Derosa to Indians for Jeff Stevens, Chris Archer, John Gaub

[Mephistopheles]

the other guys we got throw hard and don't have exceptional command. thats another reason you wouldnt think this is linked to a peavy deal. the padres and towers have always had a fascination for young finesse pitchers - whether it be in the draft or trades. david huff was a local product and a guy that the padres scouted heavily before the 06 draft and they probably would have nabbed him with their second round pick isntead of Wade BeLanc (who is similar) if Antonetti and the Indians didn't take him force. Control-allergic pitching isn't something Towers has ever been associated with. It's hard to believe that he would want any of these players. If we traded DeRosa for Huff, then the precursor to a Peavy deal would be believable. Hendry doesn't care for finesse projects and has a fascination for power pitching prospects. That's why we got these three. Peavy has nothing to do with this move.

[Mephistopheles]

So far this offseason..

 

Replace Wood with Kevin Gregg.

Replace Edmonds with Gaithright.

Replace Marquis with Vizcaino.

Replace Derosa with Miles.

 

Something big better happen because all were doin is downgrading...

 

Not one of those replacements is accurate in expected roles, so your notion of downgrading across the board is wrong.

Replace Wood with Marmol at closer (even).

Replace Howry with Gregg at set-up (even).

Replace Edmonds with Fukudome in CF (moderate downgrade).

Replace Fukudome with Bradley in RF (notable upgrade).

Replace Marquis with Marshall at 5th starter (slight upgrade).

Replace DeRosa with Fontenot at 2B (slight downgrade).

Replace Fontenot with Miles on bench (slight downgrade).

Replace Jon Lieber with Vizcaino in relief (moderate downgrade).

 

That's how I see it.

 

who replaces marmol? fukudome replaces fukudome and bradley replaces edmonds.

[CP_414]

So far this offseason..

 

Replace Wood with Kevin Gregg.

Replace Edmonds with Gaithright.

Replace Marquis with Vizcaino.

Replace Derosa with Miles.

 

Something big better happen because all were doin is downgrading...

 

Not one of those replacements is accurate in expected roles, so your notion of downgrading across the board is wrong.

Replace Wood with Marmol at closer (even).

Replace Howry with Gregg at set-up (even).

Replace Edmonds with Fukudome in CF (moderate downgrade).

Replace Fukudome with Bradley in RF (notable upgrade).

Replace Marquis with Marshall at 5th starter (slight upgrade).

Replace DeRosa with Fontenot at 2B (slight downgrade).

Replace Fontenot with Miles on bench (slight downgrade).

Replace Jon Lieber with Vizcaino in relief (moderate downgrade).

 

That's how I see it.

 

Who replaces Marmol at set-up?

Fuku will be a big downgrade from Edmonds last season. Fonty is a big downgrade from DeRo.

[Monco]

So far this offseason..

 

Replace Wood with Kevin Gregg.

Replace Edmonds with Gaithright.

Replace Marquis with Vizcaino.

Replace Derosa with Miles.

 

Something big better happen because all were doin is downgrading...

 

Not one of those replacements is accurate in expected roles, so your notion of downgrading across the board is wrong.

Replace Wood with Marmol at closer (even).

Replace Howry with Gregg at set-up (even).

Replace Edmonds with Fukudome in CF (moderate downgrade).

Replace Fukudome with Bradley in RF (notable upgrade).

Replace Marquis with Marshall at 5th starter (slight upgrade).

Replace DeRosa with Fontenot at 2B (slight downgrade).

Replace Fontenot with Miles on bench (slight downgrade).

Replace Jon Lieber with Vizcaino in relief (moderate downgrade).

 

That's how I see it.

If so,who replaces what Marmol and Marshall did last year?

 

Really Gregg replaces Wood as a downgrade ,Vizcaino replaces Howry.

 

If Marshall replaces Marquis,who replaces what Marshall did as a spot starter and lefty out of the pen?

 

If Samardzija is the 5,who replaces him as a setup ? Can he really be considered an upgrade over Marquis at this point ?

[17 Seconds]

So far this offseason..

 

Replace Wood with Kevin Gregg.

Replace Edmonds with Gaithright.

Replace Marquis with Vizcaino.

Replace Derosa with Miles.

 

Something big better happen because all were doin is downgrading...

