With Kerry Wood on the disabled list for a minor injury, a blister, it remains a possibility that the team could move him before the July 31st trade deadline. Wood is 1-4 with a 6.30 ERA, nearly 2.5 points above his career first half ERA.
Wood, who has an 11 million dollar option that vests with 55 games finished in 2009-10, will likely become a free agent after this season. The Indians, desperate for youth to bring them back to contention, could move him in a deal for a low-level prospect.
But who would take him?
Would a team like the Cincinnati Reds, who have a 4.36 bullpen ERA and in first place, add an extra arm like Wood to beef up the back-end of their bullpen? Wood lives for the big games and the big plays, but playing for a last place team gives him little to pitch for.
This may be a lost season for Wood, but the Indians are certainly in sell mode and a team like the Reds would hardly be affected by the loss a low-level prospect with some upside.