Samardzija Called Up

[Jehrico]

If they call up Shark, that would baffle my mind. It's the wrong decision for virtually every reason you could think of. He has pretty good numbers at AAA in a small sample size, but not great. He had horrible numbers at AA. His pitching experience is pretty limited. There are better options (Wuertz or Ceda?). Burning an option on him this year doesn't make sense. Taking him out of his starting role and throwing him in the pen at this stage as he's finally putting some good starts together in AAA doesn't make sense. It doesn't make sense for his long-term development, it doesn't make sense for the short-term welfare of the team. Bringing Shark up now would be akin to offering Neifi a two year contract for twice the money per year that anyone else would have given him. Just. Plain. Dumb.

[CUBZ99]

If they call up Shark, that would baffle my mind. It's the wrong decision for virtually every reason you could think of. He has pretty good numbers at AAA in a small sample size, but not great. He had horrible numbers at AA. His pitching experience is pretty limited. There are better options (Wuertz or Ceda?). Burning an option on him this year doesn't make sense. Taking him out of his starting role and throwing him in the pen at this stage as he's finally putting some good starts together in AAA doesn't make sense. It doesn't make sense for his long-term development, it doesn't make sense for the short-term welfare of the team. Bringing Shark up now would be akin to offering Neifi a two year contract for twice the money per year that anyone else would have given him. Just. Plain. Dumb.

 

If they believe that he would be the best option at the moment to help the team, it is absolutely the right move. The Cubs shouldn't be concerned about option years and trying to cheap out on a players contract. Their only concern should be getting to the World Series. I'm sure that the Ceda idea has been kicked around and if they feel that Shark is a better option, they need to do it.

[JeffH]

If they call up Shark, that would baffle my mind. It's the wrong decision for virtually every reason you could think of. He has pretty good numbers at AAA in a small sample size, but not great. He had horrible numbers at AA. His pitching experience is pretty limited. There are better options (Wuertz or Ceda?). Burning an option on him this year doesn't make sense. Taking him out of his starting role and throwing him in the pen at this stage as he's finally putting some good starts together in AAA doesn't make sense. It doesn't make sense for his long-term development, it doesn't make sense for the short-term welfare of the team. Bringing Shark up now would be akin to offering Neifi a two year contract for twice the money per year that anyone else would have given him. Just. Plain. Dumb.

 

The option year is already burned.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Wouldn't Ascanio be a better option than Samardzija?

 

I just don't see anything Samardzija has done that would put him ahead of Wuertz and Ascanio on the depth chart.

[Jehrico]

If they call up Shark, that would baffle my mind. It's the wrong decision for virtually every reason you could think of. He has pretty good numbers at AAA in a small sample size, but not great. He had horrible numbers at AA. His pitching experience is pretty limited. There are better options (Wuertz or Ceda?). Burning an option on him this year doesn't make sense. Taking him out of his starting role and throwing him in the pen at this stage as he's finally putting some good starts together in AAA doesn't make sense. It doesn't make sense for his long-term development, it doesn't make sense for the short-term welfare of the team. Bringing Shark up now would be akin to offering Neifi a two year contract for twice the money per year that anyone else would have given him. Just. Plain. Dumb.

 

The option year is already burned.

You sure? How do you burn an option on a guy who has never been on any organizations 40 man?

[Guest]

If they call up Shark, that would baffle my mind. It's the wrong decision for virtually every reason you could think of. He has pretty good numbers at AAA in a small sample size, but not great. He had horrible numbers at AA. His pitching experience is pretty limited. There are better options (Wuertz or Ceda?). Burning an option on him this year doesn't make sense. Taking him out of his starting role and throwing him in the pen at this stage as he's finally putting some good starts together in AAA doesn't make sense. It doesn't make sense for his long-term development, it doesn't make sense for the short-term welfare of the team. Bringing Shark up now would be akin to offering Neifi a two year contract for twice the money per year that anyone else would have given him. Just. Plain. Dumb.

 

The option year is already burned.

You sure? How do you burn an option on a guy who has never been on any organizations 40 man?

 

He's been on the 40-man since he signed his new contract last spring. This is his second option year but he does have 4 rather than the standard 3.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Samardzija has been on the 40 man for quite a while.

[Jehrico]

If they call up Shark, that would baffle my mind. It's the wrong decision for virtually every reason you could think of. He has pretty good numbers at AAA in a small sample size, but not great. He had horrible numbers at AA. His pitching experience is pretty limited. There are better options (Wuertz or Ceda?). Burning an option on him this year doesn't make sense. Taking him out of his starting role and throwing him in the pen at this stage as he's finally putting some good starts together in AAA doesn't make sense. It doesn't make sense for his long-term development, it doesn't make sense for the short-term welfare of the team. Bringing Shark up now would be akin to offering Neifi a two year contract for twice the money per year that anyone else would have given him. Just. Plain. Dumb.

 

If they believe that he would be the best option at the moment to help the team, it is absolutely the right move. The Cubs shouldn't be concerned about option years and trying to cheap out on a players contract. Their only concern should be getting to the World Series. I'm sure that the Ceda idea has been kicked around and if they feel that Shark is a better option, they need to do it.

