We Want a Pitcher, Not a Belly Itcher...

[BigbadB]

I think a lot of people are writing off Marshall because there's already 2 solid lefties in the rotation and a third is a bit redundant. It has sounded like Hendry would like to package Marshall all offseason for some offense, and I don't have a problem with that. If the season started tomorrow, I would hope that Gallagher won the 5th starter's job. I'd rather NOT see Dempster in there.

[CuseCubFan69]

I think some people are taking wanting antoher pitcher the wrong way. Sure, Marshall, Gallagher, Hart, etc. are all capable of being slotted in the rotation. The problem is not all those guys can be slotted in the rotation, because 4 spots are taken by Zambrano, Lilly, Hill, Marquis. It basically becomes a preference of sitting 3-4 guys down in AAA, when you can trade 1-2 of them and improve your major league team.

 

The Cubs have several prospects, although not great, who are ready to be on a 25-man roster somewhere. Why not trade some of that depth, that won't have a spot on the Cubs veteran laden roster anyway?

 

What player do you think 2 of those guys could get the Cubs that could help the team get better?

 

I'm not talking about trading just pitchers, but I think the guys that have been mentioned (Burnett, Greinke, Blanton) can all be had for any combination of Gallagher, Marshall, Hart, Veal, Holliman, Patterson, Murton, Cedeno, Petrick, etc.....all of whom are probably ML ready, but have not significant place on the Cubs roster.

 

I see as those 3 you mentioned would definitely help the Cubs as well. I'm still a little uncomfortable with a Soto, Pie and Theriot 6,7, and 8 unless Hendry puts Murton in right and Fukedome in CF. I don't want to make the thread go off tangent but I think these holes should be fixed first. I think Soto will be fine but counting on him being a 280/340 15 Hr guy may be too much and if the other 2 fail also, it might force Hendry to make a poor decision and this is why I'd rather have him make it now.

[justlikethecubs]

I think some people are taking wanting antoher pitcher the wrong way. Sure, Marshall, Gallagher, Hart, etc. are all capable of being slotted in the rotation. The problem is not all those guys can be slotted in the rotation, because 4 spots are taken by Zambrano, Lilly, Hill, Marquis. It basically becomes a preference of sitting 3-4 guys down in AAA, when you can trade 1-2 of them and improve your major league team.

 

The Cubs have several prospects, although not great, who are ready to be on a 25-man roster somewhere. Why not trade some of that depth, that won't have a spot on the Cubs veteran laden roster anyway?

 

What player do you think 2 of those guys could get the Cubs that could help the team get better?

 

I'm not talking about trading just pitchers, but I think the guys that have been mentioned (Burnett, Greinke, Blanton) can all be had for any combination of Gallagher, Marshall, Hart, Veal, Holliman, Patterson, Murton, Cedeno, Petrick, etc.....all of whom are probably ML ready, but have not significant place on the Cubs roster.

 

I see as those 3 you mentioned would definitely help the Cubs as well. I'm still a little uncomfortable with a Soto, Pie and Theriot 6,7, and 8 unless Hendry puts Murton in right and Fukedome in CF. I don't want to make the thread go off tangent but I think these holes should be fixed first. I think Soto will be fine but counting on him being a 280/340 15 Hr guy may be too much and if the other 2 fail also, it might force Hendry to make a poor decision and this is why I'd rather have him make it now.

 

I'm really not so worried about the lineup at this point. If Pie struggles some changes could be made, same with Theriot. Will Lou make them, who knows. Cedeno perhaps getting a chance or using Murton in RF and Fukudome in CF. The problem with trading for anyone to fil those holes is that Hendry doesn't really seem interested in doing that. He's not really looked for a CF or a SS. I know everybody wants Greene but we dont even know if he is available or if we have what the Padres would ask for. There does seem to be plenty of pitching available so if I can't upgrade my lineup, then I would def look at upgrading the rotation if it means getting someone better then our in house options at 4 and 5. Otherwise, I might fill out the bench and call it an offseason. See what becomes available during the season.

