Keep an Eye on Jason Johnson and Kevin Millwood

[HoopsCubs]

If (1) Karonka and Mitre get lit up in their next respective starts, (2) Jerome Williams struggles when he ultimately makes his debut and (3) Wood is unable to come back before the All Star Break, I think Jim Hendry could become very active very quickly to acquire a veteran starting pitcher. This team has worked very hard in the last 15 days to get back into the race, so you'd think Hendry wouldn't want to go backwards now. It's abundantly clear that an OF bat is critically required, but I wouldn't be surprised if the next move is for a starter.

 

Two guys, who might be worth a look are Jason Johnson and Kevin Millwood, of Detroit and Cleveland respectively. From an ERA and WHIP point of view, both have had good and fairly consistent seasons: in his last 8 starts, Johnson has pitched 60 innings and given up 20 earned runs (3.00 ERA); in his first 10 starts before going on the DL on May 26, Millwood has pitched 59 innings and given up 21 earned runs (3.20 ERA). He is due to come off the DL on Friday. Offensively, Cleveland and Detroit are in the lower third in the majors when it comes to team OPS, so it's fair to say a lot of good efforts by Millwood and Johnson have probably been wasted.

 

Both play for teams, who are under .500 and are more than 10 games out of first - season over for all practical purposes. In addition, both are free agents at the end of the season, with Johnson making $4M and Millwood making $7M, and it's not clear that either will return next year, so the Tigers and Indians might be motivated to move them. Depending on how much salary Hendry is willing to take back, he might be able to get either without giving more than a mid-tier prospect or two.

 

How do you feel about these two guys?

 

 

Hoops

[goonys evil twin]

How do you feel about these two guys?

 

 

 

Indifferent.

 

Johnson is having a career year in the ERA department (thanks to playing in Detroit), but his peripherals numbers are down from their already weak career averages. I can't see how he would be a significant upgrade over a guy like Williams. Millwood is a better pitcher, and stands a greater chance of making a difference down the stretch. But if his presence makes it even less likely that the Cubs will improve the offense, then I just don't see the point. While I don't think Prior and Wood will be back anytime soon, I do think both should be back by August at least. And at that point, the rotation will be at full force. So basically you would simply be getting a marginal upgrade for 1-2 months, maybe 8-10 starts. I just don't see the point.

[JC]

With Wood looking at a sim game shortly and the likely prospect of Prior's return this season, I don't see much point in spending the money on the rotation. Rusch has cemented himself in the rotation at this point and Maddux is always there. So, there would be a squeeze when the dust settles.

 

I think its a matter of gutting it out with Mitre, Williams and/or Koronka. If the Cubs are really a good team, they should be able to overcome some shakiness from one or two starters. While I still haven't seen anything to be excited about in Koronka, the Cubs had a chance to win last night. No sense in spending money on pitching when the offense is still terribly suspect.

[brinoch]

I agree with JC and goony. If Koronka/Williams/Mitre are giving the Cubs a chance to win games, that's sufficient. I think it's likely that they will continue to do that, so I'd look to get a bat.

[Manny Trillos Brother]

No chance of getting Millwood--Philly is only 1.5 back now!

[JC]

No chance of getting Millwood--Philly is only 1.5 back now!

 

Millwood is an Indian.

[Manny Trillos Brother]

D'oh--my bad. He was with the Phils, right? Or am I losing it?

[Wendy City]

I think Wood seems ready to come back soon. If they're already talking about simulated games, then he shopuld only be a few weeks away. I would expect him before the AS break. However, if hendry is looking at this next stretch of games against the Red Sox, Yankees, Marlins and White Sox as the make-or-break point of the season and we're throwing either Koronka, Mitre or Williams out there at least once per series, then he may decide pitching is more important right now.

 

Given the choices offered, I'd take Millwood based on history. He has performed well in the past and i think he would eat up some innings until we get healthy.

 

However, I'll take Adam Dunn over any pitcher right now. I think we can patch it together and stay in the WC race over the next few weeks. Then we start getting guys back.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think Wood seems ready to come back soon. If they're already talking about simulated games, then he shopuld only be a few weeks away. I would expect him before the AS break. However, if hendry is looking at this next stretch of games against the Red Sox, Yankees, Marlins and White Sox as the make-or-break point of the season and we're throwing either Koronka, Mitre or Williams out there at least once per series, then he may decide pitching is more important right now.

