What are the Cubs to do about their pitching?

[forbez18]

So next year Big z will be the opening starter with most likely Prior being the second starter. After that what do you see as the future staff for the Cubs? Marshall has pitched pretty good this year and probrally has earned a way into the rotation for next year. I am not to sure how long this injury is going to keep him out, but I would like to see him pitch a little more. But is he the Cubs third or fifth starter? Then you have Marmol, Hill, Guzman, Mateo, and prob. some other guys down there. Which one of them do you think would be able to fit the rotation and fit into the the Cubs making a playoff race. What do they do with the rest of them? Who else should they get?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I see the Cubs adding one FA pitcher and then filling the rotation out with the youngsters.

[WrigleyField 22]

Yea I see one big FA pitcher signed. I would only do it though, if it was a top of the line starter. I would be upset if they signed one, or even worse, two "lesser" pitchers. While we could be in a position to be somewhat competitive next year with the right moves, I think it would be much more worthwhile to allow the young guy to improve because we have a lot of talented young pitchers coming up and we could concievably fill 2/5 or maybe 3/5 of our rotation for cheap in the following years.

 

Basically you have three big pitchers on the market.

Zito

Schmidt

The Japanese guy whose name escapes me at the moment.

None particularly sticks out as the best option but it would be nice to establish a market with a big name Japanese player as it could help influence later signings.

 

And you cant really count on Prior for next year. If hes ready he pushes a guy to the bullpen or AAA, no big deal.

Zambrano and possibly Marshall look like the only definites, with Marmol pretty certain to get a spot. You have two spots and the possibilities include: Prior, FA, Hill, Guzman with guys like Ryu, Gallagher, Mateo, Wells long shots, but possible if they put up strong spring training performances like Marshall did. There has been a lot of talk that our farm system has gotten a lot worse, and while that is true, so many guys have stepped up pitching wise, including some others in lower levels like Veal that our system is really only weak because of the lack of position players. If you don't allow at least 2/5 (3/5 depending on Prior.. 4/5 even possible if no Prior or FA) of the starting rotation to the young guys, you might as well look to make some trades to improve other areas because we have some depth. One dark horse is Jerome Williams. I see him being traded for some low level/nothing prospect because of 40man roster issues, but he will still be just 25 next year and has had success at times in the big leagues.

Edited August 4, 2006 by WrigleyField 22

[rocket]

SCHMIDT SCHMIDT SCHMIDT

[Outshined_One]

I could see the Cubs adding a top name via trade/FA and an innings-eater to help supplement the rotation.

 

Guys like Hill, Marshall, Marmol, and Guzman will get their chances next season. With the injury problems this team has had in recent years, it's pretty much a given, even if they don't win a rotation spot out of ST.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think Schmidt is a very likely possibility.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

Ok, let's see. I'm going to say that Hendry looks at the following pitchers in the off season.............

 

Mark Mulder

Woody Williams

 

 

Coincidentally, he targets a couple of Cardinals or in Woody's case former Cardinal. He is looking to sign one of the two with Mulder being his first choice.

 

Hendry gets what he wants and nabs Mulder for the 2007 Cubs' rotation.

 

However, Hendry still does not feel comfortable putting two young guys in the rotation to start the year. And he finally decides that Glendon will not see the starting rotation and will remain in the bullpen. This mandate is given to the Cubs' manager.

 

So he signs Suppan another former Cardinal to join the Cubs.

 

Your 2007 Chicago Cubs Starting Pitchers:

 

Carlos Zambrano

Mark Prior

Mark Mulder

Jeff Suppan

Sean Marshall

 

Note: Marmol to the bullpen and can start when needed and Guzman and Rich Hill will be in AAA and called up when needed.

 

Not that I necesarily advocate all of this, but I wouldn't be surprised if it played out like this or something along these lines.

Edited August 4, 2006 by RonnieWooWooSanto

[WrigleyField 22]

I wont be upset if a big name FA is signed for next year, but I almost want to see a youth movement with the pitching. If you have the depth to try it out you should give it a shot, because we cold potentially save a lot of money that will help us to solidify the batting order, a place where there isn't a lot of hope for cheap production.

 

Yea we wont be as good next year if we do that, but I don't see us as being competitive in the "fight for the wildcard till the end and barely miss" kind of way than in a "legitimate W.S. contenders" kind of way, even if we get a big bat and frontline starter. So if we can go from compete to wildcard to hang around .500 for next year in an effort to better set us up for 2008 and beyond I could go for it.

 

Either way could work and I would be happy with either. I will really only be upset if we go out and get a couple mediocre vets whose production over the young guys isn't worth the upside you lose out on.

[Brian]

I think Schmidt is a very likely possibility.

 

For this to happen Hendry has to do what he did with Eyre and Howry. overwhelm him right away, let him know that he's his guy and offer him a big contract. When it gets drawn out and he allows other teams in he loses.

[Dirt Dog Sparly]

The thing that worries me about getting Schmidt is the Pitcher Abuse points rank right there with Prior and Wood. I say been there and done that.

[NorthsideAvenger]

Ok, let's see. I'm going to say that Hendry looks at the following pitchers in the off season.............

