CubsWin

That was his final line- 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 7 K, 2 BB. Archer is another 6'3" pitcher. But he doesn't turn 21 until late Sept. Over his last 3 outings, he's pitched 11 innings without allowing an earned run, giving up 4 hits while walking 6 and striking out 18. Nice. Keep it up, Chris!

Another nice outing by Rafael Dolis tongiht. 4 IP, 2 H, 6 K, 2 BB, 0 R. A 6'3", 21-year-old in Advanced A ball. I'm watching.

Yeah, I agree on McDaniel. I was following his numbers last year as well. Amazing. I've been concerned about his lack of Ks this season at Daytona, but then he put up 9 in 5.2 IP tonight. At least we know he's capable of doing at A+. Now, can he do it more often. His season K rate is still well below 1 per inning while last year is was close to 1.4 per. After tonight, I'm a lot more confident that he can get it up above 1 at the A+ level. And Barney's performance so far this year is definitely worthy of mention. I'm not convinced yet that he will keep it up. His numbers last season were underwhelming. If he had dominated the FSL like McDaniel dominated the NWL, I would be more inclined to believe in him after a great first month. But there are four more to go. I need to see him keep this up a bit longer before I can get excited, but he's certainly worth mentioning.

It's still early, but it appears with his recent power explosion (unofficially 3 HRs in his last 3 games, officially 2 in his last 2), Josh Vitters can be put back into the category of those living up to their hype. As can 22-year-old, AA second baseman and third round draft pick, Tony Thomas. Other than those two, no hitter is really capturing my attention after the first month of the season. There are a handful of players who are young for their league that I am hoping are just struggling to adjust to their new levels of competition like Starlin Castro, Brandon Guyer, etc. But that's it. On the mound, I'm officially excited about Jose Ascanio. He has a bit of a history of struggling at a new level and then figuring it out when he repeats it the next year. That seems to be holding true this season. His hits per IP ratio is way down from last year's AAA numbers and his K/BB ratio is way up. Just like he did when he repeated AA in the Braves organization. He is age appropriate for his league and his numbers are call-up worthy. I'd like to see him continue this performance level for a while longer, but I'm definitely checking in every time he pitches. Ryan Searle is the only other pitcher I'm pleased with performance wise right now especially because he is so young for his league. There are several other arms that are worthy of following. Chris Archer, Ryan Buchter and Chris Huseby in Peoria. Rafael Dolis and Andrew Cashner in Daytona, John Gaub and Jay Jackson in Tennessee, and Jeff Samardzija and Jeff Stevens in Iowa. Who is on your radar?

Yep I am officially excited about both of them. They both have long ER free streaks going. I liked Carpenter a lot when I saw him. The only two concerns I have about him are his health and his control. He's been walking a lot of guys. I'd add one more concern to that list, his age for his level. Now Searle on the other hand... Even if the scouts were right and he does have fringy stuff. He's 19. His stuff can still can improve. But for now, he's succeeding at getting A+ hitters out, especially via the ground out and when they do hit him its weakly. Count me as currently pleased and excited.

Saddest baseball related news I can remember. Maybe since Munson or even Clemente. Such a shame. Was completely shocked and moved to tears at the news. Unbelievable.

According to how guys have performed in ST, yes, that is the group that deserves to go north. But, there is more to consider than just their most recent performance. I'm conflicted. Gaudin does have an established track record in the majors that guys like Guz and Patton don't, but Gaudin, including his performance today against the Tribe (2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER) has been so bad dating back to August 7th of last year that, at this point, I'm okay trading him. He's only had one outing back on March 9th in which he didn't give up a run. I just don't trust him to magically turn it around once the season starts. Gaudin's done everything he can to not make the team. And much to my surprise, Chad Fox has done everything he can to make it. He, too, has an established major league record. Unfortunately, the last time he pitched well and, for that matter, was healthy was in 2003. But he certainly has looked good this spring. Guzman has been brilliant and then not so much. He at least has a decent ceiling. Vizcaino has looked better this spring and has had recent major league success against righties, so I feel most comfortable going with him. And that's not a good sign. The back end of the Cubs pen is filled with question marks. They should have Samardzija and Hart in AAA has fall back options, but Hart isn't a sure thing at the major league level. If he were, he'd be going north. And I would really like to be able to have Shark stretch out in Iowa and be ready in case one of the starters goes down. The bullpen guys haven't made it easy with the way they've performed. I fear the back end of the pen will be the weak link on this team no matter who they break camp with. If those guys you mentioned all perform during the season like they have in ST, then they should be okay, but what are the chances of that?

