The Cub Reporter: Guzman Looking Great

[RammyFanny]

The work-out started about 45 minutes earlier than usual, and was over by 11:30, as more rain is expected. The usual pre-BP fielding and infield drills were eschewed, as the team cut straight to the “live” BP. Of the twelve pitchers who threw today–and I saw these same guys throw two days ago–Angel Guzman continues to impress me the most. I realize he was pitching in Venezuela as recently as about six weeks ago, but his velocity, location, pitch variety, control, and command are right there right now. If it turns out the Cubs do have an opening in their starting rotation, I believe Gooz can pitch in an MLB rotation right now. He is light-years ahead of most of the other “B” group guys (and he’s ahead of most the “A” group guys, too!).

 

http://mvn.com/mlb-cubs/2007/02/23/the-difference-a-day-makes/

 

Thanks to whoever posted the link to that site, because they have some great updates on what's going on.

[UMFan83]

7 man rotation! If the news keeps sounding this optimistic. Who do we swing Wade Miller to, and what can we get for him? I am guessing nothing more then a low to midlevel prospect.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

If Miller's velocity is still down they might convince him to accept a "rehab assignment" to start the season.

 

Honestly, I don't see any scenario that doesn't include an injury that would put Guzman in the rotation before mid to late May.

[RammyFanny]

7 man rotation! If the news keeps sounding this optimistic. Who do we swing Wade Miller to, and what can we get for him? I am guessing nothing more then a low to midlevel prospect.

 

Though I wouldn't, the Mets make sense.

[Sammy Sofa]

The Cubs Reporter is starting to sound as positive as BleedCubbieBlue.com, but with about a zillion times more legitamacy.

 

GIVE ME BASEBALL!!!

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The Mets do make an interesting trade partner as they are likely going to need some pitching.

 

They may be the ideal team to unload Marquis on, but I have no real hopes that we'd trade Marquis.

 

Sending Miller there might be a possibility. Marshall could also be someone they might have some interest in as well.

 

Marshall for Milledge?

[Danny82]

I see no chance that the Mets overpay that much for Marshall.

[baseball7897]

The Mets do make an interesting trade partner as they are likely going to need some pitching.

 

They may be the ideal team to unload Marquis on, but I have no real hopes that we'd trade Marquis.

 

Sending Miller there might be a possibility. Marshall could also be someone they might have some interest in as well.

 

Marshall for Milledge?

 

If the Mets acquire some pitching, then they look like the team to beat in the NL.

 

Marshall for Milledge? I dont think the Mets would bite on that. After all, their asking price for Milledge at the break was Barry Zito.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I see no chance that the Mets overpay that much for Marshall.

 

Me either, but they gave up Kazmir for Victor Zambrano.

[KaiserCesar]

I'm a little concerned about talk of being willing to put him in the rotation right away. Last year was his first 100+ IP season since 02. A lighter load in AAA would be the smart choice, unless a lot of injury makes a major league start necessary.

[mg420]

I'm a little concerned about talk of being willing to put him in the rotation right away. Last year was his first 100+ IP season since 02. A lighter load in AAA would be the smart choice, unless a lot of injury makes a major league start necessary.

 

i agree. he need a full year starting in iowa imo. he has never had a full season pitching in the minors so it is not reasonable to think he could make 30+ starts in the ML.

[nilodnayr]

The Mets do make an interesting trade partner as they are likely going to need some pitching.

 

They may be the ideal team to unload Marquis on, but I have no real hopes that we'd trade Marquis.

 

Sending Miller there might be a possibility. Marshall could also be someone they might have some interest in as well.

 

Marshall for Milledge?

 

If the Mets acquire some pitching, then they look like the team to beat in the NL.

 

Marshall for Milledge? I dont think the Mets would bite on that. After all, their asking price for Milledge at the break was Barry Zito.

 

I thought the asking price for Blanton was Milledge. I never heard anything about Zito/Milledge.

[Balsa]

I'm a little concerned about talk of being willing to put him in the rotation right away. Last year was his first 100+ IP season since 02. A lighter load in AAA would be the smart choice, unless a lot of injury makes a major league start necessary.

 

i agree. he need a full year starting in iowa imo. he has never had a full season pitching in the minors so it is not reasonable to think he could make 30+ starts in the ML.

Double agreed. We've got enough pitching to go around, it would be better for him to ramp up his IP slowly.

[RichHillIsABeast]

The Mets do make an interesting trade partner as they are likely going to need some pitching.

 

They may be the ideal team to unload Marquis on, but I have no real hopes that we'd trade Marquis.

 

Sending Miller there might be a possibility. Marshall could also be someone they might have some interest in as well.

 

Marshall for Milledge?

 

If the Mets acquire some pitching, then they look like the team to beat in the NL.

 

Marshall for Milledge? I dont think the Mets would bite on that. After all, their asking price for Milledge at the break was Barry Zito.

