Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL 

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, one player is on the 15-DAY IL, and one player is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-21-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 14
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Garrett Cooper
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Luke Little, P
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 
* Justin Steele, P   

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P
 




Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

Game 14 Thread / Cubs @ Braves (1 of 2)

Submitted by Rob G. on
Game Chat Carlos Zambrano vs. Kyle Davies Lineups:
Pie CF Johnson 2b
Derosa 2B Renteria SS
Lee 1B C. Jones 3B
Ramirez 3B A. Jones CF
Floyd LF McCann C
Barrett C Francoeur RF
Jones RF Thorman 1B
Izturis SS Langerhans LF
Zambrano P Davies P
After yesterday's marathon, might be good to take a look at who's available in the pen. The Cubs used all six of their relievers yesterday and here are their pitch counts: Cotts: 26 Wuertz: 35 Eyre: 2 Howry: 21 Dempster: 26 Ohman: 22 Ohman threw 14 pitches on Monday as well.

Comments

Submitted by cubster on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:26 pm

Partly cloudy, 72 degrees, expect it to be dark at night... Weak offense can't be blamed on the weather tonight.

Submitted by Wes on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:36 pm

Wuertz is down today for sure. Dempster is more than likely down. He threw almost 30 pitches. Gonna be a short-handed night down there.

Submitted by mannytrillo on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:46 pm

I am surprised they didn't just put Soriano on the DL and bring back Guzman.I guess they have all but given him teh 5th spot in the rotation as soon as he gets 2-3 starts in Iowa.

Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:47 pm

thanks for the idea, I updated the post with everyone's pitch counts yesterday.

Submitted by Chad on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:48 pm

I guess we'll have to 'Eyre' on the side of caution and hope to God that Z can uncork one here and as they said in that movie I love so much, "Go the distance"

Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:49 pm

Wuertz and Ohman are probably the only 2 guys who definitely won't be used, everyone else should be able to go.

Submitted by Henry on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:50 pm

WTF!! i just noticed that we have the best run differential in our division and the worst record....

Submitted by mannytrillo on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:54 pm

Man, I see why by boy Lincecum passed us up here in Connecticut (AA) and went straight to Fresno (AAA). Here is his line so far: 3 starts, 18.2 IP, 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 9 hits, 5 BB and 28 K's. And I just wanted to tip my cap to my team the Connecticut Defenders today for breaking their 45.1 inning stretch for not scoring a run. And no that is not a typo...

Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:54 pm

yeah April baseball, at least that's a good early sign, meaningless as it is at this point. I'm not sure on when the Cubs starters do their throwing in between starts, but either Marquis or Lilly could possibly go an inning or two I'm guessing if it's another extra inning affair. Of course there's also tomorrow's starter Rich Hill and they could call up Marmol who's scheduled to pitch for Iowa tomorrow.

Submitted by mannytrillo on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:51 pm

Where the hell did DeRosa find all this power?? Not that I am complaining...

Submitted by ARM on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:06 pm

Carlos should have signed the deal the Cubs offered him a few weeks ago. His value is dropping like the stock market did after 9/11. I would bet that this has to be in the back of Carlos' mind now. He wants to do well for the team, which i do believe is true, but he also is aware that his performance this year has not exactly helped him in terms of his next contract. And i am sure that this is making Carlos press even more on the mound, that he is frustrated etc. Yeah, it has only been a few games this year. I was a bit leary about giving him huge money even before this year. I just think giving Carlos $15 or so million a year over five years, or whatever it is, is too much. If he insists on that kind of money, the Cubs should let him walk or trade him for whatever they can get later on this year.

Submitted by Wes on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:15 pm

Was also just getting ready to comment on Z's arm angle when Brenly brought it up. It's much lower than normal tonight. Never seen him like this. He's even below 3/4. Can't control a sinker from down there. In a related story, it was one of those runaway sinkers that Francouer made go boom.

Submitted by The E-Man on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:16 pm

Lou is kicking himself for not DL-ing Soriano. BIG mistake. GUZMAN would have been HUGE yesterday.