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2009/03/cubs-down-to-last-two-bullpen-spots.html I wonder if that could mean the Cubs could go with a 13-man pitching staff for a while until a trade can be worked out. Could that mean Fukudome being sent to AAA to get his at bats in for a couple weeks? That would be what I would do rather than lose one of those pitchers for nothing. It also sends a message to Kosuke that if you don't come to camp ready to produce, we'll use those options to send you to the minors. He still makes his millions, but has to ride the bus and sleep in crummy hotels! :) No, it just means that Gaudin or Guzman will probably be traded in the next few days. Right on cue... The Trib - Paul Sullivan

It could be that he just working on stuff or just takes longer than some to get tuned up. I would just feel a lot more comfortable seeing him get some guys out without runs scoring before the season starts. He's only done that once this spring and that was 3 weeks ago. 3/29 - 2 IP, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K 3/24 - 2 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 2 K 3/18 - 1 IP, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 0 K 3/13 - 1.2 IP, 6 R, 6 ER, 5 H, 4 BB, 0 K 3/09 - 2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K 3/03 - 3 IP, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 3 K 2/26 - 2 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 K I'm clear that it's just spring training, and I trust his previous ML numbers, it's just that since August 9th of last season, he's been pretty bad. In his final 12.2 IP, he gave up 16 ER on 20 hits, walking 7 and striking out 9. I'm not advocating giving up on him or trading him away for nothing. He's still has plenty of value, I'm just concerned. And with others doing so well, it's not a clear cut decision as to what to do for me.

Gaudin's got several years of solid production in MLB. What does Patton have? ST numbers? The ability to get people out, currently. I agree with you wholeheartedly, btw. I trust Gaudin much more than Patton, but Chad has looked terrible, not just mediocre but downright awful this spring while Patton has done everything that has been asked of him. 10 Ks/2 BB in just under 10 innings allowing 8 hits and 1 run, and here's the kicker, while facing the same level of competition as Gaudin. Again, I'm not calling for the Cubs to take Patton over Gaudin, but I am concerned, very concerned about Chad's ability to get hitters out right now and David Patton is in the mix of options to be taken north instead.

Gaudin's got several years of solid production in MLB. What does Patton have? ST numbers? I agree that Gaudin should make the team, but that being said he really needs to get his s**t together. He has been bad all spring and was bad at the end of last season. Piniella seems to be giving him every chance to pitch his way out of whatever issues he is having, but once the season starts it's going to really suck if he is a gas can out of the bullpen. The Cubs are going to need him to give them some quality middle / long relief innings and probably fill in as a reliable spot starter from time to time so if he fails it is going to hurt the whole pitching staff. I totally agree. Lou is giving him every opportunity to turn things around and Gaudin really needs to get it together and soon. But I'm not certain the Cubs are going to need Chad at all. His role would be to provide middle relief and be the spot starter. Kevin Hart can provide those services and has been more effective than Gaudin has this spring. He is less proven at the major league level, but has had some success. I would prefer to go with the safer bet in Gaudin, but only if he starts getting hitters out. Does anyone know if Gaudin can be sent to the minors without clearing waivers? If the Cubs don't want to break camp with him, are their only options to place him on the DL, trade him or risk losing him on waivers?

