Wasted Bullpen Spot

[Backtobanks]

From MLBTR:

 

 

Cubs right-hander Jeff Samardzija is out of minor league options, writes Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune, and is therefore all but assured of a roster spot (likely in the bullpen) coming out of Spring Training, lest he be exposed to waivers. Samardzija has been shuttled between the minors and Majors, as well as starting and relieving, since being drafted by the Cubs in the fifth round in 2006

[NewUserName]

From MLBTR:

 

 

Cubs right-hander Jeff Samardzija is out of minor league options, writes Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune, and is therefore all but assured of a roster spot (likely in the bullpen) coming out of Spring Training, lest he be exposed to waivers. Samardzija has been shuttled between the minors and Majors, as well as starting and relieving, since being drafted by the Cubs in the fifth round in 2006

 

I have no problem exposing him to waivers if he continues to not be good

[MWV]

I think he'd make it through waivers. What team wants to pay $2 million for a guy who can't consistently retire AAA hitters?

 

Edit: I forgot about the return of John Grabow as well. The bullpen as of today:

 

Marmol

Wood

Marshall

Silva (assuming Cashner wins a rotation spot)

Samardzija

Grabow

 

That leaves one open spot for Guzman/Coleman/Maine/Dolis/Caridad/etc. With almost half of our bullpen spots presently occupied by onerous contracts, I'd be even less surprised to see Samardzija exposed to waivers if he struggles.

[Guest]

I think he'd make it through waivers. What team wants to pay $2 million for a guy who can't consistently retire AAA hitters?

 

Edit: I forgot about the return of John Grabow as well. The bullpen as of today:

 

Marmol

Wood

Marshall

Silva (assuming Cashner wins a rotation spot)

Samardzija

Grabow

 

That leaves one open spot for Guzman/Coleman/Maine/Dolis/Caridad/etc. With almost half of our bullpen spots presently occupied by onerous contracts, I'd be even less surprised to see Samardzija exposed to waivers if he struggles.

 

You're forgetting Russell.

 

I saw this last night and started preparing to be angry about Samardzija making the team. But if Guzman isn't ready, I can't muster up a lot of rage over Samardzija v. Coleman v. Caridad v. Maine.

[Backtobanks]

Coleman deserves a shot at the rotation if he pitches like he did last year.

[rawaction]

Coleman deserves a shot at the rotation if he pitches like he did last year.

 

You mean mediocrely?

[Schwarber Fan]

Coleman deserves a shot at the rotation if he pitches like he did last year.

 

You mean mediocrely?

 

BS... he had 8 straight starts of 6 IP or more to end the season. He deserves a shot.

[MWV]

I think he'd make it through waivers. What team wants to pay $2 million for a guy who can't consistently retire AAA hitters?

 

Edit: I forgot about the return of John Grabow as well. The bullpen as of today:

 

Marmol

Wood

Marshall

Silva (assuming Cashner wins a rotation spot)

Samardzija

Grabow

 

That leaves one open spot for Guzman/Coleman/Maine/Dolis/Caridad/etc. With almost half of our bullpen spots presently occupied by onerous contracts, I'd be even less surprised to see Samardzija exposed to waivers if he struggles.

 

You're forgetting Russell.

 

I saw this last night and started preparing to be angry about Samardzija making the team. But if Guzman isn't ready, I can't muster up a lot of rage over Samardzija v. Coleman v. Caridad v. Maine.

 

I knew I'd forget someone. I guess Russell is "etc."

[Guest]

Coleman had like a 1/1 K/BB last year. He's not going to get a .273 BABIP again, and his MiLB career is mediocre. He doesn't deserve a shot over Silva, never mind Cashner.

[Cubs Fan Dan]

Coleman deserves a shot at the rotation if he pitches like he did last year.

 

You mean mediocrely?

 

BS... he had 8 straight starts of 6 IP or more to end the season. He deserves a shot.

 

Coleman was 4-2 as a starter with a 3.33 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. He did go 6+ in 8 starts straight as stated, he deserves to be looked at as a competitor for the rotation. However if Silva is healthy I do not think it matters as I think the Cubs will give him a shot to start the season as a the 5th starter, if he sucks they may release him. I do not see them releasing him as some have speculated until he proves he is of no worth to this team. I would honeslty not be suprised to see Cashner and Coleman start at AAA in the rotation.

