I'm Surprised, no relievers traded before opening day

[Jehrico]

I thought for sure at least one or two relievers would be traded before opening day, esp w/ Cherry doing so well. Eyre was at the top of my list of potential trade candidates. I didn't even hear any rumors about any of our relievers getting interest from anyone. Not how I envisioned our ST going.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I thought for sure at least one or two relievers would be traded before opening day, esp w/ Cherry doing so well. Eyre was at the top of my list of potential trade candidates. I didn't even hear any rumors about any of our relievers getting interest from anyone. Not how I envisioned our ST going.

 

I don't think it's all that surprising. Wuertz wasn't healthy to start ST, after he got better Wood went down and will start on the DL, and Cotts has been awful all spring. Even with Cherry's performance injuries/ineffectiveness have prevented the appearance of much depth.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Well, I'd be surprised, but injuries thinned the ranks. Prior isn't ready to go. Novoa isn't fully healthy; neither is Mateo. Wood is hurt. Had Prior earned a rotation spot and Wood and Novoa fully healthy, someone might have been moved.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Our pen doesn't look as good right now as it did at the beginning of ST.

[b_wiggy_66]

I thought for sure Ohman was gonna go. I didn't think the Cubs would take three lefty's north.

[Jehrico]

Our pen doesn't look as good right now as it did at the beginning of ST.

We had some thinning of the ranks, but I think we had the depth to cover it. The weakest link is Cotts, who did look better at the end of ST. Hopefully he can keep it up. I don't think we're much weaker in the pen than we expected going into ST.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

I disagree that the pen is weaker. Novoa is no loss. Wood is out, but few expected much from him anyway. On the other hand, Arizona saw the emergence of Rocky Cherry, this kid is terrific and ready to pitch in the big leagues right now. He has good command, a strong fastball, and a plus-plus slider. All he needed to do is get healthy, and he's taken the ball and run with it.

 

Hendry and Fleita look like geniuses for protecting Cherry over Campusano, I am very impressed.

 

The only mistake I think the Cubs are making is that Cherry should be with Chicago, and Guzman should be in Iowa where he can start every 5th day and be ready to step into the rotation if/when Miller falters.

[mg420]

I disagree that the pen is weaker. Novoa is no loss. Wood is out, but few expected much from him anyway. On the other hand, Arizona saw the emergence of Rocky Cherry, this kid is terrific and ready to pitch in the big leagues right now. He has good command, a strong fastball, and a plus-plus slider. All he needed to do is get healthy, and he's taken the ball and run with it.

 

Hendry and Fleita look like geniuses for protecting Cherry over Campusano, I am very impressed.

 

The only mistake I think the Cubs are making is that Cherry should be with Chicago, and Guzman should be in Iowa where he can start every 5th day and be ready to step into the rotation if/when Miller falters.

 

i agree 100%. i think cherry will be up pretty soon anyway as guzman's control might be an issue in the pen. if cotts gets rocked as he has in spring training, i think rapada will get the call from iowa. if dempster can do his job and return to his 2005 form, the pen will be a major strength for the cubs in 2007.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

I disagree that the pen is weaker. Novoa is no loss. Wood is out, but few expected much from him anyway. On the other hand, Arizona saw the emergence of Rocky Cherry, this kid is terrific and ready to pitch in the big leagues right now. He has good command, a strong fastball, and a plus-plus slider. All he needed to do is get healthy, and he's taken the ball and run with it.

 

Hendry and Fleita look like geniuses for protecting Cherry over Campusano, I am very impressed.

 

The only mistake I think the Cubs are making is that Cherry should be with Chicago, and Guzman should be in Iowa where he can start every 5th day and be ready to step into the rotation if/when Miller falters.

 

i agree 100%. i think cherry will be up pretty soon anyway as guzman's control might be an issue in the pen. if cotts gets rocked as he has in spring training, i think rapada will get the call from iowa. if dempster can do his job and return to his 2005 form, the pen will be a major strength for the cubs in 2007.

 

The sample size was admittedly small, but Rapada did not impress in Arizona. I think it unlikely he'll play a role in 2007 given the presence of three lefties ahead of him in Eyre, Ohman and Cotts.