The Cub Reporter: Guzman Looking Great

[Laura]

Very good to hear the updates on Guzman. Now please let him stay healthy!

 

A little disappointed about the Gallagher mention, but as noted, it is his first invite.

[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?

 

We can't trade Marquis yet.

 

If Marquis was told he was being put in the bullpen, I'm sure he'd ok a trade.

[Amazing_Grace]

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?

 

I think there's about zero chance of trading Marquis anywhere unless he puts up good numbers this season. Nobody is gonna pay 21M over 3 years to a guy with an ERA in the mid 5's. If he repeats last season, the Cubs only hope to trade him will be to pick up most of his contract, which the fans grinding on Jason would likely force them to do, and the Cubs will be paying around 9 or 10 of the remaining 15M in 2008-2009.

 

EDIT: And it's good to hear that Guzman is looking good since the bad news about Miller and the uncertainty with Prior. It could very well be the case that we need Guzman to be the 5th starter for this season.

[Laura]

Lou says that Guzman looks 'exceptional,' and it sounds like Gallagher impressed him as well.

 

Bruce Miles / The Daily Herald[/url]"] Young arms: Righty Angel Guzman looked good during live batting practice Monday, as did nonroster prospect Sean Gallagher. Another intriguing prospect is side-arming lefty Clay Rapada, who also tossed live b.p.

 

“I saw a couple of them today; they’re pretty darn good,” Lou Piniella said. “First of all, I’ve been impressed with the quality of arms here. But today, I saw a couple of kids who threw the ball exceedingly well. One of them was Guzman. And the other one was Gallagher. They were exceptional.

 

“Guzman looked nice. I guess he had shoulder surgery a few years back. He’s getting it all together.”

[Mark Priors Calves]

who the hell is gonna trade for jason marquis? with that contract, unless he's pitching very well, nobody will touch him. unless the cubs eat some of the money which is unlikely especially only a few months into a 3 year deal.

[goonys evil twin]

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.

 

If Marquis was told he was being put in the bullpen, I'm sure he'd ok a trade.

 

I think that's the smallest part of the difficulty. Not only does he have to okay a trade, the big problem is getting the opposing team to okay the trade. Nobody would take him right now. There wasn't much of a market for him this offseason, and any team that may have been interested likely spent that money on other options. Basically, if Marquis was a free agent right now, it would be virtually impossible for him to get the same contract he got from the Cubs from any other team. So how can they trade him? The only way is for him to pitch relativley effectively for a considerable period of time. I could see the Mets being desperate enough for starting pitching to take him on, but it would have to be after he's shown something this season. There's no way they take the risk that his 2006 was an aberration right now.

[CuseCubFan69]

Lou says that Guzman looks 'exceptional,' and it sounds like Gallagher impressed him as well.

 

Bruce Miles / The Daily Herald[/url]"] Young arms: Righty Angel Guzman looked good during live batting practice Monday, as did nonroster prospect Sean Gallagher. Another intriguing prospect is side-arming lefty Clay Rapada, who also tossed live b.p.

 

“I saw a couple of them today; they’re pretty darn good,” Lou Piniella said. “First of all, I’ve been impressed with the quality of arms here. But today, I saw a couple of kids who threw the ball exceedingly well. One of them was Guzman. And the other one was Gallagher. They were exceptional.

 

“Guzman looked nice. I guess he had shoulder surgery a few years back. He’s getting it all together.”

 

I like news like this! Keep that deep rotation competition going!

[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?

 

We can't trade Marquis yet.

 

If Marquis was told he was being put in the bullpen, I'm sure he'd ok a trade.

 

I think that's the smallest part of the difficulty. Not only does he have to okay a trade, the big problem is getting the opposing team to okay the trade. Nobody would take him right now. There wasn't much of a market for him this offseason, and any team that may have been interested likely spent that money on other options. Basically, if Marquis was a free agent right now, it would be virtually impossible for him to get the same contract he got from the Cubs from any other team. So how can they trade him? The only way is for him to pitch relativley effectively for a considerable period of time. I could see the Mets being desperate enough for starting pitching to take him on, but it would have to be after he's shown something this season. There's no way they take the risk that his 2006 was an aberration right now.

 

While I would agree that nobody would probably take him now, I don't know why you would say there wasn't much of a market for him-I'm not sure anybody has any idea what the market for Marquis was. If he pitches and has an ERA under 5 through the first month or two of the season, I could see a pitching-thin team trading for him-I just don't know if the Cubs would trade him.

[CuseCubFan69]

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.

 

If Marquis was told he was being put in the bullpen, I'm sure he'd ok a trade.

