Rotation

[Bruno7481]

The Cubs weren't fooling around when they said they were not counting on Prior were they? Either they are still expecting him to miss a lot of time, or they are going to make him earn a spot.

 

Right now I think the following 4 guys are locks for the rotation.

 

Zambrano

Lilly

Hill

Marquis

 

The following will battle for that final spot:

 

Miller

Prior

Guzman

Marshall

 

Obviously, Prior coming back would be everyone's choice. That remains to be seen though. Miller didn't look too bad coming back last year, maybe another offseason of recovery makes him a little stronger.

 

Marshall or Guzman will have to be very good in ST to earn that spot. I don't think it is out of the question to see a trade involving one of those guys, considereing there really is no place for them right now.

[UMFan83]

I don't know what to think. Miller signs here to start and now he has to battle with Prior for a spot. Marshall wins the 5th starter spot last year out of Spring Training and now he looks to be going back to AAA after spending almost all of last year in the bigs. Meanwhile, we have these mediocre veterans we just signed getting paid $7-10 million to pitch for us and blocking up spots in the rotation.

 

At the same time, obviously everyone was wanting Hendry to sign backups for Prior and after the disaster that was the rotation in 2006, we actually have tons of veteran options so that we aren't throwing rookies out there to sink or swim. But why did it have to be Lilly and Marquis? This rotation is terrible and we will be lucky to win 75 games next year IMO

[CoolHandLuke]

I don't understand how counting on a pitcher who has shown the ability to throw up a 6+ era is better than counting on Prior.

[Bruno7481]

I don't understand how counting on a pitcher who has shown the ability to throw up a 6+ era is better than counting on Prior.

 

Well, he only put up a 6+ ERA once. He's no Cy YOung, but I dont think he is that bad either.

 

Also, he's thrown at least 190 innings the last three years. That alone makes him a better bet to count on than Prior.

[Mizzou]

I don't know what to think. Miller signs here to start and now he has to battle with Prior for a spot.

It's very confusing. What happens if Prior is healthy in ST? Who gets bumped out of the rotation? I wonder if Hendry is planning on trading Hill in a package for a big bat. He's the only guy that isn't being paid starter money (aside from Miller, who was basically gauranteed to start), and we already have another left in Ted Lilly.

[Bruno7481]

These are the Cubs, someone will undoubtedly get hurt. It will probably works itself out anyway.

 

I don't see the Cubs trading Hill.

[Backtobanks]

I don't know what to think. Miller signs here to start and now he has to battle with Prior for a spot.

It's very confusing. What happens if Prior is healthy in ST? Who gets bumped out of the rotation? I wonder if Hendry is planning on trading Hill in a package for a big bat. He's the only guy that isn't being paid starter money (aside from Miller, who was basically gauranteed to start), and we already have another left in Ted Lilly.

 

If Prior is healthy, he becomes the #2 starter. That would really make the season because Prior being #2 pushes Lilly and Hill into the #3 & #4 spots where they really belong. Prior and Wood's injuries really disrupted the pitching rotation for the last few years. Some posters complained about Maddux, but you need to realize that he was signed to be a #4 starter and ended up being a #2 much of the time. Lilly or Hill at #3 (and #4) look great while Lilly or Hill as a #2 is questionable.

[FloridaCubbie]

Anyone think Iowa's rotation has a decent shot to be better Chicago's?

 

Z

Lilly

Hill

Marquis

Miller/Prior

 

Vs.

 

Guzman

Marshall

Marmol

Gallagher

Mateo

[abuck1220]

all it took was 60+ million to make '07's rotation marginally better than '06's!

[Chocolate Milk]

Anyone think Iowa's rotation has a decent shot to be better Chicago's?

 

Z

Lilly

Hill

Marquis

Miller/Prior

 

Vs.

 

Guzman

Marshall

Marmol

Gallagher

Mateo

 

No.

[Rob]

Anyone think Iowa's rotation has a decent shot to be better Chicago's?

 

Z

Lilly

Hill

Marquis

Miller/Prior

 

Vs.

 

Guzman

Marshall

Marmol

Gallagher

Mateo

 

It depends on when Veal gets promoted to AAA.

[cubs121]

Anyone think Iowa's rotation has a decent shot to be better Chicago's?

 

Z

Lilly

Hill

Marquis

Miller/Prior

 

Vs.

 

Guzman

Marshall

Marmol

Gallagher

Mateo

A little adjustment here and there and i think it probably could.

[RichHillIsABeast]

I don't understand how counting on a pitcher who has shown the ability to throw up a 6+ era is better than counting on Prior.

 

Prior threw up a 7.21 ERA last season.

 

Marquis had a horrible year. Judging him based on that one year is silly. He's shown the ability to pitch far above his current contract in the not so distant past.

 

I'll trust the scouts over statistical projections and internet GMs in this case.

[UMFan83]

I don't understand how counting on a pitcher who has shown the ability to throw up a 6+ era is better than counting on Prior.

 

Prior threw up a 7.21 ERA last season.

 

Marquis had a horrible year. Judging him based on that one year is silly. He's shown the ability to pitch far above his current contract in the not so distant past.

 

I'll trust the scouts over statistical projections and internet GMs in this case.

 

Prior had 9 starts, Marquis 33. Prior was injured, Marquis was reportedly not.

[RichHillIsABeast]

I don't understand how counting on a pitcher who has shown the ability to throw up a 6+ era is better than counting on Prior.

 

Prior threw up a 7.21 ERA last season.

 

Marquis had a horrible year. Judging him based on that one year is silly. He's shown the ability to pitch far above his current contract in the not so distant past.

 

I'll trust the scouts over statistical projections and internet GMs in this case.

