2007 Rotation

[soapy]

I concede that I'm jumping the gun in a HUGE way here, but I'm bored (I hate off-days, even when the Cubs suck).

 

Keeping in mind that Marmol has started exactly one game (and thrown 10 MLB innings total), if you were Hendry, would you start restling with the idea of going into 2007 with the following "rotation"?

 

Zambrano

Marshall

Marmol

Guzman

Miller

Hill

 

There are (obviously) six names there. Let's say that all are kept around in case of injury.

 

Pros: When healthy, Z, Miller, Marshall, Guzman, Marmol could be very good and CHEAP rotation. Taking Wood, Prior and Maddux off the books frees up a large amount of money to target some offensive production via free agency (or trade). In addition, it has the potential to be a rotation that can stay together for some time. Trading Prior opens up the door to making a trade for an impact bat.

 

Cons: The FA market next year appears to be thin (offensively), again. Refusing to trade Guzman, Hill, Marmol, Marshall etc. limits the Cubs' ability to make a trade for an impact player on the offensive side. Also, Guzman and Miller are both injury risks at this point and you run the risk of suffering through another long season of Glendon Rusch-esqe starts. Additionally, I'm sure there's some (warranted) concern that Hill might not be able to ever put it together at the MLB level. It's a rotation full of risk because of not only injuries, but youth. There are likely to be growing pains.

 

So, tell me, at what point do you start considering taking this risk on a young (injury risk?) rotation and trying to use the saved money to load up your offense? Can it even be done without trading some of this young talent?

 

On a personal level, It would be hard for me to trade Prior. I'd have to evaluate his health at the end of the season, which also gives me a chance to see what Marmol, Guzman and Hill can do for the rest of this season.

 

Discuss.

[cubs121]

I dont know, i really want Prior for one more season after this one... you just never know maybe he can turn it around and become a good solid pitcher, We know he can! but he just hasnt shown the health... but, maybe he CAN stay healthy (what are the chances of that!) and become a guy we know HE can!

 

and in thoughts of a young rotation... why not...

Big Z

Marmol

Marshall

Prior

and maybe Zito?

 

Now that would be a real good rotation! if all stay healthy (which i think they can) yeah its a young rotation but it could be great for years!

 

well just my thoughts... :shock:

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I would not trade Prior until at least July. If he's healthy and throwing good, I work on an extension. If he wants no part in signing long-term, he's pitched his value back up into a blockbuster deal.

[soapy]

I would not trade Prior until at least July. If he's healthy and throwing good, I work on an extension. If he wants no part in signing long-term, he's pitched his value back up into a blockbuster deal.

 

July of 06 or 07? In my scenario, he wouldn't be traded until the off-season (between 06 and 07). I definitely would not trade him before then (and maybe not after). He's still under their control for a few more years at this point.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I would not trade Prior until at least July. If he's healthy and throwing good, I work on an extension. If he wants no part in signing long-term, he's pitched his value back up into a blockbuster deal.

 

July of 06 or 07? In my scenario, he wouldn't be traded until the off-season (between 06 and 07). I definitely would not trade him before them (and maybe not after). He's still under their control for a few more years at this point.

 

Sorry, July of 2007. I'm confused now, isn't 2007 the last season he's under our control?

[E.J.]

I could see the Cubs sticking with 2 of either Marshall, Marmol, or Guzman (depending how they do the rest of the year).

 

The one who loses out, plus Hill, will be trade bait. I think the Wood is probably gone unless he signs to be our closer.

 

I see Hendry going out and either trading for or signing a FA pitcher this offseason. Someone like Zito or Schmidt.

 

2007 Rotation:

 

Z

#2 type pitcher through FA or trade (Zito maybe)

Prior

Marshall/Marmol/Guzman

Marshall/Marmol/Guzman

 

I don't know what to think of Miller until he comes back and pitches this year (if he pitches this year). He could take a spot in the rotation next year, but I doubt it at this point.

