Revisting final roster and implications

[Ivy Walls]

Prior appears to be headed to extended spring or even AAA, today was another bad outing.

 

Miller is still highly questionable meaning that the 4 or 5 starter so it also appears that Marquis signing was a good move for at least an innings eater. Hill is assurd the 4th spot in the rotation so either the 3rd or 5th is open. Cotts is not there either. Leaving Guzman who is thankfully a healthy and now the darkhorse for the 5th starter. IF so and than the Cubs probably will go with 11 pitchers and not 12. This is even bigger with Wood seemingly finding himself despite the grand salami give up.

 

Process of elimination: SP; Z-Lilly-Marquis-Hill-[Guzman?] RP-Dempster-Howry-Eyre-Ohman-Wood-[Wuertz?] AAA;Cotts, Mateo,O'Malley,Marmol, Cherry, Rapata, Gallagher, extended spring Marshall-Prior releasing Miller, possibly?

 

This would allow the Cubs to hold 13 players in position we know that Theriot is the utility IF along with starters Barrett/Blanco-C, Lee-1B, DeRosa-2B, Izturis-SS-Ramirez-3B, Murton-LF, Soriano-CF, Jones-RF, Ward-1B-OF, Floyd-OF. This leaves one more spot which on paper is Pagan-OF over Cedeno on the IF.

 

But Cubs should be trading and probably in areas of Miller, Dempster, Jones and Izturis.

 

My concerted amatuer humble opinion (CAHO) Cubs could probably move Jones for Jon Lieber and then insert him into the 5th starter spot moving Marquis to the long relief. This then would allow the Cubs to move Dempster and Izturis for value and start Theriot and platoon DeRosa Pie and Patterson having Patterson platoon with DeRosa at 2B. Bringing up Pie would allow the Cubs to move Soriano to RF and let Pie play CF.

 

Why?

 

Let's start with SP: Guzman is a darkhorse but let him do what Hill did last year and earn his spot where the Cubs gathering a veteran in Lieber for at least a half of season would solidify the rotation.

 

Dempster would be replaced by Wuertz or Wood and moving Izturis for what would be a platoon with Patterson and Theriot and DeRosa would be a big add especially if they get something of value plus allowing others to fill in.

 

To me the key is Pie who appears to be earning the CF spot, followed by Theriot and Guzman.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Prior improved today. He was consistently 87-88 on his fastball (dropping to 86 only a couple of times). His curveball, while getting a couple ridiculous swings a few times, wasn't consistent enough to keep hitters honest. Then he got pounded.

 

Honestly, I thought it was remarkable that he threw 88 mph fastballs pitch after pitch that first inning and didn't get beaten up. He's either got decent movement or the hitters just sucked.

 

If Prior keeps improving like this, he'll be fine. I wouldn't write off someone with that much talent.

 

We don't need more pitching. I would be shocked if one of Prior/Miller/Guzman wasn't serviceable.