Who Should Be In The Cubs Bullpen?

[XZero771679666304]

which is why Gaudin should be the odd man out. The guy still has some trade value, and hopefullly some team could pick up part of the tab on him. Patton has earned his spot, and Guzman has shown some flashes of brilliance.

 

whoa. patton has earned his spot over the out-of-options gaudin because of a good spring training? come on. it's spring training. remember when rocky cherry was perfect in ST?

 

gaudin has proven he can be a decent reliever/starter, which is something we'll need with harden in the rotation.

 

what has patton proven? he's almost 25 and has never been past A+ ball.... and hasn't even been good there.

 

 

Plus you have to keep the guys who are out of options first. If Gaudin stinks during the first month or two, then it might be time to cut him loose.

[Mark Priors Calves]

i'm fully expecting guzman not to be with the cubs for much, if not at all this season. his inability to stay healthy throughout his career, the 25 man roster crunch, and he's lacking of options are all leading to disappointment for another top cub prospect. i don't want to be negative but i think he's a victim of circumstance as much as anything. i hope i'm wrong.

[Backtobanks]

i'm fully expecting guzman not to be with the cubs for much, if not at all this season. his inability to stay healthy throughout his career, the 25 man roster crunch, and he's lacking of options are all leading to disappointment for another top cub prospect. i don't want to be negative but i think he's a victim of circumstance as much as anything. i hope i'm wrong.

 

Paul Sullivan suggests that Shark may be sent down while Guzman makes the team. I do think the Cubs don't want to lose him for nothing, so they might try to keep him or show that he's healthy in order to increase his trade value.

[Illini Iceman]

i'm fully expecting guzman not to be with the cubs for much, if not at all this season. his inability to stay healthy throughout his career, the 25 man roster crunch, and he's lacking of options are all leading to disappointment for another top cub prospect. i don't want to be negative but i think he's a victim of circumstance as much as anything. i hope i'm wrong.

 

Paul Sullivan suggests that Shark may be sent down while Guzman makes the team. I do think the Cubs don't want to lose him for nothing, so they might try to keep him or show that he's healthy in order to increase his trade value.

 

Plus Shark hasn't really pitched very well this spring so he isn't really forcing their hand as far as making them want him on the major league roster. The Cubs are better off with him and Atkins starting at AAA so they have two options to choose from when/if they need a spot start and Gaudin might not be stretched out enough. It is just going to be tricky with their options situation determining who can be sent down in order to make room to bring up someone to start. If they start with Marmol, Gregg, Cotts, Guzman, Heilman, Patton and Gaudin they have no one that can be sent down to AAA without clearing waivers.

[jersey cubs fan]

Disappointing words from Bruce Miles

 

Gaudin is out of minor-league options, and he's making $2 million. He would appear to be safe, unless the Cubs trade him. The Cubs are on the hook for $4 million for Luis Vizcaino. He might be harder to deal.

 

The numbers game might be catching up with Rule 5 guy David Patton, who worked his second straight day today. He lowered his ERA to 0.93 with a scoreless inning.

 

"The young man throws strikes," Lou said. "Obviously, he's not intimidated. I tell you what, he's having fun, and he's certainly not backing away from the challenge. In a normal year, the way he's pitched, you would really, really like his chances. But here, there are numbers here. There's some depth here. Let's let that decision go the final couple days and see where it goes."

 

Not at all unpredictable, that a promising young arm would be lost because the Cubs have to find space for overpaid veteran relievers with no roster flexibility.

 

It's a real shame they trade Marquis for an immovable object.

[Guest]

Disappointing words from Bruce Miles

 

Gaudin is out of minor-league options, and he's making $2 million. He would appear to be safe, unless the Cubs trade him. The Cubs are on the hook for $4 million for Luis Vizcaino. He might be harder to deal.

 

The numbers game might be catching up with Rule 5 guy David Patton, who worked his second straight day today. He lowered his ERA to 0.93 with a scoreless inning.

 

"The young man throws strikes," Lou said. "Obviously, he's not intimidated. I tell you what, he's having fun, and he's certainly not backing away from the challenge. In a normal year, the way he's pitched, you would really, really like his chances. But here, there are numbers here. There's some depth here. Let's let that decision go the final couple days and see where it goes."

 

Not at all unpredictable, that a promising young arm would be lost because the Cubs have to find space for overpaid veteran relievers with no roster flexibility.