 

Not one of those replacements is accurate in expected roles, so your notion of downgrading across the board is wrong.

Replace Wood with Marmol at closer (even).

Replace Howry with Gregg at set-up (even).

Replace Edmonds with Fukudome in CF (moderate downgrade).

Replace Fukudome with Bradley in RF (notable upgrade).

Replace Marquis with Marshall at 5th starter (slight upgrade).

Replace DeRosa with Fontenot at 2B (slight downgrade).

Replace Fontenot with Miles on bench (slight downgrade).

Replace Jon Lieber with Vizcaino in relief (moderate downgrade).

 

That's how I see it.

 

That's extremely flawed logic. It doesn't matter what the specific roles are... Wood was essentially replaces by Gregg.

 

You say we replaced Wood with Marmol at closer, but then we say we replaced Howry as a setup man with Gregg? Uhh, no. We're replacing Marmol with Gregg, not Howry, and that's a significant downgrade.

 

The rest of your downgrade list just doesn't Make sense. You say how we replace Marquis with Marshall, but you don't acknowledge the lack of depth, or the loss of Marshall in the pen. You say how we replace DeRosa with Fontenot, but you don't mention DeRosa's value as a guy that can play anywhere, which will be very significant when Bradley gets hurt. Now instead of sliding DeRosa to RF and giving Fontenot more at-bats, we're suddenly giving more at-bats to Aaron Miles and other similar players. That big, especially when you look at the amount of time that Bradley misses each year.

[erik316wttn]

Godspeed, DeRo. Say hi to Kerry for us.

 

I think we're really going to miss DeRo's versaility more than anyone here can know. Are there any DeRo-like FA's out there right now? Someone who can play about 5 different positions?

[Monco]

So far this offseason..

 

Replace Wood with Kevin Gregg.

Replace Edmonds with Gaithright.

Replace Marquis with Vizcaino.

Replace Derosa with Miles.

 

Something big better happen because all were doin is downgrading...

 

Not one of those replacements is accurate in expected roles, so your notion of downgrading across the board is wrong.

Replace Wood with Marmol at closer (even).

Replace Howry with Gregg at set-up (even).

Replace Edmonds with Fukudome in CF (moderate downgrade).

Replace Fukudome with Bradley in RF (notable upgrade).

Replace Marquis with Marshall at 5th starter (slight upgrade).

Replace DeRosa with Fontenot at 2B (slight downgrade).

Replace Fontenot with Miles on bench (slight downgrade).

Replace Jon Lieber with Vizcaino in relief (moderate downgrade).

 

That's how I see it.

 

That's extremely flawed logic. It doesn't matter what the specific roles are... Wood was essentially replaces by Gregg.

 

You say we replaced Wood with Marmol at closer, but then we say we replaced Howry as a setup man with Gregg? Uhh, no. We're replacing Marmol with Gregg, not Howry, and that's a significant downgrade.

 

The rest of your downgrade list just doesn't Make sense. You say how we replace Marquis with Marshall, but you don't acknowledge the lack of depth, or the loss of Marshall in the pen. You say how we replace DeRosa with Fontenot, but you don't mention DeRosa's value as a guy that can play anywhere, which will be very significant when Bradley gets hurt. Now instead of sliding DeRosa to RF and giving Fontenot more at-bats, we're suddenly giving more at-bats to Aaron Miles and other similar players. That big, especially when you look at the amount of time that Bradley misses each year.

 

Dempsters 2009 will most likely be a downgrade from his 2008. Of course,his contract has made all the salary dumps necessary.

[17 Seconds]

Godspeed, DeRo. Say hi to Kerry for us.

 

I think we're really going to miss DeRo's versaility more than anyone here can know. Are there any DeRo-like FA's out there right now? Someone who can play about 5 different positions?

 

The one we just signed to a 2 year deal. Unfortunately, he sucks.

[cubsfan26]

So far this offseason..

 

Replace Wood with Kevin Gregg.

Replace Edmonds with Gaithright.

Replace Marquis with Vizcaino.

Replace Derosa with Miles.

 

Something big better happen because all were doin is downgrading...

 

Not one of those replacements is accurate in expected roles, so your notion of downgrading across the board is wrong.

Replace Wood with Marmol at closer (even).

Replace Howry with Gregg at set-up (even).

Replace Edmonds with Fukudome in CF (moderate downgrade).

