Iowa is looking interesting this year...

[CubsWin]

With Pie, Patterson, Cedeno, Moore and Soto all headed, or at least ideally headed in the case of Cedeno, to AAA this season, there will be a decent amount of fairly young positional talent (non-roster-filler-types) in Iowa this season.

 

When you combine those guys with a possible staff of Guzman, Mateo, Marshall, Gallagher and possibly Marmol if he's not closing (among others), I might have to vacation in Des Moines this summer.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

That's the way, uh huh uh huh, I like it. It's tough to watch the I-Cubs when their lineup has guys like Donny Leon, Nate Frese, and Jeff Deardorff.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

1. Angel Guzman

2. Sean Marshall

3. Juan Mateo

4. Les Walrond

5. Ryan O'Malley/Randy Wells/Sean Gallagher

 

CL: Carlos Marmol

Set up: Rocky Cherry

 

1B : Micah Hoffauir/Casey McGehee

2B: Eric Patterson

SS: Ronny Cedeno

3B Scott Moore

C: Geovany Soto

OF: Felix Pie

OF: Chris Walker

OF: Buck Coats

 

Not bad. You know they'll probably like to play one vet at least in the lineup. I also think Moore will be all over the IF and OF like the end of last season.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

1. Angel Guzman

2. Sean Marshall

3. Juan Mateo

4. Les Walrond

5. Ryan O'Malley/Randy Wells/Sean Gallagher

 

CL: Carlos Marmol

Set up: Rocky Cherry

 

1B : Micah Hoffauir/Casey McGehee

2B: Eric Patterson

SS: Ronny Cedeno

3B Scott Moore

C: Geovany Soto

OF: Felix Pie

OF: Chris Walker

OF: Buck Coats

 

Not bad. You know they'll probably like to play one vet at least in the lineup. I also think Moore will be all over the IF and OF like the end of last season.

 

Do you really think they'll send Gallagher back to AA?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

1. Angel Guzman

2. Sean Marshall

3. Juan Mateo

4. Les Walrond

5. Ryan O'Malley/Randy Wells/Sean Gallagher

 

CL: Carlos Marmol

Set up: Rocky Cherry

 

1B : Micah Hoffauir/Casey McGehee

2B: Eric Patterson

SS: Ronny Cedeno

3B Scott Moore

C: Geovany Soto

OF: Felix Pie

OF: Chris Walker

OF: Buck Coats

 

Not bad. You know they'll probably like to play one vet at least in the lineup. I also think Moore will be all over the IF and OF like the end of last season.

 

Do you really think they'll send Gallagher back to AA?

 

I would but I don't think they will. From what I've heard, it sounds like he's had a good camp.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

1. Angel Guzman

2. Sean Marshall

3. Juan Mateo

4. Les Walrond

5. Ryan O'Malley/Randy Wells/Sean Gallagher

 

CL: Carlos Marmol

Set up: Rocky Cherry

 

1B : Micah Hoffauir/Casey McGehee

2B: Eric Patterson

SS: Ronny Cedeno

3B Scott Moore

C: Geovany Soto

OF: Felix Pie

OF: Chris Walker

OF: Buck Coats

 

Not bad. You know they'll probably like to play one vet at least in the lineup. I also think Moore will be all over the IF and OF like the end of last season.

 

Do you really think they'll send Gallagher back to AA?

 

I would but I don't think they will. From what I've heard, it sounds like he's had a good camp.

 

I agree. I can see reasons for and against sending him down, but I really think he'll be in Iowa. For selfish reasons, I'd like for him to be sent to Tennessee so I could watch him pitch when they play the Braves in Mississippi.

 

I guess I'll have to be satisfied with watching Veal instead.

[TruffleShuffle]

I'm still hoping E-Patt is not in Iowa to start the year :twisted:

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'm still hoping E-Patt is not in Iowa to start the year :twisted:

 

I don't see any way barring injuries that he's not. His bat is ready, but the organization believes he needs to work on his defense.