 

Prior had 9 starts, Marquis 33. Prior was injured, Marquis was reportedly not.

 

There are extenuating circumstances to the lines both put up last season. It's that simple.

 

Prior was injured.

 

Marquis had mechanical flaws that his PC couldn't spot. Marquis had a manager who threw him under the bus, leaving him out there to get shelled when he was having a bad day just to save his precious bullpen.

 

This stuff doesn't happen in a vacuum. Just looking at a guys stats is ridiculous.

[Brian]

Here's how I see the the guys currently on the 40 man and their placement

 

Carlos Zambrano

Rich Hill

Ted Lilly

Jason Marquis

Wade Miller

Angel Guzman

Sean Marshall

Carlos Marmol

Juan Mateo

Jae Kuk Ryu

Neal Cotts

Adam Harben

Mark Prior (he's here on principal)

 

That's Big Z, a potential 3 (Hill), a should be 1/2 (Prior) and a gaggle of 4/5 pitchers

[A New Era]

Sorry, but hill is a POTENTIAL ace. He is a #3, not a POTENTIAL #3.

[hawkcub]

This is how I see it now:

 

1. Zambrano

2. Hill-I don't know if he can handle that role so he may drop to 3.

3. Lilly-He probably want's number 2, I don't know if he can handle that role.

4. Marques

5. You have your pick of 5.

[UK1679666180]

Sorry, but hill is a POTENTIAL ace. He is a #3, not a POTENTIAL #3.

 

IMO, Hill has the potential of a Randy Wolf when he was healthy and good.

 

Not really an ace, but not really a #3.

[soccer10k]

Anyone think Iowa's rotation has a decent shot to be better Chicago's?

 

Z

Lilly

Hill

Marquis

Miller/Prior

 

Vs.

 

Guzman

Marshall

Marmol

Gallagher

Mateo

 

Only if the Iowa guys pitch solely at Iowa.

[Roast]

This is how I see it now:

 

1. Zambrano

2. Hill-I don't know if he can handle that role so he may drop to 3.

3. Lilly-He probably want's number 2, I don't know if he can handle that role.

4. Marques

5. You have your pick of 5.

 

I dont get the whole thing about "handling" the second spot in the rotation. He'll pitch once every five days like every other starter, there is litereally no difference between pitching second or third in the rotation.

[hawkcub]

This is how I see it now:

 

1. Zambrano

2. Hill-I don't know if he can handle that role so he may drop to 3.

3. Lilly-He probably want's number 2, I don't know if he can handle that role.

4. Marques

5. You have your pick of 5.

 

I dont get the whole thing about "handling" the second spot in the rotation. He'll pitch once every five days like every other starter, there is litereally no difference between pitching second or third in the rotation.

 

Your # 3 pitcher is your most average starter. He is expected to keep the game close. So your offense can win the game Your #2 pitcher is supposed to be above average. He is expected to go out there and win some games for you. When the offense is not doing their job. He is not your ace but should be more consistant then your #3 guy.

[Jerry Mumphrey]

Call me crazy (and you will), but I think you've got to count on Prior as the #2 starter. The recovery period is over. Either he can pitch or he can't. If his arm is hurty, send him down or DFA. If not, run him out for 200 innings. If he's lost his control, demote or DFA. None of this #5 starter garbage. He's shown he's an Ace, but if his arm is shot you can't just make him a #5.

 

And for some more blasphemy, is Wood ever going to start again? Has he lost interest in the role? Are the doctors saying his arm will fall off if he ever goes 9 innings? Again, if his arm is good he should pitch like he used to, if it's shot...to the scrap-heap! He's never going to embrace the role of middle relief, but does he want to make himself a closer? (serious question) That would be fine too, but if it's a lingering injury concern I'd start over with a fresh arm.

 

To summarize: These guys aren't marginal pitchers. If they're healthy but no longer great then they're flamed out so just cut your losses.

[MustangMike]

This is how I see it now:

 

1. Zambrano

2. Hill-I don't know if he can handle that role so he may drop to 3.

3. Lilly-He probably want's number 2, I don't know if he can handle that role.

4. Marques

5. You have your pick of 5.

 

I dont get the whole thing about "handling" the second spot in the rotation. He'll pitch once every five days like every other starter, there is litereally no difference between pitching second or third in the rotation.

 

 

What I'd like to know is how often over the entire season does the #1 pitcher face the opposing teams #1. I know the first week or so it works, but when days off start adding up I don't think it lines up all that often does it?

[goonys evil twin]

This is how I see it now:

 

1. Zambrano

2. Hill-I don't know if he can handle that role so he may drop to 3.

3. Lilly-He probably want's number 2, I don't know if he can handle that role.

4. Marques

5. You have your pick of 5.

 

I dont get the whole thing about "handling" the second spot in the rotation. He'll pitch once every five days like every other starter, there is litereally no difference between pitching second or third in the rotation.

 

 

What I'd like to know is how often over the entire season does the #1 pitcher face the opposing teams #1. I know the first week or so it works, but when days off start adding up I don't think it lines up all that often does it?

 

A lot of times it doesn't even work in the first week. Teams aren't always able to start their ace in game 1, which throws the whole thing off. And teams that start on the road might hold a guy back from starting until the first home game.

 

The only time you need to worry about it is when thinking about the quality of your staff, and setting your postseason roster (which again, won't always matchup 1/1 and 2/2, because some teams like certain guys to pitch at home, and they may end the season needing their ace to pitch). I think it's helpful to think of guys as 1-5 when putting together a roster. You want your best pitcher to be really good. You want your 2nd best pitcher to be a guy capable of at least being the 2nd best pitcher on most other teams, same with the 3rd, 4th and 5th. As for "handling the role" though, that's completely meaningless.