Who is Breaking Camp with the CHC this Spring?

[SHU5117]

What up Cubs fans? Spring Training is nearing an end (or at least "the end" in the sense of the final cut to make the 25 man roster) and I am wondering who everyone thinks is going to break camp with the team come March 22nd or so when Big Lou has everything set in stone? What do you think?

I think the offense speaks for itself, I really dont think there is any real competition left for position players, I think everyone knows who is on that part of the roster already, and barring any injuries before the season starts, that part of the team is all set.

The part of the team that is obviously not set yet, or at least I dont think so, is the Cubs' pitching situation. For the most part, I think the Cubs have found the 2 who are going to fill in the bottom of the rotation (while Lily's out). I think it is, without question, going to be Gorzelanny and Silva. That is obviously up for some debate still, but I the coaches/upper managements eyes, I think that's the most logical choice to start the season.

As for the bullpen, there are obvious locks for the bullpen, and I dont think I need to name those names. More or less, there are 3, maybe 4? spots open in that bullpen that have been up for competition, especially since Guzman went down for the season (perhaps his career). Ive been impressed (with the exception of his last appearances, which when you look at it closely was as much bad luck as it was bad pitching) Mike Parisi, the rule 5 guy. He's coming off TJ surgery and has shown largely that he is fully recovered and throwing pretty well, and he added a new pitch to his arsenal (the cutter). I really like what Parisi could bring out of the bullpen, especially once he settles down and this competition is over, if he makes the team. Before his last apperance, his numbers this spring were stellar, in 5 innings of work. His last appearance, that 1.80 era bumped up to 4, but other than the HR by Tulowitski, the FC costed em a run, and just lucky/unlucky base hits. Being that he's the Rule 5 draft pick, and he has no options after this spring other than making the team or being sent back to rival STL, I feel as though he has a very, very good shot of breakin camp with the team. He's has to, overall, impress the Cubs' staff with what he has showed in the AFl and this spring so far, and if it comes down to a matter of keeping a kid with options or Parisi (even if his numbers arent as good as someone elses this spring) that the Cubs will roll the dice with Parisi, and give em a shot. Worse comes to worse, if he gets rocked around the first month of the season (or not even) then the Cubs will ship em back to STL and just call up whoever the want from who they optioned to the minors from the Spring. What do you think, is Parisi a Cub to start the season or not?

[Butcher]

Welcome to the board, CHC!

You know, I'd like to see Parisi pitch before I make a judgment call on him. Hopefully he'll pitch during the next televised game.

I will say this, though. If he isn't effective enough to pitch in meaningful situations, I don't want to "hide" him on the roster like we did with Patton last season.

[Ace]

Welcome CHC. Why do you think the two starters, while Lilly is out, will definitely be Silva and Gorzelanny? I'll give you the former (sigh), but Sean Marshall has been the best and most consistent of the four guys gunning for a starter's spot.

[Scarey]

<!--quoteo(post=83303:date=Mar 19 2010, 06:47 AM:name=Ace)-->QUOTE (Ace @ Mar 19 2010, 06:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Welcome CHC. Why do you think the two starters, while Lilly is out, will definitely be Silva and Gorzelanny? I'll give you the former (sigh), but Sean Marshall has been the best and most consistent of the four guys gunning for a starter's spot.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

You're still on the Marshall-for-starter bandwagon? I fell off of that one last year. The guy is a dominant reliever, what's wrong with that?

[BT]

<!--quoteo(post=83310:date=Mar 19 2010, 08:46 AM:name=Scarey)-->QUOTE (Scarey @ Mar 19 2010, 08:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=83303:date=Mar 19 2010, 06:47 AM:name=Ace)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ace @ Mar 19 2010, 06:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Welcome CHC. Why do you think the two starters, while Lilly is out, will definitely be Silva and Gorzelanny? I'll give you the former (sigh), but Sean Marshall has been the best and most consistent of the four guys gunning for a starter's spot.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

You're still on the Marshall-for-starter bandwagon? I fell off of that one last year. The guy is a dominant reliever, what's wrong with that?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Mainly the fact that he hasn't been a dominant reliever? He's been good, and I'm not complaining, but I can't see how a guy letting up almost 1 and a half runners an inning (at least in 2009) can be dominant.

