vance_the_cubs_fan

I'm hoping that Walker remains on the team until his 10-team no trade list kicks in. At that point, it would be very difficult for the Cubs to deal him. I still think that if he's on the team, Dusty will give him a bulk of the starts at second base.

I think the Cubs will once again have good success against the Cardinals.

I think they are trying to delay his arbitration clock.

I agree. A very poor transition.

They usually wear something like that except the "C" is red.

I called him a wuss because they are going to let him sit for 10 days because of a sore shoulder. Ok maybe that was harsh. Should I say instead that his body is just not sturdy and they are treating him like a wuss. Is that better? He's not gonna toughen up any be babying him like this. He will get used to, and almost expect to be rested for 10 days any time a little warmth or soreness is felt in the shoulder or arm. I'm not a doctor. So can someone tell me, is there a major risk by pushing him out there to pitch through the pain? Or might it be benificial to have him pitch through it so he can strengthen his arm for the season? I mean what are we going to do. Rest him for 10 days. Then start him on a 3 week strengthening program again. And have him report soreness in the 2nd week. And rest him for another 10 days!? Isn't there a point were we should just say, OK MARK. Common now, pitch through the pain, strengthen your arm for the season. YOU CAN DO IT!! I'm not a doctor, but I was a student trainer in high school. Much of what I knew then, I've forgotten, but yes there can be a major risk pitching him through pain. Pain is the body's way of saying something is wrong. There is a difference between soreness and pain. Pitchers need to learn to pitch through soreness. They need to be treated and possibly shut down when there is pain. It's really easy to say "suck it up," but this is his future he's dealing with.

Trading Walker for Matos would amount to stupidity. First of all, we'd be one Jerry Hairston injury away from having to rely on Neifi to "save" us with a sub 300 OBP. Matos isn't going to provide us with anything that we likely already have in Angel Pagan. If we're going to trade Walker, then we need to get something that will at least be useful, even if that is just someone to fill the fifth starter's job for a month, it would be more useful than Matos.

I knew there was a reason I liked Barrett. Can you imagine a rotation with Zambrano and Clemens as the #1a and #1b. =P~

In some ways, I'm not sure Walker cares. In fact, if he really wants to stay in Chicago, he may feel this is the best way to get that wish. If the Cubs don't trade him by April 1, his 10 team no-trade list goes into effect. Walker seems like a crafty guy. I wouldn't be surprised if his list includes the teams that would most likely want him. If the Cubs don't trade him, they are going to be on the hook for his 2.5 million. Walker is guaranteed that no matter what. Furthermore, Walker may really feel he was lied to. Yes, it's true the Cubs had other plans for second. So, why pick up the option? The Cubs created this problem, not Todd Walker. They had a number of options on how to handle it and took the worst possible road. They could have not picked up the option which would have been the smartest if they didn't want him. Walker apparently had reason to believe they would do this instead of trading him. My guess that is where the "lied" comments originated. Secondly, they could have been less open in their pursuit to replace Walker. Furthermore, they should keep their criticism of his defense in house. I can understand Walker's frustration. In fact, if I read in the paper that my boss had criticized a facet of my job performance in the paper or on the radio, I'd probably spout off a little too. And if I had something I could use to attack my supervisor's credibility, I might hint that they are less than trustworthy too.

Because Walker is trying to win a starting job? So, you're saying the Cubs would allow Walker's talking to affect their decision of who starts even if he out performs the competition. If they do, they are a more poorly run organization than I feared.

I echo these sentiments.

Why should Walker have to be quiet when management has been very public in their criticisms of him. Maybe if every time Hendry opened his mouth he didn't criticize Walker's defense, Walker wouldn't feel the need to spout off so much.

Welcome back Barrett and Lee.

I think one thing that could be helpful is that other than the six games against the Cardinals, April isn't that tough of a month. We have 5 vs the Reds. While they have a better offense, Williams and Rusch are about as good as any pitcher they throw out there. We have 3 vs the Pirates, 3 vs the Dodgers, 3 vs the Marlins who shouldn't be too tough, and 3 vs the Brewers. If we can get Prior and Wood healthy by May 1st, we should be able to at least float near or even above .500 for April.

