Re: Cubs on verge of signing Lieber

[XZero771679666304]

I'm disappointed at the lack of news concerning the poss. of Gallagher and Hart having a legit chance at winning a spot in the rotation compared to Marquis/Dempster/Lieber

 

Moreso Gallagher, since Hart I think would be better in the pen as well as Gallagher having a higher ceiling than Hart as well as Gallagher likely to equal them next year and surpass them in the future.

 

 

I am reserving judgment on this point until the end of the offseason. If Marquis and/or Dempster are traded, then there could still be a slot for Gallagher.

[UK1679666180]

I'm disappointed at the lack of news concerning the poss. of Gallagher and Hart having a legit chance at winning a spot in the rotation compared to Marquis/Dempster/Lieber

 

Moreso Gallagher, since Hart I think would be better in the pen as well as Gallagher having a higher ceiling than Hart as well as Gallagher likely to equal them next year and surpass them in the future.

 

 

I am reserving judgment on this point until the end of the offseason. If Marquis and/or Dempster are traded, then there could still be a slot for Gallagher.

 

Why? We're hearing Dempster being talked about, now Lieber is signed, Marquis is still up in the air. Still pretty quiet about the rooks.

 

I'm hoping that that both Seans and Kevin have been told privately that their hard work over the off-season (hopefully Marshall getting stronger and Gallagher cont. his off-season conditioning) can be rewarded with a verbal commit. from the Cubs that they'll be given a shot.

[XZero771679666304]

I'm disappointed at the lack of news concerning the poss. of Gallagher and Hart having a legit chance at winning a spot in the rotation compared to Marquis/Dempster/Lieber

 

Moreso Gallagher, since Hart I think would be better in the pen as well as Gallagher having a higher ceiling than Hart as well as Gallagher likely to equal them next year and surpass them in the future.

 

 

I am reserving judgment on this point until the end of the offseason. If Marquis and/or Dempster are traded, then there could still be a slot for Gallagher.

 

Why? We're hearing Dempster being talked about, now Lieber is signed, Marquis is still up in the air. Still pretty quiet about the rooks.

 

I'm hoping that that both Seans and Kevin have been told privately that their hard work over the off-season (hopefully Marshall getting stronger and Gallagher cont. his off-season conditioning) can be rewarded with a verbal commit. from the Cubs that they'll be given a shot.

 

I have a suspicion that the talk of Dempster to the rotation was simply to drive up his trade value. I have no tangible reason to think this, but I don't think there was ever any real intent to give Ryan a slot.

 

As for Marquis, it may just be wishful thinking. But Lou seemed awfully put out with him at the end of the season, so there may be some impetus to move him out.

 

Also, if any trades happen, I think one or two of Marshall, Gallagher and Hart will likely be moving out, cutting down the number of slighted youngsters. I can only hope Gallagher would be the one left.

[CubColtPacer]

I'm disappointed at the lack of news concerning the poss. of Gallagher and Hart having a legit chance at winning a spot in the rotation compared to Marquis/Dempster/Lieber

 

Moreso Gallagher, since Hart I think would be better in the pen as well as Gallagher having a higher ceiling than Hart as well as Gallagher likely to equal them next year and surpass them in the future.

 

 

I am reserving judgment on this point until the end of the offseason. If Marquis and/or Dempster are traded, then there could still be a slot for Gallagher.

 

Why? We're hearing Dempster being talked about, now Lieber is signed, Marquis is still up in the air. Still pretty quiet about the rooks.

 

I'm hoping that that both Seans and Kevin have been told privately that their hard work over the off-season (hopefully Marshall getting stronger and Gallagher cont. his off-season conditioning) can be rewarded with a verbal commit. from the Cubs that they'll be given a shot.

 

It seems like Hart has been dismissed from the rotation talk. Everything I've read today from multiple places indicates that the Cubs see him as the long reliever to open 2008. Gallagher doesn't get a mention other than saying he's a rotation candidate.

[Soul]

When they toss Marquis/Lieber/Dempster out there and they get clobbered, Lou will throw Gallagher and Marshall into the mix and they'll get their shot.

 

 

...provided they are still here.

 

I don't worry about Lou giving a young guy a shot. Maybe he'll come out of camp with the vets, but he'll make a change. He's shown that he will do that.

[Backtobanks]

I'm disappointed at the lack of news concerning the poss. of Gallagher and Hart having a legit chance at winning a spot in the rotation compared to Marquis/Dempster/Lieber

 

Moreso Gallagher, since Hart I think would be better in the pen as well as Gallagher having a higher ceiling than Hart as well as Gallagher likely to equal them next year and surpass them in the future.