 

He needs to play everyday, and he's behind DeRosa and Theriot on the depth chart right now.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

1. Angel Guzman

2. Sean Marshall

3. Juan Mateo

4. Les Walrond

5. Ryan O'Malley/Randy Wells/Sean Gallagher

 

CL: Carlos Marmol

Set up: Rocky Cherry

 

1B : Micah Hoffauir/Casey McGehee

2B: Eric Patterson

SS: Ronny Cedeno

3B Scott Moore

C: Geovany Soto

OF: Felix Pie

OF: Chris Walker

OF: Buck Coats

 

Not bad. You know they'll probably like to play one vet at least in the lineup. I also think Moore will be all over the IF and OF like the end of last season.

 

Do you really think they'll send Gallagher back to AA?

 

I would but I don't think they will. From what I've heard, it sounds like he's had a good camp.

 

I agree. I can see reasons for and against sending him down, but I really think he'll be in Iowa. For selfish reasons, I'd like for him to be sent to Tennessee so I could watch him pitch when they play the Braves in Mississippi.

 

I guess I'll have to be satisfied with watching Veal instead.

 

Hrm. My stab at Tennessee's rotation if Gallagher is at Iowa:

 

Donnnie Veal

Chris Shaver

JR Mathes

Two of:

Mark Holliman

Justin Berg

Grant Johnson

 

It's not as pretty at AA.

[BigbadB]

1. Angel Guzman

2. Sean Marshall

3. Juan Mateo

4. Les Walrond

5. Ryan O'Malley/Randy Wells/Sean Gallagher

 

CL: Carlos Marmol

Set up: Rocky Cherry

 

1B : Micah Hoffauir/Casey McGehee

2B: Eric Patterson

SS: Ronny Cedeno

3B Scott Moore

C: Geovany Soto

OF: Felix Pie

OF: Chris Walker

OF: Buck Coats

 

Not bad. You know they'll probably like to play one vet at least in the lineup. I also think Moore will be all over the IF and OF like the end of last season.

 

Add Rapada, Piggy and Novoa to the bullpen?

 

Speedy team. Not a lot of pop.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

1. Angel Guzman

2. Sean Marshall

3. Juan Mateo

4. Les Walrond

5. Ryan O'Malley/Randy Wells/Sean Gallagher

 

CL: Carlos Marmol

Set up: Rocky Cherry

 

1B : Micah Hoffauir/Casey McGehee

2B: Eric Patterson

SS: Ronny Cedeno

3B Scott Moore

C: Geovany Soto

OF: Felix Pie

OF: Chris Walker

OF: Buck Coats

 

Not bad. You know they'll probably like to play one vet at least in the lineup. I also think Moore will be all over the IF and OF like the end of last season.

 

Add Rapada, Piggy and Novoa to the bullpen?

 

Speedy team. Not a lot of pop.

 

And maybe Wuertz. That's a whole lot of good pitching.

[Balsa]

Wow, I like that Iowa lineup. May have to make it out there for a game or two.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

1. Angel Guzman

2. Sean Marshall

3. Juan Mateo

4. Les Walrond

5. Ryan O'Malley/Randy Wells/Sean Gallagher

 

CL: Carlos Marmol

Set up: Rocky Cherry

 

1B : Micah Hoffauir/Casey McGehee

2B: Eric Patterson

SS: Ronny Cedeno

3B Scott Moore

C: Geovany Soto

OF: Felix Pie

OF: Chris Walker

OF: Buck Coats

 

Not bad. You know they'll probably like to play one vet at least in the lineup. I also think Moore will be all over the IF and OF like the end of last season.

 

Do you really think they'll send Gallagher back to AA?

 

I would but I don't think they will. From what I've heard, it sounds like he's had a good camp.

 

I agree. I can see reasons for and against sending him down, but I really think he'll be in Iowa. For selfish reasons, I'd like for him to be sent to Tennessee so I could watch him pitch when they play the Braves in Mississippi.

 

I guess I'll have to be satisfied with watching Veal instead.

 

Hrm. My stab at Tennessee's rotation if Gallagher is at Iowa:

 

Donnnie Veal

Chris Shaver

JR Mathes

Two of:

Mark Holliman

Justin Berg

Grant Johnson

 

It's not as pretty at AA.

