Wrigley Rat

Not sure, but the next article from the Knoxville News Sentinel said that Colvin was already back playing the outfield already. Now that Dopirak has been released, I'm not sure if that means more starts for Colvin at 1B or if someone else will take that spot on a regular basis.

I'm glad to see Hendry has the ability to stick to his guns and say no to a bad deal. I really think he was willing to give up quite a few solid prospects for two years of Brian Roberts, but when MacPhail got greedy, Hendry got out. I'd personally like to hold on to most of our prospects and use a few at the deadline for a spark, and maybe a few more in the offseason.

Don't get too attached - this is his last chance. Could (should) be released this spring. Unfortunately, he was someone Oneri Fleita told me the Cubs were high on at a Cubs Convention a few years back (I think 2004). Now, he is a bit old and his stuff has been fringy since his injury: He's a short RHP control pitcher who did well in DSL in 2004, but got injured and missed all of 2005. He has struggled ever since. He throws a fastball, curve, and changeup. Every account I've heard in the past year - from Boise newspapers and broadcasters to AZ Phil recounts in TCR to a San Diego area newspaper just last week (in regards to Marcus Giles rehab against Cub minor leaguers) - has labeled Al Alburquerque as a hard thrower (with a potential plus slider). Doesn't sound fringy. That he struggled at times (he did do well in Boise) in his first full season back from TJS is not at all surprising. That he's been working out with the Daytona group and possibly skipping Peoria this season is intriguing. I don't think he'll be released if he's healthy. 21 at Daytona certainly isn't a bit old either. That's great news. Thanks Raisin - I'd like to see him turn his potential into results this year. I've been rooting for him for 4 years with very little results. They do say that TJ surgery often increases the speed of a fastball - maybe that's the case here??? I'll keep an eye on him.

Don't get too attached - this is his last chance. Could (should) be released this spring. Unfortunately, he was someone Oneri Fleita told me the Cubs were high on at a Cubs Convention a few years back (I think 2004). Now, he is a bit old and his stuff has been fringy since his injury: He's a short RHP control pitcher who did well in DSL in 2004, but got injured and missed all of 2005. He has struggled ever since. He throws a fastball, curve, and changeup.

Ditto. So many more changes will be made before they break camp. Iowa and Tenn each get 24 players and Daytona and Peoria each get 25 players. If you count up all the players listed by Arizona Phil, there are 30-40+ players for each level. Some will be released, some demoted, some will stay back for extended spring training.

So much for tinkering with the batting order. Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella said Saturday that Kosuke Fukudome will bat fifth, Alfonso Soriano will remain in the second spot and, barring a trade, the opening day lineup is set. Those comments came a day after the manager said he might try batting the struggling Fukudome second before camp breaks. But after sleeping on it, the manager gave up on that plan. Having Fukudome bat fifth gives the Cubs a left-handed batter in the middle of the lineup and, Piniella said, more protection for Aramis Ramirez. "I thought about it last night,'' Piniella said before Saturday's game against the Chicago White Sox. "I think right now with the way we're situated, Fukudome offers the best protection for Ramirez.'' Piniella, who thinks Fukudome's best spot would be second, had considered flip-flopping him with Soriano. Another option was moving Fukudome up to second and dropping Soriano, Derrek Lee and Ramirez one spot. Either option would give the Cubs five straight right-handed batters, which made Piniella uncomfortable. (More...) http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/wires/03/22/2000.ap.bbn.cubs.lineup.0566/

Not sure if this has already been posted, but with so many people hating Ryan Theriot's production as a shortstop, compare his numbers last year to Crisp's: 2008 Stats 2B 3B HR SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS Ryan Theriot 30 2 3 28 4 .266 .326 .346 .672 Coco Crisp 28 7 6 28 6 .268 .330 .382 .712 That was enough for me to realize that we don't want Crisp on this team - we already have him playing shortstop.

It looks like the Cubs still want Casey McGehee to play a bit at 3B too. I think they were hoping to keep Koyie Hill and J.D. Closser with McGehee as a bench player but getting lots of AB's at C, 1B, and 3B. Closser hasn't really looked very good though so McGehee might end up becoming more of a fixture at catcher in Iowa? All speculation on my part though.

