Samardzija Called Up

[Amie]

Looks like Kerry Wood may need to go on the DL afterall, and his replacement may be

Jeff Samardzija. Report Sun Times

 

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1072195,CST-SPT-cubnt24.article

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Did Michael Wuertz die?

[Jehrico]

Did Michael Wuertz die?

No. This was just a Gorden Wiittenmeyer article. Nothing to see here, move along now...

[NCCubFan]

Did Michael Wuertz die?

No. This was just a Gorden Wiittenmeyer article. Nothing to see here, move along now...

Actually I think it makes sense. Samardz is pitching great now, and I think he could do well in the bullpen. I woulcn't want him to be sitting idly in the bullpen for a long time, but calling him up for a week or so would give him some exposure to the majors. Several other Cu players have had initial call-ups for short periods of time over the past couple of years, then went back down and thrived after being called up for longer stints later (Marmol is a case in point). And I don't think just a couple of weeks is enough time to really delay his development; if anything it may avoid having him pitch too many innings this year.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Do they know how long of a DL stint it would be? Is it anything more than the blister? SInce it would be retroactive to July 12th, they could pretty much bring him back anytime thoug, right? Hopefully, its one of those DL stints in which he doesnt really need it, to just to have an extra arm in the pen until hes ready to come back in a few days.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Did Michael Wuertz die?

 

A long time ago, at least in Lous eyes.

[Brett]

I think Samardjiza could be great in the pen when he lets it all fly. But how would this affect his development? Afterall, he's blowing up as a starter in Iowa right now.

 

I know that a lot of people viewed him as a future reliever in MLB, but lately, I've been wondering if he's got ace potential.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I think Samardjiza could be great in the pen when he lets it all fly. But how would this affect his development? Afterall, he's blowing up as a starter in Iowa right now.

 

I know that a lot of people viewed him as a future reliever in MLB, but lately, I've been wondering if he's got ace potential.

 

I dont know if I ever see him as an ace, but maybe as a solid number 3 or 4.

[YearofDaCubs]

I think Samardjiza could be great in the pen when he lets it all fly. But how would this affect his development? Afterall, he's blowing up as a starter in Iowa right now.

 

I know that a lot of people viewed him as a future reliever in MLB, but lately, I've been wondering if he's got ace potential.

 

I dont know if I ever see him as an ace, but maybe as a solid number 3 or 4.

I disagree. It's too soon t know what his upside is.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I guess it's cause he isn't on the 40-man, but I'd think Ceda makes more sense than Samardzija.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I guess it's cause he isn't on the 40-man, but I'd think Ceda makes more sense than Samardzija.

 

Id actually be a little more nervous if Ceda came up. While Ceda more logically fills the role, if they were to go out of the way to add Ceda to the 40 manand bring him up, that would suggest that whatever is bothering Wood could be more than a blister that would keep him out for just another week at most.

[UMFan83]

I think this is a bad idea. I know we are paying him a lot of money, but why not bring him up in Sept.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I guess it's cause he isn't on the 40-man, but I'd think Ceda makes more sense than Samardzija.

 

Id actually be a little more nervous if Ceda came up. While Ceda more logically fills the role, if they were to go out of the way to add Ceda to the 40 manand bring him up, that would suggest that whatever is bothering Wood could be more than a blister that would keep him out for just another week at most.

 

That doesn't mean it's a sign of something more serious. Ceda's future is in the MLB pen, and since he's currently destroying AA he's an option for the MLB now or very soon, and he'll need to be added to the 40-man for that to happen.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I guess it's cause he isn't on the 40-man, but I'd think Ceda makes more sense than Samardzija.

 

Id actually be a little more nervous if Ceda came up. While Ceda more logically fills the role, if they were to go out of the way to add Ceda to the 40 manand bring him up, that would suggest that whatever is bothering Wood could be more than a blister that would keep him out for just another week at most.

 

That doesn't mean it's a sign of something more serious. Ceda's future is in the MLB pen, and since he's currently destroying AA he's an option for the MLB now or very soon, and he'll need to be added to the 40-man for that to happen.

 

I wouldnt be opposed to bringing him up come September, but the closer role on a contending team, in a race thats getting tighter and tighter is too important for a guy whos never been past AA. I suppose hes worth a shot, as there are plenty of guys on the 40 man who can be removed(Harben, Fox, Fuld), I just wouldnt want him thrown into the closer role. Maybe as a set up, as I cant see him being any worse than Howry.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Just because he's replacing the closer on the roster doesn't mean he needs to close for the Major League team. Marmol can do that fine.

[UMFan83]

Did Michael Wuertz die?

No. This was just a Gorden Wiittenmeyer article. Nothing to see here, move along now...

 

Trib has a story about it too..

