New Pitching Coach?

[moorecg]

I've only kind of given a little bit of thought to this...but the more I think the more obvious its become.

 

In the last 5 years or so, name a pitcher that has come to the Cubs and not regressed...

 

In the same time, name a pitcher who has left the Cubs and not improved?

 

The one that pushed me over the edge was Alfonseca...he was god awful with us...but look at his numbers since.

 

Same thing can be said for Farnsworth, Borowski, Hawkins (4 earned runs in last 20 innings pitched), Gordon....

 

And I don't think you can say Prior or Wood has progressed

Edited August 27, 2005 by moorecg

[Balsa]

Can you add a question mark? You got my hopes up there.

[DomingoRamos]

Cubs have a lot bigger problems than the pitching coach. Issues such as Prior's freak injuries, Wood's injury prong arm, Z's arm cramps, and a surplus of youth in the bullpen can create problems for any pitching coach. Wood and Prior need to consistently play to progress.

 

As for the relievers you mentioned, all were in desperate need for a change. Everyone knew the Farns and Hawkins had talent, but they were inconsistent and frustrating for fans and coachs alike to deal with. But that is the life of a reliever. Careers go up and down from season to season.

[SouthSideRyan]

I've only kind of given a little bit of thought to this...but the more I think the more obvious its become.

 

In the last 5 years or so, name a pitcher that has come to the Cubs and not regressed...

 

Glendon Rusch, Kent Mercker, Ryan Dempster, Joe Borowski, Matt Clement, Mark Guthrie, Todd Van Poppel, Alan Benes, Ron Mahay.

 

In the same time, name a pitcher who has left the Cubs and not improved?

 

LaTroy Hawkins, Francis Beltran, Matt Clement, Kent Mercker, Alan Benes, Phil Norton, Pat Mahomes, Jeff Fassero, Ron Mahay.

[moorecg]

I've only kind of given a little bit of thought to this...but the more I think the more obvious its become.

 

In the last 5 years or so, name a pitcher that has come to the Cubs and not regressed...

 

Glendon Rusch, Kent Mercker, Ryan Dempster, Joe Borowski, Matt Clement, Mark Guthrie, Todd Van Poppel, Alan Benes, Ron Mahay.

 

In the same time, name a pitcher who has left the Cubs and not improved?

 

LaTroy Hawkins, Francis Beltran, Matt Clement, Kent Mercker, Alan Benes, Phil Norton, Pat Mahomes, Jeff Fassero, Ron Mahay.

 

Didn't most of the guys you marked as "improved" do so under Lacheman? And 1/2 the guys who left either die of old age or shouldn't have pitched in the majors anymore regardless?

[NCCubFan]

Didn't most of the guys you marked as "improved" do so under Lacheman? And 1/2 the guys who left either die of old age or shouldn't have pitched in the majors anymore regardless?

No, at least five of the players he mentioned (Rusch, Borowski, Clement, Mercker, and Dempster) didn't become Cubs until Rothschild was here (Rothschild became pitching coach in 2002, succeeding Acosta).

[ZMovieman]

Well, let's say Rothschild does go. Who should replace him? As far as pitching coaches go, I know Mazzone and Mike Maddux aren't going anywhere. Is there someone who would be an upgrade over Rothschild as compared to change for change's sake?

[BadKermit]

Well, let's say Rothschild does go. Who should replace him? As far as pitching coaches go, I know Mazzone and Mike Maddux aren't going anywhere. Is there someone who would be an upgrade over Rothschild as compared to change for change's sake?

The other Maddux.

[Laura]

Well, let's say Rothschild does go. Who should replace him? As far as pitching coaches go, I know Mazzone and Mike Maddux aren't going anywhere. Is there someone who would be an upgrade over Rothschild as compared to change for change's sake?

The other Maddux.

 

seconded.

[mhuber92211]

Hershiser. Think he would jump at the chance to work with Prior, Z and Wood compared to what he has in Texas?

 

Who is Houston's coach? He did pretty well with Backe.

[10man]

Well, let's say Rothschild does go. Who should replace him? As far as pitching coaches go, I know Mazzone and Mike Maddux aren't going anywhere. Is there someone who would be an upgrade over Rothschild as compared to change for change's sake?

The other Maddux.

seconded.

Hear! hear!

The Cubs would be better served with GREG Maddux coaching next year rather than pitching. We still probably have to pay him the $9M though and if most of that will go towards Maddux improving the rest of the staff, then I'm all for it.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Well, let's say Rothschild does go. Who should replace him? As far as pitching coaches go, I know Mazzone and Mike Maddux aren't going anywhere. Is there someone who would be an upgrade over Rothschild as compared to change for change's sake?

The other Maddux.

seconded.

Hear! hear!

The Cubs would be better served with GREG Maddux coaching next year rather than pitching. We still probably have to pay him the $9M though and if most of that will go towards Maddux improving the rest of the staff, then I'm all for it.

 

I don't think Maddux the competitor is ready to hand over the ball just yet. I'm all for Greg as a pitching coach when he decides to stop playing. I just don't think he's ready to do that.

