For the most part this team is set. However, there are a few very important decisions still to be made. And a few strategic moves could make all the difference in 2010. Lets start with pitching…
Projected Starters:
1. Carlos Zambrano
2. Ted Lilly*
3. Ryan Dempster
4. Randy Wells
5. Tom Gorzelanny**
* Ted Lilly will be out until May at the earliest. Until he gets back, one of the names below will take his turn in the rotation. I think Jeff Samardzija and Carlos Silva each get a start of two. Even though both belong in the bull pen. The battle for the full time 5th starter will be carried out through April between who I project to be Gorzelanny and Samardzija/ Silva.
** There will be a competition for the #5 starters role in Spring Training between Gorzelanny, Carlos Silva, Sean Marshall, Jeff Samardzija, and rule 5 pick Mike Parisi. I believe Gorze will win the job.
The NET of all of the above is that Tom Gorzelanny is the 5th starter when Ted Lilly gets back.
Not a lot of work left to do here. You just need to make in house decisions.
I expect the Cubs to get very good starting pitching all year. This is a group that can be a top 5 staff in the NL.
Projected Bull Pen:
Closer: Carlos Marmol
SU: John Grabow (L)
SU: Angel Guzman
MD: Sean Marshall (L)
MD: OPEN SPOT
P: OPEN SPOT
LG: Carlos Silva
There is a lot of work to do here. The Cubs are in need of 1 more veteran set up man to stabilize the pen. The last spot will be filled by one of the Cubs in house prospects. Much like last season I expect the team to ride the hot hand in Iowa and shuttle players back and forth all summer. The group mostly from Iowa competing for the final spot consists of…
Jeff Gray (aquired from Oakland in Jake Fox / Aaron Miles deal)
Jeff Stevens
David Patten
Blake Parker
Esmailin Caridad
Justin Berg
John Gaub (L)
Mitch Atkins
This is a major question mark heading into the season. Carlos Marmol heading into his first full season as Closer was wild and erratic last season. Even though he was 11-11 in Save chances one he assumed to roll from Kevin Gregg. He walked and hit way to many batters. His stuff is unhittable, but sometimes the other team need not hit Marmol to get to him. The Cubs need Marmol to iron out his control problems and be lights out. The questions don’t stop there, Angel Guzman and John Grabow will serve as the primary set up men. Both had good years last year, but Guzman’s injury history and Grabow’s 1.44 career WHIP are cause for concern. After that it is wide open. The only sure thing is Sean Marshall’s ability to get lefty’s out. Carlos Silva (when healthy) will pitch on the big club, (most likely poorly until he hits the DL) and the Iowa boys will battle it out for the remaining spots. The Cubs have a lot of good young arms. But I think there is a free agent alternative that makes sense.
Kiko Calero-
In 67 games for the Marlins last year Calero posted 12 holds, a 1.95 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. He walked 30 and K’d 69. This guy is still available and can be had for cheap. The 34 year old veteran would be a great insurance policy if something were to happen to Guzman or Grabow. After signing Calero I think that Esmailin Caridad and Jeff Gray battle it out for the final spot. Esmailin has the best spring and he would make my 25 man roster. My version of the BP looks like this.
My Bullpen.
CL- Marmol
SU- Guzman
SU-Grabow (L)
MD-Kiko Calero
MD- Sean Marshall (L)
P- Caridad
LG-Carlos Silva- until hurt then one of the Iowa boys
After all of that I only called for Jim Hendry to sign 1 guy! That is all the outside help the staff needs right now. If another issue develops come July you can address it via trade. There are alot of question marks however, and they all could go south. But I don’t think they will. I see this staff as being 1 veteran Set up man away.
I will take on the Cubs line up next.
