Joe Beimel for LOOGY?

[Auz]

Reports have indicated that Cotts has been outstanding in spring training so far. It's his job to lose at the moment.

[Ace]

<!--quoteo(post=22624:date=Mar 9 2009, 07:25 PM:name=Dingo)-->QUOTE (Dingo @ Mar 9 2009, 07:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Reports have indicated that Cotts has been outstanding in spring training so far. It's his job to lose at the moment.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

There's still an open spot after Cotts if you don't include Guzman and Samardzija.

[ruby23]

<!--quoteo(post=22623:date=Mar 9 2009, 06:24 PM:name=leonardsipes)-->QUOTE (leonardsipes @ Mar 9 2009, 06:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I am not a big fan of the word "loogey", but seven guys in the bull pen, it makes sense to have at least 2 lhrs.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
If we didn't already have 2 LHP in the rotation, I'd say 2 LHP in the pen is almost a must. With 2 LHP SP, I can live with only one lefty in the pen.

[ruby23]

<!--quoteo(post=22640:date=Mar 9 2009, 08:08 PM:name=Ace)-->QUOTE (Ace @ Mar 9 2009, 08:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=22624:date=Mar 9 2009, 07:25 PM:name=Dingo)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dingo @ Mar 9 2009, 07:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Reports have indicated that Cotts has been outstanding in spring training so far. It's his job to lose at the moment.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

There's still an open spot after Cotts if you don't include Guzman and Samardzija.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
If it's up to me, I'm giving it to Ascanio. So far.

[Brock]

<!--quoteo(post=22640:date=Mar 9 2009, 08:08 PM:name=Ace)-->QUOTE (Ace @ Mar 9 2009, 08:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=22624:date=Mar 9 2009, 07:25 PM:name=Dingo)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dingo @ Mar 9 2009, 07:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Reports have indicated that Cotts has been outstanding in spring training so far. It's his job to lose at the moment.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

There's still an open spot after Cotts if you don't include Guzman and Samardzija.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Why aren't we including Samardzija?

[Brock]

<!--quoteo(post=22624:date=Mar 9 2009, 06:25 PM:name=Dingo)-->QUOTE (Dingo @ Mar 9 2009, 06:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Reports have indicated that Cotts has been outstanding in spring training so far. It's his job to lose at the moment.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

So we should base his worth on a few meaningless spring innings instead of all the innings he's thrown in his mediocre to shitty career?

[Clapp]

<!--quoteo(post=22659:date=Mar 9 2009, 09:13 PM:name=Brock)-->QUOTE (Brock @ Mar 9 2009, 09:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=22640:date=Mar 9 2009, 08:08 PM:name=Ace)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ace @ Mar 9 2009, 08:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=22624:date=Mar 9 2009, 07:25 PM:name=Dingo)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dingo @ Mar 9 2009, 07:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Reports have indicated that Cotts has been outstanding in spring training so far. It's his job to lose at the moment.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

There's still an open spot after Cotts if you don't include Guzman and Samardzija.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Why aren't we including Samardzija?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
He's most likely going to be in Iowa starting.

[Brock]

<!--quoteo(post=22661:date=Mar 9 2009, 10:15 PM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Mar 9 2009, 10:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=22659:date=Mar 9 2009, 09:13 PM:name=Brock)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brock @ Mar 9 2009, 09:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=22640:date=Mar 9 2009, 08:08 PM:name=Ace)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ace @ Mar 9 2009, 08:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=22624:date=Mar 9 2009, 07:25 PM:name=Dingo)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dingo @ Mar 9 2009, 07:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Reports have indicated that Cotts has been outstanding in spring training so far. It's his job to lose at the moment.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

There's still an open spot after Cotts if you don't include Guzman and Samardzija.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Why aren't we including Samardzija?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
He's most likely going to be in Iowa starting.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I've seen it mentioned but is that really the most likely scenario? If so that's kind of stupid, IMO.