[CuseCubFan69]

Is it possible the Cubs might move Wood to a starting spot if they acquired Nathan? Have you guys heard anything that has been said about him moving to the rotation or not?

[justlikethecubs]

Is it possible the Cubs might move Wood to a starting spot if they acquired Nathan? Have you guys heard anything that has been said about him moving to the rotation or not?

 

It would be a gamble, but Wood has said in the past that he would like to start. I haven't heard anything recently about it. In fact, the last quote I heard, I'm not sure if it was Lou or Hendry that said Wood be in the hunt for the closers job in spring training. If they get Nathan, who knows what they are thinking.

[jersey cubs fan]

Is it possible the Cubs might move Wood to a starting spot if they acquired Nathan? Have you guys heard anything that has been said about him moving to the rotation or not?

 

It would be a gamble, but Wood has said in the past that he would like to start. .

 

Wood has said repeatedly that he is a reliever now, and he will be a reliever at least for the immediate future. I see zero chance of him moving to the rotation until, at the very least, he's gone several months of showing he can put up significant innings without being hurt.

[CuseCubFan69]

Is it possible the Cubs might move Wood to a starting spot if they acquired Nathan? Have you guys heard anything that has been said about him moving to the rotation or not?

 

It would be a gamble, but Wood has said in the past that he would like to start. .

 

Wood has said repeatedly that he is a reliever now, and he will be a reliever at least for the immediate future. I see zero chance of him moving to the rotation until, at the very least, he's gone several months of showing he can put up significant innings without being hurt.

 

Is that how he feels? I agree with what you said and I wonder if he feels good in July, if he would change his mind or be content on staying in the pen. As we've seen before, a heck of a lot of things can happen from now to July and if an injury opens a spot and the Cubs can't fill it internally from the minors, I wonder if he'd move (or volunteer) to go to the rotation.

[craig]

Of the tradeable parts, I think Murton and Marshall are the two players who both could have meaningful trade value but are really redundant. Murton has been a good major-league hitter, but his defensive limitations really restrict him to LF/DH, maybe a little RF. Sori and Fuku, he's completely redundant to us. But to some team with a hole in left, or an AL team with some DH/LF openings, he could be viewed as a very meaningful pickup. Imagine if we'd picked up somebody like that for left the year we went with Hollandsworth instead? We'd have been super fired up to get a fairly high-ceiling hitter like Murton.

 

Marshall is young, lefty, and posted a 3.92. I can imagine a lot of years when Cubs were always fishing for some token lefty where I'd have been extremely enthused to pickup a low-salaried has-been-effective young lefty like Marshall. But as a 3rd lefty curveballer behind Lilly and Hill, both of whom are under long-term club control, Marshall really does stack as reasonable quality but completely surplus to us.

 

If I was going to trade two youngish value guys, those are the two I'd think would have the best combo of meaningful-value-that-we-wouldn't-miss.

 

Dempster is on an expiring contract, and Marquis is "only" two years left, and is on shaky ground. So that's one or two RH rotation spots that could open in the next year and two. So if we could keep both Gallagher and Hart as candidates, I'd like that. Maybe one or both will never make it. But if they do continue to emerge as quality rotation candidates, it's not like the Cubs might not be able to put them to very good use within the next couple of years.

[jersey cubs fan]

Is that how he feels? I agree with what you said and I wonder if he feels good in July, if he would change his mind or be content on staying in the pen. As we've seen before, a heck of a lot of things can happen from now to July and if an injury opens a spot and the Cubs can't fill it internally from the minors, I wonder if he'd move (or volunteer) to go to the rotation.

 

A lot could happen, but that's very likely not enough time to stretch him out into starting. When was the last time he even pitched 5 innings? I'm sure he'd love to start one day, but I can't imagine that day being in 2008.