 

Given the choices offered, I'd take Millwood based on history. He has performed well in the past and i think he would eat up some innings until we get healthy.

 

However, I'll take Adam Dunn over any pitcher right now. I think we can patch it together and stay in the WC race over the next few weeks. Then we start getting guys back. I hope Dunn becomes available.

 

Wow...you must have been really proud of that post. :P

[Wendy City]

Don't know what happened there. Now I can't even go in and delete the extras.

[The_Realist]

Wood needs some rehab outings before coming back, so he doesen't get shelled too badly.

[Wendy City]

I agree. But if he throws a simulated game this weekend. Throws another on normal rest after that. And then one more for good measure with his pitch count raising each outing. Then he could probably go for his first rehab start around the 20th of June. Even with three re-hab starts (which is a lot), he's ready to throw for the Cubs by about July 4th (About 4 weeks from now). That would give him two starts before the break.

 

Again, this doesn't help us through the tough stretch of games ahead, but it's encouraging if we get through them and are still in contention - which seems likely to me.

[NCCubFan]

D'oh--my bad. He was with the Phils, right? Or am I losing it?

Yes, he did pitch for the Phillies (I believe last year) after he left the Braves.

[bannor10]

I would make the Trade today if I could, Millwood is a quality starter...

 

Also, I would rather trade prospects away rather than have them either taken away in the rule V or before it is determined that the prospects are not that good, or cannot stay healthy....

 

Rich Hill and Greenberg for Millwood and some cash.

[imb]

I would make the Trade today if I could, Millwood is a quality starter...

 

Also, I would rather trade prospects away rather than have them either taken away in the rule V or before it is determined that the prospects are not that good, or cannot stay healthy....

 

Rich Hill and Greenberg for Millwood and some cash.

 

I'll kill myself if we trade Hill for the super overrated Millwood.

[JC]

I would make the Trade today if I could, Millwood is a quality starter...

 

Also, I would rather trade prospects away rather than have them either taken away in the rule V or before it is determined that the prospects are not that good, or cannot stay healthy....

 

Rich Hill and Greenberg for Millwood and some cash.

 

I'll kill myself if we trade Hill for the super overrated Millwood.

 

You've made that empty threat before.

[CubbieSouthpaw]

D'oh--my bad. He was with the Phils, right? Or am I losing it?

Yes, he did pitch for the Phillies (I believe last year) after he left the Braves.

 

Actually the previous 2 years. And I wouls just as soon him stay in Cleveland or anywhere but Chicago. He was slightly above average with the Braves and horrible with Philly. If he comes back to the national league he better go back to Atlanta with the rocking guru of pitching.

[bannor10]

I would make the Trade today if I could, Millwood is a quality starter...

 

Also, I would rather trade prospects away rather than have them either taken away in the rule V or before it is determined that the prospects are not that good, or cannot stay healthy....

 

Rich Hill and Greenberg for Millwood and some cash.

 

I'll kill myself if we trade Hill for the super overrated Millwood.

 

You've made that empty threat before.

 

Maybe if we would have traded Sisco and Guzman last year or the Year before for a closer we would have gone to the playoffs or even more...

 

Instead we have nothing, make the trades that help your Major League team, not your triple A team.....

[JC]

If he comes back to the national league he better go back to Atlanta with the rocking guru of pitching.

 

I will still like to see the Cubs throw an obscene amount of money at Mazzone. I don't know that there has been a better value in baseball than Leo over the last 15 years.

[biittner77]

I would make the Trade today if I could, Millwood is a quality starter...

 

Also, I would rather trade prospects away rather than have them either taken away in the rule V or before it is determined that the prospects are not that good, or cannot stay healthy....

 

Rich Hill and Greenberg for Millwood and some cash.

 

I'll kill myself if we trade Hill for the super overrated Millwood.

 

You've made that empty threat before.

 

Maybe if we would have traded Sisco and Guzman last year or the Year before for a closer we would have gone to the playoffs or even more...

 

Instead we have nothing, make the trades that help your Major League team, not your triple A team.....

 

On the other hand, if the Cubs had kept Dontrelle Willis instead of trading him for help for the ML team they wouldn't need Millwood.

[goonys evil twin]

I would make the Trade today if I could, Millwood is a quality starter...

