everyone all the time. Sometimes it’s okay to be in a niche.
Anyway, I’d rather not rehash this same discussion in a different context. Especially not in this thread-of-good-feeling (speaking of people named Mo/unroe?) Better to agree to disagree on this one, methinks.
by Logodaedalus on Dec 10, 2008 12:21 AM EST up reply actions
Gotta agree with Logo on this. It’s not the cartoonists’ fault that his work has become popular enough to reach an audience that doesn’t get the jokes. Lord knows only a very tiny percent of the population would have the slightest idea what we’re talking about here at LGT.
Gotta agree with Logo on this.
::falls down::
by Logodaedalus on Dec 10, 2008 1:23 AM EST up reply actions
It still has that competitive nerd whiff of giving a shit about who is smart and who isn’t. Yeah, like Logo said – it’s the same thing with music. I’ll fight this battle too far, so I’ll stop here.
Except points 1 and 2 (aside from the nerd-humor, which I will never find funny, like his little “love=cos(loneliness) + alpha crap” or whatever sentimental posts, still stand. I mean seriously, he goes for ironically sparse because his drawings suck so bad…
He has no pretense that the drawings themselves are any good…that’s not really the focus. There are plenty of musicians who can’t play more than a handful of basic chords on the guitar, but who still manage to write pretty good songs.
One might say that by demanding intricate drawings you’re requiring a certain level of structural complexity in your art… counter to what you were saying before about music.
Anyway, seriously, I respect your right not to like XKCD. I happen to like much of it.
LGNST!
by Logodaedalus on Dec 10, 2008 1:34 AM EST up reply actions
I don’t demand intricacy. I demand skill. Totally unrelated. Counter to nothing. Speaking of a guy who isn’t overly intricate but is talented out the wazooo….
But do you demand skill at playing an instrument in your musicians? Isn’t it sometimes good enough to be skilled at writing songs, and just using the instrument as a minimal support? I would argue that R.M. is skilled at writing (a certain kind of) comics, just not at drawing, as far as we can tell.
by Logodaedalus on Dec 10, 2008 1:47 AM EST up reply actions
Imagine a musician going for a riff and just whiffing – unintentionally – sucking. You know by now how anti-showing off I am with music (and art). But I still want my piano players to not hit the wrong notes when they want to hit the right ones. That’s my beef with xkcd.
I don’t see stick figures as wrong notes… more like… C pentatonic major… or something.
by Logodaedalus on Dec 10, 2008 1:57 AM EST up reply actions
You should see the “comics” he posted of his “good drawings” – some of which he claims he drew in high school (it shows) – they are laugh out loud terrible. Like a high school art student trying to look deep but not knowing how to shade or forgetting to pick up his pencil. He sucks, flat-out. By the way, Brad Neely and South Park both have pretty simple animation. But both are pretty good.
Perhaps credit to him for realizing that “good drawings” weren’t his strength — the comics were. Though his high school drawings are certainly better than I could do (which is why I don’t).
by Logodaedalus on Dec 10, 2008 1:45 AM EST up reply actions
I’m not entirely sure what he’s done to draw so much of your ire, but the comics are not supposed to look good. He can’t draw. He knows it. His audience knows it. The drawings aren’t the point. The jokes and the stories are the focus. I guess if you’re not part of the “nerd culture” then most of the jokes won’t hit you, which is fine, but trust me when I say that as a former physics major many of the nerdy jokes he makes are god-danged hilarious; they just have a high level of prerequisite knowledge. It’s not being pretentious, it’s being niche.
Good. pretty good.
Can’t argue taste too far though, Joeee.
I’m going to be more disciplnied about scaling down the images that I’m moved to post, which makes these less “in your face”. Nickjs posted a handy code for making scale adjustments. This comic, as obscure as it is, doesn’t need to be so prominent, nor does anything I’ve every posted.