[justlikethecubs]

Is it possible the Cubs might move Wood to a starting spot if they acquired Nathan? Have you guys heard anything that has been said about him moving to the rotation or not?

 

It would be a gamble, but Wood has said in the past that he would like to start. .

 

Wood has said repeatedly that he is a reliever now, and he will be a reliever at least for the immediate future. I see zero chance of him moving to the rotation until, at the very least, he's gone several months of showing he can put up significant innings without being hurt.

 

I know recently he has said he was a reliever, but I thought late in the year or right after it ended there was mention of him talking about wanting to start. I'd search but it's really not all the important to me as I don't think he should start until at least '09. That's if he is able to pitch all of '08 without any troubles. I think Wood is well suited for the closer role.

[UK1679666180]

I think some people are taking wanting antoher pitcher the wrong way. Sure, Marshall, Gallagher, Hart, etc. are all capable of being slotted in the rotation. The problem is not all those guys can be slotted in the rotation, because 4 spots are taken by Zambrano, Lilly, Hill, Marquis. It basically becomes a preference of sitting 3-4 guys down in AAA, when you can trade 1-2 of them and improve your major league team.

 

The Cubs have several prospects, although not great, who are ready to be on a 25-man roster somewhere. Why not trade some of that depth, that won't have a spot on the Cubs veteran laden roster anyway?

 

I think they will, but to get some of the names already mentioned it'll likely take more.

 

I would expect something more along the lines of the Ryu trade last year for a prospect in the A/AA range (Reinhard) rather than trading Marshall and others to upgrade the last spot in the rotation.

 

Obviously Marshall/Hart/Gallagher have more value than Ryu but I would expect if there's a numbers crunch and they feel confident with their 25 man roster they could trade one of these guys for a prospect not approaching Rule 5 status soon.

[craig]

...I would expect something more along the lines of the Ryu trade last year for a prospect in the A/AA range (Reinhard) rather than trading Marshall and others to upgrade the last spot in the rotation.

 

Obviously Marshall/Hart/Gallagher have more value than Ryu but I would expect if there's a numbers crunch and they feel confident with their 25 man roster they could trade one of these guys for a prospect not approaching Rule 5 status soon.

 

Marshall/Hart/Gallagher all have lots of options ahead, I think at least two years left for each of them. (Not sure on Marshall). We have no 40-man pressure. (I think that's what kicked Ryu?). So unless Hendry can trade them for big-league help now or for some younger prospect who he's **really** jazzed about, I think all three stay.

 

No numbers crunch at all. Depending on injuries or competition, one or two might make the team. But even if they don't, no problem to send all three to Iowa and be available. For summer trade, for injury replacement, for Marquis or Dempster collapse, for a lefty utility pitcher (Marshall), for relief help, whatever. No problem keeping them all. And it's not like we're crawling with superior pitching prospects who are passing them.

 

Right now I'm not sure which of the three would be the best bet if we wanted to put one in the rotation. But by next May or July if/when a need arises, if they are all working at Iowa, it may be quite clear which is the best bet. Is Marshall's shoulder sound? Can he really sustain success with his stuff? Gallagher is young and has improved continuously; will he continue to improve, and will he have settled into exactly which breaking ball(s) he's really going to win with, and will they be sharper and more consistent? Was hart just a short-term fluke? Or will his cutter be better than ever, his change a little better, and he'll show that his september and last months in AA/AAA were no fluke?

 

right now I'm not sure which of those three I'd like to sink or swim with in the rotation. But I'm pretty hopeful that whichever one emerges as the best, that he's got a chance to be pretty good. By next July, we might be much more confident about all of them but especially the best of the three, whichever guy that might be.

[hardcorecubfan]

A few names in free agency include Livian Hernandez, Bartolo Colon, Jon Lieber, and Matt Clement.

 

None of those sound too hot, so a trade would likely be the only way to acquire someone.

 

Of course, if what I hear about Clement maybe having to accept a minor league contract, I'd love to try to be the team that gets him on the cheap.