The Cubs are already going to have to lose either Patton or Guzman if they keep Gaudin and Vizcaino. Keeping Fox means they have to give up one more of those guys since the Cubs don't have the option of sending any of them to AAA. Lou can say whatever he wants about the best guys making the team but Hendry still will have some say if keeping certain guys means the Cubs losing others from the organization (especially if they are guys the team owes significant money to like Gaudin and Vizcaino). Fox has had a nice spring but I don't think he has been dominant enough that he has forced the Cubs to put him on the opening day roster. Fox will most likely take the AAA assignment with the promise they will look for a chance to either get him up to Chicago or or send him to another team if he is successful down there. I never advocated for keeping Viz, Gaudin and Fox. Only said that he has, against my will, worked his way back into consideration. Though I do hope you're right and Fox is offered and accepts a AAA assignment.

Against my will, I'm throwing Chad Fox's name back into the mix. He looked good. Hitting his spots with a fastball sitting at 93-94. Good control of a sharp breaking ball. I know his injury history suggests that he won't last very long, but if Lou follows through on his statement to take the pitchers that are performing the best, he has to be considered.

A very real possibility for sure. But one that I would be disappointed to see happen. Especially if he doesn't bring back anything worthwhile in return. He should net more than Vizcaino even with his injury history because of his low price and the fact that when he's good, he's really good and all Vizcaino seems capable of these days is being a roogy. Is that even a term? However, I think because of the Cubs depth in the pen with players like Kevin Hart performing well but likely going to AAA, Guzman has more value to the Cubs. His injury history isn't a factor for us. Neither would it be a concern if he didn't pitch well. Hendry has Hart and, if need be, Samardzija waiting to step in. But if Guzman maintains what he's been able to do since his side session with LR, he can be very good, build up some real trade value and possibly be moved at the deadline if circumstances warrant.

Cubs.com According to this article, Marmol, Gregg, Heilman and Cotts are in and there are three spots remaining. Vizcaino has pitched better as of late and has a good track record against righties. Gaudin has struggled this spring. Guzman who is out of options and has looked great of late, apparently since having a side session with Rothschild. That leaves Kevin Hart (who I believe still has options), Jeff Samardzija (who I know has options left), Randy Wells (who I believe still has options), Rule 5 pick David Patton who has given Lou no reason to send him back, and NRIs Chad Fox, Mike Stanton and Jason Waddell. Cut loose the NRIs. Fox had pitched well, but with all the other options, they don't need him. I hope Samardzija goes to AAA. His future should be as a starter and if Guzman keeps pitching like he has his last two outings, Shark won't be needed in the pen. Let him get his innings as a starter and be ready to be called up in case of injury. Take Guzman north and if he struggles, deal with that then. That leaves two spots. Contracts would dictate the Cubs choose Vizcaino and Gaudin. If Hart doesn't have options left, then I think you have to take him over one of those two. Lou is going to want a long man. Gaudin fits that bill the best, but Hart has starter experience as well. Randy Wells's stuff has never really done anything for me. As far as I'm concerned, they should send him down, but I'm open to someone selling me on him. I don't care who the closer is. I think Marmol is the better, more dominant pitcher, so I would prefer to see him facing the opponents best hitters no matter the inning or being brought in to kill a rally no matter the inning. So... Gregg Marmol Heilman Cotts Guzman With Vizcaino, Gaudin, and Hart left to battle it out for the final two spots over the last week and a half. That's how I see it. How do you see it?

What about Damion Easley? He's not the ideal back-up by any means, but there aren't a lot of options left. He hasn't played a lot of 3B in the last two years but logged 122 innings there in '06. The same goes for SS where he didn't play much the last two seasons in NY but did play over 200 innings there two years ago. He has good splits against lefties over the last three years and we all know how Lou likes the veterans. I'm not really making his case, just hadn't heard his named mentioned. Its either him, Nomar or whoever becomes expendable during spring training.

Quote from thread: I was also into Westbrook a bit. He just got hurt. I also liked Cliff Lee. You also loved Khalil Greene. And JR Towles And guaranteed us Marquis would have ERAs in the 6s. even mozart wrote a few duds. And he probably also went around telling everyone how great he was.

Quote from thread: I was also into Westbrook a bit. He just got hurt. I also liked Cliff Lee. You also loved Khalil Greene. And JR Towles And guaranteed us Marquis would have ERAs in the 6s.

