CSN and Dempster Say Dempster in Rotation; CSN Backtracks

[Mizzou]

This would be a completely [expletive] move.

[treebird]

Lou said its a "possibility" that Dempster will be moved to the rotation. That's all we know about what is going on in Lou's head, to the best of my knowledge.

It shouldn't even be a possibility, though. Dempster is a proven failure as a starter.

 

Which makes me question Piniella's decision making. The man can clearly read a stat sheet properly based on his position player decisions (for the most part). What about making a failed starter a starter again makes any sense?

 

Let's see if Piniella actually makes Demp a starter. He could have just been trying to end media interrogation.

 

suggesting that you're going to do something incredibly stupid seems like a bad way to get reporters to stop asking you questions.

[RynoRules]

If Lou does this, he has no business managing a team.

 

I wouldn't go that far, but this is a head-scratcher if true. I could see making him a set-up man. I wonder if this means that Z is on the block?

 

Why do you think that?

 

Well, the one place we have depth in this organization is in the starting pitching staff, at least if you view Marmol, Marshall and Guzman as potential ML starters as I do.

 

By contrast, as we all know to well, we have no ML-ready impact position players in the minor leagues (though one could argue Pie is ready, I guess) and we desperately need a productive SS or OFer to the fill out the lineup.

 

Of the team's tradeable commodities, Z will easily fecth the best return. There are several teams with injury or depth issues in their rotations - O's, Yanks, Jays, Rangers, A's, Angels, etc. The Red Sox might do a deal for Z just to keep him away from NY. The Yanks and O's in particular are desperate for help in this area and have highly productive position players who are either about to hit the mkt (ARod) or are apparently unhappy (Tejada) or both (ARod).

 

Our rotation has looked very good thus far. Even without Z we have Lilly, Marquis, Hill and two of any of the following: Marshall, Marmol, Guzman, and Dempster - assuming he really is being considered for the rotation. Z has been pretty bad overall but the team has managed to keep its head at water level. His contract negotiations appear to have stalled.

 

All of this is speculative, I am just trying to connect some dots.

[RynoRules]

Lou said its a "possibility" that Dempster will be moved to the rotation. That's all we know about what is going on in Lou's head, to the best of my knowledge.

It shouldn't even be a possibility, though. Dempster is a proven failure as a starter.

 

Agreed, but my point was only that we don't know for certain what is going on in Lou's head. I was only stating that all we know for certain this that Lou is considering this. You took my statement out of context.

[abuck1220]

instead of changing around all the guys that are doing well, how about we start getting rid of the guys that suck? hey, let's send aramis to AAA because izturis is terrible.

 

i don't see how this could happen...there's no way he's stretched out for more than 40-50 pitches. it would take three starts before he could work six innings.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Let's play "follow the logic".

 

Because Eyre and Howry have done poorly, we are going to take Dempster and Guzman(who have done well in their roles) and have them switch spots.

 

Anyone's head not explode?

[BigbadB]

Let's play "follow the logic".

 

Because Eyre and Howry have done poorly, we are going to take Dempster and Guzman(who have done well in their roles) and have them switch spots.

 

Anyone's head not explode?

 

Exploded.

[A New Era]

I think you are ALL OVER REACTING about something that is NOT even going to HAPPEN.

 

Thanks.

[Handlebar McSkullet]

I think you are ALL OVER REACTING about something that is NOT even going to HAPPEN.

 

Thanks.

+1

[treebird]

I think you are ALL OVER REACTING about something that is NOT even going to HAPPEN.

 

Thanks.

 

when you talk, do you actually emphasize the words you put in all caps? that would be hilarious, because they're more or less chosen at random.

[BigbadB]

LOL

[cubfan1955]

In other news...DLee is moving to SS and ARAM will become the everyday catcher. :twisted:

 

I really think Lou is screwing around with everyone. I really don't see them trying to make Dempster a starter. Even the Cubs couldn't be that stupid...could they?

[Butterscup1679666578]

This would be a freaking disaster.

[C.C.]

I think you are ALL OVER REACTING about something that is NOT even going to HAPPEN.

 

Thanks.

 

when you talk, do you actually emphasize the words you put in all caps? that would be hilarious, because they're more or less chosen at random.

 

THAT WAS FUNNY! LOL!

[Twiggy]

I don't see why that would even happen. Cubs starters are fine. the bullpen blows and once he blows a few more saves something will be done.

