Cubs’ Travis Wood not looking too much into being traded

With the first four spots of the starting rotation pretty much locked up for the Chicago Cubs, a battle for the fifth and final spot will occur during the spring.

One man looking to secure a place with what could be the best rotation in the league is left-handed veteran Travis Wood. Wood, 28, witnessed his production drop drastically after having one of the best years of his five-year career in 2013.

A season in which he would represent the National League in the All-Star game – another career first.

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During his All-Star campaign, Wood posted a solid 3.11 ERA with a 144/66 K/BB ratio, 4.4 WAR and 1.15 WHIP through 200 innings of work.

This past season was a different story as he would finish with a 5.03 ERA.

Prior to the 2014 season, his worst earned run average stood at 4.84 when he was a member of the Cincinnati Reds in 2011. He was acquired by the Cubs in December of 2011 along with Dave Sappelt and Ronald Torreyes in exchange for reliever Sean Marshall.

“Last year was a big learning year. I always say you learn more when you fail than when you succeed because you see your flaws.”

Now that he’s looking to compete against Edwin Jackson, Tsuyoshi Wada and Felix Doubront – will Travis Wood be on the move again after spending three seasons with the Cubs?

According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago, Wood isn’t necessarily looking too much into it and understands that this is in fact a business.

“If I get traded, I get traded. It’s part of the business. If it helps the team, it helps the team. I don’t look too much into it.”

If Wood fails to secure the final spot in the rotation, he will surely become the odd-man out along with Welington Castillo.

We’re well aware that the club could be moving forward without Castillo as the team could possibly make a huge trade before the season begins. This could eventually make Wood and or Edwin Jackson a possible trade asset to make a big move happen.

One trade that may feature a package including two or three of the names listed above could result in the team acquiring a name such as Cole Hamels from the Philadelphia Phillies.

A team who has been interested in Castillo and may request big league pitching as well as a prospect in return.