Cubs Sign Marquis to 3/21

[Guest]

look, Jason Marquis is an outstanding pitcher. he put up an ERA+ of 127 at age 22, and put together seasons of 113 and 103. clearly he's the best option over any of the dregs in the minors who proved last year they have no future at the major league level. great signing.

 

 

 

 

 

that's exactly what you guys are doing, only from the other side, and you don't even see it.

 

Totally agree.

 

People on this board hate everything. They hate the sun. They hate air.

If you ask 4000 people for their opinions on anything, there will be people that don't like it. So any subject that gets discussed on the boards will have people in violent objection to it.

 

I could just as easily say that this board likes everything, too.

[imb]

I really see no way to defend this signing at all. We just gave a guy who was terrible last season 7 million a year. You can talk all you want about a flaw in his mechanics and whether or not its fixed, but we just spent 21 million dollars on a guy who might not be even good enough to be a major league pitcher.

 

Now, there is no guarantee that Marshall/Marmol/Guzman will be healthy and better than Marquis, but when you can save over 20 million dollars to find out, isnt it worth it? I just dont get this deal, at all.

 

Sure, maybe Marquis pulls a 4.00 era out of his ass, but for 900,000 dollars, wouldnt you rather see if the kids could? Worst case scenario is they are as bad as they were last season, which is still as good as Marquis was in 2006, and oh, you saved 6 million dollars a year.

[XZero771679666304]

look, Jason Marquis is an outstanding pitcher. he put up an ERA+ of 127 at age 22, and put together seasons of 113 and 103. clearly he's the best option over any of the dregs in the minors who proved last year they have no future at the major league level. great signing.

 

 

 

 

 

that's exactly what you guys are doing, only from the other side, and you don't even see it.

 

Totally agree.

 

People on this board hate everything. They hate the sun. They hate air.

If you ask 4000 people for their opinions on anything, there will be people that don't like it. So any subject that gets discussed on the boards will have people in violent objection to it.

 

I could just as easily say that this board likes everything, too.

 

That was a valiant attempt at spin. :P There has been a predominantly negative tone here lately.

[Soul]

I really see no way to defend this signing at all. We just gave a guy who was terrible last season 7 million a year. You can talk all you want about a flaw in his mechanics and whether or not its fixed, but we just spent 21 million dollars on a guy who might not be even good enough to be a major league pitcher.

 

Now, there is no guarantee that Marshall/Marmol/Guzman will be healthy and better than Marquis, but when you can save over 20 million dollars to find out, isnt it worth it? I just dont get this deal, at all.

 

Sure, maybe Marquis pulls a 4.00 era out of his ass, but for 900,000 dollars, wouldnt you rather see if the kids could? Worst case scenario is they are as bad as they were last season, which is still as good as Marquis was in 2006, and oh, you saved 6 million dollars a year.

 

Based on what I saw last year from those kids? Honestly, no I would rather bring in a couple vets. None of the 3 Marshall/Marmol/Guzman look ready to compete with the big boys to me.

 

Do I like this deal? Of course not. But I absolutely do not want to be relying on the junk we got from our prospects last year. That's even more insane than giving Marquis $7m/yr, IMO. Especially given the market.

[abuck1220]

look, Jason Marquis is an outstanding pitcher. he put up an ERA+ of 127 at age 22, and put together seasons of 113 and 103. clearly he's the best option over any of the dregs in the minors who proved last year they have no future at the major league level. great signing.

 

 

 

 

 

that's exactly what you guys are doing, only from the other side, and you don't even see it.

 

Totally agree.

 

People on this board hate everything. They hate the sun. They hate air.

If you ask 4000 people for their opinions on anything, there will be people that don't like it. So any subject that gets discussed on the boards will have people in violent objection to it.

 

I could just as easily say that this board likes everything, too.

 

That was a valiant attempt at spin. :P There has been a predominantly negative tone here lately.

 

is that surprising? a team with a $95 mil payroll nearly lost 100 games last year. now they've thrown $20-28 mil at a guy who had a 6+ era. what else would you expect?

[Guest]

Exactly.

 

Marshall: 5.59 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, .270 BAA, 77 K/59 BB, 20 HR

Marquis: 6.02 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, .289 BAA, 96 K/75 BB, 35 HR

 

How much does Marshall make? That is just mind boggling that we are going to give 9 or so million to a guy who was outperformed by someone who is probably making under a million. Sorry dont know where to find the exact numbers that Marshall makes.

