Hill pretty much guaranteed rotation spot.

[soapy]

Say Hill has a bad spring and doesn't look like he did in the 2nd half. Do you still keep him in?

 

Depends on why he had the bad spring (injury, couldn't locate his offspeed because it's AZ or what). I think he deserves quite some leeway after his second half last season.

 

It would take an absolutely shocking meltdown this spring for me to even consider taking Hill out of the rotation. I mean like Rick Ankiel territory.

[CubColtPacer]

Say Hill has a bad spring and doesn't look like he did in the 2nd half. Do you still keep him in?

 

Depends on why he had the bad spring (injury, couldn't locate his offspeed because it's AZ or what). I think he deserves quite some leeway after his second half last season.

 

It would take an absolutely shocking meltdown this spring for me to even consider taking Hill out of the rotation. I mean like Rick Ankiel territory.

 

Agreed-he's got a longer leash than spring training can break. A bad spring training would shorten that leash for the season, but I can't see him not making it out of spring for me at least.

[Backtobanks]

Say Hill has a bad spring and doesn't look like he did in the 2nd half. Do you still keep him in?

 

I would think Hill would start the season in the rotation. If he continued pitching poorly, he might get yanked at the end of April. A bad spring in the Arizona spring training league usually doesn't mean much, especially for a pitcher.

[goonys evil twin]

Say Hill has a bad spring and doesn't look like he did in the 2nd half. Do you still keep him in?

 

Depends on why he had the bad spring (injury, couldn't locate his offspeed because it's AZ or what). I think he deserves quite some leeway after his second half last season.

 

It would take an absolutely shocking meltdown this spring for me to even consider taking Hill out of the rotation. I mean like Rick Ankiel territory.

 

Agreed-he's got a longer leash than spring training can break. A bad spring training would shorten that leash for the season, but I can't see him not making it out of spring for me at least.

 

A "bad spring" is hard to define. Bad numbers by a pitcher don't really say much of anything in the very hitter friendly arizona spring. He'd have to have no command, and just look out of whack to think about pulling him. Even then I think you have to give him a couple starts in the regular season to prove he doesn't belong.

[Lefty]

That's nice to hear. Hopefully that means the last spot isn't for Marquis right now (or Marquis' to lose).

 

Maybe Marquis is the righty in the #3 spot?

[RichHillIsABeast]

Say Hill has a bad spring and doesn't look like he did in the 2nd half. Do you still keep him in?

 

Depends on why he had the bad spring (injury, couldn't locate his offspeed because it's AZ or what). I think he deserves quite some leeway after his second half last season.

 

It would take an absolutely shocking meltdown this spring for me to even consider taking Hill out of the rotation. I mean like Rick Ankiel territory.

 

Agreed-he's got a longer leash than spring training can break. A bad spring training would shorten that leash for the season, but I can't see him not making it out of spring for me at least.

 

A "bad spring" is hard to define. Bad numbers by a pitcher don't really say much of anything in the very hitter friendly arizona spring. He'd have to have no command, and just look out of whack to think about pulling him. Even then I think you have to give him a couple starts in the regular season to prove he doesn't belong.

 

From all reports I heard, Hill's curve is there. Last spring it didn't come around until he was about 3/4 of the way through ST. I don't expect a bad spring from Rich.

[Amazing_Grace]

I never really doubted that Hill would be in the rotation, but this is still good to hear.

[Guancous]

200 Zambrano

120 Hill

100 Lilly

100 Prior

75 Marquis

50 AAA/AAAA Players

 

That's my rough estimate for how many quality innings we'll get from our starters this year. That's 470 more than last year, by my count.

[Sammy Sofa]

200 Zambrano

120 Hill

100 Lilly

100 Prior

75 Marquis

50 AAA/AAAA Players

 

That's my rough estimate for how many quality innings we'll get from our starters this year. That's 470 more than last year, by my count.

 

So you're expecting Miller to totally flame out or just not start at all?

[Elrhino]

I have a feeling it will be Marquis in the #3 and Prior in the #5, and I don't necessarily mind Prior's start skipped occasionally early in the season. Just as long as he's there in August and September.

[David]

I have a feeling it will be Marquis in the #3 and Prior in the #5, and I don't necessarily mind Prior's start skipped occasionally early in the season. Just as long as he's there in August and September.

 

They won't be skipping starts. Lou has said as much.

[soccer10k]

Definitely good to hear. The last thing the Cubs needed was for Hill to get stuck in the pen or at AAA.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Definitely good to hear. The last thing the Cubs needed was for Hill to get stuck in the pen or at AAA.

 

Agreed.

[KenCub]

Does the news that Cotts is going to get a few spring starts matter to anyone? Do you think (as I kind of do) that Cotts getting starts is a sort of insurance policy in case Hill looks awful or gets hurt? Lou has mentioned wanting a R/L/R/L/R rotation, and with Marshall's arm problems right now, the "L" portion of this is a bit thin.

