Winter Meetings Thread (?)

[CubsWin]

The Montgomery rotation experiment is going to be really interesting, and impactful long-term. If he were to settle in as a perfectly respectable rotation guy, rotation planning gets a lot simpler.

 

Much can change in a year. None of our prospect pitchers seem compelling or close right now, and most likely that will seem likewise true 12 months from now. But I'm optimistic that Clifton, de la Cruz, and Cease will all progress well this year. And Zastryzny as well. Obviously I'm an eternal optimist, but I totally get that all of these guys will have setbacks, and 12 months from now none will look like future rotation assets, much less 2018-ready guys. And obviously Cease is at best several years away, more on schedule for when Hendricks hits free agency. But, if Montgomery shows solid, and they resign Arrieta or somebody better, all you'll be looking for is depth and 5th starter.

 

I know a lot of people want to slot Montgomery into the bullpen given the lack of lefties but I really would like to see Montgomery start so we know what he can bring in 2018. If Montgomery has an important spot in the 2018 rotation, I really don't want to push him to 175+ IP coming off a full season in the bullpen. He'd still be able to pitch in the 2017 playoff bullpen.

Yep. Very smart, Raisin.

 

Monty will need to go into 2018 having already built up his IP the previous year, and the Cubs need to know what they have in him as a starter. Plus, with Uehara, the Cubs basically have their "lefty specialist" who can also get righties out. I'm not against bringing in another guy (left-handed or not) who is really tough against lefties, but as it stands now, I'm good with the bullpen the way it is (assuming Uehara officially signs...)

 

Davis

Rondon

Edwards

Strop

Uehara

Grimm

Duensing

 

...and likely one more given the flexibility and depth the Cubs have amongst their position players. Either sign someone like Blevins or Wood or let Leathersich, Smith, Pena and Rosario battle it out and keep Zastryzny stretched out in Iowa for starter depth since he has options.

[Cubswin11]

I don't have any problem with Monty in the rotation this year, I have a problem with Aaron Brooks, Zastryzny, Pierce Johnson, etc. being the 6th and 7th options for starters. Monty just seems like the easiest guy to move to the pen if we acquire another SP. At least to begin the year.