That's not a very fair comparison to make because it leaves out one very important item - IP. You simply cannot count on Sean Marshall to hold down a rotation spot for a year when he has yet to complete a season without significant DL time.

 

Now, you could make an argument that the pitcher who threw less innings at the above quality level was better, but that's kinda beside the point. :D

When I quoted this initial post, I had no idea it would become such a lengthy argument point! Sorry to have rubbed this in. :oops:

[imb]

I really see no way to defend this signing at all. We just gave a guy who was terrible last season 7 million a year. You can talk all you want about a flaw in his mechanics and whether or not its fixed, but we just spent 21 million dollars on a guy who might not be even good enough to be a major league pitcher.

 

Now, there is no guarantee that Marshall/Marmol/Guzman will be healthy and better than Marquis, but when you can save over 20 million dollars to find out, isnt it worth it? I just dont get this deal, at all.

 

Sure, maybe Marquis pulls a 4.00 era out of his ass, but for 900,000 dollars, wouldnt you rather see if the kids could? Worst case scenario is they are as bad as they were last season, which is still as good as Marquis was in 2006, and oh, you saved 6 million dollars a year.

 

Based on what I saw last year from those kids? Honestly, no I would rather bring in a couple vets. None of the 3 Marshall/Marmol/Guzman look ready to compete with the big boys to me.

 

Do I like this deal? Of course not. But I absolutely do not want to be relying on the junk we got from our prospects last year. That's even more insane than giving Marquis $7m/yr, IMO. Especially given the market.

 

Do you really believe that this team is a Jason Marquis away from competing? Jason Marquis will be a difference maker between whether we make the playoffs or whether we spend the October and November at home again?

 

Best case scenario is that Marquis is average, worst case is that he's terrible. His three year average is trending down. From above average, to average to terrible, and he got a raise.

 

Read that last sentence again and tell me why there should be any positivity over this signing. Because the pitching coach that most people were ready to string up by his balls thinks he found a flaw that can turn Marquis around? A flaw that apparently Duncan never got around to finding?

[Andy]

look, Jason Marquis is an outstanding pitcher. he put up an ERA+ of 127 at age 22, and put together seasons of 113 and 103. clearly he's the best option over any of the dregs in the minors who proved last year they have no future at the major league level. great signing.

 

 

 

 

 

that's exactly what you guys are doing, only from the other side, and you don't even see it.

 

Totally agree.

 

People on this board hate everything. They hate the sun. They hate air.

If you ask 4000 people for their opinions on anything, there will be people that don't like it. So any subject that gets discussed on the boards will have people in violent objection to it.

 

I could just as easily say that this board likes everything, too.

 

That was a valiant attempt at spin. :P There has been a predominantly negative tone here lately.

 

is that surprising? a team with a $95 mil payroll nearly lost 100 games last year. now they've thrown $20-28 mil at a guy who had a 6+ era. what else would you expect?

This board as a whole (like, I suspect, most baseball boards) has its favorite players that they'd like to see their teams acquire at any certain phase. There's a tendency to dislike it when said team passes up the guys the board wants for someone who is deemed inferior, especially when they overpay to get him, as in this instance.

 

There's a predominant negativity right now, but I'm neither surprised nor dismayed by it.

[Guest]

look, Jason Marquis is an outstanding pitcher. he put up an ERA+ of 127 at age 22, and put together seasons of 113 and 103. clearly he's the best option over any of the dregs in the minors who proved last year they have no future at the major league level. great signing.

 

 

 

 

 

that's exactly what you guys are doing, only from the other side, and you don't even see it.

 

Totally agree.

 

People on this board hate everything. They hate the sun. They hate air.

If you ask 4000 people for their opinions on anything, there will be people that don't like it. So any subject that gets discussed on the boards will have people in violent objection to it.

 

I could just as easily say that this board likes everything, too.

 

That was a valiant attempt at spin. :P There has been a predominantly negative tone here lately.

The Cubs finished 16 games below .500 last year, so naturally the tone is predominantly negative. If the Cubs win 98 games this year, I bet the tone would be mostly positive.

[XZero771679666304]

look, Jason Marquis is an outstanding pitcher. he put up an ERA+ of 127 at age 22, and put together seasons of 113 and 103. clearly he's the best option over any of the dregs in the minors who proved last year they have no future at the major league level. great signing.