 

Also, I would rather trade prospects away rather than have them either taken away in the rule V or before it is determined that the prospects are not that good, or cannot stay healthy....

 

Rich Hill and Greenberg for Millwood and some cash.

 

I'll kill myself if we trade Hill for the super overrated Millwood.

 

You've made that empty threat before.

 

Maybe if we would have traded Sisco and Guzman last year or the Year before for a closer we would have gone to the playoffs or even more...

 

Instead we have nothing, make the trades that help your Major League team, not your triple A team.....

 

Sisco and Guzman last year weren't Hill this year. Hill is performing at a high level, the other guys didn't do much.

 

 

And Millwood isn't a difference maker. The Cubs are not a middle of the rotation starter away from winning big.

[bannor10]

I would make the Trade today if I could, Millwood is a quality starter...

 

Also, I would rather trade prospects away rather than have them either taken away in the rule V or before it is determined that the prospects are not that good, or cannot stay healthy....

 

Rich Hill and Greenberg for Millwood and some cash.

 

I'll kill myself if we trade Hill for the super overrated Millwood.

 

You've made that empty threat before.

 

Maybe if we would have traded Sisco and Guzman last year or the Year before for a closer we would have gone to the playoffs or even more...

 

Instead we have nothing, make the trades that help your Major League team, not your triple A team.....

 

On the other hand, if the Cubs had kept Dontrelle Willis instead of trading him for help for the ML team they wouldn't need Millwood.

 

Matty was a quality player for us.....Anyways, if the D-train continues we should buy him back when he becomes to expensive for FL....

[biittner77]

Matty was a quality player for us.....Anyways, if the D-train continues we should buy him back when he becomes to expensive for FL....

 

Sounds like a good plan to me but I still don't want to trade Hill for Millwood.

[bannor10]

I would make the Trade today if I could, Millwood is a quality starter...

 

Also, I would rather trade prospects away rather than have them either taken away in the rule V or before it is determined that the prospects are not that good, or cannot stay healthy....

 

Rich Hill and Greenberg for Millwood and some cash.

 

I'll kill myself if we trade Hill for the super overrated Millwood.

 

You've made that empty threat before.

 

Maybe if we would have traded Sisco and Guzman last year or the Year before for a closer we would have gone to the playoffs or even more...

 

Instead we have nothing, make the trades that help your Major League team, not your triple A team.....

 

Sisco and Guzman last year weren't Hill this year. Hill is performing at a high level, the other guys didn't do much.

 

 

And Millwood isn't a difference maker. The Cubs are not a middle of the rotation starter away from winning big.

 

Whats winning big? Staying in the WC race? We are what 7 back of the Cards, if we can't catch them soon should we start to unload then?

 

I think Millwood would keep us competitive and give us a chance to win later....

 

Is Rich Hill that good? Is he one of the 5 or 6 prospects you would protect ...?

 

What's a fair trade for a quality 3rd or 4th starter....

[HoopsCubs]

I would make the Trade today if I could, Millwood is a quality starter...

 

Also, I would rather trade prospects away rather than have them either taken away in the rule V or before it is determined that the prospects are not that good, or cannot stay healthy....

 

Rich Hill and Greenberg for Millwood and some cash.

 

I'll kill myself if we trade Hill for the super overrated Millwood.

 

You've made that empty threat before.

 

Maybe if we would have traded Sisco and Guzman last year or the Year before for a closer we would have gone to the playoffs or even more...

 

Instead we have nothing, make the trades that help your Major League team, not your triple A team.....

 

Sisco and Guzman last year weren't Hill this year. Hill is performing at a high level, the other guys didn't do much.

 

 

And Millwood isn't a difference maker. The Cubs are not a middle of the rotation starter away from winning big.

 

Whats winning big? Staying in the WC race? We are what 7 back of the Cards, if we can't catch them soon should we start to unload then?

 

I think Millwood would keep us competitive and give us a chance to win later....

 

Is Rich Hill that good? Is he one of the 5 or 6 prospects you would protect ...?

 

What's a fair trade for a quality 3rd or 4th starter....

 

Bannor,

 

I'm all for getting Millwood, but I wouldn't trade Hill back. I'd just take Millwood's remaining $3.5M salary and give them back a marginal prospect. The Indians need to save some dough more than they need a prospect - well, at least that's the attitude I'd take with them if I was negotiating.