How long are the Cubs going to wait and see with Kerry Wood and Mark Prior?
The current rotation simply won’t make it happen in ’07. — Jeff D., Jacksonville Beach, Fla. Some of the rookies pitching this year — Rich Hill, Angel Guzman, Carlos Marmol and Juan Mateo — are candidates for next year’s rotation. As for Wood and Prior, the Cubs aren’t going to trade either one. One, Major League Baseball prohibits dealing injured players. Two, their trade value is at an all-time low. The Cubs are not likely to pick up Wood’s $13.5 million option for 2007. There is a $3 million buyout, and the two sides could negotiate an incentive-loaded deal for next season. That’s something Hendry has to decide. Prior does not have enough service time to qualify for free agency and is arbitration eligible. The Cubs have to decide if they will tender him an offer, or sign a one-year deal for 2007. Hendry can’t count on the two being the horses in the 2007 rotation, especially since Wood will likely be used in relief when he comes back to continue to build up arm strength. The Cubs
