5th starter

[italianocubsfan7]

With the imminent trade of Matt Garza this morning from the Rays, how does the rest of the rotation fill out. Assuming the Cubs want at least one lefty in the rotation, Gorzelanny will hopefully remain on the team and Hendry is doing everything he can to trade Carlos Silva. Assuming the rotation is (in no particular order, and we really shouldn't assume anything at this point): Dempster, Garza, Zambrano, Gorzelanny, TBD., who is going to be in that fifth starter spot?

 

I say go with a young guy; don't sign a veteran (ex: Brad Penny). The first three names that come to mind are Samardzija, Coleman, and Diamond. Thoughts?

[Sammy Sofa]

Cashner.

[CubColtPacer]

Randy Wells. And I'm not sure Gozelanny is a lock to still be on the team as of March.

[Guest]

Randy Wells. And I'm not sure Gozelanny is a lock to still be on the team as of March.

 

So you're saying Silva is a lock to the rotation, or the team really loves Cashner as a starter? Or both?

[CubColtPacer]

Randy Wells. And I'm not sure Gozelanny is a lock to still be on the team as of March.

 

So you're saying Silva is a lock to the rotation, or the team really loves Cashner as a starter? Or both?

 

If Gorzelanny was traded then I would guess that Silva would get the last spot although Cashner would have a strong chance at it. If he didn't then I'm not sure which of Silva/Gorzelanny would get that spot and Cashner probably would only have a token chance.

[BigbadB1679666149]

Hendry is old school. He'll want a lefty in the rotation to break up the string of righties. One of Cashner or Gorz will likely be in the rotation.

 

The Cubs will likely have to pay most of Silva's contract, but I'd bet he gets traded before the season starts. Some team will be willing to let the Cubs pay for Silva to pitch for them as an inning eater.

[davell]

Do we even know if Silva's been cleared to pitch yet? I don't think he's going to be a factor whatsoever for us this upcoming season, nor do I think he's tradeable.

[Schwarber Fan]

Dempster, Garza, Zambrano, Gorzelanny, TBD

 

How is Gorz a lock and Wells isn't?

 

I guess we should have a lefty in there

 

Zambrano

Dempster

Garza

Gorzelanny

Silva/Wells

[italianocubsfan7]

Cashner.

 

Who would be your fourth starter then... Gorzelanny, Silva, or Wells?

[italianocubsfan7]

Dempster, Garza, Zambrano, Gorzelanny, TBD

 

How is Gorz a lock and Wells isn't?

 

I guess we should have a lefty in there

 

Zambrano

Dempster

Garza

Gorzelanny

Silva/Wells

 

I had Gorzelanny in my original list because, yes, he is a lefty. I don't see the Cubs having all right-handers, but I don't know what Quade's style is yet. We'll see come March.

 

Cashner as the fifth starter, Wells as the long reliever, and trading/releasing Silva would be the perfect scenario IMO, but the Cubs still really like Wells, and I think they probably want to give Silva another opportunity — if healthy.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

The smart thing to do would be trade Gorzelanny and put Cashner in the rotation, so I imagine Gorzelanny will be starting and Cashner will be in long relief or closing at Iowa.

[Cubswin11]

Z

Garza

Dempster

Gorzo

Wells or Silva

 

I don't see how we don't go with that unless there are injuries (Silva) or trades (Wells/Gorzo)

[TruffleShuffle]

I say go with a young guy; don't sign a veteran (ex: Brad Penny). The first three names that come to mind are Samardzija, Coleman, and Diamond. Thoughts?

 

samardzija is a bum and coleman is AAAA. diamond is the only one of those who might possibly make a decent 5th starter but i don't think his command is good enough.

[Cubs Fan Dan]

Cashner all the way.. The Cubs should be able to get a solid middle innings guy for Gorzelany. Use Cashner in the 5 spot and occasionally spot start Silva or Coleman to keep inning totals at a reasonable level.

[CubsWin]

Cashner.

 

Garza

Zambrano

Dempster

Wells

Cashner

 

Trade as many of Gorzelanny, Silva, Samardzija and Diamond as you can. Keep Coleman.

