Your new Cubs Closer: Kerry Wood

While it wasn't something that was ground-breaking news, the Cubs have named Kerry Wood as their closer. Even though it seems like Wood has been in the big leagues forever, "Kid K" is only 30, and with some of the injury problems he has endured as a starter, moving him to the closing role with the smoke he can still throw is a match made in heaven.

He has the look, the mentality, and if the Cubs can get their bats going and give him some leads, it should be successful. Considering the Cubs actually made Ryan Dempster into a pretty good closer (ok, not great, but decent) over the past couple of years, Wood should really be someone they can count on in late-game situations. Many pitchers (including Dempster) have made the move from the starter role to the bullpen as the pressure-packed role of closer, and perhaps of the two best closers of all time (Dennis Eckersley and John Smoltz), began their major league careers as successful starters.

Dempster is being moved back into the starting rotation which is kind of curious, but he did a decent job in Cincinnati and Florida, so if he can make the change, he should be decent--again, not great. Jon Lieber is now the long relief man, and if Dempster struggles, you may see them flip flop roles. In any case, it will be probably one of the best moves the Cubs have made looking back in making Wood their end-game stopper.

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Your new Cubs Closer: Kerry Wood

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