The Cubs starting five

[Beer Kaese]

We played the lineup game so how about another time waster?

 

I see Z, Lilly, Hill, Marquis and Marshall on opening day.

 

I suspect Lieber will remain behind in Arizona. He projects as a decent middle of the rotation guy. Since there is no pressing need for a fifth starter early it would be wise for a team burned by rushing guys back to be a little patient.

 

I suspect Dempster will be traded during camp. He's not expensive, he's in the last year of his contract and he can start or close. I'm confident that the combination of Wood, Howry and Marmol can replace his pen value. The addition of Leiber makes him redundant.

 

When it's time to bring Lieber up, move Marshall to the pen and waive Cotts.

 

Marquis is a first half pitcher (or has been recently) so we should be able to find a taker for him around the All-Star break. Then we bring up Gallagher.

 

By the end or July the new starting five is: Z, Lilly, Hill, Lieber and Gallagher.

 

If Lieber appears to be done, then I keep Dempster unless Marshall or Gallagher look freaky good. Contract year.

 

:stickman:

 

What a stupid cool smiley.

[javy knows my name]

Moving Marquis is going to be harder than you think, even if he does repeat last year's first half. The Orioles or Jays come to mind if they trade away Bedard and Burnett, respectively, but Marquis makes like $9 mil next year. Regardless, I think Gallagher needs to come up with the big club at the ASB because, like Pie, he doesn't have much room to improve at the AAA level. I don't care if he sticks in the rotation at first or not; he needs big-league time.

I am really confident that we get rid of Dempster before we break camp this year, and if he's rotation-bound, it's addition by subtraction. I don't think we pick up Lieber unless Hendry is more or less determined to shop him. Lieber at the 5 slot on opening day. I will remain optimistic that we move Marquis by the ASB, because blind optimism is what gets me through every season, but the smart money says he stays put sucks up 9 mil next year.

 

EDIT: Forgot my rotation! Z, Lilly, Marquis, Hill, Lieber - not my first choice order-wise, but what I'm pretty sure Lou will do, in order to mix up the lefties.

[Beer Kaese]

Moving Marquis is going to be harder than you think, even if he does repeat last year's first half. The Orioles or Jays come to mind if they trade away Bedard and Burnett, respectively, but Marquis makes like $9 mil next year. Regardless, I think Gallagher needs to come up with the big club at the ASB because, like Pie, he doesn't have much room to improve at the AAA level. I don't care if he sticks in the rotation at first or not; he needs big-league time.

I am really confident that we get rid of Dempster before we break camp this year, and if he's rotation-bound, it's addition by subtraction. I don't think we pick up Lieber unless Hendry is more or less determined to shop him. Lieber at the 5 slot on opening day. I will remain optimistic that we move Marquis by the ASB, because blind optimism is what gets me through every season, but the smart money says he stays put sucks up 9 mil next year.

 

EDIT: Forgot my rotation! Z, Lilly, Marquis, Hill, Lieber - not my first choice order-wise, but what I'm pretty sure Lou will do, in order to mix up the lefties.

 

So we agree that Dempster with closer and starter credentials, not owed a ton and in the last year of his contract can be moved. Cool.

 

Moving Marquis will be difficult but if you move Marquis for a player that is redundant on a another team that's over paid and has a year left ... that's easy. If you ask for nothing in return, if you get a little bit and pickup some of his 2009 salary ... there are ways to open up the roster slot if at a price.

 

I still think the Cubs will keep Lieber in Arizona while they open up in Wrigley in early April. If Lieber is clearly the 4th best, ok, but if not I could see Lieber a mid-late April addition. There is no telling how that foot injury will effect him. He might be done.

[inari]

I see absolutely no chance Leiber isn't in the rotation unless he's hurt.

 

Z-Lilly-Hill-Leiber-Marquis

[CuseCubFan69]

Lilly or Hill would have to play point imo. I see Z as a Barkley type player.

[Beer Kaese]

I see absolutely no chance Leiber isn't in the rotation unless he's hurt.

 

Z-Lilly-Hill-Leiber-Marquis

 

I see a chance that Lieber never pitches in the majors again and I see a chance Lieber makes the Chicago Cubs one nasty freaking nightmare for the Central.

 

Try this: http://mvn.com/mlb-cubs/2008/01/25/bigfoot/

 

There is no track record for this type of injury in sports. Deal Dempster and keep a watchful on on Leiber in sunny warm Zonna.

 

Based on the little I know

 

:stickman:

 

dance stickman, dance

[Evers2Tinker2Chance]

Z-Lilly-Hill are your gimmies unless injury.

 

Dempster will be gone by opening day. If Marquis is still here (probably) he will be in the rotation.

 

Leiber and Marshall will fight it out for the last spot. My guess Leiber wins and Marshall is our long relief/emergancy guy out of the pen.

 

Gallager most likley will begin at Iowa unless injury or he has an outstandingt spring.

 

So my 5 man:

Z-Lilly-Marquis-Hill-Leiber (lefties broken up like Lou and JH like)

Marshall - pen

Gallager - Iowa

[Post Count Padder]

I go with Z, Lilly, Lieber, Hill, Marquis/ Dempster

 

I do that to split up the lefties, and because barring a trade, I can't see Marshall cracking the roation. He'll probably be in Iowa or middle relief to start the season.

[Vanilla Ice]

I'd go Z, Hill, Lilly, Gallagher, Marshall, then Lieber or Marquis late in the season when Marshall breaks down.

 

Well probably see Z, Lilly, Lieber, Hill, Marquis. (at least to begin the season)

[Abe Frohman]

If Dempster is gone before the season - it is because someone needs a closer. The man has value.

[killthegoat06]

My guess is Z, Lilly, Leiber, Hill, Marquis with Dempster traded.