Hendry said, about 3-4 weeks ago in a radio interview, that only one of them would make the team. Fuld doesn't really have a lot of value. I believe the Cubs have used him to try to light a fire under Pie. I fully expect Fuld to start the season at AAA. Sending Pie down at this point makes no sense. Thanks, I hadn't heard about that interview - the competition part makes sense. I also know that Piniella said that Pie was "ahead of" Fuld at this point in spring training, mainly based on major league experience.

I guess the reason for my surprise was that the Cubs said he was someone that they didn't want to trade (which of course could just be talk). I don't really understand why we would send him to AAA with the team as it is today (with trades I could see it) - I'd rather see them trade him as an extra piece than see him rot in AAA - he's already 26. If we trade Patterson, then I could see a need for a CF at Iowa since Colvin probably isn't ready yet for Iowa. Kroeger and Fox should start at the corners, and Torres and Fuld would split CF.

Not sure where to put this... According to Carrie Muskat: "The Cubs are not expected to carry both Felix Pie and Sam Fuld on the big league roster, and the team is still looking for a right-handed bat to help in center field." http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080305&content_id=2407035&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc Just surprised me a bit since I've been assuming they both make the roster unless we get a right-handed center fielder. Sounds like Fuld will be sent down no matter what.

1. Soto 2. Gallagher 3. Colvin 4. Donaldson 5. Vitters 6. Ceda 7. Hart 8. Veal 9. Samardzija 10. Petrick 11. Ascanio Just missing: Patterson, Campusano, Thomas, Harben, Fuld, Roquet, Fox, Holliman

I have Veal, Samardzija, Harben, Santo, Atkins. Santo and Atkins are interchangeable as 4th/5th SPs, but I would have preferred Berg to stay in the rotation and have Santo in the pen (Santo's FB has been clocked up to 98 mph in short stints). But this is based on what I have heard. Obviously things change if Veal goes to the pen or if Harben isn't ready to start right away. Either way, I don't think Atkins would be moved to the pen in the first half of the season, but I see it happening down the road if he doesn't improve his velocity or his secondary pitches. I do agree (through inference) that Tennessee's pitching staff is fairly weak compared to the other levels.

Not too surprised. He didn't make my Top 30 list either, but he probably would have been in the top 40. Currently, Atkins' fastball sits around 87-92 mph and he throws a curve and changeup. He feels that his curve is his best pitch, but others tend to think he still needs to work on improving it. His changeup is a work in progress, and his fastball speed isn't top notch (not sure about movement). From the sound of it, Atkins has a decent chance to further develop. He could still add speed to his fastball as he improves his mechanics, but he will need to really work at improving his off-speed pitches. I personally see him topping out as a 5th starter, or he could end up as a long man out of the bullpen. Not really projections worthy of a spot on the Top 30 list. But who knows! If he can show dominance at AA this year, all bets are off. His projections will be reconsidered and he could shoot up the list fast! My bet is that this year will be a struggle for him. I have him penciled in as the 5th starter in Tennessee, but there are others who may bump him to the bullpen if he starts out slowly.

I'm guessing Comcast doesn't carry it though - right?

Good scouting report on Marmol: "The other guy is (Carlos) Marmol here at the end. Sometimes because he has trouble with body control, he’ll struggle with his command. But he’ll show you a plus slider–92-94 (mph) sinker/slider. If he controls it and gets some consistency to his delivery, he’s a pretty good set-up man or closer in the big leagues." - Licey Manager Hector De La Cruz http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=717

I hope I'm not stepping on Raisin's toes, but... Marmol, Belliard Propel Licey SANTIAGO, D.R.–Ronnie Belliard drove in four runs and Carlos Marmol finished things off for Licey, downing Venezuela, 6-4 in the Caribbean Series opener Saturday night. Leading 5-1 in the fifth, Aragua rallied for three runs against Carlos Perez, but the Licey bullpen, anchored by the Cubs’ reliever, proved to be the difference. The closest Venezuela came was in the bottom of the eighth trailing by a run. Aragua loaded the bases with two outs against Oneli Perez, and manager Hector De La Cruz brought in Marmol to face Aragua designated hitter Alexis Nunez. The righthander challenged him immediately, and Nunez drilled a 92 mph fastball to the deepest part of El Stadio Cibao. But center fielder Jose Bautista tracked it down, casually bouncing into the wall for good measure. Marmol was untouchable in the ninth, locking down the opening night victory. Licey will play Mexico in the early game Sunday, while Venezuela draws Aguilas. http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=716

