Cubs May Use Four Man Rotation and Other Rumblings...

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

From Mike Kiley's article this morning.

 

Link.

 

Cubs could open the season with a four-man starting rotation because they have three days off in the first eight days. It's possible a No. 5 starter wouldn't be required until April 15 in Pittsburgh, the season's 10th game.

 

Nothing is official at this early stage in spring training, but it's reasonable to project Carlos Zambrano opening the season April 3 in Cincinnati and pitching April 8 against St. Louis and April 13 against Cincinnati.

 

Depending on how pitching coach Larry Rothschild lines up his rotation, Mark Prior could pitch April 5 in Cincinnati and April 11 against the Reds, with Greg Maddux going to the mound April 7 against the Cardinals and April 12 against the Reds. The team's days off are April 4, 6 and 10 as long as weather doesn't interfere.

 

That leaves April 9 as the first time a No. 4 starter is needed, with that pitcher getting the call again April 14 in Pittsburgh.

 

 

While I found that interesting, this note about Miller is also intriquing.

 

Right-hander Wade Miller appears to be making progress in his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery. Cubs observers now say Miller could be on pace to join the rotation by early May -- also a possible timetable for Kerry Wood's return.

[Guest]

While I found that interesting, this note about Miller is also intriquing.

 

Right-hander Wade Miller appears to be making progress in his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery. Cubs observers now say Miller could be on pace to join the rotation by early May -- also a possible timetable for Kerry Wood's return.

Did I miss something? I thought Wood's rehab was going well and he was on track to miss no more than a week or two at the most. Now they're saying he could be out a month and a half or more?

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

While I found that interesting, this note about Miller is also intriquing.

 

Right-hander Wade Miller appears to be making progress in his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery. Cubs observers now say Miller could be on pace to join the rotation by early May -- also a possible timetable for Kerry Wood's return.

Did I miss something? I thought Wood's rehab was going well and he was on track to miss no more than a week or two at the most. Now they're saying he could be out a month and a half or more?

 

:evil: Awesome!

[CUBZ99]

TRADE TALKS: With the Cubs opening Cactus League play Thursday against Oakland, one of the subplots will be how well reliever Scott Williamson throws. Other teams are highly interested in Williamson, as they have been all winter in trade talks with general manager Jim Hendry.

 

Can't believe you left this part out. This is the first I've heard of Williamson being possible trade bait.

[CUBZ99]

While I found that interesting, this note about Miller is also intriquing.

 

Right-hander Wade Miller appears to be making progress in his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery. Cubs observers now say Miller could be on pace to join the rotation by early May -- also a possible timetable for Kerry Wood's return.

Did I miss something? I thought Wood's rehab was going well and he was on track to miss no more than a week or two at the most. Now they're saying he could be out a month and a half or more?

 

He does say "possible timetable" for Wood's return. I would say that the statement was more of a positive on how Miller was progressing than a negative about Wood's rehab.

[J.R.]

:mrgreen:

[sonofsamiam]

More and more I feel Jerome Williams is not going to get a fair shot in favor of Rusch. :x

[Vinestal]

Id rather not see Willamson traded, I think it would weaken the bulpen, unless they can really make out like bandits on some sort of really really good 2nd baseman. I really like the way the bulpen looks this year.

[frostwyrm]

TRADE TALKS: With the Cubs opening Cactus League play Thursday against Oakland, one of the subplots will be how well reliever Scott Williamson throws. Other teams are highly interested in Williamson, as they have been all winter in trade talks with general manager Jim Hendry.

 

Can't believe you left this part out. This is the first I've heard of Williamson being possible trade bait.

 

What would they trade him for, another backup OF?

[Soul]

More and more I feel Jerome Williams is not going to get a fair shot in favor of Rusch. :x

 

It's a Dusty team. At least 2 or 3 players must sit the bench in favor of lesser players.

[Guest]

TRADE TALKS: With the Cubs opening Cactus League play Thursday against Oakland, one of the subplots will be how well reliever Scott Williamson throws. Other teams are highly interested in Williamson, as they have been all winter in trade talks with general manager Jim Hendry.

 

Can't believe you left this part out. This is the first I've heard of Williamson being possible trade bait.

Hopefully the Cubs don't trade Williamson. I'd assume that other teams would only be interested in him if he was healthy. If he's healthy he's a good bet to be our best reliever. Considering how cheap he is, I don't think that makes him one of our better trade chips unless we're absolutely blown away by an offer.

