March 25, 2008
Oh, Lou...
If you missed the news yesterday, Lou named his starting rotation for Opening Day 2008. I couldn't be more disappointed. Maddog has done the mathemagics for us and it's clear that, while there was supposedly a "competition" for two rotation spots going on this Spring, the pitcher with the most success gets sent to the 'pen.
Lord on High, why is Ryan Dempster in the rotation? This Spring, he's walked the most hitters, has the highest ERA, has hit the most batters, and given up the most HRs out of the four in the running for the two spots in the starting five. From the start, it seemed that Dempster all but had his rotation spot locked up. And, why? Just...why?
I know I've displayed my hatred for Jason Marquis, but he's legitimately outpitched Dempster and Sean Marshall this Spring. I'm fine with him claiming the #5 starter's role (as long as he gets traded before his inevitable second half pants-crapping). But, with Lieber's work so far, it bottles my mind to see him sent to the bullpen. I expect Dempster to be lit up in April. I hope Lou recognizes this folly and pulls the plug ASAP. Not that Lieber is the be all, end all, but he's hands down a better starting pitcher than Ryan Dempster.
As far as the bullpen, I'm content (because it really matters what I think) with how it's set for Opening Day. Kerry Wood will be damn good if he can remain healthy. Howry and Marmol are straight-up solid, and Mike Wuertz is the most underrated reliever in the National League. More times than not last season, he came into games to stop the bleeding for our starters and salvaged at least giving our offense a chance to recover and win. With Eyre hurt to begin the year, Sean Marshall gets his opportunity. I'd like to see Piggy get his chance as well, but Kevin Hart has just been too good this Spring to have his spot taken.
So, there you have it. The rotation scares the crap out of me. The bullpen scares the crap out of the National League. My stomach would turn less if Dempster were sent to the 'pen and Lieber to the rotation, but alas I'm not making millions making these decisions and my name isn't Lou Piniella. Other than that, I'd be king in the castle.
Labels: Bullpen, Chicago Cubs, Starting Rotation
Discussion
8 Comments on "Oh, Lou..."
#1
Posted by <img src="http://www.blogge, March 25, 2008 10:33 AM
if i remember correctly, wade miller started last year in the rotation. Three starts, three losses (one charged to him) and and 16 earned runs later ... he was not.there was an injury in there, but whatever. the best pitchers will end up starting by may 1, i would venture.
#2
Posted by <img src="http://www.blogge, March 25, 2008 10:37 AM
I hope you're right. Which is why I'm disappointed in his decision more than I'm worried about the longevity of his decision.What concers me a little is that Dempster was pretty much handed his rotation spot. He would have had to imploded to have his spot taken. I wonder if this means that Lou wants to stick with him.
#3
Posted by <img src="http://www.blogge, March 25, 2008 11:07 AM
As I recall, Dempster was promised that rotation spot if he agreed to give up the closers spot without a fuss. So this is really just the Cubs living up to their end of the bargain.If he craps the bed in April, I think he'll be pulled. But the Cubs were always upfront about the fact that Dempster was going to be in the rotation. I don't think there was ever an expectation that Lieber was going to get Dempster's slot. Just that he'd be a serviceable insurance policy for either Marquis or Dempster.
#4
Posted by <img src="http://www.blogge, March 25, 2008 11:27 AM
Whatever wins games. But, I don't expect Dempster to win many games.
#5
Posted by <img src="http://www.blogger.c, March 25, 2008 12:10 PM
I don't mind it that much. To be completely honest, Jon Lieber scares me as much as Ryan Dempster does. Lieber looks to me to be the pitcher that you sometimes simply say is "DONE". What irritates me most is that the 2 best pitchers for those spots were never given a legitimate shot. Marshall and Gallagher are the 2 best pitchers we have other than Zambrano, Lilly, and Hill. I don't even think it's close either. So any decision made that excluded the both of them (neither ever had a chance) is probably costing the Cubs a minimum of a win or two and as many as 5 or 6. The other thing that bothers me is why even sign Lieber? I think he might do OK in the pen if you only let him start innings. If you bring him in with runners on base he's going to be giving up a lot of runs that are charged to other pitchers. He gets hit harder than any pitcher we have. It seems to me all this Lieber signing did was create unnecessary and fake competition. It's the kind of thing that divides a team, which seems to be the Cubs goal this offseason.
#6
Posted by <img src="http://www.blogger.c, March 25, 2008 2:23 PM
How come nobody is talking about Kerry Wood being named closer for 2008?
#7
Posted by <img src="http://www.blogge, March 25, 2008 4:30 PM
Matt:Our love for Kerry at WV23, at least on my part, has been well documented.Maddog:I agree that Gallagher and Marshall are the ones deserving the real shots at making the rotation. However, I was basing my bewilderment on the fact that I figured they wouldn't get that fair shot in the first place.
#8
Posted by <img src="http://www.blogger.c, March 26, 2008 11:04 AM
"it bottles my mind" scrumptrilescent!
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