 

 

 

 

 

that's exactly what you guys are doing, only from the other side, and you don't even see it.

 

Totally agree.

 

People on this board hate everything. They hate the sun. They hate air.

If you ask 4000 people for their opinions on anything, there will be people that don't like it. So any subject that gets discussed on the boards will have people in violent objection to it.

 

I could just as easily say that this board likes everything, too.

 

That was a valiant attempt at spin. :P There has been a predominantly negative tone here lately.

 

is that surprising? a team with a $95 mil payroll nearly lost 100 games last year. now they've thrown $20-28 mil at a guy who had a 6+ era. what else would you expect?

 

It's been bad for a while. Yes, there is good reason, but most of it has been hyperbolic melodrama.

[Soul]

Exactly.

 

Marshall: 5.59 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, .270 BAA, 77 K/59 BB, 20 HR

Marquis: 6.02 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, .289 BAA, 96 K/75 BB, 35 HR

 

How much does Marshall make? That is just mind boggling that we are going to give 9 or so million to a guy who was outperformed by someone who is probably making under a million. Sorry dont know where to find the exact numbers that Marshall makes.

That's not a very fair comparison to make because it leaves out one very important item - IP. You simply cannot count on Sean Marshall to hold down a rotation spot for a year when he has yet to complete a season without significant DL time.

 

Now, you could make an argument that the pitcher who threw less innings at the above quality level was better, but that's kinda beside the point. :D

When I quoted this initial post, I had no idea it would become such a lengthy argument point! Sorry to have rubbed this in. :oops:

 

Nah, it was a valid point to make. Even Felita is saying Marshall just wasn't ready to take on the full load. He's trying to get stronger now. I think he will benefit more from a little more seasoning. Many might not realize----Marshall didn't even have significant minor league time. He was pressed into service too early, as was Marmol.

[Guest]

look, Jason Marquis is an outstanding pitcher. he put up an ERA+ of 127 at age 22, and put together seasons of 113 and 103. clearly he's the best option over any of the dregs in the minors who proved last year they have no future at the major league level. great signing.

 

 

 

 

 

that's exactly what you guys are doing, only from the other side, and you don't even see it.

 

Totally agree.

 

People on this board hate everything. They hate the sun. They hate air.

If you ask 4000 people for their opinions on anything, there will be people that don't like it. So any subject that gets discussed on the boards will have people in violent objection to it.

 

I could just as easily say that this board likes everything, too.

 

That was a valiant attempt at spin. :P There has been a predominantly negative tone here lately.

 

is that surprising? a team with a $95 mil payroll nearly lost 100 games last year. now they've thrown $20-28 mil at a guy who had a 6+ era. what else would you expect?

This board as a whole (like, I suspect, most baseball boards) has its favorite players that they'd like to see their teams acquire at any certain phase. There's a tendency to dislike it when said team passes up the guys the board wants for someone who is deemed inferior, especially when they overpay to get him, as in this instance.

 

There's a predominant negativity right now, but I'm neither surprised nor dismayed by it.

I think it is extremely fallacious to credit "the board" to be for or against anything.

 

Now, if you are talking about a group of very vociferous and prolific posters...

[Soriano12]

Yes, there is good reason, but most of it has been hyperbolic melodrama.

 

Actually, most of it has been fans fed up with garbage baseball.

[Soul]

I really see no way to defend this signing at all. We just gave a guy who was terrible last season 7 million a year. You can talk all you want about a flaw in his mechanics and whether or not its fixed, but we just spent 21 million dollars on a guy who might not be even good enough to be a major league pitcher.

 

Now, there is no guarantee that Marshall/Marmol/Guzman will be healthy and better than Marquis, but when you can save over 20 million dollars to find out, isnt it worth it? I just dont get this deal, at all.

 

Sure, maybe Marquis pulls a 4.00 era out of his ass, but for 900,000 dollars, wouldnt you rather see if the kids could? Worst case scenario is they are as bad as they were last season, which is still as good as Marquis was in 2006, and oh, you saved 6 million dollars a year.

 

Based on what I saw last year from those kids? Honestly, no I would rather bring in a couple vets. None of the 3 Marshall/Marmol/Guzman look ready to compete with the big boys to me.

 

Do I like this deal? Of course not. But I absolutely do not want to be relying on the junk we got from our prospects last year. That's even more insane than giving Marquis $7m/yr, IMO. Especially given the market.

