Cubs Rumors: Possible trade destinations for Travis Wood

If you kept up with this site in recent weeks, you will have certainly noticed several of our writers presenting arguments for the surplus of starting pitchers vying for the Chicago Cubs’ final rotation spot.  Primed to make a run for the playoffs, the Cubs have no shortage of position battles that will be decided over the next month of Spring Training.  One unanswered question left to ponder is where former All-Star pitcher Travis Wood will end up?  In the rotation?  Bullpen?  Possibly even out of Chicago all together.  Here are a few destinations the southpaw could call home this summer.

Next: Off to Cincinnati?

Mar 31, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A general view of the Cincinnati Reds grounds keepers preparing the field prior to the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati Reds:

With the 60th pick of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft, the Cincinnati Reds selected Travis Wood.  He became a notable pitching prospect for the Reds over time, and made his MLB debut in the summer of 2010 – making his first appearance on July 1 against his current team, the Cubs.  Just two starts after his debut, he threw eight perfect innings and had a very respectable rookie campaign overall finishing 5-4 with a 3.51 ERA.  It would make sense the Reds would welcome him back as they are more than familiar with Wood after grooming him for half a decade in their system — not to mention being a part of the National League Central and facing him during his stint with the Cubs.  It’s always tricky trading within the division, so consider this one a long shot.  Still, their current pitching rotation projects to be very thin with a glaring hole in the fifth starter spot — newly acquired pitching prospect Anthony DeSclafani is currently penciled in as the fourth guy in the rotation, and he only has five career starts to his résumé.  Tony Cingrani is another option, but he failed to secure a rotation spot last year as he shuffled between rotation and the bullpen while dealing with injuries.  With Homer Bailey still recovering from flexor tendon surgery, the Reds could stand to add more rotation depth.

Next: Down to Atlanta?

Sep 1, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; A general view of Turner Field during a game between the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Braves:

Often heralded for their solid pitching year in and year out for the better part of the past two decades, the Braves are on the verge of the dreaded transitional season.  With a mediocre lineup, Atlanta is not expected to even sniff the Washington Nationals’ perch upon the top of the division.  The front of the rotation is solid with Julio Teheran, Shelby Miller and Alex Wood leading the way, but Mike Minor is coming off an injury-riddled and ineffective 2014 season.  Not to mention former Houston Astros’ farmhand Michael Foltynewicz has an undefined role.  Many peg the rookie prospect to be better suited for a closer’s job rather than starting — a spot that could open up should the Braves move Craig Kimbrel.  Rather than relying on a guy who has pitched only 18.2 innings in his MLB career, Atlanta could add Wood to the mix and help solidify their pitching staff.

Next: How to get Hamels..

Sep 26, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; General view of the field as the Philadelphia Phillies warm up during batting practice before a game against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Phillies:

As often happens when a player’s name circulates in trade discussions, the mystery of which teams are interested is shrouded with uncertainty.  However, over the offseason the Phillies were linked to Travis Wood according to multiple sources, including Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times.  It would make sense for Philly to continue asking about Wood as they flounder towards the bottom of their Division.  Their rotation is in shambles with only Cole Hamels (who is engulfed in a world of trade rumors) and the injury-prone Cliff Lee considered to be above-average options.  Aaron Harang had a decent bounce-back year in 2014 for the Braves, but he is also roughly 100 years old and no longer on a good team to clean up his mistakes.  The fact that he is the Phillies’ third starter shows why they had interest in the 28-year-old Cubs’ commodity in the first place.

Next: Maybe I'll just stay right here