Cubs need a #3 starter.

[CubfaninCA]

Maddux just doesn't have it like he used to. Williams is barely hanging on as a #5, but I like his long-term potential. And I don't want to even get into why Kerry Wood isn't a #3.

 

Any chance the Cubs can get in on Burnett?? Is there anyone else out there who could help the Cubs??

[CubsFan4Life]

Maddux just doesn't have it like he used to. Williams is barely hanging on as a #5, but I like his long-term potential. And I don't want to even get into why Kerry Wood isn't a #3.

 

Any chance the Cubs can get in on Burnett?? Is there anyone else out there who could help the Cubs??

 

Burnett? Wood II? Oh please no.

 

Maddux sure isn't his old self but still does what he's always done and that's win games, he'll get 15 and that darn good for a #3. Williams isn't barely hanging on, he's been okay as a #5, I'm sure most teams would love him as their 5th starter. We just need a healthy staff that's all, if not, I say we get someone in the offseason, but please no Burnett. Imagine a team of Wood and AJ and throw in Prior in there, sure that looks sick and great on paper but in reality it's a rotation that's full of potential injuries.

[CubfaninCA]

If you're playing to win a World Series, then you're #3 better have an ERA better than 4.55. As for Williams, his ERA in his last 4 starts is nearly 5.00.

 

Jason Schmidt could be a nice stop gap. SF can't ask for too much given he's a free agent. Schmidt's ERA is high compared to previous seasons, but his last few outings have been pretty good. Yes, I know Schmidt was injured this year, but he doesn't have near Wood's history. Perhaps he's getting back to full strength.

[CubsFan4Life]

If you're playing to win a WS all you need is 2 dominant SPs and you're not gonna win it with your #3. To make the playoffs is a diff. story. As for Williams, he's been giving the cubs quality starts, sure he's given up some runs in the later innings, but he's still done a solid job.

[sporrer17]

Williams gets the job done. It might not be pretty, but he does good enough to WIN games.

 

Williams has started 5 games, got 3 wins, and has a 4.15 ERA as a Cub.

 

I'll take a starter that wins 60% of the games he starts...if he only gets 30 starts, thats 18 wins :o

 

If he gets 35 starts, thats 21 wins.

 

Of course there's no way I expect him to do that with a 4.15 ERA over a full season, but as long as he gets the W, he pitched good enough to win, and thats all you can ask for out of a "5th starter". He's got as many wins as Wood, in 5 less starts than Wood.

[DomingoRamos]

Sure, there are probably pitchers out there that can help the Cubs, but why a starter? Sure, Woody is his frustrating self, Maddux isn't consistent, and Williams is relatively young and will make mistakes. But despite that, the Cubs starting staff remains above average. When completely healthy, they're among the leagues best, if not the best. Most importantly, who do you take out of their role? If anything, i'd like to see Rusch back as a starter. A spot where he seemed more comfortable and effective.

[hawkeyecub]

While a very good #3 pitcher would be a boost, this team has more pressing needs than that. Maddux is always much better in the second half and we may have Wood for most of the second half.

 

The far bigger need is an outfield bat. If we add an impact bat we can definitely get by with this rotation.

[CubfaninCA]

While a very good #3 pitcher would be a boost, this team has more pressing needs than that. Maddux is always much better in the second half and we may have Wood for most of the second half.

 

The far bigger need is an outfield bat. If we add an impact bat we can definitely get by with this rotation.

 

Since I'm greedy I want another arm & bat. I think they'll need both in order to keep pace w/ Houston.

[TB_11]

Williams gets the job done. It might not be pretty, but he does good enough to WIN games.

 

Williams has started 5 games, got 3 wins, and has a 4.15 ERA as a Cub.

 

I'll take a starter that wins 60% of the games he starts...if he only gets 30 starts, thats 18 wins :o

 

If he gets 35 starts, thats 21 wins.

 

Of course there's no way I expect him to do that with a 4.15 ERA over a full season, but as long as he gets the W, he pitched good enough to win, and thats all you can ask for out of a "5th starter". He's got as many wins as Wood, in 5 less starts than Wood.

 

Please let's not look at W-L to determine a pitcher's effectiveness..... Matt Clement and Roger Clemens each 2004 vs 2005 at the very least should tell us not to.

 

The Cubs are in a tricky spot for this season with starting pitching. Since both Maddux and Wood have no-trade clauses and will likely not go anywhere this year, the odd man out is Williams (unless Wood goes down for the year). But he's been pitching good enough to maintain the #5 spot, so barring injury our rotation is more or less set.