I think Cotts isn't really a good option in the rotation. He will help the Cubs most in long relief and as a situational backup for Eyre.

[CuseCubFan69]

Does the news that Cotts is going to get a few spring starts matter to anyone? Do you think (as I kind of do) that Cotts getting starts is a sort of insurance policy in case Hill looks awful or gets hurt? Lou has mentioned wanting a R/L/R/L/R rotation, and with Marshall's arm problems right now, the "L" portion of this is a bit thin.

I think Cotts isn't really a good option in the rotation. He will help the Cubs most in long relief and as a situational backup for Eyre.

 

I like a nice healthy competition and let's see where it takes the Cubs. I don't know a lot about Cotts but from what I've read he has a lot of potential and I'd love to see him step up and allow the Cubs to trade Eyre and or others for a SS prospect. That is as long as the Cubs have the depth to cover Cotts if he gets hurt or struggles a lot. Hey, if Cotts is lights out and continues to pitch like that starting wise it's going to create a nice problem to have.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think the plan is for Cotts to be the long man and to be stretched out enough that he can take an emergency start if needed. If one of the Cubs starters has a problem where he might need to miss a start, but the Cubs don't want to put anyone on the DL to call up a starter from Iowa, it's helpful to have someone in the pen who is stretched out enough to make the start.

[BigbadB]

And with Marquis being one of the rotation arms, they will DEFINITELY need a decent long man that can go several innings. That battle probably comes down to Cotts or Miller.

[CubColtPacer]

And with Marquis being one of the rotation arms, they will DEFINITELY need a decent long man that can go several innings. That battle probably comes down to Cotts or Miller.

 

I think Lilly's going to need a long man more than Marquis-even last year, when Lilly was much better than Marquis, Lilly got pulled before the end of 5 innings 5 times, while Marquis only got pulled 3 times. In 2005, Marquis got pulled 5 times before 5 innings were completed, and Lilly got pulled 8 times.

[nilodnayr]

And with Marquis being one of the rotation arms, they will DEFINITELY need a decent long man that can go several innings. That battle probably comes down to Cotts or Miller.

 

I think Lilly's going to need a long man more than Marquis-even last year, when Lilly was much better than Marquis, Lilly got pulled before the end of 5 innings 5 times, while Marquis only got pulled 3 times. In 2005, Marquis got pulled 5 times before 5 innings were completed, and Lilly got pulled 8 times.

 

Twice Marquis got left in and lasted 5 innings to save the pen. At the very least he should have been pulled before 5 innings 5 times.

[CubColtPacer]

And with Marquis being one of the rotation arms, they will DEFINITELY need a decent long man that can go several innings. That battle probably comes down to Cotts or Miller.

 

I think Lilly's going to need a long man more than Marquis-even last year, when Lilly was much better than Marquis, Lilly got pulled before the end of 5 innings 5 times, while Marquis only got pulled 3 times. In 2005, Marquis got pulled 5 times before 5 innings were completed, and Lilly got pulled 8 times.

 

Twice Marquis got left in and lasted 5 innings to save the pen. At the very least he should have been pulled before 5 innings 5 times.

 

That's true-I actually was going to note that as well, but forgot while writing the post. Thanks for the help!

[BigbadB]

The hope would be that the long man comes in for blow out games (Cubs winning, of course) to rest a guy like Prior. We should attempt to spare him long outings and much over 170 IP. This team very well could be playing in October, and they don't need a taxed rotation. Hill and Prior shouldn't be anywhere near 200 IP, IMO.

 

If the starter gets through 5, the pen should be able to take it the rest of the way. Not every starter will get pulled after 5. The extra off days at the beginning of the season gives the pen extra rest, also.

[98navigator]

And with Marquis being one of the rotation arms, they will DEFINITELY need a decent long man that can go several innings. That battle probably comes down to Cotts or Miller.

 

I think Lilly's going to need a long man more than Marquis-even last year, when Lilly was much better than Marquis, Lilly got pulled before the end of 5 innings 5 times, while Marquis only got pulled 3 times. In 2005, Marquis got pulled 5 times before 5 innings were completed, and Lilly got pulled 8 times.

 

I would think a DH-less lineup should help Lilly stay in games longer in the NL

[CubColtPacer]

And with Marquis being one of the rotation arms, they will DEFINITELY need a decent long man that can go several innings. That battle probably comes down to Cotts or Miller.

 

I think Lilly's going to need a long man more than Marquis-even last year, when Lilly was much better than Marquis, Lilly got pulled before the end of 5 innings 5 times, while Marquis only got pulled 3 times. In 2005, Marquis got pulled 5 times before 5 innings were completed, and Lilly got pulled 8 times.

 

I would think a DH-less lineup should help Lilly stay in games longer in the NL

 

Yes and no-his pitching might be a little bit better, but he also might have to be pulled for a pinch-hitter if the Cubs are behind.