Replace Fukudome with Bradley in RF (notable upgrade).

Replace Marquis with Marshall at 5th starter (slight upgrade).

Replace DeRosa with Fontenot at 2B (slight downgrade).

Replace Fontenot with Miles on bench (slight downgrade).

Replace Jon Lieber with Vizcaino in relief (moderate downgrade).

 

That's how I see it.

 

 

Yeah this team has downgraded a little, but not at the level some are making out to be. If the Marquis trade becomes offical and we sign Bradley, and do nothing else. This team will still be a good team next year, and should have no problem winning the division. Of course if you feel Dempster will suck, and Harden will miss most of the season, you would think their not as good. But nothing Dempster did last year was flukey the guy was just good. So when you consider he actually made changes last year like getting himself in great shape, adjusted his delivery and used another pitch. So it wasn't like he just went out there caught some breaks, was lucky and had a great season. He actually made changes that made him a better pitcher. So I don't think you can call what he did to be a fluke or expect him to go back to being the subpar starter he was in 01-03. Sure he probably won't be as good, but he should still be a pretty good 2-3 starter IMO.

 

 

As for Rich Harden, he could fall apart at anytime, but personally I think the A's/Cubs kinda figured out a system for him last year to keep him healthy to a point with rest. Yes it's doubtful he would make 30 starts, but I still think he will get more of a impact from Harden in 09 then we did in 08. This team has good rotation depth and could survive with a guy struggling or missing some starts. Lets not forget this team had one of the best records in baseball before they got Harden last year. Thats with Lilly struggling in April, Marquis, Gallagher, and even Marshall in the rotation for a few starts. Plus the offense is still gonna be good. Not many teams have four hitters like Lee, Ramirez, Soriano(should play more games then last year as well) and Soto in it. Then if you add Bradley to that mix even for only 100 games it's still a lethal line-up. Then mix those with Fontenot/Miles, Theriot, Fukudome/Johnson we still will be in pretty good shape. I think the line-up will lose power without DeRosa and Edmonds. But neither guy would have probably hit for the same power anyways. The team will still be good but problem is this team is a little worse then when the season ended, and the goal is to get better.

 

 

Personally I still don't think making these trades and signing Bradley will be all we do this offseason. Once we have a new owner in mid to late January(who could give them a little payroll boost). I can see them getting back involved in the Peavy talks, or possibly target guys like Lowe, Sheets and Oliver Perez if their still on the market. Or possibly go after another 2b like Orlando Hudson or Brian Roberts. But for now I think they felt they had to get the Bradley deal done, because he might not still be on the market later this month. While other guys still might be on the market, and they would now have more trade chips to make deals as well. Hopefully they will have a little more money to spend later this month, because I'm gonna be pretty disappointed we got rid of Wood, Marquis, DeRosa to get just Bradley, Gregg, Vizcaino and prospects.

[cubsfan26]

If Marshall replaces Marquis,who replaces what Marshall did as a spot starter and lefty out of the pen?

 

Gaudin who started 34 games and pitched 199 innings in 07, and only made 1 less start then Marshall last year. He also had a mid 3's era out of the pen last year until he had injury issues. He could either replace Samardzija as the late inning guy, be in the rotation, or replace Marshall as the swing guy.

 

 

Really Gregg replaces Wood as a downgrade ,Vizcaino replaces Howry.

 

Gregg does replace Wood, and yes it's a downgrade but not a HUGE downgrade. I think Vizcaino would be a upgrade over what Howry did last year. Plus I still think Wuertz could be better if he's here, and think Guzman will be good if healthy.

[RedFlash]

Gregg does replace Wood, and yes it's a downgrade but not a HUGE downgrade. I think Vizcaino would be a upgrade over what Howry did last year. Plus I still think Wuertz could be better if he's here, and think Guzman will be good if healthy.

 

I agree that going by the 2008 numbers that Gregg is a slight downgrade, but not a huge one. The only concern of Gregg I have is the BB/K ratio which also affects the WHIP. But I look at Gregg as replacing Howry, and Marmol replacing Wood, with an off chance that Guzman replacing Marmol. So essentially Vizcaino---if kept---would replace somebody like Kevin Hart of Weurtz.

