Aardsma, Brownlie, look pretty good today

[CubsWin]

Wuertz was a starter until 2004.When they moved him to the pen his velocity jumped.He pitched in 75 games last year.This may seem far-fetched,but is it possible that Johnnie B. overused him?

A lot of things are possible in that realm, Monco. It is sort of assumed that all a manager has to go on when determining the durability of a certain pitcher is his history and how he is currently feeling. To my knowledge, Wuertz never openly complained about soreness last season. Overuse must be a shared responsibility between the pitching coach, trainer, manager and pitcher.

[Soul]

Wuertz really makes me nervous. I think it's a mistake to put him on the roster.

 

I agree. I have never been impressed by him, and I would swap him out for Aardsma in half a heartbeat.

 

It may just be my perception, but Wuertz seems to either dominate or flat out stink, especially when he pitches in a couple games in a row. When Wuertz gets even a little tired, it's BP.

 

I agree that it makes me nervous that he's not doing well, but I have been impressed with him in the past. He can be pretty sick when he's not misused, so it mostly just makes me sad that he's getting roughed up so badly.

I agree with MPrior. Wuertz has a nasty slider when its on. For some reason, its just not on right now. Maybe he's tipping his pitches and the scouts caught on late last season or while looking at tape over the winter. Maybe its something else entirely.

 

As I watched him today, I was reminded of Borowski's collapse a while back. He didn't have the same life on his fastball, and it was downplayed as normal spring training stuff and no big deal. But then later we learned that he was injured. Wuertz's velocity on his fastball was easily 91-93 and the slider was 84-86 all season last year, but he didn't come close to that today. I'm wondering if there isn't something structurally wrong with Wuertz's arm? I wouldn't be surprised if he comes up injured in the coming weeks.

 

Maybe. Lots of guys have a good pitch though. That doesn't mean they should be on a big league roster. Wuertz is getting batted around like a rag doll. That should have earned him a trip to the minors, IMO. Hopefully I'm off-base.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Maybe. Lots of guys have a good pitch though. That doesn't mean they should be on a big league roster. Wuertz is getting batted around like a rag doll. That should have earned him a trip to the minors, IMO. Hopefully I'm off-base.

 

I think the 75+ IP he had last year at the major league level with a .219 BAA and 10.6 K/9 matters more than the 8+ IP he has in spring training this year.

[CubsWin]

Maybe. Lots of guys have a good pitch though. That doesn't mean they should be on a big league roster. Wuertz is getting batted around like a rag doll. That should have earned him a trip to the minors, IMO. Hopefully I'm off-base.

 

I think the 75+ IP he had last year at the major league level with a .219 BAA and 10.6 K/9 matters more than the 8+ IP he has in spring training this year.

I agree. But at the same time, if someone like Aardsma is throwing not just better but a lot better at the moment, why not break camp with Aardsma and let Wuertz find himself at AAA?

 

Unless, of course, Wuertz is out of options.

[Soul]

Maybe. Lots of guys have a good pitch though. That doesn't mean they should be on a big league roster. Wuertz is getting batted around like a rag doll. That should have earned him a trip to the minors, IMO. Hopefully I'm off-base.

 

I think the 75+ IP he had last year at the major league level with a .219 BAA and 10.6 K/9 matters more than the 8+ IP he has in spring training this year.

 

Spoken like Dusty Baker himself, haha. 8)

 

Just kidding man. Seriously though---I don't view Wuertz as established enough to survive on reputation. To me he's a borderline major leaguer. I'd like to go with the hot hand when it comes to those guys.

 

At the end of the day, I hope Wuertz tears it up and proves me totally wrong.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Maybe. Lots of guys have a good pitch though. That doesn't mean they should be on a big league roster. Wuertz is getting batted around like a rag doll. That should have earned him a trip to the minors, IMO. Hopefully I'm off-base.

 

I think the 75+ IP he had last year at the major league level with a .219 BAA and 10.6 K/9 matters more than the 8+ IP he has in spring training this year.

 

Spoken like Dusty Baker himself, haha. 8)

 

Just kidding man. Seriously though---I don't view Wuertz as established enough to survive on reputation. To me he's a borderline major leaguer. I'd like to go with the hot hand when it comes to those guys.

 

At the end of the day, I hope Wuertz tears it up and proves me totally wrong.

