[jacksonianmarch]

Kerry Wood is not a guy you go out and get if you need pen help. Think about it. The sox have a 3 headed monster in the pen with paps/oki/manny. Throw in the likelihood that Timlin is coming back and the probability that Lopez has a spot and you have 5 guys taking up spot. Then factor in that Tavarez is back and there are 6 spots right there. With guys like Hansen, Hughes, and others waiting, and with the fact that 4 of your pitchers are considered innings eating kinds of starters, what is the utility in locking up 7 spots in the pen in the event that you want to go to 14 position players and only 11 pen arms. If I were the sox, Wood would be so far from my mind, that I would let some other team take the chance.

Consider that he stays healthy, he will need work to be useful and effective. And how much work will he get when the bridge from the 6th on is set?

And if he comes in and eats a spot away from a NR invitee, how much would that benefit you should he go down? Essentially, the only way to take on Wood and be benefitted by him would be to get him and use him a lot. And a team like the sox doesnt need to do that.