Although I am a diehard White Sox fan and have loved them for over forty years, I couldn’t help thinking about how a couple of trades might really help the Chicago Cubs. Kevin Gregg has been a disaster as the team’s closer, with Carlos Marmol not doing much better. Perhaps Angel Guzman should be given a shot, but what this team really needs is a proven closer. Enter Billy Wagner, the going nowhere fast, New York Mets just brought Billy the Kid off the disabled list, and he looked like he’s still got it. Only thing is, the Mets signed KRod as their closer in the offseason, and are paying Wags bigtime closer money, even though he’s not closing. It might be a gamble, trading away a good young arm, but I would trade Angel Guzman for Billy Wagner. Next I’d be knocking on the Cleveland Indians door looking for a proven lefty relief specialist. Sure Sean Marshall has looked okay in that role from time to time this season, and Rafael Perez has been lousy all year. But I’d trade Marshall to the Tribe in exchange for Perez & his lefthanded nasty stuff. Wondering what you Cub fans think of my proposed deals, if you agree, contact Jim Hendry. I can’t believe I’m actually trying to help the Cubs. Sheesh, what’s next, a snake & a mongoose sitting down to tea?
Tag: carlos marmol
Cubs News Bits
-Curt Schilling says he’s not sure he’s coming back but if does, the Cubs are on his short list.
-“I’m going to strike him out. I’m going to try. He’ll be the enemy out there.” Marmol said this with a smile about Geovany Soto. The two of them may face each other in the World Baseball Classic.
-Carlos Zambrano pitched a near perfect two innings Monday in his first appearance in 2009. Big Z only sin was giving up a walk and he struck out three. Lou Piniella is still debating the Opening Day starter issue, though. It’s ok, Lou. You still have about a month.
-Finally, Lou Piniella supports Carlos Marmol’s decision to attend the WBC.
“It’s an honor to represent your country. He’s here competing for a job, and he was a little concerned. I said, ‘Lay your fears to rest. We’ll let you compete for that job when you get back and we’ll make a decision then.’ No decision will be made without Marmol being here.”
Now, just stay healthy, Carlos.
Francona, AL get away with one in All-Star Game
Yes, the AL got lucky last night.
No, I don’t mean with their 4-3 win… That was well-deserved. However as Buck and McCarver talked about incessantly up until the end of the game, Francona breathed a sigh of relief when Michael Young drove Justin Morneau home on a sac fly in the bottom of the 15th. As it was, he had already brought in Scott Kazmir, who was on his “Do Not Pitch List”, for one inning. He didn’t relish the idea of bringing him for much longer.
Maybe we haven’t learned anything from the 2002 All-Star game. That was the year Bud Selig declared the game a tie after both teams ran out of players and relievers. After Francona’s starter, Cliff Lee went two frames, none of the American League pitchers pitched more than one inning until George Sherrill who came in the 12th. To be fair, no one thought this game would go 15 innings. That said, perhaps we should start playing the All-Star game as a game to be won (I don’t buy into the whole idea that now that we’re playing for home field advantage, the game counts… it’s a game and it’s played to be won).
I don’t let NL Manager Clint Hurdle off easy either. Why did he take out Brandon Webb, who pitched the 14th inning, after just one inning? As visitor team and with a tie game, surely he knew that even in the best scenario, Lidge would have to pitch at least two innings for an National League win. I would have left Webb in for just one more inning.
One more thought on the whole matter, if a manager is going to pick a pitcher for a game, even an All-Star Game, make sure he’s a pitcher who he is comfortable putting in the game. Webb and Kazmir are most deserving of a All-Star nod but if they are taking up a spot on roster, the managers should be able to put them in with a minimum of mini-dramas described to us in full details by Buck/McCarver. Less is better, guys.
Other comments on the Game:
Despite the long game, I thought it was exciting. Kudos to the AL for their victory and the NL gave them an excellent fight.
Fine job by the Cub pitchers. Zambrano, Dempster and Marmol in four combined innings allowed just one hit and no runs with six strikeouts.
I appreciated the good defensive efforts on the NL’s part in the (I believe) 10th and 11th innings in dire base situations. Three outs in five plate appearances were made at home plate. Nice job, Russ Martin!
I gotta feel for Dan Uggla. Here’s a guy who’s had an awesome first half and he gets to his first All-Star Game and pretty much stinks up the place. Oh for 4, 3 K’s and 3 errors (two in one inning). Then Buckarver is telling me a heartbreaking story about his Dad too.
See you in St Louis, AL!