Submitted by Vince on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:48 pm

"Was also just getting ready to comment on Z’s arm angle when Brenly brought it up. It’s much lower than normal tonight. Never seen him like this. He’s even below 3/4." I was thinking the exact same thing Wes. He is damn near throwing side arm tonight

Submitted by IFC on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:49 pm

Zambrano was 0-5 last April too fellas, relax. If he sucks it up in May then start panicing. However, if the Cubs don't have him tied up for the alleged 80 or 85 million dollar contract then he needs to be traded at the deadline. The Cubs will likely be out of it and perhaps they can snag Humber in a package from the Mets if they don't pull Willis from the Marlins. Can't let him walk for nothing but I don't think he's an ace. He's a #2 starter on a contending team.

Submitted by Mike Wellman on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:09 pm

i'm looking for a three-letter word for a pitcher making $12 million plus, beginning with A, and it's not 'ACE'...

Submitted by Mike Wellman on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:11 pm

by the way, IFC, by the time zombie won his first game last year, a week into may, the cubs were well on their way down the drain, so you go ahead and relax for the rest of us...

Submitted by IFC on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:17 pm

Who the hell said trade Willis for "Zombie"? When I said "they" I meant the Marlins, not the Cubs. The Mets have been after Willis for years, if they can't swing a deal for him this season then they can move to Zambrano. Read a little more clearly next time Mike.

Submitted by The Transaction Guy on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:19 pm

I Hate Buerhle Above All Things, but I kind of feel good for the sport.

Submitted by BIllyBucks on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:20 pm

Izturis is an absolute fraud. One run lead in the 7th, 2 outs, routine ground ball --annnnnd he takes his sweet time, a slow runner beats the throw, then Eyre shows his complete lack of guts, Jacque makes a throw from short right field that is 30 feet off the mark, etc. If Izturis makes the routine play, the Cubs lead after 7. Instead, he lollygags it, and the Cubs' worst weaknesses are revealed. Crap -- another year with a lousy a start, where everybody says "hey, it's early" -- then, basically we're out of the race by Memorial Day. And, the Bulls lost. Yes, I'm in a lousy mood.

Submitted by IFC on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:32 pm

and the Cavs won BillyBucks so it's now compounded. The Bulls are nearly as disappointing as the Cubs.

Submitted by IFC on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:35 pm

the best part of the no-no was Sosa broke up the perfect game with a walk, then in pure lunkheaded Sosa fashion, was promptly picked off 1B. Could be worse, King Felix just left his start after pulling himself out of the game in the first inning. Could be an arm injury.

Submitted by garsky on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:44 pm

To be fair to Eyre, he got jobbed on the 3rd strike (everyone in the stadium saw it as a strike, the Cubs were running off the field, and the ump called it a ball). Blame Barrett some for that, he set up so far off the plate he may as well have been in the dugout. Then the bad play by Mr. Gold Glove. But he lost his composure big-time after that. Threw 2 letter-high fastballs that the Braves hitters teed off on. In other news, I hope Pie is here to stay. He makes things soooo much more exciting. And he even took a walk!

Submitted by mannytrillo on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:46 pm

Cubs lose, low water mark... But hey guys, lots of good things happened tonight, it was a good loss, it is early, division is bad... Don't worry everything will be OK. (sarcasm)

Submitted by eli18 on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:52 pm

wow - what a disheartening loss that was. a complete and utter meltdown in the B7 and T8. if izturis plays like that and he is completely useless...and WTF is Murton waiting for on that WP? i think it's still rolling around. plus, our "ace" pitcher has the mental toughness of a 3 year old. yikes

Submitted by Wes on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:55 pm

Yup, garksy. Blame Barrett. He caused Eyre to walk two guys. It's all his fault Eyre walked two guys in one inning with a one run lead. No walks and we don't lose. How about that concept? Forget it. We'll take it out on the catcher. It's the catcher's fault that pitchers don't throw good pitches.

Submitted by Rynox on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:58 pm

How many of the 8 runs were guys who walked on base? 7 BB tonight. It's maddening for me to watch, it must make Lou crazy. At the very least, lob it down the middle of the plate and make them earn it.

Submitted by BIllyBucks on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:05 pm

Ever notice how every time a Cub pitcher doesn't get a borderline call on a big pitch, things then completely unravel? It's uncanny. Izturis is now my least favorite Cub -- he contributes absolutely nothing -- he's hitting .195 and has been below average in the field. His play in the 7th inning was totally inexcusable. And, to further make it a lousy night for the Bulls, the Knicks won on an Eddie Curry tip with 0.6 seconds left, which will cost the Bulls a couple of slots in next year's draft. Cubs are in their familiar losing groove (hey, it's early! Bah.), and now the Bulls have to contend with Shaq. What an all-around lousy sprots night.