[Clapp]

<!--quoteo(post=22662:date=Mar 9 2009, 09:16 PM:name=Brock)-->QUOTE (Brock @ Mar 9 2009, 09:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=22661:date=Mar 9 2009, 10:15 PM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Mar 9 2009, 10:15 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=22659:date=Mar 9 2009, 09:13 PM:name=Brock)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brock @ Mar 9 2009, 09:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=22640:date=Mar 9 2009, 08:08 PM:name=Ace)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ace @ Mar 9 2009, 08:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=22624:date=Mar 9 2009, 07:25 PM:name=Dingo)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dingo @ Mar 9 2009, 07:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Reports have indicated that Cotts has been outstanding in spring training so far. It's his job to lose at the moment.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

There's still an open spot after Cotts if you don't include Guzman and Samardzija.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Why aren't we including Samardzija?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
He's most likely going to be in Iowa starting.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I've seen it mentioned but is that really the most likely scenario? If so that's kind of stupid, IMO.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well they want him to be a starter and if that's the case, they're better off getting that process going now, get him to develop his other pitches and stay stretched out. We have so many capable arms for that last bullpen spot that we can afford to do it.

[Clapp]

Ah, great timing for this article:

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->"Yes," manager Lou Piniella said Monday. "We're going to take the pitchers that are pitching best here. I think it's probably going to be harder to earn a spot, and easier to lose it."

Piniella was not naming names, but Vizcaino appears to be the one in most danger of losing a spot. The Cubs must pay him $3.5 million this year, and another $500,000 to decline his $4 million option for 2010.

Piniella said he doesn't take contracts into consideration when evaluating the players on the field, and only looks for the best possible staff.

The Cubs chances of trading Vizcaino are slim because of the overpriced contract, though if they packaged him with a prospect, they could explore a deal with Oakland for shortstop Bobby Crosby, who makes $5.25 million and is being shopped after Orlando Cabrera signed with the A's.

Jeff Samardzija has the best chance of joining the bullpen, assuming Sean Marshall makes the staff as the fifth starter. Samardzija is also being looked at as a starter, but he threw three strong innings in relief on Monday.

Is it time for Samardzija to concede to Marshall and concentrate on winning a bullpen job?

"Nah, I'm not giving Marshall anything," Samardzija said with a laugh. "I'm not letting him run away with anything. We'll trip him up before anything else. I love 'Marsh,' and he's a great guy on this team, a great part. There's nothing better than some good competition for some spots.

"All we can do is go tooth and nail at each other, and then when the last day of spring training is over, who knows? Then we'll shake hands and get ready for the real season."

Piniella likes the idea that Samardzija is not giving in.

"I've said all along that Marshall has the inside track at this thing," he said. "But let 'em compete. It's a great experience for him, No. 1, and it's making [Samardzija] use all his pitches. It's going to make him a better pitcher, regardless.

"If he doesn't make the rotation, he's making a case possibly in the bullpen. It's important for him to pitch well."

<b>If Vizcaino pitches himself off the roster, Samardzija and left-hander Jason Waddell could be the ones earning the final two spots.</b> Piniella said he's impressed with Waddell, a non-roster invitee who has kicked around in the Giants system the last six years.

"He comes in and throws strikes, and has got a good breaking ball," Piniella said. "Left-handers don't take good swings off him."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Brock]

Wow, Jason Waddell huh? [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/mellow.gif[/img]

Minor league stats

[veryzer]

i don't think bz is against lefthanded relievers. i think he's against lefthanded relivers that come in and face one guy and then sit down. i can see where bz is coming from. seems like a waste of roster spot for one guy who faces one guy every 2 or three games.

[Coach]

<!--quoteo(post=22667:date=Mar 9 2009, 11:44 PM:name=Brock)-->QUOTE (Brock @ Mar 9 2009, 11:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Wow, Jason Waddell huh? [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/mellow.gif[/img]

Minor league stats<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

This year's Carmen Pignatello?

[bz]

<!--quoteo(post=22674:date=Mar 10 2009, 07:05 AM:name=veryzer)-->QUOTE (veryzer @ Mar 10 2009, 07:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->i don't think bz is against lefthanded relievers. i think he's against lefthanded relivers that come in and face one guy and then sit down. i can see where bz is coming from. seems like a waste of roster spot for one guy who faces one guy every 2 or three games.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Totally yes to this.

[kbwsb]

<!--quoteo(post=22930:date=Mar 11 2009, 03:34 PM:name=bz)-->QUOTE (bz @ Mar 11 2009, 03:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=22674:date=Mar 10 2009, 07:05 AM:name=veryzer)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (veryzer @ Mar 10 2009, 07:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->i don't think bz is against lefthanded relievers. i think he's against lefthanded relivers that come in and face one guy and then sit down. i can see where bz is coming from. seems like a waste of roster spot for one <b>guy who faces one guy every 2 or three games</b>.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Totally yes to this.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
In other words, exactly like a Daryl Ward-type lefty bat off the bench.