 

Mark Mulder

Woody Williams

 

I could see that, as well as the Cubs going after guys like Kip Wells, Tony Armas Jr, etc. etc. Something tells me...Jason Schmidt/Barry caliber pitcers WON'T even get a phone call from Hendry. Call it a hunch.

 

Heck, I could see Hendry borrowing Benny the Bulls---provided he's out on bond---and throwing a parade to get guys like Jeff Suppan to sign in Chicago..

[C.C.]

Ok, let's see. I'm going to say that Hendry looks at the following pitchers in the off season.............

 

Mark Mulder

Woody Williams

 

I could see that, as well as the Cubs going after guys like Kip Wells, Tony Armas Jr, etc. etc. Something tells me...Jason Schmidt/Barry caliber pitcers WON'T even get a phone call from Hendry. Call it a hunch.

 

Heck, I could see Hendry borrowing Benny the Bulls---provided he's out on bond---and throwing a parade to get guys like Jeff Suppan to sign in Chicago..

 

I was listening to Kap and Waddle (sports central) a few days ago, and Kap said that he's heard that Hendry and the Cubs are going after two high priced Free Agents this off season, and are making a huge push for both of them...

[RynoRules]

SCHMIDT SCHMIDT SCHMIDT

[C.C.]

SCHMIDT SCHMIDT SCHMIDT

 

Schimdt will end up with the Yankees...

[wilk]

SCHMIDT SCHMIDT SCHMIDT

 

Schimdt will end up with the Yankees...

 

You mean Seattle. Count on it.

[C.C.]

SCHMIDT SCHMIDT SCHMIDT

 

Schimdt will end up with the Yankees...

 

You mean Seattle. Count on it.

 

The only saving grace is does he want to pitch in the AL?

[C.C.]

Do you guys realize that Rich Hill is the Cubs oldest member of the Current Cubs starting staff? Pretty amazing eh?

[wilk]

SCHMIDT SCHMIDT SCHMIDT

 

Schimdt will end up with the Yankees...

 

You mean Seattle. Count on it.

 

The only saving grace is does he want to pitch in the AL?

 

Well he grew up near Seattle, still has his home there, and has said many times how much he'd love to play for Seattle in his career. Since this is probably his last big contract, I'd say it's now. A lot of people in Seattle are practically pencilling him in. I think the Mariners will comply.

[C.C.]

SCHMIDT SCHMIDT SCHMIDT

 

Schimdt will end up with the Yankees...

 

You mean Seattle. Count on it.

 

The only saving grace is does he want to pitch in the AL?

 

Well he grew up near Seattle, still has his home there, and has said many times how much he'd love to play for Seattle in his career. Since this is probably his last big contract, I'd say it's now. A lot of people in Seattle are practically pencilling him in. I think the Mariners will comply.

 

Didn't read that. Thanks for the info...Okay scratch Schimdt off out list.

[KaiserCesar]

You could definitely live with 2 youngsters considering Marshall and Marmol have both logged some innings this year and been somwhat impressive. Adding a FA like mentioned before in the thread (Schmidt) would bolster the rotation pretty significantly. Then, you still have Mateo, Ryu, Guzman, maybe Hill, as still pretty good fill-ins in case of injury. Either of these could be tried out as well if Marmol/Marshall struggle a lot.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I think Marshall gets an automatic bid because he's a lefty, even if Marmol, Guzman, Ryu, Mateo, et al perform better from here on out and over the winter. I think Hendry will make an attempt at getting Maddux back, and I think he will sign some 4.50 ERA 1.5 WHIP pitcher who was once on a playoff team.

[biittner77]

I suppose if his rehab goes anywhere, Wade Miller would be in the mix as a back of the rotation innings eater.

 

I'd actually prefer that Hendry address the offense first. The Cards have proven that a good offense can carry a mediocre pitching staff. I expect the young starters that have logged time this year to get better next year.

[soccer10k]

SCHMIDT SCHMIDT SCHMIDT

 

Schimdt will end up with the Yankees...

 

You mean Seattle. Count on it.

 

The only saving grace is does he want to pitch in the AL?

 

Well he grew up near Seattle, still has his home there, and has said many times how much he'd love to play for Seattle in his career. Since this is probably his last big contract, I'd say it's now. A lot of people in Seattle are practically pencilling him in. I think the Mariners will comply.

 

So the Cubs now have virtually no chance of signing either Schmidt or Zito? Great. Middle of the road FA starter here we come.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

SCHMIDT SCHMIDT SCHMIDT

 

Schimdt will end up with the Yankees...

 

You mean Seattle. Count on it.

 

The only saving grace is does he want to pitch in the AL?

 

Well he grew up near Seattle, still has his home there, and has said many times how much he'd love to play for Seattle in his career. Since this is probably his last big contract, I'd say it's now. A lot of people in Seattle are practically pencilling him in. I think the Mariners will comply.

 

So the Cubs now have virtually no chance of signing either Schmidt or Zito? Great. Middle of the road FA starter here we come.

 

Shawn T. Estes will be available.

[Guest]

Daisuke!