Williamson

[Wilson A2000]

Any rumors still going on about him? I would keep him. You can't have a strong enough pen.

[CubinNY]

Any rumors still going on about him? I would keep him. You can't have a strong enough pen.

 

I think they will keep him. Wurtz is having a terrible spring and with the uncertainty with the starting pitching they would be foolish to trade him. However, if the right deal came along they might go for a trade.

[wade]

My thoughts are that Novoa's illness and Wuertz's struggles have locked Williamson on the Cub roster for 2006.

 

And I'm glad because if healthy he's good.

[srbin84]

We CANNOT trade this guy. Our one strength is our lights out bullpen. I'd actually like to see the Cubs have one of those for a change. Wuertz was our best setup man last year, and Ohman was a great loogy, and they are the 5th and 6th men in the pen now, which is exactly the kind of depth we need. Williamson (if healthy, and he seems to be 100% right now) is one of the most dominating setup men in baseball. Howry and Eyre were both top 10 setup men last year and Dempster had one of the best save percentages in the league last year to go along with a great ERA and improved K/BB ratio. We need all of these guys this year because even with Prior and Wood being out right now and our lineup being only slightly above average, a pen that can cash in the win 9 out of 10 times the starter gives them a lead will keep us in contention all year.

[Danny82]

Any rumors still going on about him? I would keep him. You can't have a strong enough pen.

 

I think rumors of trading Williamson were perpetrated by the Chicago media in an effort to create "news". I never gave them much credence. It's not logical.

[YearofDaCubs]

Any rumors still going on about him? I would keep him. You can't have a strong enough pen.

 

I think rumors of trading Williamson were perpetrated by the Chicago media in an effort to create "news". I never gave them much credence. It's not logical.

Williamson if healthy will probably our best relief pitcher. You are right, why in the heck would we trade him when he could very well be our best pitcher out of the pen?

[nolanwood]

Our bullpen is the one aspect of the 06 season I look forward to seeing. It's going to be really nice, for a change, to look forward to seeing relief pitching. And it should definitely take some weight off our starters as well.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

My guess Williamson could still be traded, but if he is, it will be a deal that happens in late June or July and will come from a team looking for a closer.

[Blueheart05]

Any rumors still going on about him? I would keep him. You can't have a strong enough pen.

 

I think rumors of trading Williamson were perpetrated by the Chicago media in an effort to create "news". I never gave them much credence. It's not logical.

 

Actually, it was Willamson who started the rumors by saying he still has a desire to close. To be honest, I think his comments were sparked by being traded in the past. Plus, at the time, it also appeared to be a crowded bullpen but now Novoa's failing health and Wuertz's struggles have made Williamson's future here a near lock. Hendry took a chance on Williamson for 2006 not 2005 (he knew Williamson wouldn't be effective last year)

 

In the March 1,2006 Suntimes He talks about his desire to close.

 

MESA, Ariz. -- Scott Williamson won't be the least bit surprised if he is traded this month. As much as the right-handed reliever enjoys his Cubs teammates, he also wouldn't mind if a club that needed a closer came along, made a deal with general manager Jim Hendry and returned him to the ultimate relief role.

 

``I'm sure Jim wants me on the team, but the business aspect may come into play,'' Williamson said. ``I understand. I have been on the trade block basically every year but 1999. Cincinnati was always trying to trade me for a starter or someone.

 

... But where would he fit in with setup men Bob Howry and Scott Eyre brought in to support closer Ryan Dempster?

 

He has asked himself that.

 

``Yeah, which is kind of useless for me and useless for this team,'' Williamson said. ``They got two really good pitchers as free agents. You can't send down Michael Wuertz; he's pitched too good the last couple years. [Todd] Wellemeyer is out of options, and he's a young guy you probably want to hold onto.

 

I'd like to get back to the ninth inning again, where I have had a lot of success. There are a lot of teams out there still looking for closers. I pitched so well against Chicago in my [Reds] career, but the people here haven't really seen what I have. Hopefully, I can show them.''

 

Before this article, Hendry hadn't been quoted about trading Willamson.

 

These kind of quotes have also, no doubt, caught Dempster's attention. He has a lot of competition this year if he falters. I think that's why he's been throwing side sessions and working extra hard to build arm strength. Demp is scheduled to get into the game today after a week off of live pitching.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Williamson isn't going anywhere, at least until July as Vance pointed out. By then, we'll know if we're contenders or pretenders, and if the latter, Williamson is just one of several veteran players that will likely be dealt.

