MLB: State of the Cubs

[CYdTracked]

So some of these talk shows and articles I've read got me thinking about some things. Marty and Miller had Dave Kaplan on yesterday and couple subjects were discussed that got me thinking.

Rotation: talked about how Rich Hill was not the problem, he does need to get straightened out but he'll be ok. Marquis is more troublesome and Lieber was not ready to go into the rotation after being a bullpen guy so far this season. BTW, Hill's start for the Iowa Cubs the other day: 5 innings, 7 hits, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K's. Not spectacular but not terrible either.

Closer: Marty can't get off his high horse about Marmol being the closer instead of Wood. My opinion is that Wood hasn't been terrible and you can't pull the plug on him yet. Plus who would you trust more in the 7th or 8th with runners on in a tight game, Marmol or Wood? No brainer there, I'd rather have Marmol in that situation.

Lineup: Lou continues to ignore how bad Soriano is in the leadoff and defensively he needs to be replaced defensively in LF in a close game late in the game but Lou is Lou and he's too stubborn to abandon his $136 mil boy. Kaplan also said they need to figure out CF because Pie needs to be sent to AAA and play every day and Reed Johnson is not an every day guy either. Cubs are likely to tweak their lineup with a trade at some point because you have all stars at 1B and 3B plus a Cy young contender in Zambrano plus 2 guys that one will likely be NL rookie of the year in Soto or Fukudome and lots of talented parts but a couple holes with the CF position and the backend of the rotation. Miller said Soto makes him look bad every time he goes to the plate because Miller thought the Cubs made a mistake by making him the starting catcher from Day 1 but has been pleasantly proven wrong.

Any other thoughts from you Cubs fans? After Lieber's outing yesterday makes you wonder if Marshall or Gallager will get a shot at Hill's spot the next time around instead of Lieber. It's only May so can't get too worried considering the Cubs won a franchise record 17 games in April but these trends can't continue into June and July.

 

[DJK15]

If Marmol is moved to closer he would never pitch. The pen would blow it before it ever got to the 9th. I think by the break Woody will have settled into his role and be a very solid closer.

According to Peter Gammons, Lou wants a power left-handed left-fielder to hit fifth, moving Kosuke to center and second in the lineup. Probably going to be Griffey Jr.

Rich Hill has the stuff, he just has to get things right in his head and work on his control.

I'd like to see what Gallagher can do in the rotation. He's throwing cheese in Iowa.

Send Felix to AAA. He looks lost at the plate.

 

[kcclones]

It feels like one of those times when you feel maybe its time for Lou to get ejected and spark the team. Its never good losing a series against the reds when you have the D'Backs coming to town. Seems like everyone is walking on eggshells

 

[cycloneG]

I definitely like Marmol in the setup spot or in position to come in if there are runners on. He's too valuable to waste as the closer.

I think Hill will be back in Chicago within the month. He's talented enough to pitch at that level; he just needs to work some things out in AAA.

Soriano has been a huge disappointment this season. So many things wrong I don't know where to begin.

Theriot has been great in the #2 but we need a #1 that can get on base and cause some damage.

What about Theriot and Fontenout as the #1 and #2, respectively?

 

[CYdTracked]

Beside the middle of the lineup guys Theriot and Fukudome's OBP are .411 and .406. Batting Theriot 1 and Fukudome 2 would set the table for Lee, Ramirez, and then either Soriano or Soto. Heck, I'd even try what the Cards and Brewers are doing is batting the pitcher 8th then put Soriano in the 9 spot which is basically 2nd leadoff and turns Lee into the cleanup batter the 2nd time through the order.

I like Cedeno and Fontenot in spot starts, they definitley are batting well and are versitile enough for double switches. I've heard Cedeno has been taking fly balls in CF in practice lately which could mean maybe if Pie is finally sent down he could get a look in CF possibly.

I'm down on Soriano right now but like last year you know once he is 100% healthy he is going to carry the offense in stretches when his bat gets going. I just don't like how Lou babies him and allows him to dictate where he hits. He's not like Bobby Bonds like he said Saturday when interviewed by Fox.

 

[DJK15]

Here's what I think the line-up should be...