[SouthSideRyan]

Coleman deserves a shot at the rotation if he pitches like he did last year.

 

You mean mediocrely?

 

BS... he had 8 straight starts of 6 IP or more to end the season. He deserves a shot.

 

And he walked as many as he struck out

 

Coleman's about 9th on my starting pitching depth chart.

[Guest]

Coleman better not be in the rotation next season - certainly not over Cashner.

[questionmarkgrace]

From MLBTR:

 

 

Cubs right-hander Jeff Samardzija is out of minor league options, writes Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune, and is therefore all but assured of a roster spot (likely in the bullpen) coming out of Spring Training, lest he be exposed to waivers. Samardzija has been shuttled between the minors and Majors, as well as starting and relieving, since being drafted by the Cubs in the fifth round in 2006

 

I heard an interview with him last week on Waddle and Silvy. He certainly is confident in his ability to be a "great" pitcher and suggested all of the moving from bullpen to rotation hurt his ability to be consistent. Also suggested that his secondary pitches have really come along and thinks he has a great shot at the fifth starter spot. Unless he came a real long way in the off season I have to believe he is on the outside looking in. He has shown virtually nothing since his first stint as a september call up.

[Tracer Bullet]

can he just sneak into Bears training camp and play WR next year?

[Guest]

Riggins was on with Mully and Hanley today and confirmed Samardz will be in the bullpen. He talked about meeting with him and telling him what his role would be and the fact that he will have a defined role being helpful to him. So, basically, don't count him as one of the guys in the mix for the last rotation spot or two.

[jyoung55]

I think he'd make it through waivers. What team wants to pay $2 million for a guy who can't consistently retire AAA hitters?

 

Edit: I forgot about the return of John Grabow as well. The bullpen as of today:

 

Marmol

Wood

Marshall

Silva (assuming Cashner wins a rotation spot)

Samardzija

Grabow

 

That leaves one open spot for Guzman/Coleman/Maine/Dolis/Caridad/etc. With almost half of our bullpen spots presently occupied by onerous contracts, I'd be even less surprised to see Samardzija exposed to waivers if he struggles.

 

I'm going out on a limb and saying Guzman starts the year on the DL or the like. I believe he is out of waivers as well correct (too lazy to look it up)? So that would be a way to keep him around, if he does pull off a recovery.

[questionmarkgrace]

can he just sneak into Bears training camp and play WR next year?

 

they asked him about playing football and he conceeded with all the ups and downs he thought about it. but seriously even three plus years away from the game he would probably be a starter with the bears.

[Little Slide Rooter]

can he just sneak into Bears training camp and play WR next year?

 

they asked him about playing football and he conceeded with all the ups and downs he thought about it. but seriously even three plus years away from the game he would probably be a starter with the bears.

 

More realistically, he could go the Chris Weinke route, who after toiling in the Blue Jays farm system for several years went back to Florida State and eventually made it to the NFL for a few years. I think he was like 28 years old in his senior season.

[fromthestretch]

can he just sneak into Bears training camp and play WR next year?

 

they asked him about playing football and he conceeded with all the ups and downs he thought about it. but seriously even three plus years away from the game he would probably be a starter with the bears.

 

More realistically, he could go the Chris Weinke route, who after toiling in the Blue Jays farm system for several years went back to Florida State and eventually made it to the NFL for a few years. I think he was like 28 years old in his senior season.

 

Well, I believe he has used up all his college football eligibility, so I doubt that's an option.

[Tracer Bullet]

can he just sneak into Bears training camp and play WR next year?

 

they asked him about playing football and he conceeded with all the ups and downs he thought about it. but seriously even three plus years away from the game he would probably be a starter with the bears.

 

More realistically, he could go the Chris Weinke route, who after toiling in the Blue Jays farm system for several years went back to Florida State and eventually made it to the NFL for a few years. I think he was like 28 years old in his senior season.

 

or absolutely not realistic at all.

[Rob]

With modern bullpens the way they are, there's always a wasted spot at the back of the bullpen. Do we really care if it's Jeff Samardzija or Wellemeyer or anybody else back there? They're gonna get used once every two weeks in a game we were already going to lose.

[hardcorecubfan]

Will Guzmen be assigned to extended ST?

[SouthSideRyan]

Yes, all of them.