 

I think that's the smallest part of the difficulty. Not only does he have to okay a trade, the big problem is getting the opposing team to okay the trade. Nobody would take him right now. There wasn't much of a market for him this offseason, and any team that may have been interested likely spent that money on other options. Basically, if Marquis was a free agent right now, it would be virtually impossible for him to get the same contract he got from the Cubs from any other team. So how can they trade him? The only way is for him to pitch relativley effectively for a considerable period of time. I could see the Mets being desperate enough for starting pitching to take him on, but it would have to be after he's shown something this season. There's no way they take the risk that his 2006 was an aberration right now.

 

While I would agree that nobody would probably take him now, I don't know why you would say there wasn't much of a market for him-I'm not sure anybody has any idea what the market for Marquis was. If he pitches and has an ERA under 5 through the first month or two of the season, I could see a pitching-thin team trading for him-I just don't know if the Cubs would trade him.

 

I think we should just let these guys battle it out and see who steps up. Hey, if Marquis is pitching well it's a win-win situation for the Cubs and if he isn't and you have 5 guys that are better throw him in the long relief pen. Plus if Marquis is doing ok somebody will come a callin especailly if the Cubs pay a little of the salary which I'm sure they would have to do unless the team is deparate.

[Chocolate Milk]

I'm pretty sure that the Cubs didn't acquire Marquis at a great premium to trade him at the first possible opportunity.

[Danny82]

Aren't teams prohibited by rule from trading free agent signees before June?

[CuseCubFan69]

I'm pretty sure that the Cubs didn't acquire Marquis at a great premium to trade him at the first possible opportunity.

 

I'm hoping he does well. Heck, for 7 a year it's a pretty decent price, especially if Rothschild did find a flaw and fixed it.

[goonys evil twin]

While I would agree that nobody would probably take him now, I don't know why you would say there wasn't much of a market for him-I'm not sure anybody has any idea what the market for Marquis was.

 

Partially because he took significantly less than some other pretty crappy pitchers. Partially because there just wasn't any talk about him going elsewhere. It's pretty clear there wasn't a big bidding war for him. I don't see how it's a stretch to say that.

[CubinNY]

While I would agree that nobody would probably take him now, I don't know why you would say there wasn't much of a market for him-I'm not sure anybody has any idea what the market for Marquis was.

 

Partially because he took significantly less than some other pretty crappy pitchers. Partially because there just wasn't any talk about him going elsewhere. It's pretty clear there wasn't a big bidding war for him. I don't see how it's a stretch to say that.

 

It's pretty weird how the entire Rothschild/Marquis off-season dating and love fest occurred. They just happened to meet in Florida. Rothschild was able to spot some things that Duncan couldn't in a matter of minutes. And then viola' Marquis signs with the Cubs.

 

When Marquis was bad he was really bad, but he also had some pretty good games too.

 

I don't expect much good from Marquis, but I do expect Marquis will be a Cub for the entire 2007 season.

[CUBZ99]

While I would agree that nobody would probably take him now, I don't know why you would say there wasn't much of a market for him-I'm not sure anybody has any idea what the market for Marquis was.

 

Partially because he took significantly less than some other pretty crappy pitchers. Partially because there just wasn't any talk about him going elsewhere. It's pretty clear there wasn't a big bidding war for him. I don't see how it's a stretch to say that.

 

I doubt Hendry would sign Marquis for the price he did if there was no market for him. There is really no evidence one way or the other what exactly Marquis' market really was. It just doesn't fit Hendry's MO to go out and sign a guy like Marquis for $7M a year if there was no competition. Generally, with bigger salaried players Hendry is a bargain basement type of shopper.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Aren't teams prohibited by rule from trading free agent signees before June?

 

That's what I was referencing, but as Vance pointed out, it's more of an automatic no-trade clause than MLB banning the team from trading the player.

[CubinNY]

It just doesn't fit Hendry's MO to go out and sign a guy like Marquis for $7M a year if there was no competition. Generally, with bigger salaried players Hendry is a bargain basement type of shopper.

Are we talking about the Jim Hendry who GMs the Cubs?

 

He has a history of signing or trading guys who have little market value for inflated prices.

[CubColtPacer]

While I would agree that nobody would probably take him now, I don't know why you would say there wasn't much of a market for him-I'm not sure anybody has any idea what the market for Marquis was.

 

Partially because he took significantly less than some other pretty crappy pitchers. Partially because there just wasn't any talk about him going elsewhere. It's pretty clear there wasn't a big bidding war for him. I don't see how it's a stretch to say that.