[frostwyrm]

While I found that interesting, this note about Miller is also intriquing.

 

Right-hander Wade Miller appears to be making progress in his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery. Cubs observers now say Miller could be on pace to join the rotation by early May -- also a possible timetable for Kerry Wood's return.

Did I miss something? I thought Wood's rehab was going well and he was on track to miss no more than a week or two at the most. Now they're saying he could be out a month and a half or more?

 

I've said for a while now that anything we get from Wood as a starter should be considered a bonus. I really think he's going to be in the bullpen or the DL most of the year.

[TB_11]

While I found that interesting, this note about Miller is also intriquing.

 

Right-hander Wade Miller appears to be making progress in his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery. Cubs observers now say Miller could be on pace to join the rotation by early May -- also a possible timetable for Kerry Wood's return.

Did I miss something? I thought Wood's rehab was going well and he was on track to miss no more than a week or two at the most. Now they're saying he could be out a month and a half or more?

 

I've said for a while now that anything we get from Wood as a starter should be considered a bonus. I really think he's going to be in the bullpen or the DL most of the year.

 

Agreed. While I hope he makes 20-30 starts, I don't think we should expect it.

 

The Williamson trade possibility was the first I had heard of anything.

[frostwyrm]

While I found that interesting, this note about Miller is also intriquing.

 

Right-hander Wade Miller appears to be making progress in his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery. Cubs observers now say Miller could be on pace to join the rotation by early May -- also a possible timetable for Kerry Wood's return.

Did I miss something? I thought Wood's rehab was going well and he was on track to miss no more than a week or two at the most. Now they're saying he could be out a month and a half or more?

 

I've said for a while now that anything we get from Wood as a starter should be considered a bonus. I really think he's going to be in the bullpen or the DL most of the year.

 

Agreed. While I hope he makes 20-30 starts, I don't think we should expect it.

 

The Williamson trade possibility was the first I had heard of anything.

 

What I expect: 15 starts tops, 5 of them good ones, 5 mediocre, 5 meltdowns. Otherwise bullpen/DL. I also wouldn't be surprised by a start total in the single digits.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

TRADE TALKS: With the Cubs opening Cactus League play Thursday against Oakland, one of the subplots will be how well reliever Scott Williamson throws. Other teams are highly interested in Williamson, as they have been all winter in trade talks with general manager Jim Hendry.

 

Can't believe you left this part out. This is the first I've heard of Williamson being possible trade bait.

 

What would they trade him for, another backup OF?

 

Maybe they could package Walker and Williamson for someone decent (NOT SORIANO).

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

More and more I feel Jerome Williams is not going to get a fair shot in favor of Rusch. :x

 

From what I've heard, Williams is looking very good so far, for whatever that's worth.

[radarluv1]

i thought there was a whole williamson trade thread way earlier.

[goonys evil twin]

i thought there was a whole williamson trade thread way earlier.

 

viewtopic.php?t=28740

[snoodmonger]

Wow. Not a lot of optimism on Woody's health. I guess I'm an idiot, as I'm still holding out hope for 25+ starts.

[SouthSideRyan]

TRADE TALKS: With the Cubs opening Cactus League play Thursday against Oakland, one of the subplots will be how well reliever Scott Williamson throws. Other teams are highly interested in Williamson, as they have been all winter in trade talks with general manager Jim Hendry.

 

Can't believe you left this part out. This is the first I've heard of Williamson being possible trade bait.

 

What would they trade him for, another backup OF?

 

Nah another 2nd baseman.

[Vinestal]

i thought there was a whole williamson trade thread way earlier.

 

viewtopic.php?t=28740

 

That link is not working for me for some reason

[jjgman21]

these early off days suck. not only because it means fewer off days later in the year, but also because it tempts Cubs management into making stupid decisions. I think they should go with a five man rotation from day one, all year long, and deviate only when necessary.

[bc2k]

Look at the 4-man rotation this way: It will give us a better chance of winning our early games, possibly allowing us to start hot and hang on to first place all year.

 

I like this move.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

i thought there was a whole williamson trade thread way earlier.

 

viewtopic.php?t=28740

 

That link is not working for me for some reason

 

Works for me.

 

The 4-man rotation at this point is an awful awful awful awful idea.

[LuckyPup]

i thought there was a whole williamson trade thread way earlier.

 

viewtopic.php?t=28740

 

That link is not working for me for some reason

 

Works for me.

 

The 4-man rotation at this point is an awful awful awful awful idea.

very much agreed-we will be wanting that rest down the stretch-