Submitted by The E-Man on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:10 pm

So, Mark Burhle throws a no-hitter. Our losers find a way to lose. Again. I said I'd wait 60 days to make a real assessment on the season, but already my patience is wearing thin. The extreme optimists say, "Its so early - look at the Twins or Astros" Well what recent history would have you believe that the Cubs could EVER do something like that?! 4 games under .500 already?!!! WTF?!

Submitted by BIllyBucks on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:11 pm

One other thing -- how does a soft-tossing, fat slob like Bob Wickman consistently get people out? It's remarkable -- his stuff looks completely hittable, yet he racks up save after save.

Submitted by eli18 on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:15 pm

re: #46 - at least wickman makes you beat him. our relievers - the LHPs in particular - appear completely unwilling or unable (or both) to do that. pathetic.

Submitted by c murda on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:16 pm

Why isnt anyone ripping on Murton for not scoring from 3rd on that passed ball? Barrett was already halfway to 3rd and Murton got freaked out and stayed put, with no excuse. That play erases the run by Murton and then the run by Barrett that would have scored on the Theriot grounder that ended up being a double play. The Cubs find every way to lose, than I turn the channel and see that 9th inning of Burleys no-no and see the Bulls lose. Great night.

Submitted by BIllyBucks on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:17 pm

In true alarmist fashion -- if the Cubs lose tomorrow and go to 5-10, then lose 2 of 3 to the Cards, the early-season meltdown will be in full swing. Play Pie and bring up Guzman -- this team needs a spark of youth. Trade Jacque and someone else for a SS that can either hit or field -- we now have 2 SS who can do neither. The Dodgers figured Izzy out a year ago -- shocking that the Cubs are slow to learn.

Submitted by Virginia Phil on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:21 pm

In a statistical oddity, Eyre, Ohman and Howry all had spring-training ERAs of 4.50. Dempster came to camp in excellent shape and he's had a good April. Eyre and Ohman still look a little chubby, no? Here's an idea that isn't rocket science: make a guy's performance in March count toward where he plays in April. I know Eyre will get it going by June, but do we have to be in last place till then? Let him work out the kinks someplace else, like DesMoines. Les Walrond, who had a 2.00 ERA in camp against the same teams that Eyre, Howry and Ohman were facing, threw six more shutout innings tonight and has an ERA of 1.06. I don't know if he's better than Eyre or Ohman; but he was better tonight.

Submitted by Wes on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:23 pm

No cmurda. If Murton scores to make it 8-7, Ward still walks. Theriot still hits into the 6-4-3.

Submitted by Chad on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:27 pm

"Trade Jacque and someone else for a SS that can either hit or field — we now have 2 SS who can do neither. The Dodgers figured Izzy out a year ago — shocking that the Cubs are slow to learn. " This is the most wrong post ever. 1. Who are we going to get that can 'hit or field' at SS? Derek Jeter? Short stops that hit well are few and far between and you don't just get one for Jacque Jones. 2. Izzy can field. Did you see his web gem tonight? Sure he made 3 errors in one game. That will be probably 1/5 of his errors all year long. Off night. It happens. I saw Derrek Lee have a 2 error game once. 3. The Dodgers would have never traded him if he didn't get hurt. They didn't have a short stop. So they went out and got Furcal. A rare shortstop who can hit. We tried to get him too. Didn't work out. So once Izturis came back from injury, they didn't need him any more. We got him for nothing. We traded an old pitcher who wasn't going to be on our team anyway. So, if you the Yanks will trade ARod or Jeter for JOnes and a prospect, lets do it. But something tells me, it won't happen. Just a hunch.

Submitted by The E-Man on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:36 pm

CHAD: Since you and Rob have probably seen IZZY the most from his Dodgers days, I am taking your opinions to heart on him. But, in key situations, with both bat and glove, he has just not come through. Double clutching tonight when Eyre was pitching was just stupid! The team would have been out of the inning. Anyway, its not just Izturis - its all of these little things together that just continues to make the "team" losers imo, up to this point.