 

Oh, and bring back Maddux as pitching coach after he retires this year. He has to realize it's about time to hang 'em up, right?

[soapy]

I would not trade Prior until at least July. If he's healthy and throwing good, I work on an extension. If he wants no part in signing long-term, he's pitched his value back up into a blockbuster deal.

 

July of 06 or 07? In my scenario, he wouldn't be traded until the off-season (between 06 and 07). I definitely would not trade him before them (and maybe not after). He's still under their control for a few more years at this point.

 

Sorry, July of 2007. I'm confused now, isn't 2007 the last season he's under our control?

 

I was thinking 2008, but certainly could be wrong.

[Fro]

We have control of Prior/Z until after 2008, I believe.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

2008 sounds right. In that case, I keep him even longer if he's healthy and pitching well. A healthy Mark Prior > 90% of all other pitchers in the game.

[Geech]

2008 sounds right. In that case, I keep him even longer if he's healthy and pitching well. A healthy Mark Prior > 90% of all other pitchers in the game.

 

I agree. I don't think it makes any sense to dump Prior while taking risks on pitchers like Guzman and Miller. I doubt either will be as good as Prior.

[mg420]

I could see the Cubs sticking with 2 of either Marshall, Marmol, or Guzman (depending how they do the rest of the year).

 

The one who loses out, plus Hill, will be trade bait. I think the Wood is probably gone unless he signs to be our closer.

I see Hendry going out and either trading for or signing a FA pitcher this offseason. Someone like Zito or Schmidt.

 

2007 Rotation:

 

Z

#2 type pitcher through FA or trade (Zito maybe)

Prior

Marshall/Marmol/Guzman

Marshall/Marmol/Guzman

 

I don't know what to think of Miller until he comes back and pitches this year (if he pitches this year). He could take a spot in the rotation next year, but I doubt it at this point.

 

Oh, and bring back Maddux as pitching coach after he retires this year. He has to realize it's about time to hang 'em up, right?

uh, the cubs already have a closer in dempster.

[mg420]

z

prior or miller (depending on which one is/can stay healthy)

marshall

marmol

hill or guzman

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Miller isn't signed beyond this year, so I wouldn't include him in any future plans.

 

Pitchers the Cubs would have under their control going into the hotstove talks would be: Zambrano, Prior, Marshall, Ryu, Guzman, Marmol, and Hill....and of course Williams.

 

To trade Prior, I'm going to want a big name. I'd probably do a form of Prior for Abreu or something along those lines....but it would take a big time bat for a deal like that to happen.

 

With Wood and Maddux's money coming off the books, I'd like to pursue one veteran pitcher (Schmidt, Zito, Mulder) and then go after some hitters.

 

Assume Schmidt, then I'd have the rotation anchored with Zambrano and Schmidt. Two of Marshall, Ryu, Guzman, and Hill could be put with Prior. If I dealt Prior for a bat, I might pursue another pitcher. A lot depends on how these guys throw for the remainder of the season.

 

With Wood's 13 million and Maddux's 9, there's no reason we shouldn't add one of the big name starters coming out there and still have the money for at least one or two bats.

[Sammy Sofa]

Giving up on Prior already is madness. Ideally, he and Z are the anchors for a young pitching staff. Hendry needs to take the money from Wood and Maddux and sign another quality starter. Marshal and Marmol and Guzman can duke it out for the last 2 spots. I'm not relying on Miller for anything, and am going to act like he's never going to be around short of a miracle.

[mg420]

Miller isn't signed beyond this year, so I wouldn't include him in any future plans.

 

Pitchers the Cubs would have under their control going into the hotstove talks would be: Zambrano, Prior, Marshall, Ryu, Guzman, Marmol, and Hill....and of course Williams.

 

To trade Prior, I'm going to want a big name. I'd probably do a form of Prior for Abreu or something along those lines....but it would take a big time bat for a deal like that to happen.