 

I thought the asking price for Blanton was Milledge. I never heard anything about Zito/Milledge.

 

The asking price for 1/2 a season of Zito was indeed Milledge.

[nilodnayr]

The Mets do make an interesting trade partner as they are likely going to need some pitching.

 

They may be the ideal team to unload Marquis on, but I have no real hopes that we'd trade Marquis.

 

Sending Miller there might be a possibility. Marshall could also be someone they might have some interest in as well.

 

Marshall for Milledge?

 

If the Mets acquire some pitching, then they look like the team to beat in the NL.

 

Marshall for Milledge? I dont think the Mets would bite on that. After all, their asking price for Milledge at the break was Barry Zito.

 

I thought the asking price for Blanton was Milledge. I never heard anything about Zito/Milledge.

 

The asking price for 1/2 a season of Zito was indeed Milledge.

 

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/lastings_milledge/index.html

 

Looks like towards the deadline more of the rumors were around blanton and haren than zito.

[CubColtPacer]

The Mets do make an interesting trade partner as they are likely going to need some pitching.

 

They may be the ideal team to unload Marquis on, but I have no real hopes that we'd trade Marquis.

 

Sending Miller there might be a possibility. Marshall could also be

 

someone they might have some interest in as well.

 

Marshall for Milledge?

 

If the Mets acquire some pitching, then they look like the team to beat in the NL.

 

Marshall for Milledge? I dont think the Mets would bite on that. After all, their asking price for Milledge at the break was Barry Zito.

 

I thought the asking price for Blanton was Milledge. I never heard anything about Zito/Milledge.

 

The asking price for 1/2 a season of Zito was indeed Milledge.

 

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/lastings_milledge/index.html

 

Looks like towards the deadline more of the rumors were around blanton and haren than zito.

 

Milledge for Zito was widely reported on ESPN the week befoe the deadline-was it legitimate? I don't know, but it was widely rumored in that week.

[CUBZ99]

I did see Sean Gallagher throw again today, but he hasn’t shown much (so far). I guess it’s the “Deer in the Headlights” thing. I was more impressed with him when I saw him throw in the Minor League camp the previous couple of years. He’s probably still pinching himself, not believing he’s actually in a big league Spring Training camp.

 

Not the best of news on Gallagher.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I'm a little concerned about talk of being willing to put him in the rotation right away. Last year was his first 100+ IP season since 02. A lighter load in AAA would be the smart choice, unless a lot of injury makes a major league start necessary.

 

i agree. he need a full year starting in iowa imo. he has never had a full season pitching in the minors so it is not reasonable to think he could make 30+ starts in the ML.

 

Why does he need more minor league time when he's major league ready and better than a few of the potential starters already?

 

I did see Sean Gallagher throw again today, but he hasn’t shown much (so far). I guess it’s the “Deer in the Headlights” thing. I was more impressed with him when I saw him throw in the Minor League camp the previous couple of years. He’s probably still pinching himself, not believing he’s actually in a big league Spring Training camp.

 

Not the best of news on Gallagher.

 

Not too surprising since it's his first major league invite.

[KaiserCesar]

I'm a little concerned about talk of being willing to put him in the rotation right away. Last year was his first 100+ IP season since 02. A lighter load in AAA would be the smart choice, unless a lot of injury makes a major league start necessary.

 

i agree. he need a full year starting in iowa imo. he has never had a full season pitching in the minors so it is not reasonable to think he could make 30+ starts in the ML.

 

Why does he need more minor league time when he's major league ready and better than a few of the potential starters already?

I did see Sean Gallagher throw again today, but he hasn’t shown much (so far). I guess it’s the “Deer in the Headlights” thing. I was more impressed with him when I saw him throw in the Minor League camp the previous couple of years. He’s probably still pinching himself, not believing he’s actually in a big league Spring Training camp.

 

Not the best of news on Gallagher.

 

Not too surprising since it's his first major league invite.

 

What makes Guzman that much better besides potential and a report out of the first week of spring training? He has pretty nice peripherals in AAA last year and got killed in the majors. And as said in the posts that you quoted, his arm which has not logged a lot of innings recently would be able to be brought along in a more controlled fashion in AAA.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

The Mets do make an interesting trade partner as they are likely going to need some pitching.

 

They may be the ideal team to unload Marquis on, but I have no real hopes that we'd trade Marquis.

 

Sending Miller there might be a possibility. Marshall could also be someone they might have some interest in as well.

 

Marshall for Milledge?

 

We can't trade Marquis yet.

[mg420]

I'm a little concerned about talk of being willing to put him in the rotation right away. Last year was his first 100+ IP season since 02. A lighter load in AAA would be the smart choice, unless a lot of injury makes a major league start necessary.

 

i agree. he need a full year starting in iowa imo. he has never had a full season pitching in the minors so it is not reasonable to think he could make 30+ starts in the ML.

 

Why does he need more minor league time when he's major league ready and better than a few of the potential starters already?