 

It's a real shame they trade Marquis for an immovable object.

Had the timing worked out differently, the roster situation would have been better if they had been able to deal Marquis for an overpriced backup IF like Crosby.

 

I'm still holding out hope that they end up dealing or cutting one of Gaudin or Vizcaino, but I'm not holding my breath.

[RedFlash]

Disappointing words from Bruce Miles

 

Gaudin is out of minor-league options, and he's making $2 million. He would appear to be safe, unless the Cubs trade him. The Cubs are on the hook for $4 million for Luis Vizcaino. He might be harder to deal.

 

The numbers game might be catching up with Rule 5 guy David Patton, who worked his second straight day today. He lowered his ERA to 0.93 with a scoreless inning.

 

"The young man throws strikes," Lou said. "Obviously, he's not intimidated. I tell you what, he's having fun, and he's certainly not backing away from the challenge. In a normal year, the way he's pitched, you would really, really like his chances. But here, there are numbers here. There's some depth here. Let's let that decision go the final couple days and see where it goes."

 

Not at all unpredictable, that a promising young arm would be lost because the Cubs have to find space for overpaid veteran relievers with no roster flexibility.

 

It's a real shame they trade Marquis for an immovable object.

 

Actually, jersey the way I look at it is that the Cubs are prolly going to lose two "promising young arms" because of Gaudin and Viz. Unless Guzman gets mysteriously injured at the end of spring training, the Cubs would lose both Patton and Guzman, and that proposition sickens me, because both Gooz and Patton have higher upsides and future with the Cubs that Gaudin and Viz doesn't.

[Guest]

Disappointing words from Bruce Miles

 

Gaudin is out of minor-league options, and he's making $2 million. He would appear to be safe, unless the Cubs trade him. The Cubs are on the hook for $4 million for Luis Vizcaino. He might be harder to deal.

 

The numbers game might be catching up with Rule 5 guy David Patton, who worked his second straight day today. He lowered his ERA to 0.93 with a scoreless inning.

 

"The young man throws strikes," Lou said. "Obviously, he's not intimidated. I tell you what, he's having fun, and he's certainly not backing away from the challenge. In a normal year, the way he's pitched, you would really, really like his chances. But here, there are numbers here. There's some depth here. Let's let that decision go the final couple days and see where it goes."

 

Not at all unpredictable, that a promising young arm would be lost because the Cubs have to find space for overpaid veteran relievers with no roster flexibility.

 

It's a real shame they trade Marquis for an immovable object.

 

Actually, jersey the way I look at it is that the Cubs are prolly going to lose two "promising young arms" because of Gaudin and Viz. Unless Guzman gets mysteriously injured at the end of spring training, the Cubs would lose both Patton and Guzman, and that proposition sickens me, because both Gooz and Patton have higher upsides and future with the Cubs that Gaudin and Viz doesn't.

Gregg

Marmol

Heilman

Cotts

Gaudin / Vizcaino

Guzman

Patton

 

If one of Gaudin & Vizcaino exits the picture somehow, there should be room for both Guzman and Patton.

[jersey cubs fan]

Disappointing words from Bruce Miles

 

Gaudin is out of minor-league options, and he's making $2 million. He would appear to be safe, unless the Cubs trade him. The Cubs are on the hook for $4 million for Luis Vizcaino. He might be harder to deal.

 

The numbers game might be catching up with Rule 5 guy David Patton, who worked his second straight day today. He lowered his ERA to 0.93 with a scoreless inning.

 

"The young man throws strikes," Lou said. "Obviously, he's not intimidated. I tell you what, he's having fun, and he's certainly not backing away from the challenge. In a normal year, the way he's pitched, you would really, really like his chances. But here, there are numbers here. There's some depth here. Let's let that decision go the final couple days and see where it goes."

 

Not at all unpredictable, that a promising young arm would be lost because the Cubs have to find space for overpaid veteran relievers with no roster flexibility.

 

It's a real shame they trade Marquis for an immovable object.

 

Actually, jersey the way I look at it is that the Cubs are prolly going to lose two "promising young arms" because of Gaudin and Viz. Unless Guzman gets mysteriously injured at the end of spring training, the Cubs would lose both Patton and Guzman, and that proposition sickens me, because both Gooz and Patton have higher upsides and future with the Cubs that Gaudin and Viz doesn't.

