Who will be in the bullpen?

[jersey cubs fan]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-10-cubs-chicagomar10,0,5823546.story

 

MESA, Ariz. — The Cubs' biggest question mark heading into the season is the bullpen, which was overhauled over the winter with the departures of Kerry Wood, Bob Howry and Michael Wuertz.

 

When camp opened last month, there were six supposed locks — Carlos Marmol, Kevin Gregg, Aaron Heilman, Neal Cotts, Chad Gaudin and Luis Vizcaino — leaving an opening for one more reliever.

 

But with three weeks to go in camp, could one or more relievers be pitching themselves out of a spot?

 

Sullivan writes that Vizcaino is in jeopardy of losing his bullpen spot this spring. He's an older (will turn 35 before the season ends) reliever with a bit of a checkered history. I have my doubts that they'd release a $5m reliever right away, especially when they have other guys with options.

 

The Cubs' chances of trading Vizcaino are slim because of the overpriced contract, though if they packaged him with a prospect, they could explore a deal with Oakland for shortstop Bobby Crosby, who makes $5.25 million and is being shopped after Orlando Cabrera signed.

[bukie]

The Cubs' chances of trading Vizcaino are slim because of the overpriced contract, though if they packaged him with a prospect, they could explore a deal with Oakland for shortstop Bobby Crosby, who makes $5.25 million and is being shopped after Orlando Cabrera signed.

 

I'd like to file this idea under the definition of "how to make a bad contract worse".

[jersey cubs fan]

The Cubs' chances of trading Vizcaino are slim because of the overpriced contract, though if they packaged him with a prospect, they could explore a deal with Oakland for shortstop Bobby Crosby, who makes $5.25 million and is being shopped after Orlando Cabrera signed.

 

I'd like to file this idea under the definition of "how to make a bad contract worse".

 

Trading Dempster for Vizcaino already accomplished that goal. This would be more like reshuffling bad contracts. The Cubs have plenty of arms that can fill the mediocre reliever role Vizcaino would fill, they don't have any shortstop depth in the organization.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Makes one wonder if David patton has any shot. Lou seems to like him, and Lou hates all pitchers.

[Garwilly]

The Cubs' chances of trading Vizcaino are slim because of the overpriced contract, though if they packaged him with a prospect, they could explore a deal with Oakland for shortstop Bobby Crosby, who makes $5.25 million and is being shopped after Orlando Cabrera signed.

 

I'd like to file this idea under the definition of "how to make a bad contract worse".

 

Trading Dempster for Vizcaino already accomplished that goal. This would be more like reshuffling bad contracts. The Cubs have plenty of arms that can fill the mediocre reliever role Vizcaino would fill, they don't have any shortstop depth in the organization.

 

:shock:

[jersey cubs fan]

The Cubs' chances of trading Vizcaino are slim because of the overpriced contract, though if they packaged him with a prospect, they could explore a deal with Oakland for shortstop Bobby Crosby, who makes $5.25 million and is being shopped after Orlando Cabrera signed.

 

I'd like to file this idea under the definition of "how to make a bad contract worse".

 

Trading Dempster for Vizcaino already accomplished that goal. This would be more like reshuffling bad contracts. The Cubs have plenty of arms that can fill the mediocre reliever role Vizcaino would fill, they don't have any shortstop depth in the organization.

 

:shock:

 

I'm dumb.

[Guest]

What happened to Crosby? He's stunk it up the last couple of years.

[Guest]

Another spot could also be opened up if Harden isn't healthy enough to open the season: Heilman gets bumped into the rotation and the Cubs would need to fill his vacated bullpen spot.

[YearofDaCubs]

I just don't want to see Fox and Vizcaino make the roster.

[Wilson A2000]

I think the team is better with Marshall as a starter and Jeff as a reliever than the other way around. The starting pitching is a strength of this team and the bullpen could really use his services. I don't want Jeff's arm wasted at AAA.

[cubsfan26]

I'm worried about Angel Guzman, there's no way he passes through waivers. The Cubs better not lose him for nothing, I know he had a few rough games early this spring. But he needs to be on the roster on opening day.

[Guest]

I think the team is better with Marshall as a starter and Jeff as a reliever than the other way around. The starting pitching is a strength of this team and the bullpen could really use his services. I don't want Jeff's arm wasted at AAA.

 

I don't want Samardzija's arm wasted as a reliever without getting a shot at starting first.

[Wilson A2000]

I think the team is better with Marshall as a starter and Jeff as a reliever than the other way around. The starting pitching is a strength of this team and the bullpen could really use his services. I don't want Jeff's arm wasted at AAA.

 

I don't want Samardzija's arm wasted as a reliever without getting a shot at starting first.

 

Without Jeff, the Cubs have one of the best starting staffs in MLB. Without Jeff the pen is just a notch above average. I'll take Samardzija in the pen.

