Cubs Contemplating Samardzija Call-Up in September

[Sweet Swinging Billy]

Sweet Swinging Billy wrote: "I think this would really add a little excitement to the current roster, given all the little intangibles that "Smidj" brings to the team".

 

jersey cubs fan wrote: "Please explain".

 

What I mean by "little intangibles" (and this is just my opinion) is Smidj's appearance and his past history. Jeff S. is a big guy, wears his hair long and has a swagger. The fact that as a Senior wide receiver on the Notre Dame football team, he was being considered as one of the top picks in the draft. He just brings a lot to the table. Even though he would only be a rookie, I think his presence would be very uplifting for the team.

[jersey cubs fan]

Sweet Swinging Billy wrote: "I think this would really add a little excitement to the current roster, given all the little intangibles that "Smidj" brings to the team".

 

jersey cubs fan wrote: "Please explain".

 

What I mean by "little intangibles" (and this is just my opinion) is Smidj's appearance and his past history. Jeff S. is a big guy, wears his hair long and has a swagger. The fact that as a Senior wide receiver on the Notre Dame football team, he was being considered as one of the top picks in the draft. He just brings a lot to the table. Even though he would only be a rookie, I think his presence would be very uplifting for the team.

 

Do they play pickup football between games?

 

Jeff is no bigger than a lot of other Cubs pitchers, not to mention Lee and Floyd. He cut his hair in the spring. And his swagger has led to some really disappointing performances in the minor leagues this year.

 

There's absolutely no way this would help the team.

[Electron Blue]

Well I'm glad we're not rushing him.

 

do you really think this could have a negative effect, though? I don't see it.

 

I think it just feeds the irrational and unhealthy fan attention to the situation. The guy has a long way to go before he'll be able to help the team. Yet with the huge contract, unjustified promotion already this year, and a potential call-up, fans are going to be expecting him to start next year in Wrigley and be good. We've already seen how little patience people have with other young players, there's no need to throw-in the added burden of expectations that a September call-up would bring.

 

but no negative effect on Jeff's development or roster status/clock? That's what I think of when I hear a prospect is "rushed."

 

Bringing him to the majors is rushing him. Exposing him to major league hitters, when he's barely even able to handle minor leaguers, and has very little experience, could easily have a negative effect. It's not just about the mechanics of options and roster status.

I think people are afraid to bring players up because of the Corey situation. I think there is a going trend the last couple of years in MLB to bring up some of the younger players earlier rather than later. I don't see how bringing him up could be a negative experience unless he is mentally weak or something, which I doubt.

 

Agreed - i don't see the downside. The Corey situation didn't work because they assumed he was majors-ready before he was, and they stuck him up here everyday before he could handle it. We're talking about a few weeks in the majors with Jeff. He'd come in for a few mopup situations, and get that taste of the bigs before starting next year back in the minors. And if he's too mentally weak to handle a cup of coffee, you can forget about a decent pro career.

[Electron Blue]

Well I'm glad we're not rushing him.

 

do you really think this could have a negative effect, though? I don't see it.

 

I think it just feeds the irrational and unhealthy fan attention to the situation. The guy has a long way to go before he'll be able to help the team. Yet with the huge contract, unjustified promotion already this year, and a potential call-up, fans are going to be expecting him to start next year in Wrigley and be good. We've already seen how little patience people have with other young players, there's no need to throw-in the added burden of expectations that a September call-up would bring.

 

but no negative effect on Jeff's development or roster status/clock? That's what I think of when I hear a prospect is "rushed."

 

Bringing him to the majors is rushing him. Exposing him to major league hitters, when he's barely even able to handle minor leaguers, and has very little experience, could easily have a negative effect. It's not just about the mechanics of options and roster status.

 

You never really explain the answer to my question: where is this negative effect? You insist that he is actually being "rushed," but don't explain the downside. You say he can't handle ML hitters and lacks Experience, but he doesn't need to be a shut-down ace reliever. For all we know, he'll play the Scott Eyre role of a few weeks ago, only appearing in decided games.

 

Do you think he cannot mentally handle the cup of coffee? I'd like to hear that explained.

[Brian]

I don't think it would be too bad if he just spent some time with the team, and throws some side sessions for Larry so he can see how he has come since ST and perhaps help him with his secondary pitches.

 

The guy, though paid handsomely, sacrificed a lot to be a Cub, giving him a little time with the big league club could be a thank you to him. I don't think this is a situation where they want to call him up and ask him to hold a tight game or start a game.

[abuck1220]

 

What I mean by "little intangibles" (and this is just my opinion) is Smidj's appearance and his past history. Jeff S. is a big guy, wears his hair long and has a swagger. The fact that as a Senior wide receiver on the Notre Dame football team, he was being considered as one of the top picks in the draft. He just brings a lot to the table. Even though he would only be a rookie, I think his presence would be very uplifting for the team.

 

wow.

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't think it would be too bad if he just spent some time with the team, and throws some side sessions for Larry so he can see how he has come since ST and perhaps help him with his secondary pitches.

 

The guy, though paid handsomely, sacrificed a lot to be a Cub, giving him a little time with the big league club could be a thank you to him. I don't think this is a situation where they want to call him up and ask him to hold a tight game or start a game.

 

The outlandish contract was thank you enough. He doesn't deserve a promotion. Make him earn it through performance.

[Electron Blue]

 

What I mean by "little intangibles" (and this is just my opinion) is Smidj's appearance and his past history. Jeff S. is a big guy, wears his hair long and has a swagger. The fact that as a Senior wide receiver on the Notre Dame football team, he was being considered as one of the top picks in the draft. He just brings a lot to the table. Even though he would only be a rookie, I think his presence would be very uplifting for the team.