 

As I have posted many times, Lou and Hendry prefer going with veterans at crunch time. For all the hype about Lou playing youngsters more than Dusty, I'm sure he was the driving force in getting Kendall, Monroe, and Trachsel over Soto, Murton, and Gallagher/Marshall last year. That's why signing Lieber doesn't surprise me today and a big blockbuster deal involving Pie wouldn't suprise me in the near future.

[Outshined_One]

*Shrug*

 

I'm expecting more of the same from him: decent production against righties and murdered by lefties. For a $3.5m minimum, that's not so bad.

 

However, we now have to wonder about who will take the last rotation spot. Between Dempster, Marquis, Marshall, Hart, and a few others, there are some questions that need to be addressed.

[jersey cubs fan]

 

However, we now have to wonder about who will take the last rotation spot. Between Dempster, Marquis, Marshall, Hart, and a few others, there are some questions that need to be addressed.

 

The only thing to wonder is if there is a trade. Because if nobody is moved, it's a near lock to be Zambrano, Lilly, Hill, Marquis and Lieber.

[Texasflood]

[

Lieber is a fatty who is old and can't stay healthy. He's shown no interest in maintaining his body with age, so nobody is going to interested in giving him money to flop around on the mound and hit the DL because his body can't handle his weight.

 

You don't have to be a great athlete to be a decent pitcher. The names Rick Rueschel or even farther back, Mickey Lolich ring a bell? I think this is a great depth deal and probably a precursor for a future move - most likely involving the much rumoured Roberts.

[CUBZ99]

CS.com has some quotes from Lieber stating that he is aware that he will be competing for a spot in the rotation, and that he is willing to pitch in any capacity (including the bullpen) if necessary.

 

I guess we can end the speculation that he is a lock for the rotation.

[nilodnayr]

We bash Hendry for publically diminishing the trade value of some players that are on the trading block, and bash him for not saying things that would diminish the trade value of other players that are on the trading block.

[jersey cubs fan]

CS.com has some quotes from Lieber stating that he is aware that he will be competing for a spot in the rotation, and that he is willing to pitch in any capacity (including the bullpen) if necessary.

 

I guess we can end the speculation that he is a lock for the rotation.

 

I wouldn't. Unless he's too injured to start the season, he'll start. He's always said the right things. But he's going to be in the rotation if he's healthy enough to start the season.

[jersey cubs fan]

We bash Hendry for publically diminishing the trade value of some players that are on the trading block, and bash him for not saying things that would diminish the trade value of other players that are on the trading block.

 

What's that exactly?

[nilodnayr]

We bash Hendry for publically diminishing the trade value of some players that are on the trading block, and bash him for not saying things that would diminish the trade value of other players that are on the trading block.

 

What's that exactly?

 

That Marquis and Dempster are going to have to compete for rotation spots with the Seans and Hart.

[imb]

time to institute the platoon pitching system. Lefty heavy lineup? Start Marshall. Righty heavy? Start Lieber (or just kill him and start someone that isn't ancient and terrible).

[Mizzou]

I think msot are in agreement that if Lieber's healthy he'll be league averageish right?

 

I don't know why anybody would assume that. He's a big fat 38 year old coming off surgery. He was basically just above average at his best. And barely hanging onto average recently. I would not assume that he'll be able to maintain averageness even if he is healthy.

Grow up. Is it really necessary to call him fat? You've done so several times in this thread.

[frostwyrm]

We bash Hendry for publically diminishing the trade value of some players that are on the trading block, and bash him for not saying things that would diminish the trade value of other players that are on the trading block.

 

What's that exactly?

 

That Marquis and Dempster are going to have to compete for rotation spots with the Seans and Hart.

 

I've criticized Hendry's talk about Dempster going to the rotation because I very much doubt its sincerity and I don't think it's fooling anybody. Telling bad lies just makes the organization look silly and sleazy and it irritates fans.

[jersey cubs fan]

I think msot are in agreement that if Lieber's healthy he'll be league averageish right?

 

I don't know why anybody would assume that. He's a big fat 38 year old coming off surgery. He was basically just above average at his best. And barely hanging onto average recently. I would not assume that he'll be able to maintain averageness even if he is healthy.

Grow up. Is it really necessary to call him fat? You've done so several times in this thread.

 

Yes it is. He's fat and he hurt his foot because he couldn't carry his load. It's also an indication he doesn't take care of himself very much, which could lead to steeper decline, and/or inability to recover from the injury. Players' weight is a valid topic.

[Vinestal]

Im ok with this move I guess. He's not making much, so he's disposable if he sucks they can stick him in the bulpen or trade him for a ptbnl... *shrug* I dont think its something to get worked up about.

[dew1679666265]

I'm disappointed at the lack of news concerning the poss. of Gallagher and Hart having a legit chance at winning a spot in the rotation compared to Marquis/Dempster/Lieber

 

Moreso Gallagher, since Hart I think would be better in the pen as well as Gallagher having a higher ceiling than Hart as well as Gallagher likely to equal them next year and surpass them in the future.

