Travis Wood and Mike Leake

[TRF]

For all the DiDi talk, I thought I'd throw this one out there. When Leake was drafted, he was said to be so polished he would go straight to the major leagues. Now I believe he'd have been better served to start at AA and work his way up a bit, learn how to be a professional ball player, pitching every 5 days. But it was almost a forgone conclusion he wouldn't start in the minor leagues. So, he was competing for the 5th starters spot, and he won it over Travis Wood, who was later traded to the Cubs for Marshall.

But.. did the Reds trade the wrong guy?

Wood has logged about 100 fewer innings than Leake, and is a year older. Both pitch in hitter's parks in a hitter's division. Wood is better at getting a K, though he's certainly not fantastic at it, 6.9 K/9 is decent.

And certainly this year, he's been stellar.

My biggest Leake complaint is he's just too hittable. I don't see all the "movement" he's reputed to have. I see laser straight fastballs in the zone, and he gets pounded like a mallard in a butcher shop.

For all the hand wringing over a SS with 59 career AB's, Travis Wood is what should be driving you nuts. I watched him carve up the Cardinals last night. Fast worker, gets in a good rhythm, and gets ahead of hitters.

[Crosley68]

My guess is that the Cubs wanted Wood and not Leake. So the argument is did the Cubs make the right choice. I would rather have Leake and Marshall than Leake and Wood at this point.

[bigredmechanism]

My guess is that the Cubs wanted Wood and not Leake. So the argument is did the Cubs make the right choice. I would rather have Leake and Marshall than Leake and Wood at this point.

I agree. Marshall is an integral part of this teams bullpen.

[redssince75]

Leake is a slightly better hitter than Wood, although both aren't shabby for pitchers.

[fearofpopvol1]

My guess is that the Cubs wanted Wood and not Leake. So the argument is did the Cubs make the right choice. I would rather have Leake and Marshall than Leake and Wood at this point.

I'm not so sure about this. The Reds threw in 3 prospects, so my guess is at the time, they weren't willing to park with Leake who looked to be the stronger pitcher.

[DocRed]

It's a good question...but I still have nightmares of that first inning Wood pitched a couple years ago where he got carved up by throwing like 30 straight fastballs.

[WrongVerb]

It's a good question...but I still have nightmares of that first inning Wood pitched a couple years ago where he got carved up by throwing like 30 straight fastballs.

It's a good thing that people never learn from their mistakes, and that they just do the same thing over and over again. Otherwise you might discern that Wood learned and improved based off of what he did and won't ever do it again.

[remdog]

It's a good thing that people never learn from their mistakes, and that they just do the same thing over and over again. Otherwise you might discern that Wood learned and improved based off of what he did and won't ever do it again.

Perhaps he's just following his esteemed manager's ways.

Rem

[thatcoolguy_22]

I always liked Wood. To be fair at the time of the trade Leake looked like much more of a sure thing.

2011
Wood: 106IP K/9 6.45 BB/9 3.40 xFIP 4.61 Groundball% 32.1
Leake: 167IP K/9 6.33 BB/9 2.04 xFIP 3.68 Groundball% 47.7


I think at the time Wood looked more mirage. 32% GB rates in GABP don't survive especially when he was averaging 3 additional walks per 18 innings pitched than Leake.

[mdccclxix]

Wood is a grizzled vet (or maybe it's just his beard) at a younger age than most. He logs you innings and he is a very smart pitcher. He'll likely settle back in around a 4 era guy, but you have to respect how he's done it.

[Vottomatic]

The jury's still out.

But it's possible the Reds made a mistake trading Wood. He's looking pretty good so far.......plus he's a lefty.

[CySeymour]

The jury's still out.

But it's possible the Reds made a mistake trading Wood. He's looking pretty good so far.......plus he's a lefty.

True, plus a competent starter is always more valuable then a reliever.

[757690]

True, plus a competent starter is always more valuable then a reliever.

I think this very case is proving that to be false.

[CySeymour]

I think this very case is proving that to be false.

How so?

[757690]

How so?

I'm glad the Reds made the trade. I'd rather have Marshal than either Wood or Leake.