There is no good reason to think he could even be mediocre coming out of the pen right now. No way no how, no matter how you justify it, is he the best option right now. If there were some kind of rationale that indicated so, then I would agree about the concerns over options and what not.

[Jehrico]

Samardzija has been on the 40 man for quite a while.

Someone on the first page of this thread said he needed to be added, or maybe I misinterpreted it. My bad. :oops:

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Samardzija has been on the 40 man for quite a while.

Someone on the first page of this thread said he needed to be added, or maybe I misinterpreted it. My bad. :oops:

 

That was me, I was referring to Ceda.

[Rob]

I'd rather he didn't get called up. Knowing this organization, if he pitched well out of the bullpen, he'd probably be stuck there for the next few years.

[RedFlash]

Fllowing the sentiment of a few posters, bringing Samardzija up now may hinder his development. To me it seems like he has been "promoted" due to the contract he signed, instead of actually earning it. I much rather see Samardzija stay in AAA for abit longer continuing the success he seemed to find there. If he earns a spot on the Cubs roster in Septmeber, fine, but right now I much rather not call up Samardzija when Wuertz is still in the organization. I know Wuertz has had a lousy season so far, but he does have good season under his belt, so it's no inconceivable he could bounce back in the 2nd half.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Is Brian Fuentes even in the equation for us, or are there too many teams with better prospects after him?

[TheDude]

I'd rather he didn't get called up. Knowing this organization, if he pitched well out of the bullpen, he'd probably be stuck there for the next few years.

 

Huh? Who has been 'stuck' in the pen with no opportunities to start? The organization has shuffled some guys between starter and pen, but none have irrevocably found themselves stuck in the pen. And don't say Marmol. He isn't stuck. The organization sees his future value as closer and the only chatter about him moving back to starter has been around here.

 

Free the rhetoric!

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I'd rather he didn't get called up. Knowing this organization, if he pitched well out of the bullpen, he'd probably be stuck there for the next few years.

 

Huh? Who has been 'stuck' in the pen with no opportunities to start? The organization has shuffled some guys between starter and pen, but none have irrevocably found themselves stuck in the pen. And don't say Marmol. He isn't stuck. The organization sees his future value as closer and the only chatter about him moving back to starter has been around here.

 

Free the rhetoric!

 

Marmol is the poster boy. The organization seeing his value as a closer is the point, Rob isn't saying that the Cubs really want to start some people but they can't get them out of the pen. They see someone have success in the pen and fall in love with them as a reliever, ignoring that they might be just as good over more innings.

[jersey cubs fan]

Wuertz has been walking a lot of guys this year, and he just gave up 3 more in his last outing. I can see why they'd hesitate to bring him up. Between Samardzija and Ceda, I'd probably prefer Ceda. However, that requires adding Ceda to the 40-man, and likely means burning an option when they send him down in a few weeks.

 

This could be a setback to Samardzija's development, however, to equate it to the stupidity of signing Neifi Perez is just plain wrong. He's over the 110 IP mark right now and he threw 140 last year. Even if he comes up and stays in the major league bullpen through the end of the year, it wouldn't be hard for him to match that 140 level, giving him back to back solid totals for a guy still learning to pitch. He's been in the bullpen off and on a couple times the past two years, show there shouldn't be much of an adjustment. I think the Cubs still view him as a front end starter longterm, so I doubt there's a lot of risk they will keep him locked into the bullpen - unless he pulls a Marmol, in which case I can't say I'd be disappointed. If he comes up and struggles, then you send him back down in early August and he still gets enough minor league starts to have 140-150 IP for the year. And at that point you have Lieber coming back, hopefully Wuertz figuring it out, and maybe Howry finally improving.

 

I don't see a lot of downside to calling him up.

[Hall7810]

Just get Chad Fox off the 40-man.

[cubs121]

Just get Chad Fox off the 40-man.

Agreed. It bugs the heck out of me that he's still on the 40 man. Get someone else on there for once!

[CuseCubFan69]

I'd rather he didn't get called up. Knowing this organization, if he pitched well out of the bullpen, he'd probably be stuck there for the next few years.

 

Huh? Who has been 'stuck' in the pen with no opportunities to start? The organization has shuffled some guys between starter and pen, but none have irrevocably found themselves stuck in the pen. And don't say Marmol. He isn't stuck. The organization sees his future value as closer and the only chatter about him moving back to starter has been around here.

 

Free the rhetoric!

 

Marmol is the poster boy. The organization seeing his value as a closer is the point, Rob isn't saying that the Cubs really want to start some people but they can't get them out of the pen. They see someone have success in the pen and fall in love with them as a reliever, ignoring that they might be just as good over more innings.

 

So this little DL stint for Wood may be a tryout for Marmol to be the 2009 closer?

[jersey cubs fan]

Just get Chad Fox off the 40-man.

Agreed. It bugs the heck out of me that he's still on the 40 man. Get someone else on there for once!

 

He's not taking a space from anybody, there is already an open slot available. It would be better to put him on the 60-day DL.

