98navigator

Guzman has opened eyes

WALKS

OMG, these Cubs are really clicking offensively. The patience at the plate is great to see. :shock: :D

Sorry guys, I'd do PbP but I'm going to be away for a bit.

Prior is still starting tomorrow right? Prior will pitch his 3 innings after Lilly

Nope

I wish Jacque well because it helps the team as a whole. The issue with Pie is separate from Jones yet interrelated. Felix still needs to work on his plate discipline. He will be benefited by the at-bats in AAA. The advantage in trading Jones is the defense improves with Pie in CF and Soriano in RF (not to mention we might get a serviceable player in return).

Link I'm sure Pie would be very good at picking up bats, but I think the Cubs have a lot more in mind with Pie's future. One thing Pie needs to learn more than anything is patience. Both at the plate and his future promotion. I totally agree. My point is that he will be very disappointed. Also, Lou is sending a bit of a mixed message by saying to the kids "...there aren't many jobs here. ...if you want one just go grab it..." I'm sure that Lou was directing that towards pitchers and utility players but I'd be willing to bet that Pie thinks, if he has a phenomenal ST, he can make the team too. I just hope that Lou has a nice long talk with Felix when it's time to send him to MiL camp.

Hopefully somebody explained to him that he'd be sitting more than he'd be playing. I can't imagine he wants that. He knows how much Jacque and Sori are getting paid, so there's no way he's playing over them. Unless he thinks he should be playing over Murton (ie-Soriano over to LF so Pie could play CF) I would hope he's smarter than that. I agree with the decision to send him down but he will be very disappointed. Frankly, I think a lot of the young guys would rather sit on the bench in the MLs than start in the minors (even highly touted prospects). It isn't good for his development. This quote is heartbreaking to me: Link

It's possible but it's still fairly early (less than a month until opening day). So he will have to show that he is both healthy and effective to stay. Didn't Wuertz experience a similar problem last spring? Not the same injury per se, but a drop in velocity and effectiveness that may have been due to some sort of injury? He really struggled last spring giving up 18 hits in 8.1 innings, walking 6 while striking out only 2 with a 16.19 ERA. The Cubs broke camp with him and had him on a short leash to start the season. After just 3 games, he was sent down or DL'd or something. Was he injured then or just off? Is this a recurring spring thing for him? Just asking... I don't remember all of the details but it was something along those lines... According to him, the discomfort is something he's dealt with in previous Spring Trainings. Whatever the case, it's bound to hold him back unless he can really impress Lou before the end of camp.

My guess is that he either wins a spot in the rotation or else starts the season on the 15-day DL, perhaps staying behind in extended Spring Training or else going to Iowa for a rehab assignment. You're probably right. A lot of the local media people are portraying Mark Prior as a primadona and with the venom being spewed, you'd think he personally harmed them. I was listening to Chet Choppock last night, on ESPN AM 1000, and he unleashed a verbal assault on Prior (it was so bad I eventually turned it off). Anyway, Suntimes columnist Chris De Luca was one of Choppock's guests. De Luca speculated that the Cubs would/should demote Prior to AAA Iowa if he can't "get himself together."

That is the debate. If Lou decides to carry 11 pitchers Wuertz/Novoa/Cherry et al are most likely going to AAA. However, Cherry is in the mix if Lou elects to bring 12 pitchers. Of course, the possibility remains that someone could be traded. FWIW, there is media speculation that Ohman's position is not guaranteed. Trib Ohman's name must have come up at some point for it to be on the radar. If Cotts is the long man, that means there will be 3 LHPs in the bullpen. Perhaps the Cubs plan to trade Ohman before Opening Day. There were some whispers about this a few months ago when Cotts was acquired. Dempster Wood Howry Eyre Cotts Ohman ? Zambrano Lilly Hill Marquis Prior/Miller/Guzman

It's possible but it's still fairly early (less than a month until opening day). So he will have to show that he is both healthy and effective to stay.