Submitted by Wes on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:09 pm

I know you like Izzy's glove Chad, but ever since the trade, he's been nothing but an out. I know you're a proponent of having a good defensive shortstop regardless, but if we lead off we the 7th hitter, we're guaranteed an empty inning. 10 times out of 10. He's an eyesore at the plate right now. He really is.

Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:32 pm

hey, all I said was let's see what Izturis can do when healthy...which at the moment is pretty awful. Making us all wish that we actually did go after Lugo. I was in the car on my way home, but the Braves announcers couldn't get over Eyre walking Thorman (a lefty) after having him down 0-2 and they gleefully pointed out Izturis tapping his glove once before the throw that didn't nail Diaz. Those seem like the plays of the game right there. and what did Blanco do to Lou Piniella that he sent out Marquis to pinch-hit in the 9th? I mean damn, that's some disrespect. Not that I care, but ouch if you're Blanco.

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:34 pm

this is a rough start for a team that at the minimum has had dlee/aram/soriano/barrett/j.jones/floyd-murton/zambrano/bullpen going for it. missed a little aram...missing a little soriano now...a few are yet to turn things on. still, not like the team has been facing baseball pitching's cream of the crop or the yankees lineup vs. the pitchers.

Submitted by Rynox on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:34 pm

BillyBucks:
One other thing — how does a soft-tossing, fat slob like Bob Wickman consistently get people out? It’s remarkable — his stuff looks completely hittable, yet he racks up save after save.
Let's just say he hides the ball well.

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:35 pm

and btw...im f'n disgusted by that marquis pinch hitting thing. DLEE WAS UP NEXT. at least put someone in who's a legit f'n hitter. its a 2 run game, not a 8 run blowout.

Submitted by Virginia Phil on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:39 pm

Something odd in that Braves' seventh. I just watched the Atlanta feed on mlb.com, and the ball that Kelly Johnson drove through the infield to score the tying and lead runs--it was hit pretty close to where Theriot was playing. They showed the hit from behind the plate, and it looks like it's headed right for the second baseman, just a tad to his left. The next thing you know, Theriot is sprawled on the ground and the ball is past him. I've noticed when he plays third that Theriot has a tendency to surround and smother the ball instead of just fielding it. This gives the impression that he has range, but he's not covering much ground. We're giving Izzy a hard time tonight, but if he's playing second, that ball's in his glove.

Submitted by T-Dubs on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:40 pm

Did anyone else think the Izzy play was a bad call by the ump? I was watching on mlb.tv so not the best quality, but it looked like even with the double-clutch he still got him by a hair. Not that it's an excuse -- if the Cubs executed a bad call wouldn't cost them a game.

Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:44 pm

I don't have splits on Marquis, but they both carry .224 career Batting Averages, Blanco does carry an OBP edge.

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:54 pm

i wouldnt even think of putting marquis...or Z...or mike hampton...out there before putting blanco out there. pinch runner? sure... marquis may have a few numbers similar to blanco in his 70-ish ab's a season, but he hit about as well as he pitched last year.

Submitted by Wes on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:55 pm

Blanco was all he had left. Say what you will about that. Henry's a career .225 hitter. According to the broadcast, he and Marquis actually have the same career batting average.

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:58 pm

what i wanna know is...hell, is blanco injured? is pinella really THIS protective over backup catchers? he's played in a total of 2 games this year...6 whole at bats. no pinch hit appearances.

Submitted by Wes on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:59 pm

Splits, for the sake of caring: Marquis v RHP last 3 years: 281/301/393 Blanco v. RHP last 3 years: 228/264/362

Submitted by Wes on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:05 pm

I also think he left Henry down there in case we went to extras. Barrett caught 8 innings on what was supposed to be his day off yesterday. Perhaps a bad reason, but something that needs to be considered.

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:15 pm

marquis didnt hit for crap last year...if he showed up this spring and showed something...fine, i can buy it. if not, that's not a move that's gonna make me happy. marquis had a hot couple years with the bat in STL, but i'm not gonna chalk him up as even a .250 hitter given he's feasting off of nothing but fastballs out of general respect for most of his ab's when he's pitching. you're a lucky SOB or hitting in a blowout if you get the same respect as a pinch hitter in a close game.