 

wow.

 

if only a drove a motorcycle and had a tattoo. boy, then he'd have some attitude this team could use...

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Smidj? please don't

[Soul]

Isn't this a little soon? Who would he be replacing anyway?

[YearofDaCubs]

Isn't this a little soon? Who would he be replacing anyway?

I don't think anybody, he would be a call up.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Isn't this a little soon? Who would he be replacing anyway?

 

nobody - he's already on the 40

[Soul]

Isn't this a little soon? Who would he be replacing anyway?

I don't think anybody, he would be a call up.

 

Sorry, I mean in terms of reps. Only so many innings that can be pitched. Who would get fewer appearances in favor of Sam...

[CubColtPacer]

Isn't this a little soon? Who would he be replacing anyway?

I don't think anybody, he would be a call up.

 

Sorry, I mean in terms of reps. Only so many innings that can be pitched. Who would get fewer appearances in favor of Sam...

 

My guess is that he would only get time in blowouts, so he would just keep the relievers that the Cubs might need for the playoffs from racking up innings.

[radarluv1]

how big are the active rosters in september? are guys not on the 40 man eligible?

 

i dont see a big reason to not have him just hanging out, working out with some veterans for a month. as long as lou wont be playing with a short squad because of it.

[jersey cubs fan]

Isn't this a little soon? Who would he be replacing anyway?

I don't think anybody, he would be a call up.

 

Sorry, I mean in terms of reps. Only so many innings that can be pitched. Who would get fewer appearances in favor of Sam...

 

My guess is that he would only get time in blowouts, so he would just keep the relievers that the Cubs might need for the playoffs from racking up innings.

 

Let Gallagher and Co. handle that duty.

[jersey cubs fan]

how big are the active rosters in september? are guys not on the 40 man eligible?

 

i dont see a big reason to not have him just hanging out, working out with some veterans for a month. as long as lou wont be playing with a short squad because of it.

 

Your active roster can expand to the size of the 40 man. Generally teams only call up a handful of guys, like an extra catcher and a reliever or two.

[Soul]

I suppose his season is over at that point and he wouldn't get on the field much (presumably).

 

'Course with this team and this season, you never know.

[SouthSideRyan]

I mentioned it in the minor league thread, but it bears repeating. Samardzija is the worst(in terms of what he could do in the majors tomorrow) pitcher on the 40 man roster. There is no reason for him to be getting innings over the others.

[Rob]

There's no harm in calling him up in case a game goes 30 innings, or we need a pinch runner. You just have to trust Lou to use him right... and... uh... well, nevermind then.

[Balsa]

Why? This is a horrible idea. Just when the kid was tasting success at the minor league level?

 

He's on the Corey Patterson track.

[NCCubFan]

Why? This is a horrible idea. Just when the kid was tasting success at the minor league level?

 

He's on the Corey Patterson track.

Not really. Patterson was called up during the minor league season, so he lost development time by sitting on the bench in Chicago. By the time Smardz is called up the minor league season will be over, so he won't be missing out on any development time.

[biittner77]

Why? This is a horrible idea. Just when the kid was tasting success at the minor league level?

 

He's on the Corey Patterson track.

Not really. Patterson was called up during the minor league season, so he lost development time by sitting on the bench in Chicago. By the time Smardz is called up the minor league season will be over, so he won't be missing out on any development time.

 

The Cubs are likely to call up all the guys that have already gotten the call this year:

 

Ohman, Petrick, Gallagher, Cherry, Cotts and Rapada (in approx. that order)

 

Soto, Fox and Patterson

 

That's already a lot of players.

 

If they do call him up I doubt he gets more than one appearance, maybe 2 if the race is over and its the last day of the season. That's probably not going to hurt him nor will it help him very much.

[TheDude]

Well I'm glad we're not rushing him.

 

do you really think this could have a negative effect, though? I don't see it.

 

I think it just feeds the irrational and unhealthy fan attention to the situation. The guy has a long way to go before he'll be able to help the team. Yet with the huge contract, unjustified promotion already this year, and a potential call-up, fans are going to be expecting him to start next year in Wrigley and be good. We've already seen how little patience people have with other young players, there's no need to throw-in the added burden of expectations that a September call-up would bring.

 

Generally speaking I think you are right, but this kid is probably an exception. He played college football at Notre Dame as a star player. I don't think fan burden from a September call-up will get to this kid the same as any other pitcher. He's already been exposed to more pressure than he might ever see in his baseball career.

[CubColtPacer]

Why? This is a horrible idea. Just when the kid was tasting success at the minor league level?

 

He's on the Corey Patterson track.

Not really. Patterson was called up during the minor league season, so he lost development time by sitting on the bench in Chicago. By the time Smardz is called up the minor league season will be over, so he won't be missing out on any development time.

 

The Cubs are likely to call up all the guys that have already gotten the call this year:

 

Ohman, Petrick, Gallagher, Cherry, Cotts and Rapada (in approx. that order)

 

Soto, Fox and Patterson

 

That's already a lot of players.

 

If they do call him up I doubt he gets more than one appearance, maybe 2 if the race is over and its the last day of the season. That's probably not going to hurt him nor will it help him very much.

 

Fox is on the major league roster already, but other then that I agree with you. I could also see them calling up Moore. I especially agree with the last sentence-no matter if they call him up or not, it's not going to end up mattering much at all.