Why is Hendry pursuing a starting pitcher?

[bc2k]

Prior

Zambrano

Wood

Williams

Maddux

 

We're set.

[BobRoss139]

:roll:

[goonys evil twin]

Prior

Zambrano

Wood

Williams

Maddux

 

We're set.

 

Right now Rusch is in the opening day rotation.

 

Wood is a big question.

 

And the offense isn't good.

 

You can win with mediocre offense (which is what they have), but you better have great pitching (which the Cubs are not ensured of).

[bc2k]

Prior

Zambrano

Wood

Williams

Maddux

 

We're set.

 

Right now Rusch is in the opening day rotation.

 

Wood is a big question.

 

And the offense isn't good.

 

You can win with mediocre offense (which is what they have), but you better have great pitching (which the Cubs are not ensured of).

 

I forgot Rusch would be starting. I understand that good pitching wins games, but my question is where would another starter fit? I've heard hints that Wood might be behind, but he's certainly not going to miss the entire season. Prior and Z are healthy, Maddux is Mr. Steady, and the bullpen is already too crowded for Rusch.

 

Hendry needs to fill holes before he starts spending on surplus.

[goonys evil twin]

I forgot Rusch would be starting. I understand that good pitching wins games, but my question is where would another starter fit? I've heard hints that Wood might be behind, but he's certainly not going to miss the entire season. Prior and Z are healthy, Maddux is Mr. Steady, and the bullpen is already too crowded for Rusch.

 

Hendry needs to fill holes before he starts spending on surplus.

 

Assume that Wood is healthy. Then you have Prior, Zambrano, Wood, Maddux and Williams. Potentially 3 great pitchers, then 2 okay ones. Guys like Williams can be successful on a good team with a powerful offense, but when you have no better than a middle of the road scoring offense, you can't win a ton of games with 4.00+ ERA guys in the rotation, in the NL. Replace Williams with a better pitcher, included Williams in a trade for a better RF, and suddenly the Cubs are a pretty good team. Right now, it's impossible to say they are any good.

[sonofsamiam]

I think Jerome Williams is better than many seem to think. His ERA as a Cub was 3.92 last year (not great, but better than league average), and his career ERA is the same.

 

If Rich Hill (who is a full year older, btw -- Williams only just turned 24) had given the Cubs the same performance last year, I feel there would be no question about his spot in the rotation.

[bc2k]

I forgot Rusch would be starting. I understand that good pitching wins games, but my question is where would another starter fit? I've heard hints that Wood might be behind, but he's certainly not going to miss the entire season. Prior and Z are healthy, Maddux is Mr. Steady, and the bullpen is already too crowded for Rusch.

 

Hendry needs to fill holes before he starts spending on surplus.

 

Assume that Wood is healthy. Then you have Prior, Zambrano, Wood, Maddux and Williams. Potentially 3 great pitchers, then 2 okay ones. Guys like Williams can be successful on a good team with a powerful offense, but when you have no better than a middle of the road scoring offense, you can't win a ton of games with 4.00+ ERA guys in the rotation, in the NL. Replace Williams with a better pitcher, included Williams in a trade for a better RF, and suddenly the Cubs are a pretty good team. Right now, it's impossible to say they are any good.

 

I'd be happy with that scenario and I agree about Williams.

 

But will we have enough to trade for a top tier starting pitcher and RF?

[Neuby]

I think Williams is trade bait. I think Rusch is a vaulable guy to have because he has a rubber arm and can pitch as a lefty out of the pen and the rotation. I think Hendry is afraid to count on his starting staffs health and Madduxs being effetive. Getting a guy like Livan Hernadez, Jared Washburn, Millwood, Weaver, Rogers to bolster the staff seems like a good idea considering the Cubs have the extra room in the budget seenig Furcal, Giles all went off the board.

[Soul]

Williams isn't consistent enough.

 

Maddux is too old.

 

Wood is injured and obviously isn't going to play until at least May.

 

So now our pitching rotation just went from "all set" to:

 

Prior

Zambrano

?

?

?

 

Now ask the question again: why is Hendry seeking a starting pitcher?

 

A: Because we've got holes in our pitching rotation. That's why.

[USSoccer]

Soul,

 

I think that's a dead on assesment.

[kente777]

Anyone who has seen Wood pitch the last 2 years, I mean, errrr, ummm, NOT PITCH the last two years, wouldn't be asking this question.

 

Are you sure you've been watching the same Cubs that I have??

 

Ken