IntenseDebate - dat_cubfan

16 years ago @ VFTB - Projecting the Roster:... · 0 replies · +1 points

Oh, OK. This commenting system continues to pose challenges. Now the comments I left yesterday appear at the top of the thread, making it look like they came first.

16 years ago @ VFTB - Projecting the Roster:... · 0 replies · +1 points

Here's my best guess - at the moment - as to how the 25-man could break down:

Starting lineup
1. Kosuke Fukudome RF
2. Ryan Theriot SS
3. Derrek Lee 1B
4. Aramis Ramirez 3B
5. Marlon Byrd CF
6. Alfonso Soriano LF
7. Jeff Baker 2B/3B
8. Geovany Soto C

Bench
9. Mike Fontenot 2B
10. Andres Blanco or Darwin Barney SS/2B
11. Koyie Hill C
12. Xavier Nady OF/1B
13. Sam Fuld OF

Starting rotation
14. Carlos Zambrano RHP
15. Ted Lilly LHP (out until May 1; replaced by Gorzelanny or (gulp) Silva)
16. Ryan Dempster RHP
17. Randy Wells RHP
18. Sean Marshall LHP

Bullpen
19. Carlos Silva RHP
20. Tom Gorzelanny LHP (out of options)
21. Esmailin Caridad RHP (3 option years remaining)
22. Jeff Gray RHP (has 1 option year remaining)
23. John Grabow LHP
24. Jeff Samardzija RHP (has 1 option year remaining)
25. Carlos Marmol RHP

16 years ago @ VFTB - Projecting the Roster:... · 0 replies · +1 points

I definitely agree about giving Fuld the roster spot over Colvin, so Tyler can get regular ABs in Iowa. Bruce Levine seems convinced Colvin is a future left fielder, but I still think he could be the Cubs starting right fielder after Kosuke in a best case scenario.

Agree on Cashner and Gaub as well. I believe Gaub projects as a good LOOGY option. Samardzija is another question mark - if the Cubs really want to use him as a starter, send him to Iowa. If not, put him in the 'pen and let that be the end of it.

16 years ago @ VFTB - Projecting the Roster:... · 0 replies · +1 points

Nice rundown. The only minor point I'd quibble with is, up until this weekend, I saw Andres Blanco as all but a lock to make the 25-man. The Cubs need a middle infield backup/defensive replacement and he appears to fit the bill perfectly. I think I read that Blanco will be out around two weeks with this sprain, so I'm not sure whether that will keep him from heading north with the team. At least one mainstream writer has already pounced on the opportunity to say this opens up a spot for Starlin Castro, but I don't think so.

If Blanco can't make it, give Darwin Barney a shot. I've read that he actually projects to be around Blanco's equal defensively and possibly better with the bat. Of course, the team could go with Fontenot as the backup middle infielder, which would open up another bench spot for Tracy or Millar. I personally don't see Fontenot as a shortstop backup but, then again, I didn't see him as a third base backup either.

16 years ago @ VFTB - Projecting the Roster:... · 2 replies · +1 points

David?

16 years ago @ VFTB - Putting lipstick on a pig · 0 replies · +1 points

Yep, this is what will likely happen. If Silva shows any sort of effectiveness in spring training whatsoever, however, Lou could give him a consolation start sometime in April - frighteningly enough.

16 years ago @ VFTB - Putting lipstick on a pig · 0 replies · +1 points

Agreed on both counts. Carlos Silva has way too much service time to be optioned anywhere. He's likely going to be buried in the bullpen as a mop-up guy (and probably DL'd a couple/few times) or released.

And, yes, this past Saturday's game was the first on WGN.

16 years ago @ VFTB - Putting lipstick on a pig · 0 replies · +1 points

That's a function of Major League Baseball's service time system. It really has nothing to do with the attitude of the player in question.

16 years ago @ VFTB - The Grand Vizier speaks · 0 replies · +1 points

You raise an interesting question about whether Milton will face the Cubs. Something tells me he won't, but it will make for some great drama if he does play in that game. Did you read about the Giants plunking Prince Fielder yesterday for the Brewers' ridiculous walkoff celebration last season? Maybe the Cubs will follow suit.

16 years ago @ VFTB - In the News: Y\'know t... · 0 replies · +1 points

Yep - FINALLY just downloaded it onto my BlackBerry this morning. (I had to wait for my PayPal account to activate.) I'm ridiculously excited, too.

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