 

I don't know. Wuertz is pretty filthy. Guys have a very tough time getting contact when they do swing. His numbers last season were no fluke.

[XZero771679666304]

Maybe. Lots of guys have a good pitch though. That doesn't mean they should be on a big league roster. Wuertz is getting batted around like a rag doll. That should have earned him a trip to the minors, IMO. Hopefully I'm off-base.

 

I think the 75+ IP he had last year at the major league level with a .219 BAA and 10.6 K/9 matters more than the 8+ IP he has in spring training this year.

 

Spoken like Dusty Baker himself, haha. 8)

 

Just kidding man. Seriously though---I don't view Wuertz as established enough to survive on reputation. To me he's a borderline major leaguer. I'd like to go with the hot hand when it comes to those guys.

 

At the end of the day, I hope Wuertz tears it up and proves me totally wrong.

 

I don't know. Wuertz is pretty filthy. Guys have a very tough time getting contact when they do swing. His numbers last season were no fluke.

 

The problem is his stamina. He seems to really lose it as his workload increases. When he gets tired, it's BP. At least that has been my perception.

[biittner77]

Is Aaardsma still on the 40 man roster? I thought they took him off after the season ended.

[goonys evil twin]

Man, there sure is a lot of "it seems" when it comes to the Wuertz bashing.

 

Yeah, Wuertz looked tired when he was used 6 out of 7 days, Aardsma had a couple good games this spring, it definetely seems like a perfect time to make a change.

[E.J.]

Looks like Aardsma was hitting 97mph on the gun in the last spring training game.

 

Suntimes

 

ON CALL: Reliever David Aardsma, 24, ended a solid spring in eye-popping fashion when he hit 97 mph on the radar gun Saturday against the San Diego Padres in the final exhibition game.

 

Cubs officials hadn't seen that kind of velocity out of a reliever since the ill-fated Kyle Farnsworth. Aardsma will be the closer at Class AAA Iowa and will be closely monitored by the Cubs, along with setup man Roberto Novoa. If he does well, he will be in position for a call-up this season if injuries dictate it.

[UBlink]

Looks like Aardsma was hitting 97mph on the gun in the last spring training game.

 

Suntimes

 

ON CALL: Reliever David Aardsma, 24, ended a solid spring in eye-popping fashion when he hit 97 mph on the radar gun Saturday against the San Diego Padres in the final exhibition game.

 

Cubs officials hadn't seen that kind of velocity out of a reliever since the ill-fated Kyle Farnsworth. Aardsma will be the closer at Class AAA Iowa and will be closely monitored by the Cubs, along with setup man Roberto Novoa. If he does well, he will be in position for a call-up this season if injuries dictate it.

 

How about a call-up if performance dictates it?

[mg420]

Looks like Aardsma was hitting 97mph on the gun in the last spring training game.

 

Suntimes

 

ON CALL: Reliever David Aardsma, 24, ended a solid spring in eye-popping fashion when he hit 97 mph on the radar gun Saturday against the San Diego Padres in the final exhibition game.

 

Cubs officials hadn't seen that kind of velocity out of a reliever since the ill-fated Kyle Farnsworth. Aardsma will be the closer at Class AAA Iowa and will be closely monitored by the Cubs, along with setup man Roberto Novoa. If he does well, he will be in position for a call-up this season if injuries dictate it.

 

How about a call-up if performance dictates it?

 

nt

[UBlink]

Looks like Aardsma was hitting 97mph on the gun in the last spring training game.

 

Suntimes

 

ON CALL: Reliever David Aardsma, 24, ended a solid spring in eye-popping fashion when he hit 97 mph on the radar gun Saturday against the San Diego Padres in the final exhibition game.

 

Cubs officials hadn't seen that kind of velocity out of a reliever since the ill-fated Kyle Farnsworth. Aardsma will be the closer at Class AAA Iowa and will be closely monitored by the Cubs, along with setup man Roberto Novoa. If he does well, he will be in position for a call-up this season if injuries dictate it.

 

How about a call-up if performance dictates it?

 

nt

 

Duly noted, but why are injuries required for a call-up? Why not "[fill-in-the-blank] isn't getting the job done and Aardsma is lights out in AAA", even if [fill-in-the -blank] isn't injured?