 

I did see Sean Gallagher throw again today, but he hasn’t shown much (so far). I guess it’s the “Deer in the Headlights” thing. I was more impressed with him when I saw him throw in the Minor League camp the previous couple of years. He’s probably still pinching himself, not believing he’s actually in a big league Spring Training camp.

 

Not the best of news on Gallagher.

 

Not too surprising since it's his first major league invite.

 

because last year was the 1st time he broke 100 ip and even then he only had around 120. to expect 200 quality ip after being injured his whole career is not reasonable. having better stuff doesnt mean he's a better pitcher btw. maybe he should get his 1st ML win before he is compared to pitchers who have actually had success in the majors.

[Southpaw191679666239]

Another good answer would be that he doesn't have a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract to live up to. (re: A.Guzman)

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I'm a little concerned about talk of being willing to put him in the rotation right away. Last year was his first 100+ IP season since 02. A lighter load in AAA would be the smart choice, unless a lot of injury makes a major league start necessary.

 

i agree. he need a full year starting in iowa imo. he has never had a full season pitching in the minors so it is not reasonable to think he could make 30+ starts in the ML.

 

Why does he need more minor league time when he's major league ready and better than a few of the potential starters already?

 

I did see Sean Gallagher throw again today, but he hasn’t shown much (so far). I guess it’s the “Deer in the Headlights” thing. I was more impressed with him when I saw him throw in the Minor League camp the previous couple of years. He’s probably still pinching himself, not believing he’s actually in a big league Spring Training camp.

 

Not the best of news on Gallagher.

 

Not too surprising since it's his first major league invite.

 

because last year was the 1st time he broke 100 ip and even then he only had around 120. to expect 200 quality ip after being injured his whole career is not reasonable. having better stuff doesnt mean he's a better pitcher btw. maybe he should get his 1st ML win before he is compared to pitchers who have actually had success in the majors.

 

Come again? Angel had 156 IP in 2002 and 131.2 IP last season.

 

I don't expect 200 quality IP, if he's one of the five best starters amongst the big leaguers (and I think he is), he should be starting with the big league team. They'll be real careful with him if he's at Des Moines or Wrigley, if he's good enough to pitch in the bigs, I don't see why he shouldn't pitch there. It's not like they won't be monitoring Angel carefully if he's in the big leagues.

 

I know not having better stuff doesn't make a better pitcher. But his plus command returned in Venezuela - which was severely lacking last season - to go with his stuff. Your last comment about major league wins is baffling - I take it a rookie should never make a team's starting rotation because players have had more success in the past (even if the veteran player isn't as good these days)?

[CubColtPacer]

I'm a little concerned about talk of being willing to put him in the rotation right away. Last year was his first 100+ IP season since 02. A lighter load in AAA would be the smart choice, unless a lot of injury makes a major league start necessary.

 

i agree. he need a full year starting in iowa imo. he has never had a full season pitching in the minors so it is not reasonable to think he could make 30+ starts in the ML.

 

Why does he need more minor league time when he's major league ready and better than a few of the potential starters already?

 

I did see Sean Gallagher throw again today, but he hasn’t shown much (so far). I guess it’s the “Deer in the Headlights” thing. I was more impressed with him when I saw him throw in the Minor League camp the previous couple of years. He’s probably still pinching himself, not believing he’s actually in a big league Spring Training camp.

 

Not the best of news on Gallagher.

 

Not too surprising since it's his first major league invite.

 

because last year was the 1st time he broke 100 ip and even then he only had around 120. to expect 200 quality ip after being injured his whole career is not reasonable. having better stuff doesnt mean he's a better pitcher btw. maybe he should get his 1st ML win before he is compared to pitchers who have actually had success in the majors.

 

Come again? Angel had 156 IP in 2002 and 131.2 IP last season.

 

I don't expect 200 quality IP, if he's one of the five best starters amongst the big leaguers (and I think he is), he should be starting with the big league team. They'll be real careful with him if he's at Des Moines or Wrigley, if he's good enough to pitch in the bigs, I don't see why he shouldn't pitch there. It's not like they won't be monitoring Angel carefully if he's in the big leagues.

 

 

The only concern I have about that is that if the major league club is real careful with Angel and real careful with Prior and Lilly doesn't go all that deep into games on a routine basis-that means that Z and Hill will almost be forced to be workhorses on the days that they pitch, and that may be a problem. I guess I'm just a little worried about tiring out the bullpen with all the starters that the Cubs would be trying to limit in that scenario.

[NCCubFan]

The Mets do make an interesting trade partner as they are likely going to need some pitching.

 

They may be the ideal team to unload Marquis on, but I have no real hopes that we'd trade Marquis.

 

Sending Miller there might be a possibility. Marshall could also be someone they might have some interest in as well.

 

Marshall for Milledge?

 

We can't trade Marquis yet.

I believe we can if he agrees to it. The June 15 (or whatever it is) date is to trade him without his approval.