Tim - I agree that the right side of our bullpen is packed, but I have a feeling that if a trade for Nathan could be made, it would include Wuertz in it (he's from Austin, Minnesota - Home of Spam (Hormel's - not internet junk mail)). Although Wuertz is solid, he is a valuable trading chip at his low price. That would make our bullpen Nathan, Howry, Marmol, Wood, Dempster/Marquis, Eyre, and Lahey. You don't have to agree, but I likey. :)

I agree completely. Hendry has been trying all offseason to acquire Roberts (1-leadoff hitter), and reportedly has been after Bedard, Burnett, and Santana (2-top 3 pitcher). It's time to move to our third most pressing need, a closer. This feels exactly like it did with the Bears this year when they traded away Thomas Jones because we had Cedric Benson ready to go at runningback. Just because we have "options" at closer doesn't mean they will work. Dempster, Howry, and Wood have all had chances to look good in the 9th, but haven't done so consistently. Marmol could get a chance but he is unproven. Go out and get proven guys whenever they are young and available. Nathan is a perfect example of that. Sign him long-term. Trade him down the road. The Cubs have money - they are near $120 million this year, but should be giving Minnesota someone like Dempster and/or Marquis in this trade. That would free up money for this year. Yep, we should do Marquis and Dempster for Nathan, I think that ought to be enough right?...... Why can't I be as smart as you? Message Boards are filled with people making false assumptions, but that's OK - I don't get mad that easily. By saying that Minnesota would be taking Dempster and/or Marquis I was in no way insinuating that would be it. I expect Minnesota to get quite a nice package for one of the best closers in the game. I am one person who rarely over-values the Cubs' players. I personally don't think Marquis or Dempster should have much trade value because I wouldn't want them on my team at their respective prices, however we have heard that the opposite is true. Teams have at least expressed interest in Marquis. Perhaps that is with the Cubs kicking in a bunch of money. Who knows. Either way, I think all of us reading these message boards are looking for something to talk about - right now, Nathan is about it.

I agree completely. Hendry has been trying all offseason to acquire Roberts (1-leadoff hitter), and reportedly has been after Bedard, Burnett, and Santana (2-top 3 pitcher). It's time to move to our third most pressing need, a closer. This feels exactly like it did with the Bears this year when they traded away Thomas Jones because we had Cedric Benson ready to go at runningback. Just because we have "options" at closer doesn't mean they will work. Dempster, Howry, and Wood have all had chances to look good in the 9th, but haven't done so consistently. Marmol could get a chance but he is unproven. Go out and get proven guys whenever they are young and available. Nathan is a perfect example of that. Sign him long-term. Trade him down the road. The Cubs have money - they are near $120 million this year, but should be giving Minnesota someone like Dempster and/or Marquis in this trade. That would free up money for this year.

Interesting article about Fukudome just posted online from Daily Yomiuri Online: - "Fukudome botched plays no matter where the Dragons tried to hide him." - "Also, even now he looks clueless at times against offspeed pitching." - "Fukudome didn't just struggle with the change, he looked bad--like he'd never seen one before. "So what happens when he faces guys that rush it up there a bit more and then drop a change, or guys like [Greg] Maddux and [Tom] Glavine?" - (Most of the article talks about the Cubs advertising campaign.) http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/sports/20080130TDY24301.htm

I couldn't have said it better myself. Yet I think that package could have gotten it done. If we threw in Dempster and/or Wuertz (a Minnesota kid) it was a no-brainer. Too bad Santana wants all that $$$$.

Awesome - thanks Raisin!

If anyone is willing, I would like to know the other guys they listed in their Depth Chart who didn't make the top 30 (and maybe the position they are listed at). I appreciate knowing the 30+ guys. Thanks!

First of all, thanks a ton Raisin! Polite correction: The 30+ guys were Josh Kroeger and Kyle Reynolds (not Kyle Russell). Seriously though, thanks for taking the time to type this up for us. I'm still waiting for my Prospect Handbook from Barnes & Noble (I knew it would be late).