Orioles would not with Wood

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

April 20, 2011, 7:30am

Comments

Don't look for the Orioles to make a run at infielder Brandon Wood, who was designated for assignment Tuesday by the Angels. I'm told they're "not likely" to pursue Wood, a one-time minor league Player of the Year who hasn't been able to carry that success to the majors. Wood is 26 and out of options. The Angels have 10 days to trade or place him on waivers. Any team acquiring Wood would have to keep him on the 25-man roster or attempt to pass him through waivers before outrighting him. I'm asked every season whether the Orioles should take a chance on Wood, a first-round pick in 2003 who batted .321 with 43 homers and 115 RBIs two years later. He's been given plenty of chances with the Angels and has produced a .168 average in 464 at-bats over parts of five seasons. Wood can play third base and shortstop. Too bad he hasn't been able to play major league hitter. Before anyone fires off a Cesar Izturis joke, Izzy's glove has kept him in the bigs. And he's a career .256 hitter. Anyway, Wood might benefit from a change of scenery, but it doesn't appear that he'll be gazing at the warehouse unless he's sitting in the visiting dugout.