By Jeremy Harris
Overshadowed by RH Edwin Jackson’s disastrous two-year stint in the Cubs’ rotation and albatross contract was the severe regression of LH starter Travis Wood this season.
In his all-star campaign of 2013, Wood tossed 200 innings, allowing 163 hits and 66 walks. Among the 79 qualifying starters, Wood ranked third in BABIP (batting average on balls in play) (.248); 19th in ERA (3.11); ninth in batting average against (BA) (.218); and 21st in WHIP (1.15).
What a difference a season makes. His decline is part of the reason the Cubs continue to become even bigger long shots among those who bet on baseball. In 173.2 innings, Wood yielded 190 hits and 76 walks, and his ERA spiked to 5.03. Among 87 qualifying starters, Wood ranked fifth worst in BB/9 (3.94); also fifth worst in BABIP (.320); sixth worst in BA (.270); third worst in ERA (5.03); and last in WHIP (1.53).
As an aside, Jackson would have ranked below Wood in many of these categories had he pitched enough innings to qualify.
In three of his last four seasons, Wood’s ERA has exceeded 4.00. So it is natural for the Cubs’ brass to be circumspect about Wood’s future in the rotation. Under club control for two more seasons, there is ample time for Wood, 27, to redeem himself and become a piece of the Cubs’ core moving forward.
However, Wood might be better utilized as a Loogy, the new term ascribed to a left-handed relief specialist who is summoned to face left-handed and weak right-handed hitters or to turn around a switch hitter who is better hitting from left side. This is because, despite dreadful overall numbers this season, Wood was actually exceptional against left-handed hitters.
In 48 innings against lefties, Wood yielded a BA of .214, an OPB of .268, .an OPS of .619 and a WHIP of 1.04. He produced a 4.0 BB/SO ratio, 2.1 BB/9, .261 BABIP, 8.25 K/9, 0.75 HR/9 and walk rate of 5.7%. Among 83 left-handed pitchers who logged a minimum of 20 innings against left-handed batters, Wood ranked 24th in WHIP and 37th in OPS.
No hyperbole, these are dominant numbers.
Conversely, in 125.2 innings facing right-handed batters, Wood allowed a BA of .293, an OBP of .381, an OPS of .837 and a WHIP of 1.72. He generated a measly 1.6 SO/BB ratio, 4.7 BB/9, .339 BAPIP, 1.15 HR/9 and walk rate of 11.1%.
No exaggeration, these are deplorable numbers and, unless improved, make Wood nonviable as a starter.
Wesley Wright, under club control for next season, is the only left-handed throwing mainstay in the Cubs’ bullpen at present. Wright his career pitching effectively against left-handed hitters but has also achieved decent results against right-handers. In 138 career innings against lefties, Wright has yielded a .234 BA, .315 OBP and 1.25 WHIP to go with a 26.6% SO rate, 8.3% walk rate and .320 BABIP.
In 161.2 innings against right-handed hitters, Wright, 29 in January, has allowed a .260 BA, .354 OBP and 1.53 WHIP. He has also produced a SO rate of 18.5%, walk rate of 11.5% and BABIP of .287.
It is significant that Wright has proven capable of pitching effectively against hitters from both sides of the plate because, given the limited role of a Loogy, facing a tough left-handed hitter or two or three in a four-batter sequence, the rest of bullpen needs to have the versatility and durability to accommodate a Loogy. Carrying two “Loogies” would not be feasible.
Good organizations are creative in finding ways to put their personnel in the most advantageous positions. We previously proposed that the Cubs make Edwin Jackson a relief pitcher, perhaps filling the long role possibly being vacated by free agent RH Carlos Villanueva. If Jackson were to flounder in that role, then the Cubs would be justified, having explored all reasonable options to salvage him, in releasing Jackson and eating whatever outstanding money is remaining on the $22 million he is owed through 2016.
In a one-inning scoreless relief outing against the Milwaukee Brewers last Saturday in the Cubs’ season-series finale-admittedly a smidgeon sample size–Jackson pitched with poise and rhythm, exhibited excellent body language and sported a fastball that touched 96 MPH. For Jackson, in our opinion, it should be the bullpen or bust, and we’re hoping the Cubs will give him an opportunity next season to reinvent his career like so many erstwhile starters.
In the case of Travis Wood, the Cubs would be completely justified in granting him another opportunity as a starter, an option that should no longer be afforded to Jackson given his indescribably awful two-year stint in the Cubs’ rotation. But if the Cubs bolster their rotation during the offseason making Wood the odd-man out–and his trade value has been depreciated by his 2014 campaign–or they believe converting him to a Loogy would be best for the club irrespective or what additions they make, he could pay big dividends in the bullpen.
Would it not be a luxury for the Cubs to have a Loogy in the late innings of close games to face left-handed hitters such as Matt Carpenter and Matt Adams of the St. Louis Cardinals; Jay Bruce and Joey Votto of the Cincinnati Reds; Pedro Alvarez of the Pittsburgh Pirates; and Scooter Gennett of the Milwaukee Brewers?
Perhaps Travis Wood could be the Loogy to quiet opposing left-handed thunder.