Submitted by Sayers40 on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:43 pm

Tonight's issues: 1) Put Eyre on the "What the Hell is Wrong with Him" list. He seemed so lights out last year, it's difficult for me to imagine him struggling. 2) Kudos to the offense, coming back from being down to actually take the lead. And for not giving up once again after the air was sucked out of their balloon in the 7th. 3) Clutch hitting is random (I don't believe that it is an actual skill) and I think the Cubs will start winning some of these close games if the bullpen can save them. 4) Zambrano struggles in April but the walks are really frustrating. Can someone tell him to stop doing it?!? I mean the guy throws so hard and has so much movement on his pitches that he can easily miss enough bats to keep up with the extra balls in play by simply throwing strikes. 5) Did the posters on this board really believe the Cubs wouldn't lose any games this year? I mean every time they lose, it's like "Oh My God, Screw It, Let's Just Break Up The Team!!!!!!!" Perhaps you need to seek therapy.

Submitted by Chad on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:29 pm

E-Man and Wes, It is becoming increasing more difficult to defend Izzy. I still believe in his glove 100%. Tonight's double clutch? I give him the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps he didn't like his grip and had to regrip it. Anyway, I understand what you all are saying but I do firmly believe that he can hit .250. (I still think he'll post an ave higher than that) At .250 with a good glove, we are not going to do much better. If anyone can figure out a way that we can get a good upgrade, I love to hear your plan.

Submitted by Wes on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:35 pm

I'd love .250. That was the high water mark I had envisioned in February. It's a season of .220 and OBP of like .295 that I'm beginning to worry about. However, if it's still early for Fonzie and Z, then it's still early for him, too.

Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 04/18/2007 - 04:37 pm

new scout.com mock draft (thnx to Road to Wrigley for the heads up) http://story.scout.com/a.z?s=184&p=2&c=635519 Price, Porcello, Wieters, Vitters, Aumont at the top 5
The word in scouting circles is that the Cubs are leaning hard toward taking Wieters, a switch-hitting masher who has the bat to play first if he can’t stay behind the plate.
Brackman down to #10 and the Giants in this mock draft

Submitted by ARM on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:34 am

Every year, we hear the same old chorus from some folks. It is April. It is early. Don't worry. Believe me, I am not worried. There are better things in life to worry about than this team. But it is disheartening. Once again, we are headed for probably 10 games out by June 1st. All that money spent and will we even play .500 ball this year? I would say it is in doubt. I wonder how long Lou will be able to take the futility of being skipper of the Cubs? Oh, he will last the year (probably) but I wouldn't bet the farm on Lou hanging around to the end of next season if this futility continues.

Submitted by Steve on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:28 am

I couldnt watch teh game live, so i watched the condensed game on mlb.tv (they show the outcome of every at bat but not all the pitches). Despite knowing they lost, i was still yelling at the computer when i saw how. Just completely disheartening to see a game be pissed away like that. Any chances Pie sticking around? I would love to see it as much as the next guy, but if he won't be getting consistant AB's when Alf comes back, i'd like to see him return to AAA and make some pitchers miserable there for a while.

Submitted by Virginia Phil on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:42 am

I mean the guy throws so hard and has so much movement on his pitches that he can easily miss enough bats to keep up with the extra balls in play by simply throwing strikes. That's the problem: he throws so hard and has so much movement that he can't always throw strikes. Think of him as a knuckleballer--and cut him some slack.

Submitted by ARM on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:17 am

I am hoping Pie plays too well for the team to send him down. Let Soriano come back. Tell Soriano we are gonna put you back in left, where he may be more comfortable anyway. Keep him there. Let him get comfortable there again. He is typically a very hot hitter in April. I kind of think that, regardless of what he says, the switch to center may be affecting his hitting. The problem with this plan, I guess, would be that we would have a log jam in right with Murton, Jones and Floyd. So though I would like to see Pie stay for awhile, my guess is that, unless is gets extra hot as a hitter, he probably will be sent down. I sure would like to have his glove and arm in center though.

