Long term, I really like Alex Wood. Next year, with impending free agents Tim Hudson and Paul Maholm presumably out of the picture, you can bet I'll be hyping him as a sleeper. The way his funky delivery has allowed him to pile up big strikeouts with little fanfare reminds me a bit of Tony Cingrani last year.
But right now, I just don't see an opening for him.
Yeah, he's starting Thursday's game, but that's with Maholm on the DL. Maholm doesn't figure to be on the DL for long, and Brandon Beachy, who looked like an up-and-coming ace last year, is on the verge of returning as well. Even if the Braves return Kris Medlen to the bullpen, which is far from a given, Wood is a safe bet to get squeezed.
Of course, we've heard conflicting reports on the matter, with some suggesting that clearing a rotation spot for Wood is an even higher priority than clearing one for Beachy. But logic says otherwise, and when in doubt, I default to logic. I'm not saying Wood is a waste of a roster spot, but in mixed leagues, I can think of a few other youngsters I'd rather stash.