[Amie]

Wuertz has been walking a lot of guys this year, and he just gave up 3 more in his last outing. I can see why they'd hesitate to bring him up. Between Samardzija and Ceda, I'd probably prefer Ceda. However, that requires adding Ceda to the 40-man, and likely means burning an option when they send him down in a few weeks.

 

This could be a setback to Samardzija's development, however, to equate it to the stupidity of signing Neifi Perez is just plain wrong. He's over the 110 IP mark right now and he threw 140 last year. Even if he comes up and stays in the major league bullpen through the end of the year, it wouldn't be hard for him to match that 140 level, giving him back to back solid totals for a guy still learning to pitch. He's been in the bullpen off and on a couple times the past two years, show there shouldn't be much of an adjustment. I think the Cubs still view him as a front end starter longterm, so I doubt there's a lot of risk they will keep him locked into the bullpen - unless he pulls a Marmol, in which case I can't say I'd be disappointed. If he comes up and struggles, then you send him back down in early August and he still gets enough minor league starts to have 140-150 IP for the year. And at that point you have Lieber coming back, hopefully Wuertz figuring it out, and maybe Howry finally improving.

 

I don't see a lot of downside to calling him up.

 

 

Neither do I see the downside, in fact the guy gets better at each level. This could be a real plus in his development, as I think we need to keep in mind Jeff is cut out differently then most. Used to the stage from his football background, longing for the challenge. He also has experience in the pen.

 

It may also help to motivate Wuertz to get his act together. Right now he is walking AAA batters. 3 his last performance alone.

[Guest]

Wuertz has been walking a lot of guys this year, and he just gave up 3 more in his last outing. I can see why they'd hesitate to bring him up. Between Samardzija and Ceda, I'd probably prefer Ceda. However, that requires adding Ceda to the 40-man, and likely means burning an option when they send him down in a few weeks.

 

This could be a setback to Samardzija's development, however, to equate it to the stupidity of signing Neifi Perez is just plain wrong. He's over the 110 IP mark right now and he threw 140 last year. Even if he comes up and stays in the major league bullpen through the end of the year, it wouldn't be hard for him to match that 140 level, giving him back to back solid totals for a guy still learning to pitch. He's been in the bullpen off and on a couple times the past two years, show there shouldn't be much of an adjustment. I think the Cubs still view him as a front end starter longterm, so I doubt there's a lot of risk they will keep him locked into the bullpen - unless he pulls a Marmol, in which case I can't say I'd be disappointed. If he comes up and struggles, then you send him back down in early August and he still gets enough minor league starts to have 140-150 IP for the year. And at that point you have Lieber coming back, hopefully Wuertz figuring it out, and maybe Howry finally improving.

 

I don't see a lot of downside to calling him up.

 

 

Neither do I see the downside, in fact the guy gets better at each level. This could be a real plus in his development, as I think we need to keep in mind Jeff is cut out differently then most. Used to the stage from his football background, longing for the challenge. He also has experience in the pen.

 

It may also help to motivate Wuertz to get his act together. Right now he is walking AAA batters. 3 his last performance alone.

 

I'm guessing a demotion to the minors would also help "motivate" Wuertz. He hadn't walked anyone in his previous 2 outings at Iowa, so that's also 3 total walks since he was demoted.

[NCCubFan]

Just get Chad Fox off the 40-man.

Agreed. It bugs the heck out of me that he's still on the 40 man. Get someone else on there for once!

 

He's not taking a space from anybody, there is already an open slot available. It would be better to put him on the 60-day DL.

That's consistent with what they both said, since putting him on the 60-day DL would take him off the 40-man roster.

[NCCubFan]

I disagree with the notion that bringing Shark up is a bad thing, as long as it's just for a week or two while waiting for Wood to return. I don't think that would hinder his development any, and it might help keep his innings for the year at a reasonable level. Several other Cubs over the past few years (Marmol and Marshall come to mind) seem to have benefitted from early call-ups that gave them a chance to get any jitters they might feel the first time up out of the way before they come up for good. And as a couple others have pointed out, Shark has already used the option for this year, whereas bbringing Ceda up and sending him back down would burn an option. The 40-man roster issue isn't a big deal, but burning an option could be.

[Jon]

Neither do I see the downside, in fact the guy gets better at each level. This could be a real plus in his development, as I think we need to keep in mind Jeff is cut out differently then most. Used to the stage from his football background, longing for the challenge. He also has experience in the pen.

 

It may also help to motivate Wuertz to get his act together. Right now he is walking AAA batters. 3 his last performance alone.

Well, he was pretty bad when he jumped up to Daytona for the duration of his time there. Of course, he spent little time at Peoria. When he was promoted from Daytona to Tennessee, he did a bit better, but he wasn't terribly impressive, either. Then to start the season at Tennessee, he was just bad. Nearly a 1 to 1 K/BB.

 

His success at Iowa is really nothing like anything else he's done in his career. And he hasn't even hit 40 IP there yet. I'd much rather he develop at Iowa with consistent appearances. Heck he's shown he can actually strike guys out in a stretch of just 6 games. I'd want to see a little more before I get optimistic about his ability to do it consistently at the big league level.