I know this is a bit off topic, but it does fit with the title of the thread, so instead of starting a whole new thread... Wuertz is injured at the moment. Now he may be fully ready to return and perform well by the time the season gets under way, but for the sake of discussion, let's say he isn't. With Wuertz out and Miller not wanting to go to the pen, that leaves Dempster, Howry and Wood as the three righties to go with Eyre, Ohman and Cotts as the lefties. Lou has been talking about breaking with a bullpen of 6, so that could do it, but if he goes with 7 or if Ohman or Cotts keep struggling, what are the chances that Rocky Cherry breaks camp with the big club. He has done everything right so far this spring, and his plus-slider seems similar to Wuertz's. Is he ready to spell Mike until such time as Wuertz is ready to return? I would be more shocked as of today if Cherry DOESN'T make the team coming out of Arizona. He's done nothing but make the Cubs look like geniuses for protecting him instead of Holdzkom. A lot can change in the next three weeks, but right now, Cherry looks like a big leaguer. BTW, I believe Wuertz still has minor league options, so they can send him to Iowa to get the rust off once he's ready to go again 100%. I know for sure that Novoa has options remaining, as do all of the young starters from last year. And then there's Prior..... I totally agree. At this point, I'd be shocked if Cherry didn't make the team. We shall see how things progress. I agree that he has looked great thus far, and if nothing changes in the next 3 weeks and Lou goes with 4 righties, then Rocky will be the guy, but I'm asking if people think all of that is likely to happen. Basically, is Rocky for real? After all, he's only pitched 4 1/3 innings. They have been 4 1/3 stellar innings, but sample size is king. Since we likely won't get a good sample size on him in the next 3 weeks, its open for speculation. The last good sample size we have on him are his 48.2 innings at AA last year. He posted a WHIP of 1.17 with a K/9 of 9.3, a BB/9 of 2.6 and an ERA of 2.22. Those are pretty good numbers. And they were even better against right-handed batters. Of course, those were right-handed Southern League batters. He's 27, so if it's going to happen... My honest thought is that Lou would bring Rocky Cherry north if he continues to pitch well. Also, if Prior doesn't improve this Spring I could see Angel Guzman out pitching Miller for the fifth spot in the rotation. Of the two, Angel is much more of a dark-horse candidate because the Cubs are going to do everything they can to allow Prior to get the last rotation spot. Link

In non pitcher news: So this means that those 4 are pushing for 5th starter-if one of the other 3 get it, then Cotts is the long reliever. If Cotts gets it, then what-Guzman as the long reliever? It's possible that Angel could be a long reliver. The REAL question is how are the Cubs going to handle Prior if he doesn't win the 5th spot?

This new article by Carrie Muskat makes me think she's been listening to Gameday Audio or reading this message board. :wink: Link In non pitcher news:

I know this is a bit off topic, but it does fit with the title of the thread, so instead of starting a whole new thread... Wuertz is injured at the moment. Now he may be fully ready to return and perform well by the time the season gets under way, but for the sake of discussion, let's say he isn't. With Wuertz out and Miller not wanting to go to the pen, that leaves Dempster, Howry and Wood as the three righties to go with Eyre, Ohman and Cotts as the lefties. Lou has been talking about breaking with a bullpen of 6, so that could do it, but if he goes with 7 or if Ohman or Cotts keep struggling, what are the chances that Rocky Cherry breaks camp with the big club. He has done everything right so far this spring, and his plus-slider seems similar to Wuertz's. Is he ready to spell Mike until such time as Wuertz is ready to return? I would be more shocked as of today if Cherry DOESN'T make the team coming out of Arizona. He's done nothing but make the Cubs look like geniuses for protecting him instead of Holdzkom. A lot can change in the next three weeks, but right now, Cherry looks like a big leaguer. BTW, I believe Wuertz still has minor league options, so they can send him to Iowa to get the rust off once he's ready to go again 100%. I know for sure that Novoa has options remaining, as do all of the young starters from last year. And then there's Prior..... I totally agree. At this point, I'd be shocked if Cherry didn't make the team. We shall see how things progress.

The scoring matters in boarder terms (Spring Training notwithstanding). It is hard to argue definitively because there was no video but the broadcasters both believed that an error should have been recorded. Kerry didn't pitch well overall but, from the sound of things, there were plays on the field that contributed to runs scoring.

