Playoff Roster Updates

[Guest]

Probably a dumb question but can people left off the 25-man roster still travel with the team. You know for emotional support or whatnot. I couldn't imagine what Theriot would do if Fontenot was left off the roster.

 

Yes, they can. Corey Patterson and HSC were in the dugout in 2003.

 

Anyways, Fontenot made the playoff roster.

[badger1679666666]

Probably a dumb question but can people left off the 25-man roster still travel with the team. You know for emotional support or whatnot. I couldn't imagine what Theriot would do if Fontenot was left off the roster.

 

Yes, they can. Corey Patterson and HSC were in the dugout in 2003.

 

Anyways, Fontenot made the playoff roster.

 

Petition for Prior to hang out with Wood in the bullpen.....

[CubColtPacer]

marshall is getting stretched out in az in case we make it to the nlcs

 

where did you get this?

 

If so, it shows Lou's foresight as well.

 

Thank god for Lou. Could you imagine this roster with Dusty?

 

It's in Paul Sullivan's blog that was posted in the game thread. Here is the quote about it:

 

"I think we're going to try and stretch Marshall out in Instructional League," Hendry said, referring to the Cubs facility in nearby Mesa. "If we're fortunate enough to go to 7-game series after this, he could be bigger factor in this."

 

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2007/10/october-surpris.html

[NYF]

If Trachsel gets a ring that will be as bad as Lenny Harris getting one

 

 

if ANY Cub gets a ring this year, I will hardly complain, let alone vilify Marquis. like it or not, Marquis helped get you to this point. he deserves a spot on the roster, as others have said. is he good? no. but he paid his dues early on this year. Marquis picked up the slack for 'bad Z' early on. how quickly we forget...

[Guest]

If Trachsel gets a ring that will be as bad as Lenny Harris getting one

 

 

if ANY Cub gets a ring this year, I will hardly complain, let alone vilify Marquis. like it or not, Marquis helped get you to this point. he deserves a spot on the roster, as others have said. is he good? no. but he paid his dues early on this year. Marquis picked up the slack for 'bad Z' early on. how quickly we forget...

 

he pitched some good ballgames. I don't want him out there due to his capacity to take you out of a game very quickly when he is bad.

[davearm]

If Trachsel gets a ring that will be as bad as Lenny Harris getting one

 

 

if ANY Cub gets a ring this year, I will hardly complain, let alone vilify Marquis. like it or not, Marquis helped get you to this point. he deserves a spot on the roster, as others have said. is he good? no. but he paid his dues early on this year. Marquis picked up the slack for 'bad Z' early on. how quickly we forget...

 

he pitched some good ballgames. I don't want him out there due to his capacity to take you out of a game very quickly when he is bad.

We're talking about Marquis, not Zambrano.

[Rob]

If Trachsel gets a ring that will be as bad as Lenny Harris getting one

 

 

if ANY Cub gets a ring this year, I will hardly complain, let alone vilify Marquis. like it or not, Marquis helped get you to this point. he deserves a spot on the roster, as others have said. is he good? no. but he paid his dues early on this year. Marquis picked up the slack for 'bad Z' early on. how quickly we forget...

 

Marquis hasn't done anything since May. Yeah, overall he's been a decent help in getting us to where we are, but by no means does that make him the best choice of a roster spot for the playoffs. Monroe, Marshall, and even Ohman would probably end up coming in handy much moreso than Marquis will this series.

[marc_foust]

Anyone think Marquis' bat has anything to do with the situation?

[brinoch]

It's a good roster, and BP is right about the bench. It's very solid.

 

Realistically, you absolutely need a 4th starter just in case Zambrano goes long in Game 1, doesn't feel ready for Game 4, there's a long extra inning game, or someone gets injured -- whatever. You can argue that perhaps Marshall should be on the roster over Marquis, and you might be right, but it's not a clear-cut call. I suspect that perhaps the preference for the veteran over the rookie made an appearance here.

 

As for Fontenot, he's an extra MI, which gives maximum flexibility. You don't need 6 OF's, and there's no way you're going to go into a playoff series with only one extra infielder (not counting Ward, who is primarily a PH). Moreover, this gives Lou the ability to PH, PR or double switch and have a competent replacement on hand. I'm not happy with Fontenot's approach of late (who is?), but he's the right choice to ensure that Lou has the in-game flexibility he needs.