 

Based on his spring, is there any chance Shark will start at Tennessee?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Wilken dropped hints of Samardzija starting the season at AA during the convention and I can't see how Samardzija's camp can hurt that chance. I'd prefer he start at Daytona, though. There were also hints that the Cubs would like to see Jeff at Wrigley in September - they're obviously going to push Jeff but I think it has to be with some moderation. Heck, most people thought he'd start at Peoria before they said Daytona when he signed his baseball-only contract. Edited March 10, 2007 by CaliforniaRaisin

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

For selfish reasons, I hope Samardzija is at AA. That may not be the best for him, though.

[wekse]

i can't wait to watch iowa come down here and beat on the sounds....i was looking for tickets today and it seems the cubs fans will be out in full force...the sections around the plate are actually almost sold out already...which is odd for the sounds since greer stadium is probably the biggest p.o.s. ballpark of all time.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

According to this article in the Knoxville paper, they expect Gallagher to be in Tennesee.

 

Former Smokies pitcher Les Walrond (2003) is a non-roster invitee with the Cubs. Brian Dopirak, who is likely to be Tennessee's first baseman after an injury-plagued 2006, is 1-for-6 (.167) in five preseason games with Chicago. Sean Gallagher, who is expected to be in the Smokies' rotation, has pitched three innings (0-0, 3.00 ERA) in two appearances for the Cubs.

[Athletics36]

With the Camp Sean has had and the impressions he has made wouldn't make sense to send him to AA. If the likes of bailey and gallardo are starting seasons in AAA, Sean deserves to be there....

[Outshined_One]

If Gallagher ends up in AA, I predict his stay down there will be a short one.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

With the Camp Sean has had and the impressions he has made wouldn't make sense to send him to AA. If the likes of bailey and gallardo are starting seasons in AAA, Sean deserves to be there....

 

I agree that Sean should be in AAA. My only desire to see him in AA is because I could see him pitch when they visit Mississippi.

 

That being said, I expect him to be in AAA and was surprised when I read that in the Knoxville paper.

[NCCubFan]

For purely selfish reasons I too would like to see him start at Tennessee. That way I could watch him pitch when Tennessee plays at Carolina (which they do a lot this year).

[CaliforniaRaisin]

According to this article in the Knoxville paper, they expect Gallagher to be in Tennesee.

 

Former Smokies pitcher Les Walrond (2003) is a non-roster invitee with the Cubs. Brian Dopirak, who is likely to be Tennessee's first baseman after an injury-plagued 2006, is 1-for-6 (.167) in five preseason games with Chicago. Sean Gallagher, who is expected to be in the Smokies' rotation, has pitched three innings (0-0, 3.00 ERA) in two appearances for the Cubs.

 

It's a passing comment, I doubt they know anymore than most of us (I'm sure Mr. Gallagher knows more :)).

 

At this point, I'd be surprised if Sean doesn't start the season at AAA.

[CubsWin]

1. Angel Guzman

2. Sean Marshall

3. Juan Mateo

4. Les Walrond

5. Ryan O'Malley/Randy Wells/Sean Gallagher

 

CL: Carlos Marmol

Set up: Rocky Cherry

 

1B : Micah Hoffauir/Casey McGehee

2B: Eric Patterson

SS: Ronny Cedeno

3B Scott Moore

C: Geovany Soto

OF: Felix Pie

OF: Chris Walker

OF: Buck Coats

 

Not bad. You know they'll probably like to play one vet at least in the lineup. I also think Moore will be all over the IF and OF like the end of last season.

Cherry might go north the way he is throwing. Wuertz will likely rehab a bit and then start the season in AAA.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Yeah, Guzman might open with the big league team too and it seems likely that Gallagher will be in Iowa.

[CubsWin]

Yeah, Guzman might open with the big league team too and it seems likely that Gallagher will be in Iowa.

In some ways, that is actually a better result than Prior winning the spot. If the Gooz can get the job done and help the Cubs win games while Prior hopefully rebuilds his arm strength and refines his mechanics, the Cubs will have found yet another option for the rotation. Adding Hill, Guzman, Lilly and Marquis in essentially a seven month period of time will have given the Cubs a lot of depth and options. If Guzman is able to perform well, this spring would be the first in 3 years where the Cubs would be without the services of an effective/healthy Prior yet still be in good shape rotation-wise.