 

With Wood and Maddux's money coming off the books, I'd like to pursue one veteran pitcher (Schmidt, Zito, Mulder) and then go after some hitters.

 

Assume Schmidt, then I'd have the rotation anchored with Zambrano and Schmidt. Two of Marshall, Ryu, Guzman, and Hill could be put with Prior. If I dealt Prior for a bat, I might pursue another pitcher. A lot depends on how these guys throw for the remainder of the season.

 

With Wood's 13 million and Maddux's 9, there's no reason we shouldn't add one of the big name starters coming out there and still have the money for at least one or two bats.

 

if he can stay healthy and throw some quality innings, i see the cubs dealing with miller the same way they did with dempster. give him another one year for 2007 to see how he can hold up for a full season.

[soapy]

With Wood's 13 million and Maddux's 9, there's no reason we shouldn't add one of the big name starters coming out there and still have the money for at least one or two bats.

But do you have enough after raises to Zambrano and Lee?

 

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with your idea, I'm just not sure the money is there. What the Cubs decide to do re: Pierre will also impact this I guess.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

With Wood's 13 million and Maddux's 9, there's no reason we shouldn't add one of the big name starters coming out there and still have the money for at least one or two bats.

But do you have enough after raises to Zambrano and Lee?

 

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with your idea, I'm just not sure the money is there. What the Cubs decide to do re: Pierre will also impact this I guess.

 

I definitely think so. Lee's raise isn't terribly dramatic. Zambrano will get a nice raise and this may be the year they discuss long-term with him. I'm not running the payroll numbers, but I think if the Cubs went with a 100-105 million payroll, they could easily afford to add some players this offseason.

[rawaction]

Zambrano

Prior

Marshall

Marmol

 

is a good start to a rotation, if Prior is healthy. I'd let Wood (1-year incentive laden deal), Guzman, Hill, and whoever else is here, fight it out for the last spot. Also, watch out for Sean Gallagher next year. He has a good shot to pull a Marshall and make the team out of camp if someone gets hurt....provided he goes to AA after the AS break this year.

[E.J.]

Zambrano

Prior

Marshall

Marmol

 

is a good start to a rotation, if Prior is healthy. I'd let Wood (1-year incentive laden deal), Guzman, Hill, and whoever else is here, fight it out for the last spot. Also, watch out for Sean Gallagher next year. He has a good shot to pull a Marshall and make the team out of camp if someone gets hurt....provided he goes to AA after the AS break this year.

 

Check the minor league forum. He's already on his way up to AA!!! :D

[CP_414]

Zambrano

One of Zito/Mulder/Schmidt

Prior

Marshall

Marmol

 

Keep Guzman or Hill to be the 6th starter when someone goes down.

 

Hopefully they can deal Wood before the deadline, get a prospect back, and avoid having to pay the $3M buyout in the offseason. I'd also like to see Maddux pitch well enough in the next 2 months to bring back a nice prospect in a July 31st trade. I like Greg, but I don't see where he fits in next season.

 

In the bullpen...

Dempster

Howry

Eyre

Novoa

Ohman

Aardsma

[RynoRules]

We actually have pretty decent pitching depth in our system. Instead of wasting time and watching their values plunge (as we did with Juan Cruz), I say we deal someone for a high-end corner OFer who can put us in a real position to compete.

[Andy]

I thought I heard Len say something about 2007 being Z's last year under Cubs control a few days ago...

[RynoRules]

I thought I heard Len say something about 2007 being Z's last year under Cubs control a few days ago...

 

I thinkt hat is right:

 

Z = 07'

Prior = 08'

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I thought I heard Len say something about 2007 being Z's last year under Cubs control a few days ago...

 

I think that is right:

 

Z = 07'

Prior = 08'

 

Correct.

[rawaction]

I thought I heard Len say something about 2007 being Z's last year under Cubs control a few days ago...

 

I think that is right:

 

Z = 07'

Prior = 08'

 

Correct.

 

That will change after January.