[SHU5117]

<!--quoteo(post=83303:date=Mar 19 2010, 07:47 AM:name=Ace)-->QUOTE (Ace @ Mar 19 2010, 07:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Welcome CHC. Why do you think the two starters, while Lilly is out, will definitely be Silva and Gorzelanny? I'll give you the former (sigh), but Sean Marshall has been the best and most consistent of the four guys gunning for a starter's spot.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I think it's going to be Gorzelanny, definitely without question, because he's a lefty (and Lou wants a L for the back end of that rotation to supplement Lily, when he returns, at the top), and then for the 5 and temporary spot I think it's Silva because of his experience mainly, but also because of the money he is owed. Marshall could easily get the nod over him, but I just don't see it happening, especially since Marshall's numbers are by far much better out of the bullpen as a lefty specialist.

Cubs are going to have 12 pitchers on the team, 5 starters, then 7 bullpen spots, correct? I am really curious to who is going to be in the Cubs bullpen once camp breaks. Its obviously, Marmol, Grabow, Caridad, Samardjiza, Marshall (or whatever 2 don't make the rotation), so that leaves 2 spots. Your guess is as good as mine, but like I said I think Parisi is going to be strongly considered because he has no options (unless he pitches like crap the next couple of appearances), and then Gray or Berg? What do you think?

[rok]

<!--quoteo(post=83311:date=Mar 19 2010, 08:55 AM:name=BT)-->QUOTE (BT @ Mar 19 2010, 08:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=83310:date=Mar 19 2010, 08:46 AM:name=Scarey)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Scarey @ Mar 19 2010, 08:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=83303:date=Mar 19 2010, 06:47 AM:name=Ace)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ace @ Mar 19 2010, 06:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Welcome CHC. Why do you think the two starters, while Lilly is out, will definitely be Silva and Gorzelanny? I'll give you the former (sigh), but Sean Marshall has been the best and most consistent of the four guys gunning for a starter's spot.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

You're still on the Marshall-for-starter bandwagon? I fell off of that one last year. The guy is a dominant reliever, what's wrong with that?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Mainly the fact that he hasn't been a dominant reliever? He's been good, and I'm not complaining, but I can't see how a guy letting up almost 1 and a half runners an inning (at least in 2009) can be dominant.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I recall he got worse and worse as the season went on, but was very solid in the pen early on. His splits for the past few seasons are pretty telling. His whip doesn't vary much between starting and relieving yet his ERA is about 1.7 runs lower while BAA .030 lower out of the pen. I think the ship has sailed on Marshall as a full-time starter or anything resembling an innings eater, but I'm happy with him in the pen.

[Coach]

Marshall hasn't been, and never will be, dominant no matter where he pitches.

[jstraw]

<!--quoteo(post=83320:date=Mar 19 2010, 10:28 AM:name=Coach)-->QUOTE (Coach @ Mar 19 2010, 10:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Marshall hasn't been, and never will be, dominant no matter where he pitches.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Seriously. I can't remember ever having a more complimentary thought about him than "that was a pretty good outing, for Marshall."

[Coach]

Marshall is a decent LHP.
Nothing more, nothing less.
I could take him or leave him.

[Clapp]

<!--quoteo(post=83325:date=Mar 19 2010, 09:52 AM:name=Coach)-->QUOTE (Coach @ Mar 19 2010, 09:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Marshall is a decent LHP.
Nothing more, nothing less.
I could take him or leave him.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yep.

[rok]

<!--quoteo(post=83330:date=Mar 19 2010, 11:44 AM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Mar 19 2010, 11:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=83325:date=Mar 19 2010, 09:52 AM:name=Coach)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coach @ Mar 19 2010, 09:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Marshall is a decent LHP.
Nothing more, nothing less.
I could take him or leave him.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yep.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
+1

[Scarey]

I'm pretty sure he was near the top of the NL in stranding runners inherited last year. Maybe I'm wrong, but if I'm right I would say that's an indication of a dominant reliever.

[Rappster]

I once killed a man. His name was Whitey.

And...I called him Whitey before I killed him.

I said..."Whitey."

Then I killed him.

[PcB]

<!--quoteo(post=83344:date=Mar 19 2010, 01:39 PM:name=Rappster)-->QUOTE (Rappster @ Mar 19 2010, 01:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I once killed a man. His name was Whitey.

And...I called him Whitey before I killed him.

I said..."Whitey."

Then I killed him.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You have a dirty whorish mouth.