SS Ryan Theriot
RF Kosuke Fukudome
1B Derrek Lee
3B Aramis Ramirez
LF Alfonso Soriano
C Geovany Soto
2B Ronny Cedeno
CF Reed Johnson
Pitcher

Cubs REALLY need another LH bat. (Roberts or Griffey)

 

[gocubs2118]

The biggest problem we have is that the first 3 weeks of the season got everyones expectations too high. We were in no way going to keep that up for the whole season. We aren't as bad as our 4-9 record since then either. This team will be fine. I think we need another starter more than a power hitter. I mean we lead the majors in runs, why do we need another power hitter? A.J. Burnett is supposedly going to get traded, I think thats the guy we should target.

 

[isuarch80]

1. I agree with you, trav, that Marmol needs to stay where he is. Yes, he gets a ton of work, but there's no better guy in the majors in the 7th and 8th. Maybe if Howry could get warm sooner (slow starter - was bad at beginning of last season, finished HOT), we could discuss holding Marmol until later, but I think Wood has been fine. There's only been two bad games for him - opening day vs Brewers; week ago vs Brewers. Otherwise, he may have a slightly higher WHIP than a closer should have, but he's finishing games.
2. There's no way, NO WAY, the Reds trade Griffey inside the division. Especially with an option year left. I just don't see it. And even IF he was the guy that came over, he'd be in RF where he plays right now, move KF to center, and you still have Soriano in LF. Also, most people know that LF isn't usually where you put your better OF defensive players (Braun, Manny, Damon got moved there because he was slow and had a weak arm, Soriano, etc...)
3. I don't know what Miller would have seen last year that made him think Soto wasn't ready... .387 average during his time with the cubs, only guy to hit a HR in the playoffs last fall... everyone you talked to thought he was ready.
4. Agreed, that Soriano and Lou need to chat it up, realize Theriot is just on fire, especially in terms of OBP, and he should either drop to 2 or 5. Having Lee protect him would help, but then I also agree that SOriano would protect Ramirez well, and KF would get a lot of pitches seen as the #2 hitter. Plus, you have Soto 6th, behind Soriano, so it helps as well.
5. Burnett - interesting - i'm afraid it would take too much to get him though. Lets not wreck the farm system. To get Burnett would probably cost Gallagher, Marshall or Hill, and probably Pie.

In the end - if the Cubs had won 2 of 3 in each of the last 4 series that they've LOST 2 of 3 in, this would be a moot point and everyone would be happy. Long season - only 6.5 weeks in!

 

[CrossCyed]

Brian Roberts would make way too much sense for that lineup.

If the Cubs are serious about making a run, they have to trade for a big arm. Do you honestly feel good about going into a playoff series with Zambrano/Dempster/piece of crap?

The Cubs failed to address their pitching going into this season. Hill came back down to Earth to what he is...league average. Marquis realized he sucks. I like Ted Lilly, but last year was an aberration.

They need someone to go with Big Z. If they make the playoffs and have to face Webb/Haren back to back for example, they are ****ed. They need a big arm.

 

[247cy]

The Cubs are going to be up and down based on how the farm talent goes. Lee, Ramirez, and Soriano will hit their homers and score runs, but this club can't play division crown baseball if they don't get any help - i.e. don't have runners on in front of them, or have no one drive them in when they get on.

I really like Theriot, and believe he's the spark the Cubs were missing last year. This year Soto and Cedeno have come on, and Fontenot is coming along. Mark DeRosa is a valuable player for this team as well, because he can play so many positions and give guys days off when needed. I really hope they don't trade him.

Fukudome has been an excellent acquisition and I really like what Reed Johnson has done at the plate. He and Fukudome are tough outs...they don't strike out a lot and see a lot of pitches per at-bat. It has translated to the other guys somewhat, but when the Cubs are behind, they still chase some bad pitches and swing from their heels alot trying to hit a homer rather than base hits.

The problem right now is mostly pitching. Zambrano has picked up where he ended last season (rather than the 1st half of last year, yuck.), and Dempster has been a solid starter. Hill is in a funk, and I don't blame Lou for sending him down for some work. Marquis is a serviceable day 4 or 5 starter. I hope one of the other guys can step up and fill a spot in the rotation, preferably a lefty.

The bullpen has had a slow start. Other than Marmol (who I believe is just fine as a 7th 8th inning guy) the bullpen is shaky. Wood worked well in the 3-0 win @ Cin, I hope it continues like that. Howry needs to find that 1st strike outside at the knees fastball he usually throws...he's much more effective working ahead of hitters.

Good thing there are a ton of games left to figure things out. I still think they'll win the division.

 

[Juggercy]

state of the cubs: Still sucking hehe