Helium Watch: Chuck Lofgren, OF
Agreed. I didn’t know how to scale it down ’til now. Sorry.
by Logodaedalus on Dec 10, 2008 1:15 PM EST up reply actions
Hello, Cleveland! We’re Competitiv Nerd Whiff! We’re here to rock you! Intelligently!
by woodsmeister on Dec 10, 2008 9:19 AM EST up reply actions
If y’all are interested in a really funny dude who is good at art, check out Brad Neely (not appropriate for work).
Neely got big with a youtube video (Washington, Washington) and started drawing for Adult Swim – then got hired by South Park. Very funny guy. Check him out.
Clearly time to change my ID again. To that.
by Logodaedalus on Dec 10, 2008 2:19 PM EST up reply actions
I reade it on my computing machine twice weeklye.
by Logodaedalus on Dec 10, 2008 11:27 AM EST up reply actions
Well then that guy has a pretty nice ass.
by Logodaedalus on Dec 9, 2008 3:20 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
i share your appreciation for that dude’s can.
by emil minty on Dec 9, 2008 3:24 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
I have to go take a Calc III final exam. When I get out of it Kerry Wood had better be a Cleveland Indian.
good luck
One of these days... bang, zoom, straight to the moon...
by mixmasterasia on Dec 9, 2008 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
only if you can successfully give me the second partial derivatives of f and the discriminant:
D = fxxfyy – (fxy)^2
by APV on Dec 9, 2008 3:36 PM EST up reply actions
Is the answer 3/$25m?
Burn on, big river, burn on...
by Turkmenbashi on Dec 9, 2008 3:39 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
CastroTurf:
UPDATE No. 2 (3:30 p.m. ET): This thing is legit. I’m hearing it’s two years and an option and could be done as soon as today (though, obviously, Wood would have to go through a physical and paperwork and all that fun stuff). Wood’s agent isn’t talking to the press today, so any on-the-record information would have to come from the Indians. Shapiro is having his daily session with reporters in a few hours.
this presser better be on indians.com
Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.
by Gradyforpresident on Dec 9, 2008 3:45 PM EST up reply actions
and, that’s what i wanted to see when i got down here.
by Brick. on Dec 9, 2008 3:45 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
that’s the funniest application of that joke I’ve heard in a long time
by cleveland teamer on Dec 9, 2008 3:49 PM EST up reply actions
yep
Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.
by Gradyforpresident on Dec 9, 2008 3:51 PM EST up reply actions
Did someone remember to wake up Hoynes for all of this?
by millionairesrow on Dec 9, 2008 3:54 PM EST reply actions 4 recs
This whole “getting the FA we want” thing has made me drunk with the possibilities.
Kerry Wood! Adam Dunn! Derek Lowe! Rafael Furcal!
Steel Nick
Are you drunk with possibilities or just plain drunk?
"It's hard to win when you don't score." Cliff Lee, 9/28/05.
I can’t get the Indians site to load for the life of me
Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.
by Gradyforpresident on Dec 9, 2008 3:59 PM EST reply actions
thanks
Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.
by Gradyforpresident on Dec 9, 2008 4:03 PM EST up reply actions
KLaw-
A source with Cleveland indicated that the Indians are still “actively engaged in the closer market” but haven’t settled on one player or finalized a deal yet. There have been reports the team is close to reaching an agreement with free-agent righty Kerry Wood.
what does this mean what does this mean what does this mean
Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.
by Gradyforpresident on Dec 9, 2008 4:21 PM EST up reply actions
tell me this is from early this morning tell me this is from early this morning tell me this is from early this morning tell me this is from early this morning
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
or
tell me shap is messing with law’s head tell me shap is messing with law’s head tell me shap is messing with law’s head tell me shap is messing with law’s head tell me shap is messing with law’s head
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
Can’t find a timestamp, but it’s the second most recent post on the ESPN Winter Meetings blog, probably from about 3:30PM EST
Apparently Peter Bendix is there, too, as spotted by Will Carroll. Why PB is not reporting any news to the LGT community is beyond me. Irresponsible, frankly. He should know some people over here are getting apoplectic by now.