 

Monroe, on the other hand, gives nothing off the bench that Murton doesn't do better. While I'm not a huge fan of Jones against lefties, if there's not a capable right-handed CF to allow for a platoon, then Jones is the best option. And Monroe is a butcher out there, and not what I would call capable.

 

I think this is the right series of calls by Lou and Jim, and I applaud their rational, realistic, and logical approach to constructing the playoff roster.

[CubmanPi]

Monroe, on the other hand, gives nothing off the bench that Murton doesn't do better. While I'm not a huge fan of Jones against lefties, if there's not a capable right-handed CF to allow for a platoon, then Jones is the best option. And Monroe is a butcher out there, and not what I would call capable.

Their ability to leave Monroe off the roster, despite the fact that he was brought in to hit LHP and the rest of the team had so much trouble doing so, was very pleasing to see. That, coupled with this quote from Hendry on the cubs.com article show a pleasant ability to stray from tired conventional wisdom in favor of reality. At least it gives more hope that crap like using Remlinger for the lefty-lefty advantage won't happen.

 

"Our right-handed guys in the 'pen have great numbers against lefties," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said. "Wuertz gets lefties out, Howry gets lefties out, Marmol gets everybody out, so you don't have to match up left and right."

 

Plus, I'm glad Cedeno made the team. I applaud Lou and JH as well for this roster, Marquis and all.

[BCVM22]

Anyone think Marquis' bat has anything to do with the situation?

 

Sort of. I could see Marquis being used in a multi-utility role of sorts, given that he could pinch hit for purposes of laying down a bunt or pinch run for one of the slower hitters without burning a dedicated position player. With him not in the rotation, though, I'd have to wonder if they'd burn him for one of those purposes if it wasn't immediately followed by him entering the game to pitch.

[mhuber92211]

Guys, despite the dislike for Marquis he is not as bad as he is made out to be. He is just this year's whipping boy ala Neifi, Estes, Harris et. al before him. If he were left off it would be as big as a story as Colon & Wakefield being left off.

 

I don't want this to end up as a thread out of control going back and forth about how Marquis is good or bad. The real point that is rolling around in my head is the fact that Hart made the team but Ohman & Marshall did not. Marshall was compared to Hill for much of the year and had a very solid run in the middle of the season. Perhaps the speculation of him having a tired arm (hence the Trachsel move) had some validity to it.

 

The other note on all of this Lou lovefest is Hendry. Look at how he has "matured" this season. Any other season and the Cubs would end up with Monroe & Trachsel on the roster if only because Hendry acquired him midseason. To be left off the roster is a big sign proving that Hendry understands what is best for the team and knows that his moves, while useful at the time, doesn't mean that there are better decisions out there later. That is a sure sign of ego being checked at the door.

 

Despite the Chemistry debate, undeniable fact is that there is something to say about a team "geling: and playing together. Leading by example is a good start and the fact that ego was checked at the door with management and the players saying all the right things in the heat of celebration, this team could be special.

[Peoriaman]

Guys, despite the dislike for Marquis he is not as bad as he is made out to be. He is just this year's whipping boy ala Neifi, Estes, Harris et. al before him. If he were left off it would be as big as a story as Colon & Wakefield being left off.

 

I don't want this to end up as a thread out of control going back and forth about how Marquis is good or bad. The real point that is rolling around in my head is the fact that Hart made the team but Ohman & Marshall did not. Marshall was compared to Hill for much of the year and had a very solid run in the middle of the season. Perhaps the speculation of him having a tired arm (hence the Trachsel move) had some validity to it.

 

The other note on all of this Lou lovefest is Hendry. Look at how he has "matured" this season. Any other season and the Cubs would end up with Monroe & Trachsel on the roster if only because Hendry acquired him midseason. To be left off the roster is a big sign proving that Hendry understands what is best for the team and knows that his moves, while useful at the time, doesn't mean that there are better decisions out there later. That is a sure sign of ego being checked at the door.

 

Despite the Chemistry debate, undeniable fact is that there is something to say about a team "geling: and playing together. Leading by example is a good start and the fact that ego was checked at the door with management and the players saying all the right things in the heat of celebration, this team could be special.

 

 

hear, hear.