Poor Woody. I wonder if it would have been scored that way in Mesa? From the description of the play, it would have been the same way-it was a bloop apparently that Izturis couldn't get to. Especially if it didn't hit his glove (which from the story, it doesn't sound like it did) they would usually never call it an error. The live description was that it should have been an error on Izturis.

Poor Woody. I wonder if it would have been scored that way in Mesa?

My friend tried to preorder it through WOW cable, in December(?), but they didn't make it available. The other providers may have followed that model.

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070308/capt.azli10403082310.cubs_padres_baseball_azli104.jpg Henry Blanco puts the tag on San Diego Padres' Kevin Kouzmanoff http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070308/capt.azli10303082253.cubs_padres_baseball_azli103.jpg Kerry

I don't know if there is room. Lou likes him. I don't think there's going to be room for Wuertz. That would be a catastrophic mistake. Really? I don't have any emotional attachment to anyone in the pen (except Kerry). I just want people who will get outs... I know Wuertz has been good but he'll have to prove himself with a new manager; he's not the type of player with a guaranteed spot. Speaking of which, I read yesterday that Ohman's spot may be up for grabs. Can you justify how someone like Cotts has a guaranteed spot, but Wuertz doesn't? It's not about me justifying it, I'm just telling you what Lou said about Rocky Cherry. It shouldn't be lost on anyone that Piniella continues to call on the guy in pressure spots (and he keeps delivering). The way I see it, Cotts has more versatility because he can start and go long (I think that's why the Cubs like him as well). As it stands, Wuertz has to fight to stay, Novoa is on the outside looking, and Ohman's spot might be available (if you believe Sullivan). Cherry is also is situation where all the MLB players on the opposing team are sitting on the bench. He really hasnt faced anyone yet. That's not completely true and really it isn't going to mean anything if Lou decides he makes the team. It matters in how you review his accomplishments now. I understand the argument. However, if every manager followed this train of thought there would be little need to have MiLs in camp much less NRIs.

I don't know if there is room. Lou likes him. I don't think there's going to be room for Wuertz. That would be a catastrophic mistake. Really? I don't have any emotional attachment to anyone in the pen (except Kerry). I just want people who will get outs... I know Wuertz has been good but he'll have to prove himself with a new manager; he's not the type of player with a guaranteed spot. Speaking of which, I read yesterday that Ohman's spot may be up for grabs. Can you justify how someone like Cotts has a guaranteed spot, but Wuertz doesn't? It's not about me justifying it, I'm just telling you what Lou said about Rocky Cherry. It shouldn't be lost on anyone that Piniella continues to call on the guy in pressure spots (and he keeps delivering). The way I see it, Cotts has more versatility because he can start and go long (I think that's why the Cubs like him as well). As it stands, Wuertz has to fight to stay, Novoa is on the outside looking, and Ohman's spot might be available (if you believe Sullivan). Cherry is also is situation where all the MLB players on the opposing team are sitting on the bench. He really hasnt faced anyone yet. That's not completely true and really it isn't going to mean anything if Lou decides he makes the team.

I don't know if there is room. Lou likes him. I don't think there's going to be room for Wuertz. That would be a catastrophic mistake. Really? I don't have any emotional attachment to anyone in the pen (except Kerry). I just want people who will get outs... I know Wuertz has been good but he'll have to prove himself with a new manager; he's not the type of player with a guaranteed spot. Speaking of which, I read yesterday that Ohman's spot may be up for grabs. Can you justify how someone like Cotts has a guaranteed spot, but Wuertz doesn't? It's not about me justifying it, I'm just telling you what Lou said about Rocky Cherry. It shouldn't be lost on anyone that Piniella continues to call on the guy in pressure spots (and he keeps delivering). The way I see it, Cotts has more versatility because he can start and go long (I think that's why the Cubs like him as well). As it stands, Wuertz has to fight to stay, Novoa is on the outside looking, and Ohman's spot might be available (if you believe Sullivan).