by cleveland teamer on Dec 9, 2008 4:33 PM EST up reply actions
I should’ve gone this year. I could have paid for the whole trip at the blackjack table.
by Jay on Dec 9, 2008 4:35 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think you can just show up and find work as a dealer, Jay.
by fleerdon on Dec 9, 2008 4:36 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
Definitely not, my hands are terrible with cards. Which is odd, considering I play piano and can type very quickly.
by Jay on Dec 9, 2008 4:43 PM EST up reply actions
There’s nothing quotable, except maybe for the Apollo-missions-were-a-hoax type dude who thinks this isn’t happening.
by fleerdon on Dec 9, 2008 4:34 PM EST up reply actions
This is great news. I figured Cleveland would settle on Hoffman instead, but getting Wood on a two year plus option is so much better. Excellent, excellent move not to settle for the (supposedly) cheaper option. Also! the fact that we made the first move when the Mets were supposed to be running things is pretty cool, too.
When was the last time we had a closer who could hit 95 MPH on the radar gun? Rick Vaughn?
John Rocker
Don't forget to pay your parking ticket.
by TheVanillaGorilla on Dec 9, 2008 4:54 PM EST up reply actions
oh snaps
Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.
by Gradyforpresident on Dec 9, 2008 4:55 PM EST up reply actions
WRONG
Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.
by Gradyforpresident on Dec 9, 2008 4:55 PM EST up reply actions
I think the phrase you are going for is TOO LATE (we already made that mistake)
by APV on Dec 9, 2008 6:21 PM EST up reply actions
but no, Fausto is the correct answer
Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.
by Gradyforpresident on Dec 9, 2008 5:07 PM EST up reply actions
Amen. This would be a much sexier signing than Hoffman.
by cleveland teamer on Dec 9, 2008 4:28 PM EST up reply actions
Fausto Carmona
Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.
by Gradyforpresident on Dec 9, 2008 4:55 PM EST up reply actions
I think that’s a winner.
Don't forget to pay your parking ticket.
by TheVanillaGorilla on Dec 9, 2008 4:56 PM EST up reply actions
Cubs fan here
If this is true, you are going to love having Kerry Wood on your staff. Although he has had injury problems in the past, he is loyal and will try to help the club win as many games as possible.
"Charles Tillman is one of the best strippers in the NFL" - John Madden 11/30/08 Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings game
He would have come back to the Cubs, but the whole situation is extremely ambiguous
I’m sure he will close for yall. Plus, he can beat up on the White Sox!
"Charles Tillman is one of the best strippers in the NFL" - John Madden 11/30/08 Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings game
yup
I think his injury problems are a thing of the past. He’s a steal..
"Charles Tillman is one of the best strippers in the NFL" - John Madden 11/30/08 Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings game
You had me at “beat up on the White Sox.”
"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter
by Denver Tribe Fan on Dec 9, 2008 4:41 PM EST up reply actions
I am f’ing giddy. HOT DAMN PEOPLE.
I never really explained why I was so high on a Wood signing. One, I felt relative to the unreasonable FA market, he would be reasonable. Two, huge upside with his raw stuff, quite beyond the vast majority of relievers. Three, we have the depth of fireballers to handle losing him to an injury — it wouldn’t kill us. We are in a good position to sign a high risk/reward closer, and Wood is most definitely that guy.
I can’t even believe it’s really happening, that’s how good of an idea I think it is.
you know its good when Jay’s in caps
Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.
by Gradyforpresident on Dec 9, 2008 4:38 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
There are just small handful of times when I think I know — really know — what the Indians should do and actually will do, and then it actually turns out to be right. I knew what kind of deal they’d give Westbrook, and I knew they’d trade Coco for something (though I didn’t know what). Like I said, it doesn’t happen often. I am really psyched.
by Jay on Dec 9, 2008 4:46 PM EST up reply actions
Just searched it.