 

As I have posted many times, Lou and Hendry prefer going with veterans at crunch time. For all the hype about Lou playing youngsters more than Dusty, I'm sure he was the driving force in getting Kendall, Monroe, and Trachsel over Soto, Murton, and Gallagher/Marshall last year. That's why signing Lieber doesn't surprise me today and a big blockbuster deal involving Pie wouldn't suprise me in the near future.

 

Lou prefers vets in crunch time (as the vast majority of managers do) but he's shown multiple times that he'll bench the vet to go with the more productive youngster.

 

Just in your example, Kendall wasn't producing at the end of the year and Soto was - Soto played the end of the year and the playoffs. Monroe and Trachsel played some and were completely ineffective. The result? They were both left off the playoff roster in favor of Murton and Hart.

 

Lou will play whoever is performing no matter their status - but if all things are equal he'll do like most other managers (right or wrong) and go with the vet.

[Wolfgangbucks]

I saw him pitch this game last year

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KCA/KCA200706090.shtml

 

he dominated..................... of course it was against the Royals but he worked so fast I hardly had time to drink beer.....

[Wrigley Rat]

I'm disappointed at the lack of news concerning the poss. of Gallagher and Hart having a legit chance at winning a spot in the rotation compared to Marquis/Dempster/Lieber

 

Moreso Gallagher, since Hart I think would be better in the pen as well as Gallagher having a higher ceiling than Hart as well as Gallagher likely to equal them next year and surpass them in the future.

 

 

I am reserving judgment on this point until the end of the offseason. If Marquis and/or Dempster are traded, then there could still be a slot for Gallagher.

 

Why? We're hearing Dempster being talked about, now Lieber is signed, Marquis is still up in the air. Still pretty quiet about the rooks.

 

I'm hoping that that both Seans and Kevin have been told privately that their hard work over the off-season (hopefully Marshall getting stronger and Gallagher cont. his off-season conditioning) can be rewarded with a verbal commit. from the Cubs that they'll be given a shot.

 

I have a suspicion that the talk of Dempster to the rotation was simply to drive up his trade value. I have no tangible reason to think this, but I don't think there was ever any real intent to give Ryan a slot.

 

As for Marquis, it may just be wishful thinking. But Lou seemed awfully put out with him at the end of the season, so there may be some impetus to move him out.

 

Also, if any trades happen, I think one or two of Marshall, Gallagher and Hart will likely be moving out, cutting down the number of slighted youngsters. I can only hope Gallagher would be the one left.

Completely agree.

[Soul]

I'm disappointed at the lack of news concerning the poss. of Gallagher and Hart having a legit chance at winning a spot in the rotation compared to Marquis/Dempster/Lieber

 

Moreso Gallagher, since Hart I think would be better in the pen as well as Gallagher having a higher ceiling than Hart as well as Gallagher likely to equal them next year and surpass them in the future.

 

 

I am reserving judgment on this point until the end of the offseason. If Marquis and/or Dempster are traded, then there could still be a slot for Gallagher.

 

Why? We're hearing Dempster being talked about, now Lieber is signed, Marquis is still up in the air. Still pretty quiet about the rooks.

 

I'm hoping that that both Seans and Kevin have been told privately that their hard work over the off-season (hopefully Marshall getting stronger and Gallagher cont. his off-season conditioning) can be rewarded with a verbal commit. from the Cubs that they'll be given a shot.

 

I have a suspicion that the talk of Dempster to the rotation was simply to drive up his trade value. I have no tangible reason to think this, but I don't think there was ever any real intent to give Ryan a slot.

 

As for Marquis, it may just be wishful thinking. But Lou seemed awfully put out with him at the end of the season, so there may be some impetus to move him out.

 

Also, if any trades happen, I think one or two of Marshall, Gallagher and Hart will likely be moving out, cutting down the number of slighted youngsters. I can only hope Gallagher would be the one left.

Completely agree.

 

Yeah, that would seem to make more sense than the Cubs declaring Dempster a starter in freaking November. I'm still scratching my head over that, nobody does something so silly with half a damn year before Spring Training starts.

[Sweet Swinging Billy]

Thread title can be changed

 

So our new rotation looks like:

 

Zambrano

Lilly

Lieber

Hill

Dempster/Marquis

 

?

 

Man, I wish Wood could still start.

 

You're right Aramis, this thread should read "Cubs sign Lieber" or something similar...or just start a new thread entirely.

[Sweet Swinging Billy]

Thread title can be changed

 

So our new rotation looks like:

 

Zambrano

Lilly

Lieber

Hill

Dempster/Marquis

 

?

 

Man, I wish Wood could still start.

 

You're right Aramis, this thread should read "Cubs sign Lieber" or something similar...or just start a new thread entirely. NSBB regets the the double post.