'It's getting close'
MESA, Ariz. _ Things are beginning to sort themselves out. The Cubs outslugged the Rox 9-8 today, and a few things are becoming clearer. Chad Gaudin started even though he's in the mix for a bullpen spot. He gave up 2 hits and 2 runs (1 earned) in 2 innings. An error by Aaron Miles in the second extended that inning. Gaudin's WHIP (walks plus hits per 1 inning pitched) is a feverish 2.14.
Jeff Samardzija didn't help his cause for winning a major-league bullpen spot. He pitched 1 inning, giving up 3 hits and 2 runs while walking one. His ERA is at 9.75.
"He was trying to overthrow the ball," Lou said. "Larry (pitching coach Rothschild) went out there. He was really flying open with his front shoulder. Kept the ball up. Makes your arm drag through the throwing motion a little bit. The ball was up. Again, there's competition. All these appearances now have a little bit more of a meaning.
"It's getting close. It's getting close to the point where we got to get guys in roles, yeah."
Gaudin is out of minor-league options, and he's making $2 million. He would appear to be safe, unless the Cubs trade him. The Cubs are on the hook for $4 million for Luis Vizcaino. He might be harder to deal.
The numbers game might be catching up with Rule 5 guy David Patton, who worked his second straight day today. He lowered his ERA to 0.93 with a scoreless inning.
"The young man throws strikes," Lou said. "Obviously, he's not intimidated. I tell you what, he's having fun, and he's certainly not backing away from the challenge. In a normal year, the way he's pitched, you would really, really like his chances. But here, there are numbers here. There's some depth here. Let's let that decision go the final couple days and see where it goes."
Lou says he has not made up his mind on the closer yet. Kevin Gregg worked his second staight day today and got the win in relief. He still has an 0.00 ERA. Carlos Marmol likely will go back to back Thursday-Friday.
At the plate, Milton Bradley hit his second homer of the spring. He's batting .467 (14-for-30) with a .500 OBP.
Kosuke Fukudome will take batting practice before Thursday night's game against the Giants and get into the lineup Friday, where Lou likely will hit him second.
whatever happened to spring training when you looked for a fresh face, some rookie who showed you something? this training camp has shown Patton to be better then some of the older guys, now will he be one of the 25 Lou picks or is Lou afraid to take a chance or is it the money? 2 million is small in baseball if this kid can help you win.....
art
I think spring training position battles are terrible. They are basing their decision on 50 at bats for a hitter or 15 innings for a pitcher. That is not NEARLY enough to decide who fills out a roster.
They should know who is on the team and where they'll be based on previous history. If a player is raking in AAA for all of 2008, then its probably time for him to get a shot in the bigs.
Carlos Quentin was going to be sent down last season before Jerry Owens got hurt. Lucky for the Sox that happened.
Sample size and competition level in March isn't nearly enough to decide a roster spot IMO.
Hey, Bruce...
As you're probably aware, the big trade proposal being bantered about over at BCB is a Chad Gaudin for Maicier Izturis deal. Izturis has shown himself to be a strong defender at SS and 3B - precisely the positions where the Cubs need depth. And the Angels need pitching.
Do you feel such a trade is feasible? Would Hendry need to include another player? Have you heard any other rumblings about how the Cubs are going to address their lack of backups at SS and 3B? (OK, that's three questions. I better stop there.)
Cubs are not interested in Izturis. Second question is moot. They'll look around but for now, they'll address things in house with Aaron Miles. We'll see what plays out over the next week or 10 days.
I find it pretty disappointing that the Cubs aren't interested in a guy who would just about perfectly fit their need for a backup shortstop and third baseman. Aaron Miles, who's essentially a second baseman, would appear to be a defensive liability at those positions. Then again, I realize there's no guarantee the Angels would go for such a deal even if it was on the table.
that you hear a realistic trade proposal from fans, but this is a good one!
Although to be honest, I like Gaudin more than I like Heilman...just think Gaudin is better starter material.
Both are about the same in my book and if either of them makes a start this year it will be a long year.
Granted, he was a reliever, not a starter. But he was fantastic in both of those years. Now, it doesn't look like he'll get a chance to start this year unless something happens to Marshall. But that doesn't change the fact that Heilman has had some great success at the major league level.
Meanwhile, Chad Gaudin has been up and down his whole career. He was looking good last season before he was traded to the Cubs, but has shown little to nothing since. And, FWIW, Heilman has looked much better this spring than Gaudin.
He was only a 2 pitch pitcher (FB/CH) in those two seasons out of the pen, which is why I like him for that role. Last year he got lit up when he brought in a third pitch, which may just be a coincidence.
But right now, I have him as a 2 pitch pitcher that got lit up when tried to start.
...these aren't the Marlins. A team with a $130 million payroll shouldn't be releasing a pitcher with a decent track record just to save 800K.
are you referring to here?
Hi Bruce!
If the Cubs chose, couldn't they release Chad Gaudin before opening day and only owe him 45 days terminaton pay? I believe this rule applies to Gaudin as he is an arbitraition player.
As I understand it, Vizcaino's contract is guaranteed because it was signed as a free agent.
Is that correct?
I'm told they owe him the whole freight.