[Tracer Bullet]

I think the team is better with Marshall as a starter and Jeff as a reliever than the other way around. The starting pitching is a strength of this team and the bullpen could really use his services. I don't want Jeff's arm wasted at AAA.

 

I don't want Samardzija's arm wasted as a reliever without getting a shot at starting first.

 

Without Jeff, the Cubs have one of the best starting staffs in MLB. Without Jeff the pen is just a notch above average. I'll take Samardzija in the pen.

 

He should be in AAA starting so that he can take a rotation spot next year or later this year if someone gets hurt.

[Guest]

I think the team is better with Marshall as a starter and Jeff as a reliever than the other way around. The starting pitching is a strength of this team and the bullpen could really use his services. I don't want Jeff's arm wasted at AAA.

 

I don't want Samardzija's arm wasted as a reliever without getting a shot at starting first.

 

Without Jeff, the Cubs have one of the best starting staffs in MLB. Without Jeff the pen is just a notch above average. I'll take Samardzija in the pen.

 

He should be in AAA starting so that he can take a rotation spot next year or later this year if someone gets hurt.

 

Exactly.

[NCCubFan]

I think the team is better with Marshall as a starter and Jeff as a reliever than the other way around. The starting pitching is a strength of this team and the bullpen could really use his services. I don't want Jeff's arm wasted at AAA.

 

I don't want Samardzija's arm wasted as a reliever without getting a shot at starting first.

 

Without Jeff, the Cubs have one of the best starting staffs in MLB. Without Jeff the pen is just a notch above average. I'll take Samardzija in the pen.

 

He should be in AAA starting so that he can take a rotation spot next year or later this year if someone gets hurt.

I think it's more like WHEN someone gets hurt. I can't see them going the entire year without any starting pitcher missing some time. And I agree with keeping Samardz stretched out at Iowa for then.

[Tracer Bullet]

I think the team is better with Marshall as a starter and Jeff as a reliever than the other way around. The starting pitching is a strength of this team and the bullpen could really use his services. I don't want Jeff's arm wasted at AAA.

 

I don't want Samardzija's arm wasted as a reliever without getting a shot at starting first.

 

Without Jeff, the Cubs have one of the best starting staffs in MLB. Without Jeff the pen is just a notch above average. I'll take Samardzija in the pen.

 

He should be in AAA starting so that he can take a rotation spot next year or later this year if someone gets hurt.

I think it's more like WHEN someone gets hurt. I can't see them going the entire year without any starting pitcher missing some time.

 

You shut your dirty mouth. We're going the entire year only using 5 starting pitchers.

[jersey cubs fan]

I want Samardzija starting in AAA, although I'm still not the least bit convinced he's got a great future ahead of him as a starter. He really wasn't all that great last year, despite some flashes of brilliance, but he may never amount to anything better than a reliever. That being said, they probably have a couple guys who can do the same exact thing.

[Guest]

At this point?

 

I'd like to see a seven man pen with:

 

Marmol

Gregg

Heilman

Gaudin

Cotts

 

as the locks

 

Guzman

Patton

 

making the team rather than being waived or returned

 

Vizcaino

 

released

 

Samardzija

Ascanio

 

sent back to AAA to start

 

and all the other guys sent back to the minors.

[Vanilla Ice]

That is exactly the bullpen that I want

[jersey cubs fan]

At this point?

 

I'd like to see a seven man pen with:

 

Marmol

Gregg

Heilman

Gaudin

Cotts

 

as the locks

 

Guzman

Patton

 

making the team rather than being waived or returned

 

I don't know anything about this Patton dude. What's his story?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I don't know anything about this Patton dude. What's his story?

 

Rule 5 Lefty

 

He's done real well so far this spring. 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 6/0 K/BB

[CubColtPacer]

I don't know anything about this Patton dude. What's his story?

 

Rule 5 Lefty

 

He's done real well so far this spring. 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 6/0 K/BB

 

He's actually a right-handed pitcher (although with my track record lately you probably meant something else by lefty :D).

 

I'm actually really surprised by him. I got to see him in the WGN game the other day and he looked really fluid with pretty good stuff.

[Guest]

The reports on Patton's stuff have been pretty encouraging so far, too. Obviously, if he tanks over the next month, he gets returned and either Vizcaino doesn't get dropped or Ascanio/Samardzija/Hart/whomever makes the team.

 

But at this point, I wouldn't mind Patton as an option in the pen.

[jersey cubs fan]

I don't know anything about this Patton dude. What's his story?

 

Rule 5 Lefty

 

He's done real well so far this spring. 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 6/0 K/BB

 

I googled patton baseball cube and came up with some lefty in the Houston system. But this dude is a righty who has had issues with the walk throughout his career.