Gregg

Marmol

Heilman

Cotts

Gaudin / Vizcaino

Guzman

Patton

 

If one of Gaudin & Vizcaino exits the picture somehow, there should be room for both Guzman and Patton.

 

I have my doubts that they'd manage to get rid of either.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Disappointing words from Bruce Miles

 

Gaudin is out of minor-league options, and he's making $2 million. He would appear to be safe, unless the Cubs trade him. The Cubs are on the hook for $4 million for Luis Vizcaino. He might be harder to deal.

 

The numbers game might be catching up with Rule 5 guy David Patton, who worked his second straight day today. He lowered his ERA to 0.93 with a scoreless inning.

 

"The young man throws strikes," Lou said. "Obviously, he's not intimidated. I tell you what, he's having fun, and he's certainly not backing away from the challenge. In a normal year, the way he's pitched, you would really, really like his chances. But here, there are numbers here. There's some depth here. Let's let that decision go the final couple days and see where it goes."

 

Not at all unpredictable, that a promising young arm would be lost because the Cubs have to find space for overpaid veteran relievers with no roster flexibility.

 

It's a real shame they trade Marquis for an immovable object.

 

Patton is a near 25 year old who spent last year in High A. He supposedly has good stuff and has had a strong spring, but let's not go overboard here. The odds of getting decent production out of Patton aren't so different than Vizcaino having a decent year. And Gaudin is a better option than Patton, without question.

[jersey cubs fan]

Disappointing words from Bruce Miles

 

Gaudin is out of minor-league options, and he's making $2 million. He would appear to be safe, unless the Cubs trade him. The Cubs are on the hook for $4 million for Luis Vizcaino. He might be harder to deal.

 

The numbers game might be catching up with Rule 5 guy David Patton, who worked his second straight day today. He lowered his ERA to 0.93 with a scoreless inning.

 

"The young man throws strikes," Lou said. "Obviously, he's not intimidated. I tell you what, he's having fun, and he's certainly not backing away from the challenge. In a normal year, the way he's pitched, you would really, really like his chances. But here, there are numbers here. There's some depth here. Let's let that decision go the final couple days and see where it goes."

 

Not at all unpredictable, that a promising young arm would be lost because the Cubs have to find space for overpaid veteran relievers with no roster flexibility.

 

It's a real shame they trade Marquis for an immovable object.

 

Patton is a near 25 year old who spent last year in High A. He supposedly has good stuff and has had a strong spring, but let's not go overboard here. The odds of getting decent production out of Patton aren't so different than Vizcaino having a decent year. And Gaudin is a better option than Patton, without question.

 

I'm not going overboard. He's a promising young arm. I never said he was a super star in waiting. I hate guaranteed big money contracts for marginal relievers. Vizcaino and Gaudin don't have track records of sustained success worthy of guaranteed spots. But their contracts virtually guarantee they will keep their jobs. Guys who aren't good enough to make rotations and aren't good enough to be top-end relievers, just don't have the consistent success to justify guaranteeing jobs. They sucked last year and suck now. There's no telling when or even if they will improve.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Patton is a promising young arm in the same way Gaudin is a promising young arm. Actually, Gaudin is more of a promising young arm than Patton is. Again, Patton has never pitched above A ball. His ST performance is nice, but as a reliever it's more likely he's faced a disproportionate amount of minor leaguers in his outings, plus it's ST performance which isn't much of an indicator. I don't think it matters too much if we lose him, I'd rather keep Gaudin around, and I like Stevens, Ascanio, and even Hart better than Patton. Vizcaino I can take or leave, but like I said I don't think we're missing out if that's the choice that's made.

[Backtobanks]

Disappointing words from Bruce Miles

 

Gaudin is out of minor-league options, and he's making $2 million. He would appear to be safe, unless the Cubs trade him. The Cubs are on the hook for $4 million for Luis Vizcaino. He might be harder to deal.

 

The numbers game might be catching up with Rule 5 guy David Patton, who worked his second straight day today. He lowered his ERA to 0.93 with a scoreless inning.

 

"The young man throws strikes," Lou said. "Obviously, he's not intimidated. I tell you what, he's having fun, and he's certainly not backing away from the challenge. In a normal year, the way he's pitched, you would really, really like his chances. But here, there are numbers here. There's some depth here. Let's let that decision go the final couple days and see where it goes."

