The last roster spot (speculating on the 25-man)

[windycityfan]

Considering Lou would break camp with 12 pitchers and taking into account no candidates for surprises (like Sean Marshall last year), no injuries and players playing up to potential, the battle for the last pitching spot could come down to Wade Miller and Neal Cotts (and maybe Michael Wuertz if Cotts can be accounted as middle reliever).

 

Thoughts?

 

As for position players, there's a post down somewhere making reference to the outfield being set with Murton/Floyd, Soriano and Jones, with DeRosa and even Theriot filling in when needed, so a fifth outfielder like Pagan and certainly not Pie makes no sense.

 

This said, who'd be the last man in? It's got to be Cedeno's to lose.

[Illini Iceman]

Considering Lou would break camp with 12 pitchers and taking into account no candidates for surprises (like Sean Marshall last year), no injuries and players playing up to potential, the battle for the last pitching spot could come down to Wade Miller and Neal Cotts (and maybe Michael Wuertz if Cotts can be accounted as middle reliever).

 

Thoughts?

 

As for position players, there's a post down somewhere making reference to the outfield being set with Murton/Floyd, Soriano and Jones, with DeRosa and even Theriot filling in when needed, so a fifth outfielder like Pagan and certainly not Pie makes no sense.

 

This said, who'd be the last man in? It's got to be Cedeno's to lose.

 

I don't think Cedeno brings much value as the last man off the bench. He can play the same defensive positions as Theriot so they seem redundant. He certainly has not shown that he can be counted on as a RH late inning PH option.

 

As it stands now I think Pagan is probably the best option since he at least has a few qualities that no one else does currently on the roster. He can serve as a defensive replacement in the OF and as a pinch running option if the Cubs need a stolen base threat.

 

A nice solid RH PH option would probably be better but I don't see any obvious choices in camp. Maybe McGahee, but he would need to be added to the 40 man and has never had a ML AB so I don't know if he could be counted on to be a factor off the bench.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Assuming everyone is healthy, I think this is likely the 25-man roster.

 

C- Barrett

1b- Lee

2b- DeRosa

SS- Izturis

3b- Ramirez

LF- Murton

CF- Soriano

RF- Jones

 

Rotation:

Zambrano, Lilly, Prior, Hill, Marquis

 

Bullpen: Dempster, Howry, Eyre, Wood, Ohman, Cotts, Miller

 

Bench: Floyd, Ward, Theriot, Blanco, Cedeno or Pagan.

 

We still have some bullpen arms like Wuertz that belong. Novoa has some experience as well there. I wouldn't be surprised to see one more trade before the season starts if everyone looks really healthy. If Wood looks like he can throw every day and Miller and Prior are healthy, I could see an arm or two moved in a deal.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Why did we get Cotts again?

 

Does he have options left?

[NCCubFan]

I agree about possible pitching trades. Hendry was stockpiling arms in the offseason so that, unlike last year, they'd have enough depth to withstand injuries. If there are fewer injuries this year there would be no need for all those pitchers.

 

As far as Cedeno is concerned, I think he'd be better served playing every day in Iowa rather than being stuck at the end of the bench in the majors. I'm not as down on him as some people seem to be; I think that, with better coaching this year, he can unbreak some bad habits and be at least a fair major league hitter. He showed that potential in his time with the Cubs in 2005. I think playing every day and working with Von Joshua could really help him.

[cubs121]

Why did we get Cotts again?

 

Does he have options left?

i can only hope Cotts becomes what he was in 2005....

[MPrior]

Bullpen: Dempster, Howry, Eyre, Wood, Ohman, Cotts, Miller

 

If this happens, I will be a bit upset. Intentionally excluding arguably the best bullpen arm we've got (Wuertz) is just stupid.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Bullpen: Dempster, Howry, Eyre, Wood, Ohman, Cotts, Miller

 

If this happens, I will be a bit upset. Intentionally excluding arguably the best bullpen arm we've got (Wuertz) is just stupid.

 

I agree about Wuertz, but looking at the names we have, I can't see who will be bumped for him. The only other possibility, which I think is an extreme long shot, would be that the Cubs release Miller. His contract is low enough that they wouldn't be on the hook for too much to let him go. For the Cubs to do that, they would have to feel good about Prior's health and the abilities of Marshall or Guzman to step in if needed.

