Pitching targets

[CP_414]

Let's say this Kerry Wood thing is worse than the Cubs are letting on. We will certainly need another pitcher to contend for the division. Even if Wood will be back in May, we can always use another arm. Who are some guys who are/could become available?

 

The Dream:

Dontrelle Willis - Former Cub farmhand reportedly will be available as early as the deadline. It would take the farm to get him back, but it might be worth it.

 

Other guys:

Barry Zito: This is a longer shot than the D-train to acutally happen, and that is a long-shot. He is entering the final year of his contract, and the A's may not be able to resign him. The should however contend in the AL and won't trade him if they are in the hunt.

 

Jason Schmidt - I think he will be moved if he is pitching well and the Giants fall out of contention. Without knowing what to expect from Bonds, the Giants could be the best team in the West, or the 3rd or 4th best team.

 

Livan Hernandez - Should the Nats fall out of the race I think he could be moved. He is a big money pitcher who is gettig up there in age, and he has really been abused recently. The Nats don't look like they are going to be good at all (to me anyway) and Livan shouldn't be in their plans for restructuring the team. He would however be a nice addition to a team that thinks they can win it all this year (don't know if that is us or not).

 

The White Sox currently have 6 starters in Buerhle, Garland, Garcia, Vasquez, Contreras, and McCarthy. I'm sure if they feel like they have to move someone they would live to move Contreras, but for the right offer we might be able to acquire Garcia. He's a Venezualian countryman of Big Z, and would look great in our rotation. I don't know if it would be worth the price though.

 

I'm sure there are many others, but I'm trying to think about the big impact guys.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

I'll take Willis. If they want Pie, fine.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Zambrano, Prior, Maddux, Williams, Rusch, Hill, Miller(?), Guzman(?)

 

If Wood's arm falls off we don't need to go out and get another starter. We'd be better no doubt with a Willis or a Hernandez, but the opportunity cost in all likelihood wouldn't be worth it.

[Guancous]

I was hoping that Kerry Wood would be ready by Tax Day. Now I'll be happy if he makes it back late May. It's looking like this will be his last season in a Cubs uniform. I'm going to miss him. Let's hope that Angel Guzman can stay healthy and capture some of that Dontrelle Willis lightning in a bottle until Wade Miller is ready. I hope that Rich Hill is really developing his other pitches besides his curveball as much as I hear.

[Guancous]

I forgot about Jerome Williams. The good thing about the depth is that there is a lot of trade bait in a worst case scenario.

[RynoRules]

Let jerome and Angel pitch.

 

Bring me Dunn or Abreu.

 

Or both. :)

[rjchapma]

I think that we will have to give a a little more than Pie for Willis.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

I think that we will have to give a a little more than Pie for Willis.

 

Of course, but that's where it probably begins and our biggest stumbling block in trades is willing to part with that top prospect.

[Balsa]

Zambrano, Prior, Maddux, Williams, Rusch, Hill, Miller(?), Guzman(?)

 

If Wood's arm falls off we don't need to go out and get another starter. We'd be better no doubt with a Willis or a Hernandez, but the opportunity cost in all likelihood wouldn't be worth it.

 

I agree. Time for Guzman/Hill to produce.

[Mullets-R-us]

Let jerome and Angel pitch.

 

Bring me Dunn or Abreu.

 

Or both. :)

 

Wow. Even in a pitching thread, Dunn's name gets brought up.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Even with Wood's injury, we still have pitching depth. Acquiring pitching is not the paramount need. If we make a big trade, it should be for a bat.

 

Even if we don't count on Wood, we still have Prior, Zambrano, Maddux, Rusch, Williams, Guzman, and Miller who can start along with Hill in the minors.

 

Another big bat would negate the need for another ace pitcher.

[JonnyRed]

Zambrano, Prior, Maddux, Williams, Rusch, Hill, Miller(?), Guzman(?)

 

If Wood's arm falls off we don't need to go out and get another starter. We'd be better no doubt with a Willis or a Hernandez, but the opportunity cost in all likelihood wouldn't be worth it.

 

After the top 3 (and Miller IF he is healthy), none of those guys are starters for a playoff team, and that's what our focus should be.

 

I'm more upset that Hendry didn't land us a #3 or #4 starter this offseason as I am with the JJ signing.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Zambrano, Prior, Maddux, Williams, Rusch, Hill, Miller(?), Guzman(?)

 

If Wood's arm falls off we don't need to go out and get another starter. We'd be better no doubt with a Willis or a Hernandez, but the opportunity cost in all likelihood wouldn't be worth it.

 

After the top 3 (and Miller IF he is healthy), none of those guys are starters for a playoff team, and that's what our focus should be.

 

I'm more upset that Hendry didn't land us a #3 or #4 starter this offseason as I am with the JJ signing.

 

How many starters does a playoff team need come playoff time? The Cubs have enough depth right now to plug in some pitchers to try and get 5th-starter production.

[Houston_Cub_Fan]

"After the top 3 (and Miller IF he is healthy), none of those guys are starters for a playoff team, and that's what our focus should be.

 

I'm sure you thought the same about the Astros pitchers last year. After Oswalt Clemens and Petitte, were Backe Astacio and Rodriguez playoff pitchers? The Cubs needed a real RFer - still do. We have enough talent and depth to cover the (expected) loss of Wood.

[rjchapma]

I agree I like our rotation for the season because we have a ton of arms and if somone wants a day off they can take it. On other hand though we don't have playoff ready pitchers at the end of our rotation. Zambrano,Prior, and Maddux should be alright but I dont know about Williams,Rusch,Hill,Guzman in the big game.

[Drew Doughty]

You don't need to have more than 3 dominant starters in the playoffs, really. Though I wouldn't call Maddux dominant. Wood, Miller, or Williams could and hopefully should handle 4th starter duties if necessary.

 

let's get to the playoffs first.