 

I like Dempster as a 3rd starter and Wells as a 4th. Those matchups should be fairly favorable most of the time.

[TruffleShuffle]

I like Dempster as a 3rd starter and Wells as a 4th. Those matchups should be fairly favorable most of the time.

 

what matchups?

[Omar]

I like Dempster as a 3rd starter and Wells as a 4th. Those matchups should be fairly favorable most of the time.

 

what matchups?

 

I think he means with that 3-4 setup our starter will be better than the opposing team's starter most of the time.

[David]

Except that outside of at the very beginning of the season and in the playoffs (where a 4th starter usually wouldn't even come into play anyway), the starters aren't lined up in any way such that they'd be facing the equivalent starter of the other team. If they happen to, it would only be randomly.

[CubsWin]

Truffle's angry today. You really didn't like that trade, did you. Edited January 8, 2011 by CubsWin

[CubsWin]

Except that outside of at the very beginning of the season and in the playoffs (where a 4th starter usually wouldn't even come into play anyway), the starters aren't lined up in any way such that they'd be facing the equivalent starter of the other team. If they happen to, it would only be randomly.

I was referring to comparing the Cubs 3rd and 4th starters to other team's 3rd and 4th starters. Not the actual pitching matchups that might occur on a given day. The Cubs back end of the rotation will be better than most team's. Maybe not the Phillies and perhaps a few others, but most of the time, their's will be better than their opponents.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Silvas the guy who needs to go. Im not saying hes awful, but hes the odd man out, or at least he should be. Obviously Z, Demp, and Garza are in. Id love to see Cashner get a spot, but I dont see it happening. Wells and Gorz may not be Oswalt and Hamels at the back of a rotation, but both are younger and better than Silva. Hopefully management can see past the fact that they''re paying Silva a ton of money and Wells and Gorz next to nothing and do the right thing.

[Cubs Fan Dan]

Silvas the guy who needs to go. Im not saying hes awful, but hes the odd man out, or at least he should be. Obviously Z, Demp, and Garza are in. Id love to see Cashner get a spot, but I dont see it happening. Wells and Gorz may not be Oswalt and Hamels at the back of a rotation, but both are younger and better than Silva. Hopefully management can see past the fact that they''re paying Silva a ton of money and Wells and Gorz next to nothing and do the right thing.

 

They should start Cash at triple A until Z gets sent to the bullpen, then bring him up and put him in the rotation..........oh wait..

[italianocubsfan7]

Silvas the guy who needs to go. Im not saying hes awful, but hes the odd man out, or at least he should be. Obviously Z, Demp, and Garza are in. Id love to see Cashner get a spot, but I dont see it happening. Wells and Gorz may not be Oswalt and Hamels at the back of a rotation, but both are younger and better than Silva. Hopefully management can see past the fact that they''re paying Silva a ton of money and Wells and Gorz next to nothing and do the right thing.

 

Completely agree. I hope Hendry isn't blinded by Silva's first half last year and gets rid of him asap.

[CubsWin]

Silvas the guy who needs to go. Im not saying hes awful, but hes the odd man out, or at least he should be. Obviously Z, Demp, and Garza are in. Id love to see Cashner get a spot, but I dont see it happening. Wells and Gorz may not be Oswalt and Hamels at the back of a rotation, but both are younger and better than Silva. Hopefully management can see past the fact that they''re paying Silva a ton of money and Wells and Gorz next to nothing and do the right thing.

 

Completely agree. I hope Hendry isn't blinded by Silva's first half last year and gets rid of him asap.

He may not be healthy enough to deal at this point. I haven't heard any reports on his heart yet.

[Post Count Padder]

James Russell will be given a shot at a rotation spot this spring.

Russell operated as a reliever last year as a rookie, posting a decent 4.96 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over 49 innings of work. The 25-year-old left-hander relies mostly on a high-80s fastball and a sharp slider, but he also carries a curveball and changeup in his arsenal. His main competition will be Andrew Cashner, a 24-year-old righty. This is one to watch come spring time.

Source: Cubs.mlb.com