 

Do you really believe that this team is a Jason Marquis away from competing? Jason Marquis will be a difference maker between whether we make the playoffs or whether we spend the October and November at home again?

 

Best case scenario is that Marquis is average, worst case is that he's terrible. His three year average is trending down. From above average, to average to terrible, and he got a raise.

 

Read that last sentence again and tell me why there should be any positivity over this signing. Because the pitching coach that most people were ready to string up by his balls thinks he found a flaw that can turn Marquis around? A flaw that apparently Duncan never got around to finding?

 

I never said Marquis was the difference to anything. Just that I think it would be more insane to try and do what we did last year again.

 

I've already said I don't like the signing. If you are trying to draw me into some kind of pro/anti Marquis argument, you're barking up the wrong tree.

[Andy]

look, Jason Marquis is an outstanding pitcher. he put up an ERA+ of 127 at age 22, and put together seasons of 113 and 103. clearly he's the best option over any of the dregs in the minors who proved last year they have no future at the major league level. great signing.

 

 

 

 

 

that's exactly what you guys are doing, only from the other side, and you don't even see it.

 

Totally agree.

 

People on this board hate everything. They hate the sun. They hate air.

If you ask 4000 people for their opinions on anything, there will be people that don't like it. So any subject that gets discussed on the boards will have people in violent objection to it.

 

I could just as easily say that this board likes everything, too.

 

That was a valiant attempt at spin. :P There has been a predominantly negative tone here lately.

 

is that surprising? a team with a $95 mil payroll nearly lost 100 games last year. now they've thrown $20-28 mil at a guy who had a 6+ era. what else would you expect?

This board as a whole (like, I suspect, most baseball boards) has its favorite players that they'd like to see their teams acquire at any certain phase. There's a tendency to dislike it when said team passes up the guys the board wants for someone who is deemed inferior, especially when they overpay to get him, as in this instance.

 

There's a predominant negativity right now, but I'm neither surprised nor dismayed by it.

I think it is extremely fallacious to credit "the board" to be for or against anything.

 

Now, if you are talking about a group of very vociferous and prolific posters...

Yeah that's what I meant. Obviously we don't all think with one mind, but many of the most prolific posters tend to agree on what would make the Cubs better.

[imb]

I really see no way to defend this signing at all. We just gave a guy who was terrible last season 7 million a year. You can talk all you want about a flaw in his mechanics and whether or not its fixed, but we just spent 21 million dollars on a guy who might not be even good enough to be a major league pitcher.

 

Now, there is no guarantee that Marshall/Marmol/Guzman will be healthy and better than Marquis, but when you can save over 20 million dollars to find out, isnt it worth it? I just dont get this deal, at all.

 

Sure, maybe Marquis pulls a 4.00 era out of his ass, but for 900,000 dollars, wouldnt you rather see if the kids could? Worst case scenario is they are as bad as they were last season, which is still as good as Marquis was in 2006, and oh, you saved 6 million dollars a year.

 

Based on what I saw last year from those kids? Honestly, no I would rather bring in a couple vets. None of the 3 Marshall/Marmol/Guzman look ready to compete with the big boys to me.

 

Do I like this deal? Of course not. But I absolutely do not want to be relying on the junk we got from our prospects last year. That's even more insane than giving Marquis $7m/yr, IMO. Especially given the market.

 

Do you really believe that this team is a Jason Marquis away from competing? Jason Marquis will be a difference maker between whether we make the playoffs or whether we spend the October and November at home again?

 

Best case scenario is that Marquis is average, worst case is that he's terrible. His three year average is trending down. From above average, to average to terrible, and he got a raise.

 

Read that last sentence again and tell me why there should be any positivity over this signing. Because the pitching coach that most people were ready to string up by his balls thinks he found a flaw that can turn Marquis around? A flaw that apparently Duncan never got around to finding?

 

I never said Marquis was the difference to anything. Just that I think it would be more insane to try and do what we did last year again.

 

I've already said I don't like the signing. If you're trying to draw me into some kind of pro/anti Marquis argument, you're barking up the wrong tree.

 

I'm not "barking up" any tree. I made a post, you responded and I did likewise. Why so defensive?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

look, Jason Marquis is an outstanding pitcher. he put up an ERA+ of 127 at age 22, and put together seasons of 113 and 103. clearly he's the best option over any of the dregs in the minors who proved last year they have no future at the major league level. great signing.