 

If Ray Miller leaves Baltimore, he has a pretty good rep as a pitching coach. I think Dave Stewart did a nice job as one, but then, he's more interested in working in a front office I think. Hershiser would be a nice choice, but I think he likes working with Buck.

[Electron Blue]

Well, let's say Rothschild does go. Who should replace him? As far as pitching coaches go, I know Mazzone and Mike Maddux aren't going anywhere. Is there someone who would be an upgrade over Rothschild as compared to change for change's sake?

The other Maddux.

seconded.

Hear! hear!

The Cubs would be better served with GREG Maddux coaching next year rather than pitching. We still probably have to pay him the $9M though and if most of that will go towards Maddux improving the rest of the staff, then I'm all for it.

 

I like it. If anything can coax him into retirement it's an immediate coaching job (somewhat of a guess). I think he's, at the very least, worth a try.

[bobbyd20]

Can Greg Maddux be the pitching coach, manager and go out and throw every 5th day? It would be an upgrade at two spots and he seems to still be able to get major league hitters out.

[Wheelimus]

How about instead we move Maddux to the pen, make him the closer next year, and the pitching coach. Think about it, a hall of famer who can still go sitting in the pen, firing the guys up, telling them how to get their men out, and ready to go in himself as needed. And how about poor pitchers having to face Maddux after facing our fireballers? They'll be swinging before he lets go of the pitch :D

[Bote McBoteface]

How about instead we move Maddux to the pen, make him the closer next year, and the pitching coach. Think about it, a hall of famer who can still go sitting in the pen, firing the guys up, telling them how to get their men out, and ready to go in himself as needed. And how about poor pitchers having to face Maddux after facing our fireballers? They'll be swinging before he lets go of the pitch :D

 

Not really a reply to your message, I just always thought that Shaggy would go much better than Fred Flinstone in your profile pic.

[TenzilKem]

If the Cubs dumped Rothschild the new pitching coach would be Dick Pole and Sonny Jackson would replace him as bench coach.

[UMFan83]

If the Cubs dumped Rothschild the new pitching coach would be Dick Pole and Sonny Jackson would replace him as bench coach.

 

I don't even care. Rothschild has coached way too many underperformaning pitching staffs, he has so go.

[Cubfanintheknow]

Greg Maddux has a lot of knowledge to pass along. Unfortunately, I see him retiring to Las Vegas with his millions of dollars, his X-Box and his golf clubs. I don't think he really wants to have anything to do with professional baseball when he retires.

[NorthsideAvenger]

I WANT RICK PETERSON of the New York Mets. He helped Zito/Mulder/Hudson become the BIG THREE (all three have credited him with their development), and he has turned the Mets rotation (with the help of Pedro) into a strength, instead of a weakness. He is prolly the most overlooked PC in baseball, and I want to see how he would do with Prior/Z/Wood.

 

If not Peterson, I would go with the "Bulldog", or maybe Bud Black.

[treebird]

I WANT RICK PETERSON of the New York Mets. He helped Zito/Mulder/Hudson become the BIG THREE (all three have credited him with their development), and he has turned the Mets rotation (with the help of Pedro) into a strength, instead of a weakness. He is prolly the most overlooked PC in baseball, and I want to see how he would do with Prior/Z/Wood.

 

If not Peterson, I would go with the "Bulldog", or maybe Bud Black.

 

petersons great, just don't listen if he says he can fix a pitcher and that you should definitely trade everything you have to get him.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I WANT RICK PETERSON of the New York Mets. He helped Zito/Mulder/Hudson become the BIG THREE (all three have credited him with their development), and he has turned the Mets rotation (with the help of Pedro) into a strength, instead of a weakness. He is prolly the most overlooked PC in baseball, and I want to see how he would do with Prior/Z/Wood.

 

If not Peterson, I would go with the "Bulldog", or maybe Bud Black.

 

petersons great, just don't listen if he says he can fix a pitcher and that you should definitely trade everything you have to get him.

 

Who did he say that about? I don't remember.

[donobr]

Why blame the coach who is following Baker's orders?

[treebird]

I WANT RICK PETERSON of the New York Mets. He helped Zito/Mulder/Hudson become the BIG THREE (all three have credited him with their development), and he has turned the Mets rotation (with the help of Pedro) into a strength, instead of a weakness. He is prolly the most overlooked PC in baseball, and I want to see how he would do with Prior/Z/Wood.

 

If not Peterson, I would go with the "Bulldog", or maybe Bud Black.

 

petersons great, just don't listen if he says he can fix a pitcher and that you should definitely trade everything you have to get him.

 

Who did he say that about? I don't remember.

 

Victor Zambrano. He basically told the Mets that he could see a flaw in his delivery and fix it so that he'd have much, much better control and become an elite pitcher. He was so confident that he basically just told the team to get him at all costs, and they did.

[BadKermit]

How about instead we move Maddux to the pen, make him the closer next year, and the pitching coach. Think about it, a hall of famer who can still go sitting in the pen, firing the guys up, telling them how to get their men out, and ready to go in himself as needed. And how about poor pitchers having to face Maddux after facing our fireballers? They'll be swinging before he lets go of the pitch :D

That would be sweet. Maddux would go to the bullpen phone, and the cell phone in his pocket would ring. "Hi, Greg? This is Greg. Get up."