[cubsfan26]

I agree that going by the 2008 numbers that Gregg is a slight downgrade, but not a huge one. The only concern of Gregg I have is the BB/K ratio which also affects the WHIP

 

I agree but Gregg has had a mid 3 era the last three years out of the pen, so I expect the same thing out of him next year. I expect him to be much better then Howry was last season. Plus I'm still hoping that he will end up being the closer in the long run. But I don't think Lou will change the way he uses Marmol all that much either way. I think we will see alot of 5-6 out saves by Marmol, so Marmol will be pitching 8-9th inning instead of 7-8th inning. If Gregg or another pitcher get in the jam in the 8th in a close game Marmol is still gonna come in to shut the door. I don't see him using him as a one inning closer and just coming in the game with the lead in the 9th.

[17 Seconds]

I agree that going by the 2008 numbers that Gregg is a slight downgrade, but not a huge one. The only concern of Gregg I have is the BB/K ratio which also affects the WHIP

 

I agree but Gregg has had a mid 3 era the last three years out of the pen, so I expect the same thing out of him next year. I expect him to be much better then Howry was last season. Plus I'm still hoping that he will end up being the closer in the long run. But I don't think Lou will change the way he uses Marmol all that much either way. I think we will see alot of 5-6 out saves by Marmol, so Marmol will be pitching 8-9th inning instead of 7-8th inning. If Gregg or another pitcher get in the jam in the 8th in a close game Marmol is still gonna come in to shut the door. I don't see him using him as a one inning closer and just coming in the game with the lead in the 9th.

 

ERA is a very deceiving stat for relievers

[cubsfan26]

I agree that going by the 2008 numbers that Gregg is a slight downgrade, but not a huge one. The only concern of Gregg I have is the BB/K ratio which also affects the WHIP

 

I agree but Gregg has had a mid 3 era the last three years out of the pen, so I expect the same thing out of him next year. I expect him to be much better then Howry was last season. Plus I'm still hoping that he will end up being the closer in the long run. But I don't think Lou will change the way he uses Marmol all that much either way. I think we will see alot of 5-6 out saves by Marmol, so Marmol will be pitching 8-9th inning instead of 7-8th inning. If Gregg or another pitcher get in the jam in the 8th in a close game Marmol is still gonna come in to shut the door. I don't see him using him as a one inning closer and just coming in the game with the lead in the 9th.

 

ERA is a very deceiving stat for relievers

 

 

It can be, but when he's had simliar numbers the last three years and pitched in alot of innings I'm confident he will allow same level of runs or less next year. Gregg walks are scary, but the guy is very tough to hit. He won't be lights out, but he will be solid for us next year. I'm just saying when we have one reliever who pitches one inning a game and allows 25 runs in 65-70 inning and replace him with a reliever who allows 28-30 runs in 70 innings. It's not gonna have a huge impact on our season, it will downgrade the pen some, but overall it's not really gonna hurt us much.

Edited January 1, 2009 by cubsfan26

[Gingerballs Lives]

Hendry better have something great up his sleave because I hate just about every move he's made this offseason (save retaining Ryan Dempster).

 

Aaron Miles for $5MM? To play baseball?

 

Kevin Gregg is garbage too.

 

Hate Hate Hate Hate

[Fanatic3332000]

Brian Roberts has always been Jim Hendry's favorite. Don't be surprised if its him we are trading these prospects for. Another left handed bat in the lineup that would move Soriano out of the leadoff...finally.

[Schwarber Fan]

Brian Roberts has always been Jim Hendry's favorite. Don't be surprised if its him we are trading these prospects for. Another left handed bat in the lineup that would move Soriano out of the leadoff...finally.

 

Hmm... had not thought of that, and maybe Cedeno would be going too in the deal that would justify the Miles signing (to an extent)

[Schwarber Fan]

Right on cue

 

Cubs To Target Brian Roberts Yet Again?

By Drew Silva [December 31 at 5:52pm CST]

Ready for more Brian Roberts-to-the-Cubs rumors? Here's a little speculation via Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun:

 

Schmuck surmises that the Cubs might try to recover some of the offensive production that they lost in Mark DeRosa's departure by once again going after Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts. The Cubs just signed Aaron Miles, who is a fine utility infielder and occasional pinch-hitter, but he'd be an offensive and defensive liability as an everyday starter

[RedFlash]

Brian Roberts has always been Jim Hendry's favorite. Don't be surprised if its him we are trading these prospects for. Another left handed bat in the lineup that would move Soriano out of the leadoff...finally.

