Rusch has to go!!!!!

[Shavo]

Maybe this should be in transactions but I think he should be traded like yesterday. I would call up KC and see if I could get Reggie Sanders and platoon him with Jacque. Any other ideas?

 

If we can get Sanders for Rusch it they should contract the Royals.

[oldstyle81]

Okay, while there is no way to defend the total suckitude of Rusch this year, there is one thing to keep in mind:

 

It is unlikely that the Cubs would have won most of Rusch's starts anyways. Here was the Cubs' fabulous run support for Rusch in his first 5 starts:

 

04/05 - 6 runs (L)

04/11 - 2 runs (L)

04/16 - 7 runs (W)

04/22 - 1 run (L)

04/29 - 2 runs (L)

 

You could argue that an average major league pitcher should have won the April 5th game, but few pitchers on our staff (or any other) are going to win games when their team scores 2 or fewer runs. I think we are blinded to this fact by the enormous amount of runs Rusch gives up, and certainly the early blowout nature of his starts could have a psychological affect on his offense (thus scoring few runs) but there is no way to prove that.

 

Anyways, my point is that I believe Rusch has really only cost the Cubs one more loss than they should have had considering the scores of his 5 starts.

 

04/05 - 6 runs (L) Rusch gives up 4 earned runs, 2 HR, pitchers hits HR off him

 

04/11 - 2 runs (L) Rusch Gives up 4 earned, all home runs, Pitcher repeats performance.

 

04/16 - 7 runs (W) Gives up 3 earned to one of the worst teams in baseball on yet another HR

 

04/22 - 1 run (L) Totally lost strike Zone and while not giving up and HRs for 1st time all season, he walked the bases loaded just ahead of some guy named Puljous.

 

 

04/29 - 2 runs (L) 7 earned on 4 home Runs and 3 walks

 

 

He might be the nicest guy in the world but there is a reason the yankees have 27 rings and we have 2 and its not because they keep nice guys around who cant perform

 

we dont want him in the bullpen, he gives up WAY WAY WAY to many home runs and would destroy us. the only thing he should be used for is getting innings in blowouts like this weekends games. Save the good arms and do away with his

[Derwood]

Okay, while there is no way to defend the total suckitude of Rusch this year, there is one thing to keep in mind:

 

It is unlikely that the Cubs would have won most of Rusch's starts anyways. Here was the Cubs' fabulous run support for Rusch in his first 5 starts:

 

04/05 - 6 runs (L)

04/11 - 2 runs (L)

04/16 - 7 runs (W)

04/22 - 1 run (L)

04/29 - 2 runs (L)

 

You could argue that an average major league pitcher should have won the April 5th game, but few pitchers on our staff (or any other) are going to win games when their team scores 2 or fewer runs. I think we are blinded to this fact by the enormous amount of runs Rusch gives up, and certainly the early blowout nature of his starts could have a psychological affect on his offense (thus scoring few runs) but there is no way to prove that.

 

Anyways, my point is that I believe Rusch has really only cost the Cubs one more loss than they should have had considering the scores of his 5 starts.

 

04/05 - 6 runs (L) Rusch gives up 4 earned runs, 2 HR, pitchers hits HR off him

 

04/11 - 2 runs (L) Rusch Gives up 4 earned, all home runs, Pitcher repeats performance.

 

04/16 - 7 runs (W) Gives up 3 earned to one of the worst teams in baseball on yet another HR

 

04/22 - 1 run (L) Totally lost strike Zone and while not giving up and HRs for 1st time all season, he walked the bases loaded just ahead of some guy named Puljous.

 

 

04/29 - 2 runs (L) 7 earned on 4 home Runs and 3 walks

 

 

He might be the nicest guy in the world but there is a reason the yankees have 27 rings and we have 2 and its not because they keep nice guys around who cant perform

 

we dont want him in the bullpen, he gives up WAY WAY WAY to many home runs and would destroy us. the only thing he should be used for is getting innings in blowouts like this weekends games. Save the good arms and do away with his

 

Unfortunately, GM's aren't known for paying guys $2.5 million to mop up in blow out games.

[srbin84]

Remember Rodney Myers? That guy was a hell of a mop-up man.

[sonofsamiam]

Why has everyone given up on Jerome Williams?

 

He was 1 fine start, a couple good relief outings and 1 not-so-good, and 1 very bad start (against the Cardinals) and he's gone?

 

The guy had a 2.10 ERA for us last September, and is YOUNGER than Rich Hill.

 

Somehow, I think if Hill had a 2.10 ERA in 5 starts last September, and blew up against St. Louis in one stinkin' start, that he'd still be in the rotation.

