Fujikawa back to DL (TJS); Alex Burnett to 25-Man

[KingCubsFan]

So for 2014, here's a list of pitchers we have anywhere in the organization who (imo) are more than 50% likely to be able to break camp with the team and pitch at least at MLB replacement level:

 

Samardzija, Jackson, Wood, Villanueva, Russell.

 

We have a ton of work to do on the pitching staff if we want to be competitive in 2014, and we absolutely cannot trade anyone from that list unless we're getting MLB quality pitchers back (something like the Marshall trade).

When you put it this way (correctly), its almost staggering.

 

I view the lack of bullpen arms signed beyond this year as a good thing.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I view the lack of bullpen arms signed beyond this year as a good thing.

 

It's not.

 

Having expensive veteran bullpen arms under long-term contract can be a bad thing.

 

But having MLB pitchers and minor leagues who project to be MLB pitchers under *team control* for several more years is a very good thing.

[Guest]

I'm pretty sure that Cabrera has at least a 50% chance of being better than replacement level in the pen going forward.

 

After that, there's a decent list of guys who have a chance, but I'm not confident enough to say it's better than 50% to start next year.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I'm pretty sure that Cabrera has at least a 50% chance of being better than replacement level in the pen going forward.

 

After that, there's a decent list of guys who have a chance, but I'm not confident enough to say it's better than 50% to start next year.

 

I figure out of everyone pitching in AA or AAA right now, plus Dolis, we'll can probably reasonably hope that one or two becomes a useful 2014 pitcher. Cabrera is the most likely suspect, but I'm more bearish on him than you and wouldn't put him at 50%.

 

If we get two, that's still a total of seven. We'll need to add five more pitchers between now and then at a bare minimum, and more like seven or eight if we want to have any depth at all.

[Guest]

I'm pretty sure that Cabrera has at least a 50% chance of being better than replacement level in the pen going forward.

 

After that, there's a decent list of guys who have a chance, but I'm not confident enough to say it's better than 50% to start next year.

 

Yes, Cabrera was the first (and only) name I thought of while looking at Kyle's list.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I view the lack of bullpen arms signed beyond this year as a good thing.

 

It's not.

 

Having expensive veteran bullpen arms under long-term contract can be a bad thing.

 

But having MLB pitchers and minor leagues who project to be MLB pitchers under *team control* for several more years is a very good thing.

 

But we don't. Which is why they pounce on every relief pitcher under 30 with at least 1 arm frimly attached to his body that passes through the waiver wire. Personally, I'd rather cycle through these guys and hope for more Kevin Gregg's to pop up and James Russell's to emerge from the system than offer up big money to another round of Howrys, Eyres, and Grabows.

[Guest]

I'm pretty sure that Cabrera has at least a 50% chance of being better than replacement level in the pen going forward.

 

After that, there's a decent list of guys who have a chance, but I'm not confident enough to say it's better than 50% to start next year.

 

Yes, Cabrera was the first (and only) name I thought of while looking at Kyle's list.

Rosscup has a decent shot if he can stay healthy for a full year.

 

I'm wondering how Hendricks stuff would play in the pen. Could he add a couple ticks to the fastball to make it playable at an MLB level? If so, he seems to have the complementary pieces and the command to at least be replacement level in the pen.

 

But this is why I'm really disappointed with the seasons that Hatley, Zych, Batista, McNutt & Rhoderick are having. I had some level of hope that we'd get a breakout or two from that group in the pen.

[Guest]

Oh, and I'm hoping we didn't just blow millions on Armando Rivero for the heck of it.

[Guest]

Oh, and I'm hoping we didn't just blow millions on Armando Rivero for the heck of it.

 

The scouting report of his first two games from Arizona Phil at Fitch sounded good. Consistently 94-95 with a good split. I hope he's in Daytona or Tennessee by next week.

[Guest]

I'm pretty sure that Cabrera has at least a 50% chance of being better than replacement level in the pen going forward.

 

After that, there's a decent list of guys who have a chance, but I'm not confident enough to say it's better than 50% to start next year.

 

Yes, Cabrera was the first (and only) name I thought of while looking at Kyle's list.

Rosscup has a decent shot if he can stay healthy for a full year.

 

I'm wondering how Hendricks stuff would play in the pen. Could he add a couple ticks to the fastball to make it playable at an MLB level? If so, he seems to have the complementary pieces and the command to at least be replacement level in the pen.

 

But this is why I'm really disappointed with the seasons that Hatley, Zych, Batista, McNutt & Rhoderick are having. I had some level of hope that we'd get a breakout or two from that group in the pen.

 

Definitely worried about Rosscup's health - he has yet to have a full season in this organization.

 

I wonder if Raley or Rusin could be acceptable relievers. Neither has had a chance professionally.

 

And you can add Austin Reed to your list of well regarded prospects who have disappointed this season (admittedly you only listed guys at AA and AAA).

[Little Slide Rooter]

I'm pretty sure that Cabrera has at least a 50% chance of being better than replacement level in the pen going forward.

 

After that, there's a decent list of guys who have a chance, but I'm not confident enough to say it's better than 50% to start next year.

 

Yes, Cabrera was the first (and only) name I thought of while looking at Kyle's list.

Rosscup has a decent shot if he can stay healthy for a full year.

 

I'm wondering how Hendricks stuff would play in the pen. Could he add a couple ticks to the fastball to make it playable at an MLB level? If so, he seems to have the complementary pieces and the command to at least be replacement level in the pen.

 

But this is why I'm really disappointed with the seasons that Hatley, Zych, Batista, McNutt & Rhoderick are having. I had some level of hope that we'd get a breakout or two from that group in the pen.

 

Del Valle? He seems to be striking more guys out. Walking his share too though.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

The scouting report of his first two games from Arizona Phil at Fitch sounded good.

 

I have absolutely no opinion on Rivero other than the vague rumors that his early scouting report didn't seem to read like "$3m bonus guy."

 

But when has Arizona Phil ever not given a glowing scouting report on the first looks at a pitcher? It seems like we say that all the time.

[Guest]

The scouting report of his first two games from Arizona Phil at Fitch sounded good.

 

I have absolutely no opinion on Rivero other than the vague rumors that his early scouting report didn't seem to read like "$3m bonus guy."

 

But when has Arizona Phil ever not given a glowing scouting report on the first looks at a pitcher? It seems like we say that all the time.

 

He's reading someone's radar gun and noted he got 7 swinging strikes out of 19 pitches in his second outing. I definitely don't trust him to scout at all but that's observational material I think we can rely on.

[Andy]

What a shocker.

 

The TJS or the towel jokes?

Haha, I meant the TJS, though a case could be made for either.

[dew1679666265]

But we don't. Which is why they pounce on every relief pitcher under 30 with at least 1 arm frimly attached to his body that passes through the waiver wire. Personally, I'd rather cycle through these guys and hope for more Kevin Gregg's to pop up and James Russell's to emerge from the system than offer up big money to another round of Howrys, Eyres, and Grabows.

 

Howry was very good for the Cubs two out of three years, he was just signed one year too long (which is typically the case with FA signings). He was also very good for two seasons prior to coming to the Cubs.

 

There's nothing wrong with occasionally signing Howry type reliever (proven vet on a reasonable deal). He's not comparable at all to Eyre or Grabow.