Since the Peavy deal seems to be finally and actually dead, we might as well start looking at the Cubs roster as it is now. There might still be some minor changes, but this is essentially it until the trade deadline, folks. C- Soto 1B - Lee 2B - Fontenot (Platoon) SS - Theriot 3B - Ramirez LF - Soriano CF - Fukudome (Likely platoon) RF - Bradley SP - Zambrano SP - Harden SP - Lilly SP - Dempster SP - Heilman Marshall and Samardzjia have outside chances at winning the 5th spot in the rotation. RP - Marmol RP - Gregg RP - Marshall RP - Vizcaino RP - Gaudin RP - Cotts Those are just possibles. With Guzman, Hart, Samardzjia, Stevens, Wuertz, Ascanio and others all in the picture. C - Bako 1B - Hoffpauir IF - Miles OF - Johnson OF - Gathright That's 24. Lou will likely break camp with 12 pitchers so one of the possibles listed above will likely also be going north. That also means that they will only have a 5 man bench and this bench is pretty weak the way is stands right now. The Cubs are really going to miss DeRo this year if nothing changes. I don't have much evidence to back up this notion, I just believe that Fukudome will produce well for a CFer this season. And Bradley will perform well while he's in there. So, when healthy, I expect the offense to be okay. But with certain players track records, how often will that starting 8 be on the field. It's looking more and more like the Cubs really hurt themselves by trading DeRosa. It got them no needed pieces for this season and didn't net them Jake Peavy. The rotation looks good. Real good. The pen is okay. About the best thing it has going for it is Marmol at the top of it and a lot of depth at the bottom. The bench scares me. Bradley ain't going play 150 games. Fukudome might not hit well enough to start. And there are no OF bats on the bench. Are the Cubs really planning on starting Micah Hoffpauir in the OF if Bradley is hurt and Fuku isn't hitting? And only one middle IFer on the bench? Hendry can't go into the season with this bench, can he?

Unless Towers values Olson about the same as Marshall, I can't see the Padres accepting a deal without one of Marshall or Vitters involved. It's possible, though. If the above happens, Hendry would deserve major props. If forced to choose between high end value or major league ready pitching, I don't know what Towers would do. Obviously, it would better the Cubs chances this year to trade Vitters. But, I'd rather gamble on Vitters' ceiling and give up Marshall. Marshall and Olson provide a fairly good return in and of themselves for Peavy considering the Padres money situation. Since I have no idea what Towers wants, any three prospects not named Vitters, Cashner, Samardzjia, Rhee, Hak-Ju Lee or Jay Jackson, would be fine with me. I'd try to keep Castillo if it's not a deal breaker. The same with Starlin Castro and Ryan Flaherty. Otherwise, they can choose three between Hart, Guzman, Ascanio, Stevens, Atkins, etc.

It was in the Trib. Have to scroll down to the bottom. He signed for $822,500 avoiding arbitration.

This has probably been covered in existing threads already, but I don't understand the Gathright signing at all. Why spend the extra money (800 grand is still 800 grand) when dollars are obviously tight? They already have Pie who can provide the speed that Gathright has and most likely much better defense. Pie showed improvement last year, slight though it was, over the previous season, and finished last season on a high note. What he needs is time in the bigs. I understand that he can't be given a starting job, but what would be so wrong with having him on the bench? He turns 24 in a couple of weeks. There are quite a few examples of players that realize their potential at the plate after that age. Can anyone explain to me what Gathright provides that is worth giving up on Pie? Does Hendry still believe the Peavy trade can happen before the season starts? Does he have a deal in place for Pie that he likes in case the Peavy thing doesn't happen? From where I sit, he better...

You know, the Blackhawks are pretty good, people. They're playing tonight, up 1-0 after the first period. For those of you out of town like me, you can go to http://blackhawks.nhl.com/, click on the WGN radio link and listen to the game free of charge. Just tryin' to help...

That was also posted earlier in this thread, so take it FWIW. :P We know that Olney wrote it. Whether he knows what he's talking about is another matter...

Colusion? Flood the market with high priced FAs to lower the cost? That's possible. Though it seems much more likely that there are legitimate concerns over the state of the economy.