 

 

 

 

 

that's exactly what you guys are doing, only from the other side, and you don't even see it.

 

Totally agree.

 

People on this board hate everything. They hate the sun. They hate air.

If you ask 4000 people for their opinions on anything, there will be people that don't like it. So any subject that gets discussed on the boards will have people in violent objection to it.

 

I could just as easily say that this board likes everything, too.

 

That was a valiant attempt at spin. :P There has been a predominantly negative tone here lately.

 

The past two seasons haven't really yielded much to be positive about.

[Guest]

look, Jason Marquis is an outstanding pitcher. he put up an ERA+ of 127 at age 22, and put together seasons of 113 and 103. clearly he's the best option over any of the dregs in the minors who proved last year they have no future at the major league level. great signing.

 

 

 

 

 

that's exactly what you guys are doing, only from the other side, and you don't even see it.

 

Totally agree.

 

People on this board hate everything. They hate the sun. They hate air.

If you ask 4000 people for their opinions on anything, there will be people that don't like it. So any subject that gets discussed on the boards will have people in violent objection to it.

 

I could just as easily say that this board likes everything, too.

 

That was a valiant attempt at spin. :P There has been a predominantly negative tone here lately.

 

is that surprising? a team with a $95 mil payroll nearly lost 100 games last year. now they've thrown $20-28 mil at a guy who had a 6+ era. what else would you expect?

 

It's been bad for a while. Yes, there is good reason, but most of it has been hyperbolic melodrama.

I think that depends on the posters you are looking at. I think there are quite a few people here that can be said to be generally negative about the management of the franchise. But there are people within that group who use a lot of hyperbole and are negative about everything and there are people at the other end of the spectrum who simply believe that the current practices of running the team have not led to success. That latter group of people tend to use logic, statistics and reasoned opinion in place of hyperbole. And it is impossible, even with this group, to generalize too much. Many of those same people have come out very much in favor of individual moves.

 

Same thing with those who tend to defend the administration, btw.

 

And there are a number of people in the middle.

 

Generally, generalization leads to falsehoods and insults to individuals. :D

[Guest]

Yes, there is good reason, but most of it has been hyperbolic melodrama.

 

Actually, most of it has been fans fed up with garbage baseball.

Speaking of melodramatic posts.

[CoolHandLuke]

There has been a lot of arguing in this thread, but is there anyone that likes this signing? I think we can probably almost all agree that this signing (without thinking about who would get starts instead of Marquis) is pretty bad. I'm just curious to see if there is anyone out there that likes this signing.

[Soriano12]

Yes, there is good reason, but most of it has been hyperbolic melodrama.

 

Actually, most of it has been fans fed up with garbage baseball.

Speaking of melodramatic posts.

 

It is what is is. The past two seasons have been nothing but bad baseball on the northside. I try to be positive. I loved the Soriono signing. Didn't mind the Lily aquistion, then Hendry pulls this off. 7(maybe 9) million for Jason Marquis.

[Soul]

I really see no way to defend this signing at all. We just gave a guy who was terrible last season 7 million a year. You can talk all you want about a flaw in his mechanics and whether or not its fixed, but we just spent 21 million dollars on a guy who might not be even good enough to be a major league pitcher.

 

Now, there is no guarantee that Marshall/Marmol/Guzman will be healthy and better than Marquis, but when you can save over 20 million dollars to find out, isnt it worth it? I just dont get this deal, at all.

 

Sure, maybe Marquis pulls a 4.00 era out of his ass, but for 900,000 dollars, wouldnt you rather see if the kids could? Worst case scenario is they are as bad as they were last season, which is still as good as Marquis was in 2006, and oh, you saved 6 million dollars a year.

 

Based on what I saw last year from those kids? Honestly, no I would rather bring in a couple vets. None of the 3 Marshall/Marmol/Guzman look ready to compete with the big boys to me.

 

Do I like this deal? Of course not. But I absolutely do not want to be relying on the junk we got from our prospects last year. That's even more insane than giving Marquis $7m/yr, IMO. Especially given the market.

 

Do you really believe that this team is a Jason Marquis away from competing? Jason Marquis will be a difference maker between whether we make the playoffs or whether we spend the October and November at home again?

 

Best case scenario is that Marquis is average, worst case is that he's terrible. His three year average is trending down. From above average, to average to terrible, and he got a raise.