It’s funny, when you search for Kerry Wood and Adam Miller you get a lot of comments from much earlier painting a bleak picture every time Miller gets another injury.
Steel Nick
Okay, I’ll play …
Here’s from three weeks ago … and be sure to click the “up” button to see who really owns this.
Now this is really impressive … here’s Dean from 28 months ago.
by Jay on Dec 9, 2008 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
It’s like Christmas in ….December!!
"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter
by Denver Tribe Fan on Dec 9, 2008 4:42 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Obviously a fake. Not enough grammatical errors or stupidity.
"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter
by Denver Tribe Fan on Dec 9, 2008 4:42 PM EST up reply actions
it was the unnecessary double ‘s’ that i couldn’t get past. he seems like someone who’s careful to type as flawlessly as he’s aware of, which in reality, is flawful (sic).
note: if flawless can be a word, why not flawful?
You know Selig? Ombudsman.
Off topic and all but…If Boston signs Tex, does that make Lowell expendable? And if so, are we interested in trading for him?
it would cost a catcher for sure.
One of these days... bang, zoom, straight to the moon...
by mixmasterasia on Dec 9, 2008 4:46 PM EST up reply actions
I’ve been holding back, but since we have Pending Significant Acquisition Euphoria, I think you guys can handle it …
WE ARE NOT TRADING PROSPECTS FOR VETERANS AT THE END OF THEIR CONTRACTS.
by Jay on Dec 9, 2008 4:47 PM EST up reply actions
Don’t be sorry, I’m just trying to help. We could cycle through Lowell-Beltre-Tejada-Roberts all day long, but what’s the point? We’re very unlikely to make a deal like that.
Actually, I’ll admit that Lowell seems more likely than the others, because Boston may end up just wanted to dump him, and not many teams want that salary.
by Jay on Dec 9, 2008 4:53 PM EST up reply actions
It would have made more sense to re-sign Blake than to make those trades. There, I said it. It’s only not scary because it can’t happen now.
"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter
by Denver Tribe Fan on Dec 9, 2008 4:58 PM EST up reply actions
Right.
And that was basically the argument for signing Blake, to keep the Marte-hating front office from over-spending on a simulaBlake.
by Jay on Dec 9, 2008 4:59 PM EST up reply actions
I’m in that moment when you just learn some good news and you want to keep hearing more about this good news so you can’t do anything else
Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.
by Gradyforpresident on Dec 9, 2008 4:52 PM EST reply actions
I want to see a Miller/Meloan/Wood fastball contest.
2009 Cleveland Indians – Bringing the heat.
Don't be stupid. PUT IN MELOAN.
Curveball+Fastball to Pedroia equals this:

by JP_Frost on Dec 9, 2008 5:16 PM EST reply actions 4 recs
now that’ll be balling
Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.
by Gradyforpresident on Dec 9, 2008 5:18 PM EST up reply actions
i like this guy more by the second.
i don’t remember seeing that clip before. were those directed at Ozzie?
Does it matter? It was the White Sox.
One has to wonder if pitching more against the White Sox was part of the appeal.
by Jay on Dec 9, 2008 5:26 PM EST up reply actions
This is how the rec’d posts read if you put them all together:
Mixed feelings here. I’m happy about the signing, but on the other hand now I don’t get to post a Fan Shot with the title "Mourning Wood". I can get behind this. I share your appreciation for that dude’s can. Now THATS what she said. Did someone wake up Hoynes for all this? I don’t think you can just show up and find work as a dealer, Jay. It’s like Christmas in ….December!!
by APV on Dec 9, 2008 7:59 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I like it.
"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter
by Denver Tribe Fan on Dec 9, 2008 8:21 PM EST up reply actions




















