Who's ready to pitch for the big team?

[BigbadB]

If the talk is that they don't intend to skip starts for any of the 5 rotation guys, I wouldn't be surprised if they showed up on opening day with 7 relievers.

[CubsWin]

If the talk is that they don't intend to skip starts for any of the 5 rotation guys, I wouldn't be surprised if they showed up on opening day with 7 relievers.

It's certainly possible. When listening to Lou these days, though, he sure is pulling for only going with six.

 

Now, Lou could break camp with a six man pen and Cherry could still be one of them. Ohman and Cotts are both struggling at the moment, with Cotts having the tougher go of it right now. There is no need to go north with 3 lefties, and I believe Cotts still has options left (check me on that anyone), so Cherry could still make the cut even with a six man pen.

 

Wuertz can go to AAA too, if I'm not mistaken without having to pass through waivers, so he can get healthy and fine tune down there along with Cotts possibly while Cherry and Ohman show what they can do at the major league level. Ohman's already fairly well established, but if they do well and if Wuertz and Cotts prove to be ready, Hendry may have some trade fodder in Ohman and Cherry.

[BigbadB]

If Wuertz still hasn't thrown a pitch, I think it's possible he'll open the season on the DL and stick around Mesa for extended ST.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Hopefully Wuertz gets healthy quick enough, I'd like to see Cotts at least have some competition.

[CubsWin]

Hopefully Wuertz gets healthy quick enough, I'd like to see Cotts at least have some competition.

Rocky Cherry seems to be giving him a run for his money at the moment...

[wilk]

With Lou's recent comments, he's saying he's leaning toward carrying 11 pitchers out of Spring.

 

Zambrano, Lilly, Hill, Marquis, Dempster, Howry, Eyre, Wood, Cotts,

means only two of: Prior, Miller, Wuertz, Cherry, Ohman, Guzman, X

 

If Prior makes the club, it likely means we trade Miller. But then which 1 of: Wuertz, Cherry, Ohman, Guzman? It seems all of them are getting the nod around here. I'd rather the long reliever than the LOOGY or well, ROOGY and Wuertz you could keep behind in Mesa. But if Ohman doesn't make the team, are we trading him or are we really optioning him with recent performance and contract? And Wuertz would very soon need a spot that doesn't seem to be there.

 

Is Lou going to be forced to carry 12 pitchers? Trade Miller, DL Wuertz, carry Ohman and the better spring of Guzman/Cherry?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

With Lou's recent comments, he's saying he's leaning toward carrying 11 pitchers out of Spring.

 

Zambrano, Lilly, Hill, Marquis, Dempster, Howry, Eyre, Wood, Cotts,

means only two of: Prior, Miller, Wuertz, Cherry, Ohman, Guzman, X

 

If Prior makes the club, it likely means we trade Miller. But then which 1 of: Wuertz, Cherry, Ohman, Guzman? It seems all of them are getting the nod around here. I'd rather the long reliever than the LOOGY or well, ROOGY and Wuertz you could keep behind in Mesa. But if Ohman doesn't make the team, are we trading him or are we really optioning him with recent performance and contract? And Wuertz would very soon need a spot that doesn't seem to be there.

 

Is Lou going to be forced to carry 12 pitchers? Trade Miller, DL Wuertz, carry Ohman and the better spring of Guzman/Cherry?

 

Unless he's traded, Ohman will go north with the team. He doesn't have any more options and I doubt the Cubs expose him to waivers.

 

Regardless of how he performs in Arizona, Ohman has the track record of being a very good lefty when used correctly. I wouldn't jettison him based on a poor spring.

[Backtobanks]

With Lou's recent comments, he's saying he's leaning toward carrying 11 pitchers out of Spring.

 

Zambrano, Lilly, Hill, Marquis, Dempster, Howry, Eyre, Wood, Cotts,

means only two of: Prior, Miller, Wuertz, Cherry, Ohman, Guzman, X

 

If Prior makes the club, it likely means we trade Miller. But then which 1 of: Wuertz, Cherry, Ohman, Guzman? It seems all of them are getting the nod around here. I'd rather the long reliever than the LOOGY or well, ROOGY and Wuertz you could keep behind in Mesa. But if Ohman doesn't make the team, are we trading him or are we really optioning him with recent performance and contract? And Wuertz would very soon need a spot that doesn't seem to be there.

 

Is Lou going to be forced to carry 12 pitchers? Trade Miller, DL Wuertz, carry Ohman and the better spring of Guzman/Cherry?

 

Unless someone is traded, I look at who has options left as to which players will make the team. Possibly trading a player out of options for someone with options remaining.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Hopefully Wuertz gets healthy quick enough, I'd like to see Cotts at least have some competition.

Rocky Cherry seems to be giving him a run for his money at the moment...

 

Certainly; it'd be nice if Wuertz got healthy too - he has a better track record than Cotts and would, imo, be better than Cotts this season.

[CubColtPacer]

Hopefully Wuertz gets healthy quick enough, I'd like to see Cotts at least have some competition.

Rocky Cherry seems to be giving him a run for his money at the moment...

 

Certainly; it'd be nice if Wuertz got healthy too - he has a better track record than Cotts and would, imo, be better than Cotts this season.

 

Who is the long reliever in that scenario? Guzman?

[wilk]

Unless he's traded, Ohman will go north with the team. He doesn't have any more options and I doubt the Cubs expose him to waivers.

 

Regardless of how he performs in Arizona, Ohman has the track record of being a very good lefty when used correctly. I wouldn't jettison him based on a poor spring.

 

Ohman actually does have an option left, but then yes clearing waivers after would likely be difficult. And I agree with Ohman, that's why I said it's very difficult to send him down with last year's performance and his new contract. However, the problem comes in spots. If we roster Ohman, that means no chance for Cherry, DL-only for Wuertz, and more time to wait for Guzman... if we're carrying the 11 pitchers as Lou desires.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Hopefully Wuertz gets healthy quick enough, I'd like to see Cotts at least have some competition.

Rocky Cherry seems to be giving him a run for his money at the moment...

 

Certainly; it'd be nice if Wuertz got healthy too - he has a better track record than Cotts and would, imo, be better than Cotts this season.

 

Who is the long reliever in that scenario? Guzman?

 

I honestly think long relievers are a bit overrated, especially if it means an inferior pitcher makes the team. I think that's why Cotts has a spot no matter what.

[CubColtPacer]

Hopefully Wuertz gets healthy quick enough, I'd like to see Cotts at least have some competition.

Rocky Cherry seems to be giving him a run for his money at the moment...

 

Certainly; it'd be nice if Wuertz got healthy too - he has a better track record than Cotts and would, imo, be better than Cotts this season.

 

Who is the long reliever in that scenario? Guzman?

 

I honestly think long relievers are a bit overrated, especially if it means an inferior pitcher makes the team. I think that's why Cotts has a spot no matter what.

 

Oh, I would probably agree, but you're right that Lou has stated explicitly that one of the relievers would have to be a long reliever. I like the long reliever only because there would be a couple pitchers on this team who might be prone to missing a start without going on the DL-that's where the long reliever can come in handy and make a spot start without having to bring somebody up. In general though, I do agree that an inferior pitcher should not get the job just to be the long reliever.