Travis Wood is a free agent and is testing the market. According to a report from ESPN Chicago, “suitors are lining up” for Wood. The veteran lefty would like a chance to start again and is looking to sign with a team that will give him a chance at earning a spot in their rotation.
Wood had a lot of success over the last two years mainly pitching out of the bullpen for Joe Maddon. Wood was used as a spot starter and long man. And Maddon leaned on him heavily this past season.
According to Jesse Rogers the Cubs would like to bring back Travis Wood but only in a relief role. Rogers explained that “his decision could come down to playing for an inferior team while making a reliever’s salary … through with incentives if he ends up in the rotation.”
Wood is expected to explore all of his options.
If he is unable to find a fit, the Cubs would be interested in signing him “to a longer-term deal as a reliever.” The Cubs are looking for left-handed relievers this off-season.
The Marlins are one of the teams believed to be interested in Travis Wood. And the Marlins are looking at him as an option for their rotation.
Wood was 4-0 in 77 games with a 2.95 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 4.54 FIP this past season. Wood pitched entirely as a reliever for the first time in his career.
Wood owns a 35-50 record in 133 career starts with a 4.19 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. As a reliever, Wood is 8-2 in 126 games with a 2.83 ERA and 1.14 WHIP.
Joe Maddon used Travis Wood in just about every way he could this past season and in the playoffs. Wood played left field, made an incredible, highlight-reel catch and in Game 2 of the NLDS he put himself in the record books.
Wood replaced an injured Kyle Hendricks in Game 2 and with the pitcher’s spot due in the bottom of the fourth, Maddon went to him a little earlier than expected so he did not have to use another player as a pinch-hitter.
Travis Wood launched a solo home run on the first pitch from Giants’ reliever George Kontos into the bleachers in left field.
Over five seasons with the Cubs, Wood was 32-42 in 220 games, 98 starts, with four saves, a 3.94 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 4.21 FIP. Wood represented the Cubs at the All-Star Game in 2013 and went 9-12 in 32 starts with a 3.11 ERA and 1.14 WHIP four seasons ago.
• Travis Wood’s Page on Baseball-Reference