 

Not at all unpredictable, that a promising young arm would be lost because the Cubs have to find space for overpaid veteran relievers with no roster flexibility.

 

It's a real shame they trade Marquis for an immovable object.

 

Actually, jersey the way I look at it is that the Cubs are prolly going to lose two "promising young arms" because of Gaudin and Viz. Unless Guzman gets mysteriously injured at the end of spring training, the Cubs would lose both Patton and Guzman, and that proposition sickens me, because both Gooz and Patton have higher upsides and future with the Cubs that Gaudin and Viz doesn't.

Gregg

Marmol

Heilman

Cotts

Gaudin / Vizcaino

Guzman

Patton

 

If one of Gaudin & Vizcaino exits the picture somehow, there should be room for both Guzman and Patton.

 

I have my doubts that they'd manage to get rid of either.

 

 

I can't believe Hendry can't find a taker for Gaudin, assuming he doesn't ask for much. Gaudin is still young with ML experience starting and relieving.

[SouthSideRyan]

Yeah, I don't understand everyone's willingness to throw Gaudin away. Vizcaino, fine, he's old and not that good. I'm not throwing away Chad Gaudin so Patton can suck for a month and get returned to the Rockies.

[jersey cubs fan]

Yeah, I don't understand everyone's willingness to throw Gaudin away. Vizcaino, fine, he's old and not that good. I'm not throwing away Chad Gaudin so Patton can suck for a month and get returned to the Rockies.

 

He was a god awful drunk who entered Lou's doghouse immediately and hasn't shown any glimmer of hope since.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm more annoyed that Vizcaino is here, taking up a huge chunk of payroll. I'd be all for his release. Gaudin, I would think, could be trade bait. But considering the talk of his drinking being the cause of his back problems late last year, the rest of the league may not have any interest in giving the Cubs anything worthwhile.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I'm more annoyed that Vizcaino is here, taking up a huge chunk of payroll. I'd be all for his release. Gaudin, I would think, could be trade bait. But considering the talk of his drinking being the cause of his back problems late last year, the rest of the league may not have any interest in giving the Cubs anything worthwhile.

 

If Gaudin were to be moved, it would be more to open up a roster spot and hopefully dump some salary. I wouldnt expect much in return at all. Probably wont happen though. Afterall, every team needs a mop up man.

[17 Seconds]

Yeah, I don't understand everyone's willingness to throw Gaudin away. Vizcaino, fine, he's old and not that good. I'm not throwing away Chad Gaudin so Patton can suck for a month and get returned to the Rockies.

 

He was a god awful drunk who entered Lou's doghouse immediately and hasn't shown any glimmer of hope since.

 

A god awful drunk? Where does this stuff even come from? There's a rumor about his injury happeneing when he was drunk and suddenly he's a drunk? Adults are allowed to drink guys.

[17 Seconds]

Disappointing words from Bruce Miles

 

Gaudin is out of minor-league options, and he's making $2 million. He would appear to be safe, unless the Cubs trade him. The Cubs are on the hook for $4 million for Luis Vizcaino. He might be harder to deal.

 

The numbers game might be catching up with Rule 5 guy David Patton, who worked his second straight day today. He lowered his ERA to 0.93 with a scoreless inning.

 

"The young man throws strikes," Lou said. "Obviously, he's not intimidated. I tell you what, he's having fun, and he's certainly not backing away from the challenge. In a normal year, the way he's pitched, you would really, really like his chances. But here, there are numbers here. There's some depth here. Let's let that decision go the final couple days and see where it goes."

 

Not at all unpredictable, that a promising young arm would be lost because the Cubs have to find space for overpaid veteran relievers with no roster flexibility.

 

It's a real shame they trade Marquis for an immovable object.

 

Patton is a near 25 year old who spent last year in High A. He supposedly has good stuff and has had a strong spring, but let's not go overboard here. The odds of getting decent production out of Patton aren't so different than Vizcaino having a decent year. And Gaudin is a better option than Patton, without question.

 

Vizcaino and Gaudin don't have track records of sustained success worthy of guaranteed spots.

 

Gaudin doesn't? He now has 449 career innings of about league average numbers. With the injury risks in our rotation, guys like Gaudin who can pitch out of the pen and then do spot starts at a league average quality are valuable.

