A couple of days before our Rotisserie Draft (standard 8-category format) one of our league's GMs called inquiring about the availability of Kerry Wood, who had been on my farm team for all of '97 and would have probably stayed there this season.

	Do you agree or disagree with Mr. Bartolf? Send an e mail
Wood has upset quite a few owners ... and made some others very happy, too. (Allsport)

I had read all the hype from two years ago (that's why I drafted him for my farm), but throughout last season I noted that he seemed to average a walk an inning. Even though he had 'great stuff' (witness his K-totals), I figured he couldn't/wouldn't have much positive impact if the Cubbies brought him up during the year as everyone indicated was likely.

I'm real big on 'ratio' as an indicator of pitching proficiency, and Wood's apparent lack of control in the minors didn't bode well (I thought) for his chances in the major leagues, especially since pitching in Wrigley is extra precarious if you put a lotta guys on via walks. I was willing to trade the rights to Wood for something I needed (felt I needed) like a cheap everyday second baseman who played on a good team and had some pop in his bat.

Tony Graffanino was the guy (at a $1), and so I gladly looked forward to the draft later in the week (which most of our league members and myself eventually 'mismanaged' -- badly.) It may be some consolation that I drafted Keith Lockhart ($5) as insurance to cover the position.