 

Other July trade bait candidates if we're sellers, IMO: Slappy, Hairston, Walker (if he's still here), Williams, and Wade Miller. You MIGHT even include Kerry Wood and Greg Maddux in that list, since neither is signed for next year, if either one asks for a trade.

[CubinNY]

Williamson isn't going anywhere, at least until July as Vance pointed out. By then, we'll know if we're contenders or pretenders, and if the latter, Williamson is just one of several veteran players that will likely be dealt.

 

Other July trade bait candidates if we're sellers, IMO: Slappy, Hairston, Walker (if he's still here), Williams, and Wade Miller. You MIGHT even include Kerry Wood and Greg Maddux in that list, since neither is signed for next year, if either one asks for a trade.

 

If the time comes to be sellers I really hope they have a fire sale and get back some good ready-to-contribute players for those guys. The new Cubs manager, Larry Derkier, will know how to build a team and manage a game.

[jjgman21]

Williamson isn't going anywhere, at least until July as Vance pointed out. By then, we'll know if we're contenders or pretenders, and if the latter, Williamson is just one of several veteran players that will likely be dealt.

 

Other July trade bait candidates if we're sellers, IMO: Slappy, Hairston, Walker (if he's still here), Williams, and Wade Miller. You MIGHT even include Kerry Wood and Greg Maddux in that list, since neither is signed for next year, if either one asks for a trade.

 

If the time comes to be sellers I really hope they have a fire sale and get back some good ready-to-contribute players for those guys. The new Cubs manager, Larry Derkier, will know how to build a team and manage a game.

 

you want to see some starters abused? bring on Derk.

 

I always hope for a fire sale when it doesn't look like the playoffs are withing reach, but Dusty and Hendry always think they are still in it until it is too late for that.

[LuckyPup]

Would you do a Williamson+Walker for Clement+Graffanino? I know Clement has a big salary/contract but we need solid starters and Clement had success here? Honestly I probably do this deal-dont know if the SOx would but I would

[rawaction]

Would you do a Williamson+Walker for Clement+Graffanino? I know Clement has a big salary/contract but we need solid starters and Clement had success here? Honestly I probably do this deal-dont know if the SOx would but I would

 

Nope. No interest in Clement at that price.

[CubinNY]

Would you do a Williamson+Walker for Clement+Graffanino? I know Clement has a big salary/contract but we need solid starters and Clement had success here? Honestly I probably do this deal-dont know if the SOx would but I would

 

Nope. No interest in Clement at that price.

 

Me either. Been there done that. Besides the Cubs have better internal options right now.

[NorthsideAvenger]

Other July trade bait candidates if we're sellers, IMO: Slappy, Hairston, Walker (if he's still here), Williams, and Wade Miller. You MIGHT even include Kerry Wood and Greg Maddux in that list, since neither is signed for next year, if either one asks for a trade.

 

Let's not forget who the Cubs are....by deadline the Cubs will be in no clearer position then they are now. I seriously doubt the Cubs are going to make any big moves. You know the Cubs will be too good to give up the season, but too mediocre to actually think they'd make the playoffs.

[RyCubsFan]

Williamson isn't going anywhere, at least until July as Vance pointed out. By then, we'll know if we're contenders or pretenders, and if the latter, Williamson is just one of several veteran players that will likely be dealt.

 

Other July trade bait candidates if we're sellers, IMO: Slappy, Hairston, Walker (if he's still here), Williams, and Wade Miller. You MIGHT even include Kerry Wood and Greg Maddux in that list, since neither is signed for next year, if either one asks for a trade.

 

You could probably add Jones as well. Hopefully the Cubs won't be in the position to sell though...

[baseball7897]

No way should the Cubs trade Williamson. Why make the Bullpen being our only strength into a weakness. If the cubs have a lead in the 7th inning game over..

[bannor10]

Crystal ball time, trade deadline

 

Cubs send Williamson to the Sox for Jon Garland

[ltb]

Crystal ball time, trade deadline

 

Cubs send Williamson to the Sox for Jon Garland

 

after garland signed a 3 year deal? that would be awful, especially considering i don't think he can keep up the walk rate reduction he had last year.

[bannor10]

I don't think it will happen...I doubt either team would deal with the other...I just see Garland as a middle of the road pitcher who is young and because the Sox have the starters and want to lower the payroll I could see him traded....As far as the Cubs go, our pitchers are always hurt so I think we should look outside the organization for major league talent........either we don't draft well or don't develop talent well, or both