[David]

Bullpen: Dempster, Howry, Eyre, Wood, Ohman, Cotts, Miller

 

If this happens, I will be a bit upset. Intentionally excluding arguably the best bullpen arm we've got (Wuertz) is just stupid.

 

I think this isn't all that arguable now that Wood is in the bullpen. ;)

 

But I agree about Wuertz. Just being a smart ass.

[Fred Hornkohl]

I agree about possible pitching trades. Hendry was stockpiling arms in the offseason so that, unlike last year, they'd have enough depth to withstand injuries. If there are fewer injuries this year there would be no need for all those pitchers.

 

As far as Cedeno is concerned, I think he'd be better served playing every day in Iowa rather than being stuck at the end of the bench in the majors. I'm not as down on him as some people seem to be; I think that, with better coaching this year, he can unbreak some bad habits and be at least a fair major league hitter. He showed that potential in his time with the Cubs in 2005. I think playing every day and working with Von Joshua could really help him.

 

Was Von Joshua moved up from West Tennessee to Iowa ? (Sorry, I don't follow the minors too closely)

[Transmogrified Tiger]

If the decision is between Cotts and Wuertz, there is absolutely no reason for Cotts to be in the pen.

 

I'd like to see McGehee get the last roster spot.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I agree about possible pitching trades. Hendry was stockpiling arms in the offseason so that, unlike last year, they'd have enough depth to withstand injuries. If there are fewer injuries this year there would be no need for all those pitchers.

 

As far as Cedeno is concerned, I think he'd be better served playing every day in Iowa rather than being stuck at the end of the bench in the majors. I'm not as down on him as some people seem to be; I think that, with better coaching this year, he can unbreak some bad habits and be at least a fair major league hitter. He showed that potential in his time with the Cubs in 2005. I think playing every day and working with Von Joshua could really help him.

 

Was Von Joshua moved up from West Tennessee to Iowa ? (Sorry, I don't follow the minors too closely)

 

Yes and has been for a year! :lol:

[Fred Hornkohl]

I agree about possible pitching trades. Hendry was stockpiling arms in the offseason so that, unlike last year, they'd have enough depth to withstand injuries. If there are fewer injuries this year there would be no need for all those pitchers.

 

As far as Cedeno is concerned, I think he'd be better served playing every day in Iowa rather than being stuck at the end of the bench in the majors. I'm not as down on him as some people seem to be; I think that, with better coaching this year, he can unbreak some bad habits and be at least a fair major league hitter. He showed that potential in his time with the Cubs in 2005. I think playing every day and working with Von Joshua could really help him.

 

Was Von Joshua moved up from West Tennessee to Iowa ? (Sorry, I don't follow the minors too closely)

 

Yes and has been for a year! :lol:

 

Go ahead. Rub it in !!

[Mephistopheles]

If the decision is between Cotts and Wuertz, there is absolutely no reason for Cotts to be in the pen.

 

I'd like to see McGehee get the last roster spot.

Didnt somenoe say that they're looking at Cotts as the long reliever? If that's the case it'll probably come down to Cotts vs Miller vs Guzman vs Mateo, etc with Hill holding down the five spot. I don't see how the Cubs can give the spot to miller, they'll probably have to dump him if healthy.

[BigbadB]

We could probably nitpick the West Tennessee reference also. :D

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

We could probably nitpick the West Tennessee reference also. :D

 

I thought I'd give Fred a mulligan on that one.

[Fred Hornkohl]

We could probably nitpick the West Tennessee reference also. :D

 

I thought I'd give Fred a mulligan on that one.

 

Damn ! Tough crowd in here !!

[Ivy Walls]

Take a look at the club from contractual obligations and veterans who have accomplished.

 

SP locks: Z, Lilly

SP competition: Prior, Miller, Hill, Marquis, Cotts, Marshall, Guzman, Marmol, Mateo probably in that order.

 

Prior gets the advantage because of his incentive clauses, Miller is next he signed an incentive laden contract with appearances and conditions that provide the means to make $5M

 

That makes four if they are healthy leaving Marquis that has a $6M contract and Hill who has performance the last 8 weeks of the season as a dominant rookie.

 

Nothing is ever assured so why there is ST and games to be played.

