The Case For Trading Kerry Wood

June 17, 2009

We, the Junkyard, submit the following brief - which argues this clear, firm position:

The Indians should trade bullpen closer Kerry Wood before this season’s July 31 trading deadline.

 In taking this position, the Junkyard offers these arguments – each worthy and solid:

 *On a winning team that's a bonafide and clear pennant contender, a $10 million closer who’s had just 10 save opportunities and eight saves  by mid-June – like Wood has - is a tolerable luxury.

But on a team struggling to reach .500 and avoid last place – like the current 2009 Indians  – that’s like having a gold-plated hood ornament on a 2001 Camry that needs transmission work.

Um, it’s a bit extravagant – given the other clear and pressing needs.

 *Wood is among the few Indians who could realistically draw maximum value in a trade.

Lefty starter Cliff Lee would draw major prospects and/or players. But, more and more, we're convinced that the Indians won’t trade Lee this season.

Super utilityman Mark DeRosa is drawing serious interest from other teams. And the Indians are more likely to trade DeRosa than Lee.  But the Indians probably might not get top-tier prospects and/or players for DeRosa.

Wood, on the other hand, would clearly bring a nice haul for the Indians – without forcing them to surrender a valuable lefty starter like Lee.

Think the New York Yankees – who have been struggling all season with an unreliable bullpen – wouldn’t love to have Wood as an eighth-inning setup man for Mariano Rivera?

Think the big-buck Yankees would have ANY problem taking on a $10 million guy for setup work? If it gave them a clear edge over the Red Sox, their hated rival?

Think the Yankees wouldn’t be willing to offer the Indians attractive prospects/players (Phil Hughes? Melky Cabrera?) for Wood?

 *The Indians have other relievers on their roster with past experience as major-league closers.

Why not see if one of them can grab the closer job by the scruff of the neck – after moving Wood?

 Greg Aquino has saved games on the major-league level.

So has Jensen Lewis (despite his early, shaky start to this season). 

Why not spend the remaining 2009 season – one unlikely to see the Indians make the playoffs – testing out Aquino, Lewis and maybe someone else for the closer job?

 *Dumping Wood this season – one year into his two-year, $20 million deal – will give the Indians more salary flexibility during the winter.

With that extra $10 million this off-season, the Indians could sign a decent starting pitcher.

Or add more pitching depth.

Or even sweeten a potential contract offer to keep Lee around after 2010.

 With that, we conclude this brief – and rest our case:

 The Indians should trade Kerry Wood.

And soon.

Wanna leave a Junkyard comment? Sure. Leave it below. You can also e-mail junkyard@sportstimeohio.com.