 

Read that last sentence again and tell me why there should be any positivity over this signing. Because the pitching coach that most people were ready to string up by his balls thinks he found a flaw that can turn Marquis around? A flaw that apparently Duncan never got around to finding?

 

I never said Marquis was the difference to anything. Just that I think it would be more insane to try and do what we did last year again.

 

I've already said I don't like the signing. If you're trying to draw me into some kind of pro/anti Marquis argument, you're barking up the wrong tree.

 

I'm not "barking up" any tree. I made a post, you responded and I did likewise. Why so defensive?

 

Because I don't think this signing is the end of the world, and it's becoming obvious that some on this thread are ready to crucify anyone who won't join in the "weeping and gnashing of teeth." That's why I'm defensive IMB.

[Guest]

Yes, there is good reason, but most of it has been hyperbolic melodrama.

 

Actually, most of it has been fans fed up with garbage baseball.

Speaking of melodramatic posts.

 

It is what is is. The past two seasons have been nothing but bad baseball on the northside. I try to be positive. I loved the Soriono signing. Didn't mind the Lily aquistion, then Hendry pulls this off. 7(maybe 9) million for Jason Marquis.

I think the point I was making is that calling it "garbage baseball" is needlessly dramatic. Hence the term, "melodramatic".

 

I agree that the past couple years haven't been pretty. But I found it funny that you used that term right after someone was complaining about the melodramatic posts.

[RichHillIsABeast]

There has been a lot of arguing in this thread, but is there anyone that likes this signing? I think we can probably almost all agree that this signing (without thinking about who would get starts instead of Marquis) is pretty bad. I'm just curious to see if there is anyone out there that likes this signing.

 

I like this signing. I'm not too crazy about the 28MM, but 20MM would certainly be ok with me.

 

Marquis has a lot of upside, even if he did suck last season. Presumably the problems he had last season are very fixable. If so we got a guy who can put up a 3.75 ERA and give us 200 innings for less than market value.

 

Worst case we get another 6.00 ERA season, which won't be enough to keep him on this team with guys in the minors pressing for time. We might have to eat some cash to DFA him or trade him for a used jockstrap, but it's worth the risk, IMO.

 

edit: wrong name, moran!

Edited December 10, 2006 by RichHillIsABeast

[imb]

I really see no way to defend this signing at all. We just gave a guy who was terrible last season 7 million a year. You can talk all you want about a flaw in his mechanics and whether or not its fixed, but we just spent 21 million dollars on a guy who might not be even good enough to be a major league pitcher.

 

Now, there is no guarantee that Marshall/Marmol/Guzman will be healthy and better than Marquis, but when you can save over 20 million dollars to find out, isnt it worth it? I just dont get this deal, at all.

 

Sure, maybe Marquis pulls a 4.00 era out of his ass, but for 900,000 dollars, wouldnt you rather see if the kids could? Worst case scenario is they are as bad as they were last season, which is still as good as Marquis was in 2006, and oh, you saved 6 million dollars a year.

 

Based on what I saw last year from those kids? Honestly, no I would rather bring in a couple vets. None of the 3 Marshall/Marmol/Guzman look ready to compete with the big boys to me.

 

Do I like this deal? Of course not. But I absolutely do not want to be relying on the junk we got from our prospects last year. That's even more insane than giving Marquis $7m/yr, IMO. Especially given the market.

 

Do you really believe that this team is a Jason Marquis away from competing? Jason Marquis will be a difference maker between whether we make the playoffs or whether we spend the October and November at home again?

 

Best case scenario is that Marquis is average, worst case is that he's terrible. His three year average is trending down. From above average, to average to terrible, and he got a raise.

 

Read that last sentence again and tell me why there should be any positivity over this signing. Because the pitching coach that most people were ready to string up by his balls thinks he found a flaw that can turn Marquis around? A flaw that apparently Duncan never got around to finding?

 

I never said Marquis was the difference to anything. Just that I think it would be more insane to try and do what we did last year again.

 

I've already said I don't like the signing. If you're trying to draw me into some kind of pro/anti Marquis argument, you're barking up the wrong tree.

 

I'm not "barking up" any tree. I made a post, you responded and I did likewise. Why so defensive?

 

Because I don't think this signing is the end of the world, and it's becoming obvious that some on this thread are ready to crucify anyone who won't join in the "weeping and gnashing of teeth." That's why I'm defensive IMB.

 

I guess.