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-080723-kerry-wood-blister-chicago-cubs,1,6972131.story

[soapy]

I guess it's cause he isn't on the 40-man, but I'd think Ceda makes more sense than Samardzija.

 

Ceda could always take Fox's spot. Although i was thinking they might be saving that for Guzman.

[davell]

I'm extremely interested in seeing what Samardzija can do against major league hitters personally. My only concern with this is wondering if putting him in the pen would affect the groove and comfortability he seems to be enjoying right now as a starter?

 

I had kind of given up on him as a starter longterm, but right now, it's hard not to be excited about his potential. Is he an ace or a 3/4 guy? Obviously, it's up in the air, but the fact that he's even being debated about in these terms is a great thing to me anyway.

[Jehrico]

I guess it's cause he isn't on the 40-man, but I'd think Ceda makes more sense than Samardzija.

 

Ceda could always take Fox's spot. Although i was thinking they might be saving that for Guzman.

Don't we still have an open spot on the 40 man right now after trading Murt, EPatt and Gally for Harden and Gaudin? As mentioned before, we've got several guys that could be dropped from the 40 man if needed with no worry. Ceda makes sense as he'll need to be added in the offseason anyways, or we'll end up losing him. Our farm is too thin to risk losing any of our few decent prospects, I think the 40 man is going to get quite a shaking in the offseason.

[jersey cubs fan]

Did Michael Wuertz die?

No. This was just a Gorden Wiittenmeyer article. Nothing to see here, move along now...

 

Trib has a story about it too..

 

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-080723-kerry-wood-blister-chicago-cubs,1,6972131.story

 

Why are you guys ignoring Bruce?

 

PHOENIX - It doesn't look like Kerry Wood will be ready to return at least for a few days, perhaps up to a week, and it looks more likely that the Cubs closer will have to go on the disabled list, as early as today.

 

If that happens, the Cubs may call up right-hander Jeff Samardzija from Class AAA Iowa to fill a bullpen spot.

 

Samardzija is an intriguing case. The former football star from Notre Dame started the season at Class AA Tennessee, where he has mixed results, going 3-5 with a 4.86 ERA. But since being promoted to a starter at Iowa, he's gone 4-1 with a 3.13 ERA with 40 strikeouts and 16 walks in 37 innings.

 

"It's conceivable," said assistant general manager Randy Bush. "He's put himself on the radar."

 

I will say, I don't have a problem with it. I'm baffled by the Samardzija situation. He was so bad, but he's been pitching well for a little bit, and brief stints in the bullpen have appeared to do him well. He's still under 300 IP as a professional and will need to go back to starting again at some point to keep learning how to pitch, and develop his arm. But this would be interesting.

[jersey cubs fan]

I guess it's cause he isn't on the 40-man, but I'd think Ceda makes more sense than Samardzija.

 

Ceda could always take Fox's spot. Although i was thinking they might be saving that for Guzman.

Don't we still have an open spot on the 40 man right now after trading Murt, EPatt and Gally for Harden and Gaudin? As mentioned before, we've got several guys that could be dropped from the 40 man if needed with no worry. Ceda makes sense as he'll need to be added in the offseason anyways, or we'll end up losing him. Our farm is too thin to risk losing any of our few decent prospects, I think the 40 man is going to get quite a shaking in the offseason.

 

There are 40 names on the current 40-man, with one on the 60-day DL (Guzman) and another who probably should be on the 60-day DL (Fox). At this point they could add somebody. But if they add Ceda, and then send him down, they will have used an option year and maybe they don't think it's the right time to start burning his options (although I don't see why that would be the case).

[Guest]

I would prefer they add Ceda to the 40-man and call him up. Or call up Wuertz.

 

Samardzija hasn't had that much success in pro baseball and it's taken him getting used to throwing new pitches, tweaking his mechanics, disguising the ball...i.e. he's had to make quite a few changes and adhere to them. I think it's far more beneficial for him to remain in the usual routine of starting and getting as many reps as possible with what is giving him his first taste of real pro success than being used in the random bullpen usage patterns that are common in Lou's pen. I don't know that he'll get enough chances with the Cubs to make a big impact.

[Sammy Sofa]

I'm probably wrong, but wasn't Jeff doing horrible when he was mostly pitchin out of the bullpen? I thought he didn't right the ship until he stated starting reguarly.

 

FREE WUERTZ.

 

And pray for a healthy Angel Guzman.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I'm probably wrong, but wasn't Jeff doing horrible when he was mostly pitchin out of the bullpen? I thought he didn't right the ship until he stated starting reguarly.

 

FREE WUERTZ.

 

And pray for a healthy Angel Guzman.

 

In a world where logic prevailed, this would be the answer.

[Derwood]

Howry gives up hits but doesn't walk people. Wuertz walks too many. So do you want the guy with the 1.38 WHIP or the 1.45 WHIP? Either one is a lousy option