 

Best guess; If Hill has a good ST he makes the team as a starter or either is a long reliever or he goes to AAA and refines himself again. If Prior has a good ST he makes the starting rotation or goes to LR. If Miller has a strong ST he beats out Marquis who goes to LR if all three of the above have a good spring, (he replaced Rusch as the swing).

 

So in reality that takes us to the RP: Dempster, Erye, Howry, Wood and Ohman have contracts, (Wood being the only certainity with health), that leaves one more spot, let us hope that Marquis is the LR leaving one more spot for a short reliever; Cotts, Wuertz, Novoa, Marshall, Marmol are in the mix.

 

Now we also know about the position players:

Starters: Barrett, Lee, DeRosa, Izturis, Ramirez, Murton, Soriano, Jones

Bench/platoon: Blanco© Floyd(LF/1B), Ward(1b/3B/OF/PH)

Competitors are Theriot (IF/OF), Cedeno(IF), Hill(IF/OF)Pagan(OF) outside some other non roster invitees like E Patterson(IF/OF)

 

Theriot and Pagan appear obvious with DeRosa being able to play 4 positions Cubs could go with Theriot and Hill or even Patterson if they can play CF. Hill looks most intriguing with his versatility and offense.

[Guest]

On the final pitching spot on the staff: I think if Miller has a good spring, and still is on the outside looking in, I think Miller becomes an ATTRACTIVE trading chip, especially for a team like Minnesota. And Miller would be an upgrade over Ponson and Ortiz.

 

And the final spot on the rosteR: This is a tough on. On the bench the Cubs have 3 players who can play the INF and OF in Floyd, Theriot, and Ward. The Cubs have the required backup C in Blanco. There are two problems with the current bench: 1. If Lou wants to rest a couple of his INF starters in one day, he can't do with his current bench. 2. There isn't a legit "power" threat from the right side. So with that said...Cedeno/Pagan are prolly auditioning for jobs with other teams. So, I could see the final spot on the bench could come down to: Mike Kincaid, and Casey McGehee. Kincaid because of his "veteran" status, and McGehee because he has a better chance at actually being useful to the Cubs this yr.

 

and don't be surprise if the Cubs pull an old trick, by finding a way to keep Tomas Perez as a "utility player."

[98navigator]

I think it's safe to say that Neal Cotts will replace Rusch as the long man. I also heard Wil Ohman this morning, on the Hit and Run show (The Score), reiterating as much when he was asked, jokingly, if he felt threatened by the acquisition of Cotts.

 

I predict the 25 man roster will include

 

Starters:

 

C- Barrett

1B- Lee

2B- DeRosa

SS- Izturis

3B- Rameriz

CF- Soriano

RF- Jones

LF- Murton

 

 

Bench:

 

Floyd

Blanco

Ward

Theriot

Pagan

 

 

Rotation:

 

Zambrano

Prior

Hill

Lilly

Marquis

 

Dempster

Wood

Howry

Eyre

Ohman

Wuertz

Cotts

 

In my scenario, Miller isn't quite ready to start the season so he is placed on the DL. If he is ready, I see Pagan as the odd man out (although, that would mean 13 pitchers which is too many to fathom. If that happens, Wuertz may be in AAA because he isn't a longman and the cubs are committed to stretching Cotts during the Spring...) Novoa starts his season at Iowa. I could also see Miller being traded if he's healthy BUT that's only if the team is made reasonably comfortable by Prior's health status.

[soccer10k]

I will be none too pleased if Wuertz starts the year at AAA.

[Mark_R]

Any trades out there where we can get a REAL SS for Scott Eyre?

[CubColtPacer]

Any trades out there where we can get a REAL SS for Scott Eyre?

 

Well, I think it would take a little more than Eyre, but I'm sure there are-it's not going to matter though. If Izturis sinks, it won't be at least until the All-Star break that they move on him-Hendry is high on him, and Lou is high on him. I don't even see them making a move then unless 1) Izturis is hurt or 2) the offense needs a big upgrade and Izturis is struggling (.255 or below average with poor slugging, basically meaning that he hasn't come back from his surgery at all like he was right before the injuries).

 

Edit: BTW, I didn't list his OBP only because I don't think the Cubs management would make a move purely based on that-I do agree with Rob's comments on another thread though that Izturis is continuing to slowly get better in plate discipline, and hopefully he can make greater strides in that this year.