 

Then why sign Aaron Miles in the first place? I doubt Brian Roberts is coming, unless the Cubs sign him as a FA after the 09 season.

[Schwarber Fan]

Brian Roberts has always been Jim Hendry's favorite. Don't be surprised if its him we are trading these prospects for. Another left handed bat in the lineup that would move Soriano out of the leadoff...finally.

 

Then why sign Aaron Miles in the first place? I doubt Brian Roberts is coming, unless the Cubs sign him as a FA after the 09 season.

 

Like I said, maybe to replace Ronny?

 

I guess Fontenot would be the primary backup though...

[17 Seconds]

In another thread somebody said Hendry was on XM today and basically said they weren't going to pursue Roberts.

[dew1679666265]

Gregg does replace Wood, and yes it's a downgrade but not a HUGE downgrade. I think Vizcaino would be a upgrade over what Howry did last year. Plus I still think Wuertz could be better if he's here, and think Guzman will be good if healthy.

 

Howry had an ERA+ of 84 last year with a WHIP of 1.458. Vizcaino posted an 87 ERA+ and a 1.457 WHIP. Howry's been better most other years.

 

I don't see Vizcaino being an upgrade over Howry.

[TheDude]

That's extremely flawed logic. It doesn't matter what the specific roles are... Wood was essentially replaces by Gregg.

 

You say we replaced Wood with Marmol at closer, but then we say we replaced Howry as a setup man with Gregg? Uhh, no. We're replacing Marmol with Gregg, not Howry, and that's a significant downgrade.

 

The rest of your downgrade list just doesn't Make sense. You say how we replace Marquis with Marshall, but you don't acknowledge the lack of depth, or the loss of Marshall in the pen. You say how we replace DeRosa with Fontenot, but you don't mention DeRosa's value as a guy that can play anywhere, which will be very significant when Bradley gets hurt. Now instead of sliding DeRosa to RF and giving Fontenot more at-bats, we're suddenly giving more at-bats to Aaron Miles and other similar players. That big, especially when you look at the amount of time that Bradley misses each year.

 

Nothing in this approach is "extremely flawed logic". I could accept Meph's -Bradley replaces Edmonds and leave Fukudome alone- comment because CF/RF will likely be overlapping all year, but I disagree with your points in total.

 

First, the off-season isn't over. Not all roles have been resolved. I currently don't see who will fill the 7th inning with-a-lead role (Marmol 2008) or the floating loogy/6th starter (Marshall 2008) for 2009. And there is nothing wrong with that. I don't acknowledge a lack of depth because there is no need to yet. The roster isn't complete. If spring training rolls around and we're having this same discussion, then there is a problem.

 

Second, role does matter. Otherwise you could say Bradley replaces Wood, or some other random observation. Wood was the closer. Therefore if you're going to analyze a replacement for Wood, then I believe you have to start with the incumbent, Marmol. Gregg might be "in the mix" for closer in spring training because Lou loves competition for spots, but at this point in the off-season, Gregg looks like the 8th inning set-up man (Howry 2008) and Marmol the favorite for closer.

 

2008 7-8-9: Marmol, Howry, Wood

2009 7-8-9: ?, Gregg, Marmol

 

Spring training likely shakes out that 7th inning guy. If I was forced to fill-in a name, I would say Samardzija has the inside track on the 7th inning.

 

Another way to approach it would be look at the unit as a whole. Meaning, evaluate the Marmol-Howry-Wood unit against the Samardzija-Gregg-Marmol unit regardless of which guy slots into which role. I hesitate to look at this way because we don't know if Samardzija is the guy in that mix. But if he is, I'd call it a slight downgrade, only because the unit is less proven and doesn't have the track record of consistency.

 

Third, DeRosa's value as a plug-and-play anywhere player can't be replaced by anyone on the current roster. There is no point trying to account for Bradley's replacement in RF with a 2B because you assume he will get hurt for extended time. That isn't how a 2B is typically used. If you want a depth chart replacement for Bradley, then it would likely be Pie, which is a notable downgrade.

 

But back-up plans and depth for injuries, while part of the discussion, isn't the purpose of starter level or 1st choice role analysis. DeRosa was primarily a 2B. And if everyone is presumed healthy, he would get 80% of his ABs at 2B if still with the club. When defining his replacement, you look at 2B.