[Banedon]

The only way this remotely makes sense is if they are trading a starter...

 

Dan Roan just speculated that Howry would be the closer if Dempster went to the rotation.

[abuck1220]

The only way this remotely makes sense is if they are trading a starter...

 

Dan Roan just speculated that Howry would be the closer if Dempster went to the rotation.

 

wow, hurting the rotation AND the bullpen with one move...hard to do.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Wow. I was all for moving Gooz to the pen if we got a good 5th starter, but Dempster to the rotation is just plain stupid.

[Fro]

I wouldn't be worried... Lou's just messing with people for competitive advantage at this point (he already got Ozzie with the Lee PH yesterday).

[Banedon]

I'm ok with Dempster to the rotation if it's because we're trading Z for A-rod...:D

[Amazing_Grace]

Let's play "follow the logic".

 

Because Eyre and Howry have done poorly, we are going to take Dempster and Guzman(who have done well in their roles) and have them switch spots.

 

Anyone's head not explode?

 

My head exploded the first three times I read this thread. Dempster starting is in the "galactically stupid" category. This is worse than bringing back Wade Miller. I could sort of understand using Guzman in the pen and bringing up Marshall. It wouldn't be a great choice, but Guzman has been better than some of our bullpen options (Eyre, Howry, Ohman). This whole scenario makes me wonder if Lou's hands are being tied by Hendry with regards to cutting Eyre/Howry/Ohman loose. Maybe Lou really doesn't want to use certain guys in pressure situations and wants to get rid of them, but Hendry isn't letting him, so he is trying desperately to find a way to get somebody reliable in the bullpen.

[Guest]

So Dempster got his 9th save in 10 opportunities on Friday to save his job...for now...from Carlos Marmol!?!? Wow.

 

Indications are that the Cubs brought the hard-throwing Marmol up from the minors Friday with the intention of installing him as the closer this week in San Diego and making closer Dempster a starting pitcher again.

 

That plan apparently has changed, for now, in the wake of Dempster's two-strikeout perfect ninth inning Friday -- one day after a ninth-inning meltdown in New York. Dempster has a too-high-for-a-closer 4.43 ERA but has converted nine of 10 save opportunities this season.

 

His appearance Thursday in New York, when he allowed five runs in one-third of an inning, was not a save opportunity.

 

Piniella might have offered a clue to his changed thinking before the game Saturday when he was asked how tough it is to stretch out a reliever for starting duty during the season.

 

''Probably not the easiest thing in the world, to be honest with you,'' he said. ''It would take a little time to be able to stretch a person out.''

 

If a move was in the works, Dempster was not in the loop. He spoke after his save Friday about what it said that Piniella went to him so quickly after he blew the Cubs' 5-1 lead the day before.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/393699,CST-SPT-csep20.article

[MPC]

wow. talk about a organizational knee jerk reaction to the original knee jerk reaction.

[Soul]

So Dempster got his 9th save in 10 opportunities on Friday to save his job...for now...from Carlos Marmol!?!? Wow.

 

Indications are that the Cubs brought the hard-throwing Marmol up from the minors Friday with the intention of installing him as the closer this week in San Diego and making closer Dempster a starting pitcher again.

 

That plan apparently has changed, for now, in the wake of Dempster's two-strikeout perfect ninth inning Friday -- one day after a ninth-inning meltdown in New York. Dempster has a too-high-for-a-closer 4.43 ERA but has converted nine of 10 save opportunities this season.

 

His appearance Thursday in New York, when he allowed five runs in one-third of an inning, was not a save opportunity.

 

Piniella might have offered a clue to his changed thinking before the game Saturday when he was asked how tough it is to stretch out a reliever for starting duty during the season.

 

''Probably not the easiest thing in the world, to be honest with you,'' he said. ''It would take a little time to be able to stretch a person out.''

 

If a move was in the works, Dempster was not in the loop. He spoke after his save Friday about what it said that Piniella went to him so quickly after he blew the Cubs' 5-1 lead the day before.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/393699,CST-SPT-csep20.article

 

Honestly, I'm hearing so many disparate things about what is really going to happen, I think it's safe to say the media is essentially clueless. This is worse than the cavalcade of false trade rumors we get every year during the winter meetings.

[Backtobanks]

Before everyone gets too excited, why don't we see what moves Piniella is actually going to make.