 

First off, I'd say there was very little talk about all the St. Louis pitchers. Suppan was also getting ignored about where he was going till pitchers like Lilly, Meche, and others had signed, and Marquis had already signed by then. I heard barely a thing about Suppan, and nothing about Weaver or Mulder till well after Marquis was signed, so the fact that there wasn't rumors about teams interested in him doesn't mean that they weren't there.

 

Sure-Marquis's 2006 basically made sure that he would have to accept less money. He was in the third tier of pitchers-there were probably other teams out there willing to pay him 4-6 million per year though. Here is one writers take on it:

 

Marquis signed with the Cubs because he hit it off with pitching coach Larry Rothschild in conversations before signing.

 

Notice he didn't say that Marquis signed with them because they were offering him much more than anybody else (and he did note the signing as very controversial earlier in the article) but rather because of a personal relationship. I don't know how credible the writer's sources are though. Here is the article:

 

http://www.kffl.com/article.php/63380/88

[CUBZ99]

Lou says that Guzman looks 'exceptional,' and it sounds like Gallagher impressed him as well.

 

Bruce Miles / The Daily Herald[/url]"] Young arms: Righty Angel Guzman looked good during live batting practice Monday, as did nonroster prospect Sean Gallagher. Another intriguing prospect is side-arming lefty Clay Rapada, who also tossed live b.p.

 

“I saw a couple of them today; they’re pretty darn good,” Lou Piniella said. “First of all, I’ve been impressed with the quality of arms here. But today, I saw a couple of kids who threw the ball exceedingly well. One of them was Guzman. And the other one was Gallagher. They were exceptional.

 

“Guzman looked nice. I guess he had shoulder surgery a few years back. He’s getting it all together.”

 

I like news like this! Keep that deep rotation competition going!

 

Great news in regards to Gallagher, other reports from AZ had Gallagher as not looking too great.

[CubColtPacer]

It just doesn't fit Hendry's MO to go out and sign a guy like Marquis for $7M a year if there was no competition. Generally, with bigger salaried players Hendry is a bargain basement type of shopper.

Are we talking about the Jim Hendry who GMs the Cubs?

 

He has a history of signing or trading guys who have little market value for inflated prices.

 

Who? I can think of one, maybe two guys that this is true of.

[Danny82]

It just doesn't fit Hendry's MO to go out and sign a guy like Marquis for $7M a year if there was no competition. Generally, with bigger salaried players Hendry is a bargain basement type of shopper.

Are we talking about the Jim Hendry who GMs the Cubs?

 

He has a history of signing or trading guys who have little market value for inflated prices.

 

As indicated by the bold print, the parameters of his observation did not include those perceived with "little market value."

 

Of course, after this offseason, I think that the OP has to reconsider his description of Hendry's spending methods.

[Lefty]

It just doesn't fit Hendry's MO to go out and sign a guy like Marquis for $7M a year if there was no competition. Generally, with bigger salaried players Hendry is a bargain basement type of shopper.

 

Paying a high salary does not necessarily mean the player is "bigger salaried." You can't justify paying Marquis 3/21 because he is now making $7 million a year. Would the Neifi Perez contract have been better had he paid more? By the way, there was no competition on that one either. But kudos to JH for getting out of that one in year 1.

[mg420]

It just doesn't fit Hendry's MO to go out and sign a guy like Marquis for $7M a year if there was no competition. Generally, with bigger salaried players Hendry is a bargain basement type of shopper.

 

Paying a high salary does not necessarily mean the player is "bigger salaried." You can't justify paying Marquis 3/21 because he is now making $7 million a year. Would the Neifi Perez contract have been better had he paid more? By the way, there was no competition on that one either. But kudos to JH for getting out of that one in year 1.

 

and also for getting a good prospect from the tigers for him. i believe robinson was their top catching prospect.

[CUBZ99]

It just doesn't fit Hendry's MO to go out and sign a guy like Marquis for $7M a year if there was no competition. Generally, with bigger salaried players Hendry is a bargain basement type of shopper.

 

Paying a high salary does not necessarily mean the player is "bigger salaried." You can't justify paying Marquis 3/21 because he is now making $7 million a year. Would the Neifi Perez contract have been better had he paid more? By the way, there was no competition on that one either. But kudos to JH for getting out of that one in year 1.

 

There is a big difference between signing a $2M backup shortstop and a starting pitcher. For bench players, Hendry has some times paid a premium because of his affection for a player (i.e. Blanco, Neifi). I can't however name too many everyday players or starting pitchers that Hendry has severely overpaid for.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

There is a big difference between signing a $2M backup shortstop and a starting pitcher. For bench players, Hendry has some times paid a premium because of his affection for a player (i.e. Blanco, Neifi). I can't however name too many everyday players or starting pitchers that Hendry has severely overpaid for.

 

Jason Marquis for starters.