What To Do About Brandon Wood?

Written by: Mark Healey on 3rd March 2009

What To Do About Brandon Wood? | read this item

In December of 2005, I was attending my first Winter Meetings. That year, the annual sportswriter / agent / player / GM “get-together” was being held in Dallas, Texas. Though new to the event, I quickly acclimated myself to the pace (no sleep, lots of coffee), and found myself very easily working my way into conversations about players that were either on the block, being pursued or the opposite thereof.

One of those group chats were with a member of the Dodgers organization and a person who was representing Angels prospect Brandon Wood. The gentleman from the Dodgers was quite dramatic, telling the other fellow that “we think Brandon can be a great, great player for us…you have to figure out a way for us to get him.”

At this, Wood’s “rep” just smiled (think Sam Shepard from “The Right Stuff), and drawled,” I thank you for the conversation, sir, but Brandon Wood ain’t goin’ nowhere.”

He then shook the guy from the Dodgers’ hand and walked away. Feeling as if I had witnessed something important, I basically followed Sam Shepard outside the lobby, and through the double doors of the side of the hotel (it was the Wyndham Anatole, which despite the bars not being prepared for the thirsty baseball multitudes, and the idiotic last call at 1:00 AM, is still the best venue of the last five years), where he proceeded to light a Marlboro (seriously).

I joined him, which he didn’t seem to mind (especially when I lit up as well), and I said,”I have to ask you, what was that all about?”

“Sam” looked at me and said, “Lots of people think that Brandon shouldn’t be an Angel. But he’s an Angel. He’ll stay an Angel, and will always be an Angel.”

I really didn’t know what to say after that, we exchanged cards, and we went on our merry way. I hadn’t thought about that little scene in quite some time, but did follow Wood’s career for a few years, and saw his performance slip a little bit with each step upo the organizational ladder. Frankly, I had forgotten about him, especially after his less-than auspicious debut in Los Angeles last season.

Then I read this in today’s Los Angeles Times

Well, should they wait? Can they wait? In my opinion, the answer to both questions is yes.

What do you think, Angels fans?

Lady’s Choice: Triple-A Player Pick for June : Baseball Digest says:

July 4, 2009 at 12:21 am

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