 

 

what type of health report does Lieber or Clement have? colon needs to lose a lot of weight. Livian needs a new head.

[XZero771679666304]

So the word is that the Twins would want Marmol in any deal for Nathan.

 

I don't know about anyone else, but I'd trade Marmol and others for Nathan without much thought.

[jersey cubs fan]

So the word is that the Twins would want Marmol in any deal for Nathan.

 

I don't know about anyone else, but I'd trade Marmol and others for Nathan without much thought.

 

If I'm trading Marmol, I want something more than another reliever who is going to cost $40-50 million next year.

[XZero771679666304]

So the word is that the Twins would want Marmol in any deal for Nathan.

 

I don't know about anyone else, but I'd trade Marmol and others for Nathan without much thought.

 

If I'm trading Marmol, I want something more than another reliever who is going to cost $40-50 million next year.

 

 

If I felt comfortable that Carlos would still have his right arm intact by the end of 2008, I would agree.

[JeffH]

My suggestion:

 

Bedard to the Twins

 

Nathan and Roberts to the Cubs

 

Slowey, Pie, Gallagher, Cedeno/Theriot, Murton/Patterson, Petrick/Roquet to the Orioles

 

This is what's known as "a slow news day"...

[badnews]

I don't know about anyone else, but I'd trade Marmol and others for Nathan without much thought.

 

Yeah, there's no way I would do that. If you want to trade Marmol use him to get a shortstop or some position of actual need.

 

I think someone else pointed out that these big time relievers who come to Wrigley from domes always struggle with us. I have no idea if that's true, but they pointed out LaTroy Hawkins from the Twins and Dave Smith from the Astrodome. That could be wrong, I haven't researched it, just what someone else posted.

 

Oh yeah, how old was "Everyday Eddie" before the Twins cut line with him and he crapped out? It reminds me of that Mike and Mike commercial where one of the Mikes says "You went with the wide receiver with the attitude problem?" Nathan is more flash and sizzle than actual helping us win, especially if you subtract Marmol "and others" and then add in his salary.

 

Flame away but if we're trading Marmol I'd rather get a shortstop back then a Joe Nathan.

[Backtobanks]

My suggestion:

 

Bedard to the Twins

Nathan and Roberts to the Cubs

 

Slowey, Pie, Gallagher, Cedeno/Theriot, Murton/Patterson, Petrick/Roquet to the Orioles

 

This is what's known as "a slow news day"...

 

The Twins don't have the money for Bedard.

[JeffH]

My suggestion:

 

Bedard to the Twins

Nathan and Roberts to the Cubs

 

Slowey, Pie, Gallagher, Cedeno/Theriot, Murton/Patterson, Petrick/Roquet to the Orioles

 

This is what's known as "a slow news day"...

 

The Twins don't have the money for Bedard.

 

Is he going to make much more money than Nathan next year?

[BigbadB]

The Twins offered Santana a pretty enormous deal that he rejected. I'd say the Twins have some spending cash once they move Santana.

[JeffH]

Just keep Santana for 2008. Add Bedard. Install Neshak as the closer.

 

Might be able to make some noise.

[RammyFanny]

So the word is that the Twins would want Marmol in any deal for Nathan.

 

I don't know about anyone else, but I'd trade Marmol and others for Nathan without much thought.

 

If I'm trading Marmol, I want something more than another reliever who is going to cost $40-50 million next year.

 

 

If I felt comfortable that Carlos would still have his right arm intact by the end of 2008, I would agree.

If I felt comfortable that Nathan owned a time machine to become young again, I would agree.

[Guest]

BTW, isn't Guzman out for like 10 years?

 

Outside chance of getting back in Sept but rehab and everything should probably make him miss 2008.

[Backtobanks]

Just keep Santana for 2008. Add Bedard. Install Neshak as the closer.

 

Might be able to make some noise.

 

Not in the AL Central. The Tigers and Indians are way ahead of the Twins who are miles ahead of the White Sox and Royals.