 

I don't really understand the sudden love for Patton. Yeah, he has good stuff. Lots of guys do. He's almost 25 and hasn't gotten past A+, hasn't even been good there, and we're dumping about dumping a proven commodity like Gaudin so we can make room for him. This is the very definition of putting way too much stock in spring training numbers.

[17 Seconds]

I'm more annoyed that Vizcaino is here, taking up a huge chunk of payroll. I'd be all for his release. Gaudin, I would think, could be trade bait. But considering the talk of his drinking being the cause of his back problems late last year, the rest of the league may not have any interest in giving the Cubs anything worthwhile.

 

If Gaudin were to be moved, it would be more to open up a roster spot and hopefully dump some salary. I wouldnt expect much in return at all. Probably wont happen though. Afterall, every team needs a mop up man.

 

Gaudin is better than just a mop up man.

[jersey cubs fan]

Yeah, I don't understand everyone's willingness to throw Gaudin away. Vizcaino, fine, he's old and not that good. I'm not throwing away Chad Gaudin so Patton can suck for a month and get returned to the Rockies.

 

He was a god awful drunk who entered Lou's doghouse immediately and hasn't shown any glimmer of hope since.

 

A god awful drunk? Where does this stuff even come from? There's a rumor about his injury happeneing when he was drunk and suddenly he's a drunk? Adults are allowed to drink guys.

 

A god awful pitcher who is a drunk. He's a drunk because he got injured drinking. I'm all for boozing it up, but when it gets in the way of your work, you have a problem.

[jersey cubs fan]

Gaudin doesn't? He now has 449 career innings of about league average numbers. With the injury risks in our rotation, guys like Gaudin who can pitch out of the pen and then do spot starts at a league average quality are valuable.

 

I don't really understand the sudden love for Patton. Yeah, he has good stuff. Lots of guys do. He's almost 25 and hasn't gotten past A+, hasn't even been good there, and we're dumping about dumping a proven commodity like Gaudin so we can make room for him. This is the very definition of putting way too much stock in spring training numbers.

 

Gaudin's performance has been very inconsistent.

 

I don't have love for Patton, I dislike veteran relievers assured of spots despite horrible performances because of contract situations.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I think the bottom line is that good middle relievers are just hard to come by for the simple fact that if one truely impresses, they quickly become a set up man or a closer. These career middle releivers, such as Vizcaino and Gaudin are are rarely going to dazzle anyone, so you just have to go for the guy most likely to get the ball from the starter to the set up man with minimal damage. With guys like Vizcaino and Gaudin, you pretty much know what to expect, so why not give the younger guy a chance, and see what he can be? If they stink up the place, then you can go out and get another Vizcaino or Gaudin type for a dime a dozen.

[SouthSideRyan]

Gaudin doesn't? He now has 449 career innings of about league average numbers. With the injury risks in our rotation, guys like Gaudin who can pitch out of the pen and then do spot starts at a league average quality are valuable.

 

I don't really understand the sudden love for Patton. Yeah, he has good stuff. Lots of guys do. He's almost 25 and hasn't gotten past A+, hasn't even been good there, and we're dumping about dumping a proven commodity like Gaudin so we can make room for him. This is the very definition of putting way too much stock in spring training numbers.

 

Gaudin's performance has been very inconsistent.

 

I don't have love for Patton, I dislike veteran relievers assured of spots despite horrible performances because of contract situations.

 

You're acting like the guy couldn't go into an important game cause he was still throwing up from the night before.

[jersey cubs fan]

Gaudin doesn't? He now has 449 career innings of about league average numbers. With the injury risks in our rotation, guys like Gaudin who can pitch out of the pen and then do spot starts at a league average quality are valuable.

 

I don't really understand the sudden love for Patton. Yeah, he has good stuff. Lots of guys do. He's almost 25 and hasn't gotten past A+, hasn't even been good there, and we're dumping about dumping a proven commodity like Gaudin so we can make room for him. This is the very definition of putting way too much stock in spring training numbers.

 

Gaudin's performance has been very inconsistent.

 

I don't have love for Patton, I dislike veteran relievers assured of spots despite horrible performances because of contract situations.

 

You're acting like the guy couldn't go into an important game cause he was still throwing up from the night before.

 

I am not. You can choose to read it however you'd like, but every indication is he got hurt while drunk. That's a problem, and hardly somebody I want to see guaranteed big money and a roster spot, regardless of performance issues (and he has absolutely sucked since putting on a Cubs uniform).