[soapy]

very pleased with the roster, and the news that Soto will start tonight. I might have taken Monroe over Fontenot, but i don't feel too strongly either way.

 

i think having Marquis on the roster is the right move. a starter could go down; Lou could change his mind about game 4; they could end up in a marathon game; whatever. he'll only be used in an emergency, so i think it's a good call; especially if Marshall is in fact stretching out for a potential NLCS.

 

no complaints about the roster at all, and I'm pleased to see Lou go with a couple of "younger" guys at a key time (especially Soto). also, I'm personally happy for Hart and Cedeno.

[C.C.]

very pleased with the roster, and the news that Soto will start tonight. I might have taken Monroe over Fontenot, but i don't feel too strongly either way.

 

i think having Marquis on the roster is the right move. a starter could go down; Lou could change his mind about game 4; they could end up in a marathon game; whatever. he'll only be used in an emergency, so i think it's a good call; especially if Marshall is in fact stretching out for a potential NLCS.

 

no complaints about the roster at all, and I'm pleased to see Lou go with a couple of "younger" guys at a key time (especially Soto). also, I'm personally happy for Hart and Cedeno.

 

I agree. I don't get all the Marquis crying?

[Brendan]

i don't think there was any way marshall was going to make the roster after pitching, like, 2/3rds of an inning in september. and i'm assuming fontenot's on just to give another lh bat off the bench

[rawaction]

Fontenot would be an interesting start tonight. Unfortunately, it would have to come at the expense of DeRosa, which I don't want him sitting. I wish DeRosa could play a good enough SS to be put there in matchups like this with a tough RH on the mound.

[soapy]

Fontenot would be an interesting start tonight. Unfortunately, it would have to come at the expense of DeRosa, which I don't want him sitting. I wish DeRosa could play a good enough SS to be put there in matchups like this with a tough RH on the mound.

 

being able to use either Fontenot or DeRosa at SS would be great. it would be nice to be able to play some matchup if necessary.

[Banedon]

Guys, despite the dislike for Marquis he is not as bad as he is made out to be. He is just this year's whipping boy ala Neifi, Estes, Harris et. al before him. If he were left off it would be as big as a story as Colon & Wakefield being left off.

 

I don't want this to end up as a thread out of control going back and forth about how Marquis is good or bad. The real point that is rolling around in my head is the fact that Hart made the team but Ohman & Marshall did not. Marshall was compared to Hill for much of the year and had a very solid run in the middle of the season. Perhaps the speculation of him having a tired arm (hence the Trachsel move) had some validity to it.

 

As someone said before, Marshall is being stretched out in case there's a 7 game series, so that to me sounds like they don't want to use Marquis as a starter even then. Truth be told, I think Lou has lost all faith in Marquis, but they don't feel like Marshall is stretched out after having sat for the last month. So Marquis is a bit of an insurance policy in cast of a starting pitching disaster, and that's fine.

 

But Marquis was left off the Cardinal roster last year...so it's not like it would be some unprecedented move.

[Guest]

Edit: If you want to keep this in the press conference thread, then move it there I guess

 

Monroe, Blanco, Marshall, Ohman, Trachsel out

 

Fontenot, Cedeno, Pie, Murton, Ward in

 

Soto to catch game 1.

 

Live on Comcast

 

So amazingly awesome that Ohman is not on the roster. He makes me the most nervous of any of the guys in the pen.

[Guest]

Ideally, we'd cut Marquis in favor of Monroe or Ohman... or even Marshall. But it's not a big deal. Good to see Cedeno make the roster... much less excited about Fontenot.

 

You would really prefer Ohman over Marquis? I understand Marshall over Marquis but Ohman?

[witty alias]

I'm just glad Lou left Tom Bergmeier off the roster.

[TheDude]

Nice 25-man. I really think the Cubs have the most balanced team in the NL playoffs.

[Fro]

Marquis makes perfect sense on the roster as he's stretched out, he can be the emergency starter, and he can pinch run and save a real bench player.

[Guest]

At Instructs today:

 

Sean Marshall: 5 IP, 1 R, 10 H, 4 K/1 BB, 8 GO-1 FO, 71 pitches (48 strikes)

Will Ohman: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 K/0 BB, 1 GO-1 FO, 9 pitches (7 strikes)