[Post Count Padder]

If Stevens pitches on the big league club this year, his projected ZiPS:

 

5.12 ERA 65 IP 62 K 32 BB 89 ERA+

[17 Seconds]

That's extremely flawed logic. It doesn't matter what the specific roles are... Wood was essentially replaces by Gregg.

 

You say we replaced Wood with Marmol at closer, but then we say we replaced Howry as a setup man with Gregg? Uhh, no. We're replacing Marmol with Gregg, not Howry, and that's a significant downgrade.

 

The rest of your downgrade list just doesn't Make sense. You say how we replace Marquis with Marshall, but you don't acknowledge the lack of depth, or the loss of Marshall in the pen. You say how we replace DeRosa with Fontenot, but you don't mention DeRosa's value as a guy that can play anywhere, which will be very significant when Bradley gets hurt. Now instead of sliding DeRosa to RF and giving Fontenot more at-bats, we're suddenly giving more at-bats to Aaron Miles and other similar players. That big, especially when you look at the amount of time that Bradley misses each year.

 

Nothing in this approach is "extremely flawed logic". I could accept Meph's -Bradley replaces Edmonds and leave Fukudome alone- comment because CF/RF will likely be overlapping all year, but I disagree with your points in total.

 

First, the off-season isn't over. Not all roles have been resolved. I currently don't see who will fill the 7th inning with-a-lead role (Marmol 2008) or the floating loogy/6th starter (Marshall 2008) for 2009. And there is nothing wrong with that. I don't acknowledge a lack of depth because there is no need to yet. The roster isn't complete. If spring training rolls around and we're having this same discussion, then there is a problem.

 

Second, role does matter. Otherwise you could say Bradley replaces Wood, or some other random observation. Wood was the closer. Therefore if you're going to analyze a replacement for Wood, then I believe you have to start with the incumbent, Marmol. Gregg might be "in the mix" for closer in spring training because Lou loves competition for spots, but at this point in the off-season, Gregg looks like the 8th inning set-up man (Howry 2008) and Marmol the favorite for closer.

 

2008 7-8-9: Marmol, Howry, Wood

2009 7-8-9: ?, Gregg, Marmol

 

Spring training likely shakes out that 7th inning guy. If I was forced to fill-in a name, I would say Samardzija has the inside track on the 7th inning.

 

Another way to approach it would be look at the unit as a whole. Meaning, evaluate the Marmol-Howry-Wood unit against the Samardzija-Gregg-Marmol unit regardless of which guy slots into which role. I hesitate to look at this way because we don't know if Samardzija is the guy in that mix. But if he is, I'd call it a slight downgrade, only because the unit is less proven and doesn't have the track record of consistency.

 

Third, DeRosa's value as a plug-and-play anywhere player can't be replaced by anyone on the current roster. There is no point trying to account for Bradley's replacement in RF with a 2B because you assume he will get hurt for extended time. That isn't how a 2B is typically used. If you want a depth chart replacement for Bradley, then it would likely be Pie, which is a notable downgrade.

 

But back-up plans and depth for injuries, while part of the discussion, isn't the purpose of starter level or 1st choice role analysis. DeRosa was primarily a 2B. And if everyone is presumed healthy, he would get 80% of his ABs at 2B if still with the club. When defining his replacement, you look at 2B.

 

How was it not flawed logic? You had Marmol replacing Wood but Gregg replacing Howry instead of Marmol? Who replaces Marmol? Gregg is replacing Wood, or if you want to get into semantics, he's facing Marmol. Either way, he's not replacing Howry. Also, as others mentioned, Fukudome is still in the lineup against rigties, so Bradley is essentially replacing Edmonds. Also it's not fair that you just say Marshall replaces Marquis but then fail to mention that Marshall's old role will not be replaced., or that Fontenot can't replace DeRosa since he can't play right when Bradley gets hurt. Your whole thing was just very flawed and simplistic and left out of a ton of things. I alreayd explained all this (and so did everyone else), I guess you just didn't read it.

 

Gregg looks like the 8th inning set-up man (Howry 2008)

 

I don't understand why you keep saying this. Did you not follow the Cubs last year, or are you just lying and hoping we don't notice? Marmol was the 8th inning guy last season.