 

Guess I just remember Williams when he was 21 and very effective for the Giants in '03. Lots of teams would've killed for the guy then. I feel he can recapture that, but it seems like he's been given up on (and by a team that can ill-afford to give up on young arms).

[frostwyrm]

Why has everyone given up on Jerome Williams?

 

He was 1 fine start, a couple good relief outings and 1 not-so-good, and 1 very bad start (against the Cardinals) and he's gone?

 

The guy had a 2.10 ERA for us last September, and is YOUNGER than Rich Hill.

 

Somehow, I think if Hill had a 2.10 ERA in 5 starts last September, and blew up against St. Louis in one stinkin' start, that he'd still be in the rotation.

 

Guess I just remember Williams when he was 21 and very effective for the Giants in '03. Lots of teams would've killed for the guy then. I feel he can recapture that, but it seems like he's been given up on (and by a team that can ill-afford to give up on young arms).

Who has given up on Williams? I think everyone here would agree that if he has a few good starts in AAA he deserves to at least be considered for a rotation spot with the big league team.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Williams is probably our 3rd best starter right now. Sending him down to AAA was shortsighted.

[badger1679666666]

Williams is probably our 3rd best starter right now. Sending him down to AAA was shortsighted.

 

Maddux

Z

Marshall

Williams.

 

I'd say 4th , but point taken.

[sonofsamiam]

Why has everyone given up on Jerome Williams?

 

He was 1 fine start, a couple good relief outings and 1 not-so-good, and 1 very bad start (against the Cardinals) and he's gone?

 

The guy had a 2.10 ERA for us last September, and is YOUNGER than Rich Hill.

 

Somehow, I think if Hill had a 2.10 ERA in 5 starts last September, and blew up against St. Louis in one stinkin' start, that he'd still be in the rotation.

 

Guess I just remember Williams when he was 21 and very effective for the Giants in '03. Lots of teams would've killed for the guy then. I feel he can recapture that, but it seems like he's been given up on (and by a team that can ill-afford to give up on young arms).

Who has given up on Williams? I think everyone here would agree that if he has a few good starts in AAA he deserves to at least be considered for a rotation spot with the big league team.

 

The fact that maybe 2 people mentioned him over 5 pages (and 1 of the people mentioned him only to lambast him) led me to this conclusion.

 

I felt it was a knee-jerk reaction. Yes, he was bad against the Cards, which always stings. But Rusch has been as bad or worse 3 times already.

 

At least he has the proven experience of being able to handle himself in the big leagues. A 24-year-old with 63 career starts and a career ERA well better than league average deserves the benefit of the doubt in my book.

[goonys evil twin]

The fact that maybe 2 people mentioned him over 5 pages (and 1 of the people mentioned him only to lambast him) led me to this conclusion.

 

I felt it was a knee-jerk reaction. Yes, he was bad against the Cards, which always stings. But Rusch has been as bad or worse 3 times already.

 

 

I don't think I've given up on Williams, but I've never had a great deal of faith in him to begin with. And it's not a reaction to the Cardinals game. I just don't like his game. However, I agree he deserves a shot over Rusch. And he should be in the discussion for the rotation now (and deserved a better shot than he was given).

[sonofsamiam]

The fact that maybe 2 people mentioned him over 5 pages (and 1 of the people mentioned him only to lambast him) led me to this conclusion.

 

I felt it was a knee-jerk reaction. Yes, he was bad against the Cards, which always stings. But Rusch has been as bad or worse 3 times already.

 

 

I don't think I've given up on Williams, but I've never had a great deal of faith in him to begin with. And it's not a reaction to the Cardinals game. I just don't like his game. However, I agree he deserves a shot over Rusch. And he should be in the discussion for the rotation now (and deserved a better shot than he was given).

 

He'll probably never be a dominant starter, but a lot of teams would love to have a 4th or 5th guy with his career up to now.

 

In fact, he and Danny Haren have extremely similar career numbers, and are nearly the same age. And I think people would love Haren as a Cub at this point.

[Twiggy]

glendon does suck. they will give him another start of course and he will suck.

[abuck1220]

Somehow, I think if Hill had a 2.10 ERA in 5 starts last September, and blew up against St. Louis in one stinkin' start, that he'd still be in the rotation.

 

 

hill's the last guy you should cite to for someone that's been given a lot of slack/received preferential treatment. that being said, williams should be ahead of rusch.

[Banedon]

I would rather have all 3 rookies starting than either Rusch or Williams.

[JC]

I would rather have all 3 rookies starting than either Rusch or Williams.

 

Join.

Begrudgingly.

[BRASKYS SCOTCH]

Rich Hill just called up per Cubs pre-game from Dusty on WGN-720!

[Shavo]

May 4th RICH HILL VS JAUN CRUZZZ :shock: :shock:

 

Should be interesting.