I got that. I'm probably not interested in buying anymore, so if anyone wants the link to buy, let me know. Apparently, there are no ticket limits left either.

I don't know how to judge that. Pitching results in the Cactus League are pretty pointless. Especially for those who rely on breaking balls.

He'd have to be added to the 25-man roster by anyone who claims him.

I'm still waiting for his talent to shine. I mean basically he hasn't shown anything but a above average to great curve ball. I know he's only got 20 innings under his belt in the bigs, but I can't see how in the world you are going to be an effective starter with 1 pitch. He blew Vlad away with two FB's up in the zone. Big deal! He still gave up 2 runs in the first inning. Can you honestly say Rich Hill has impressed you. At all? His curve is very impressive.

And really, Zambrano and Maddux are the only ones you'd want to give the rest to. Hopefully Williams or Rusch will get their rest later, when a better pitcher takes their job. And if Prior or Wood can pitch at some point in mid-April, you can build more rest in for Zambrano. Yes, but I'd love to get Zambrano more rest than what I projected he would get. It would be nice if Prior or Wood would be ready to take the ball on 4/14 giving Zambrano an extra day of rest. Also, if Prior or Wood could be ready then, it allows Maddux and Zambrano one more day of rest the next turn as well. The 14th is only nine days after Prior was originally expected to be ready to go. I'm uncertain if this shoulder thing will delay him to the point where he would not be ready by then. I really don't see Wood being ready by then at all. Has his knee not flared up, I had always hoped that was when Wood would first take the ball. I think both Wood and Prior could be ready by the 25th. If so, maybe one would be ready by 4/24 and allow Zambrano an extra day of rest there as well.

I'm thinking the rotation could be aligned as follows: 4/3 vs Reds- Zambrano 4/5 vs Reds- Maddux 4/7 vs Cardinals- Rusch 4/8 vs Cardinals- Williams 4/9 vs Cardinals- Zambrano (5 days rest) 4/11 vs Reds- Maddux (5 days rest) 4/12 vs Reds- Rusch (4 days rest) 4/13 vs Reds- Williams (4 days rest) 4/14 vs the Pirates the Cubs could bring Zambrano back on 4 days rest or insert a fifth starter here. If Zambrano pitches, a fifth would be needed the next day 4/15 vs the Pirates. If Prior is only going to be set back two weeks from the original 4/5 target, he may be ready to go here. If not Guzman or Hill could spot start on one of those dates. Let's pencil in Guzman or Hill for the 15th and continue. 4/14 vs Pirates: Zambrano (4 days rest) 4/15 vs Pirates: Hill/Guzman 4/16 vs Pirates: Maddux (4 days rest) 4/17 vs Dodgers: Rusch (4 days rest) 4/18 vs Dodgers: Williams (4 days rest) 4/19 vs Dodgers: Zambrano (4 days rest) 4/21 vs Cardinals: Maddux (4 days rest) 4/22 vs Cardinals: Rusch (4 days rest) 4/23 vs Cardinals: Williams (4 days rest) 4/24 vs Marlins: Zambrano (4 days rest) A fifth starter isn't needed again until the 4/25 game. Prior and maybe even Wood could be ready to step in at that game. It's also ten days following the 4/15 game, so whoever is called up for that one could be sent down to start at Iowa and recalled for the 4/25 game if Wood or Prior is not healthy. This is far from an ideal situation as it doesn't take advantage of the early off days to give starters a rest. With the exception of Zambrano and Maddux's second starts, no pitcher receives any additional rest. But it does show that the Cubs can survive the month of April with four effective pitchers.

Now I'll just have to wait until Sunday for the results.

Pinto was optioned to the Marlins minor league camp today. Link

Seconded

This thread certainly took a turn when I posted that pic.

Gracias