Chicago Cubs: Evaluating a possible return of Travis Wood

Not expensive

It seemed like the Cubs could have afforded Travis Wood following the 2016 season, but he left, presumably trying to catch on as a starter elsewhere, and the Cubs thought they had a possible replacement in the form of Brett Anderson.

Apparently, the Anderson experiment did not work.

Though Wood has not started for the Royals, he got the commitment he was seeking: $12 million, 2-year contract.

Still, in the event Royals’ GM Dayton Moore sells his veterans, the potential of Wood coming back to Chicago is an exciting, and inexpensive, scenario.

Wood gives the Cubs options, this year and next year as they likely deal with the losses of Jake Arrieta and John Lackey following the 2017 season.

With an array of attractive arms that could potentially be traded by the deadline, including Sonny Gray, Johnny Cueto, and even Royals’ Jason Vargas, sporting the second-best ERA in the AL, Wood almost falls under the radar by comparison.

Wood brings value to a team like the Cubs, bordering on the intangibles that almost can’t be measured. Even though sabermetricians try. His leadership is a shot in the arm for any club.