Submitted by The E-Man on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:40 am

SAYERS40: "5) Did the posters on this board really believe the Cubs wouldn’t lose any games this year? I mean every time they lose, it’s like “Oh My God, Screw It, Let’s Just Break Up The Team!!!!!!!” Perhaps you need to seek therapy." First, I wish my insurance covered therapy. But, alas, I'm out of luck there. Most Cub fans could certainly use it after what we've endured in recent yeas. What I DID NOT expect, was the team to be 4 games under .500 so early in the season, with NOT MUCH to show on the field for an upwards trend. AGAIN - this is not a team with a "winning tradition" like the 'Stros or Twins - and that is a fact. So IF you think that this team, the way it is playing, and the way it is burying itself early on, will be comparable to the aforementioned teams, then YOU are the one who should get some therapy. When the "supposed ace" has the worst era of the starters, the HR hitters aren't hitting HR's, and the "lockdown bullpen guys" have the lock busted, all at the same time - does this BOLSTER your confidence? After 40+ years of watching CUBS baseball, it doesn't bolster mine. But its still early.

Submitted by jacos on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:41 am

The "ace" 6ip, 8hits, 5runs, 5bb,2hr. Lou needs to talk to him, because obivously Rothschild cannot get to him. The offense was there tonite, and I have a feeling it will be all year, z needs to get rid of the brain cramps.

Submitted by ARM on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:48 am

Jacos: The offense will be there tonight? It was there last night. The problem was we had no pitching. To the "it's early" crowd: We heard that last year. And the year before. When the team digs a hole, it is hard to get out of. These games count as much as the games in September. The division is too competitive to just throw games away. We don't have that kind of margin of error with this team. We are not the Yankees. It is doubtful that we have anyone on this team, like AROD, who is gonna do something like hit nine home runs in 12 days. Do we even have, as a team, one-half the home run production of AROD? Lots of money spent but the same old story: This is a very mediocre team.

Submitted by BillyBucks on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:57 am

On the Izzy nonchalant play -- it was a good call by the ump. The runner beat the throw. I know I'm picking on Izzy, but that, to me, was a defining "Cub" play that you would never see the Cardinals, Dodgers or Twins make. People love Izzy on the Webgems, but if your shortstop can't make a routine play in the late innigns, he's worthless. Don't get me started on his hitting. 14 games in, and Lee, Jones, Barrett, Soriano, and Ramirez -- the Cubs big bats - have COMBINED to hit 2 HRs. Jones and Soriano each have one RBI. It's got to get better, but, like last year, it will probably be too late.

Submitted by George Altman on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:38 am

I would say another disappointing loss, but all losses are disappointing. Steve Stone made another great comment on WSCR this week, "If a player has a .245 lifetime BA, then over a complete season he usually ends up within 10 points of that number." He used Alex Gonzalez as an example who was hitting like .485 through the first 25-30 games in 2003. Stone said he ended the year about .245, so my point is that Zambrano has a lifetime ERA of 3.39. I would agree with Stone that Zambrano is more likely to finish with an ERA around 3.50 with 15-17 wins than 8-20 with a 6.60 ERA. Again, probably a little early to push any panic buttons but hey that's just my opinion I could be wrong. Re: Wickman throwing off-speed junk. Buehrle pitched a no-no tonight with a fastball that never exceeded 87 mph on radar. He did exactly what I'm trying to teach our 13 yr old pitchers: move the ball in and out, up and down at different speeds. Re: Barrett's non-admirers. I've never seen a box score with losing catcher. Eyre is 0-2 on hitters and losing them. That's horseshit for a guy pitching relief as long as he has. I believe the best thing Cub fans have going for them is Lou as manager. He doesn't appear to give a damn who's feelings he hurts - Blanco being pinch hit for by a pitcher, Jones moved to LF from RF, asking Z 'WTF' is he doing on the mound, etc. I just don't see Lou as a guy who suffers fools or pitchers who can't find home plate, outfielders who can play solid ML defense, and #2 hitters who can't move runners or lack bat control. It might take him 25-30 games to put the pieces together, but still plenty of time to win the most win-able division in the NL. Barring a trade for a starting position player or pitcher, I look for Lou to have this lineup getting the most playing time by Mother's Day: Soriano - LF Theriot - 2B D. Lee - 1B A. Ramirez - 3B Murton - RF Pie - CF Barrett - C Izturis - SS SP - Zambrano, Hill, Lilly, Marquis, Guzman CLSR - Dempster DeRosa is your super sub at 3B, 2B, and OF playing at least 5+ games a week. Jones ('he gone'). Floyd shares time with Murton.

Submitted by mannytrillo on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:40 am

Wes: "Henry’s a career .225 hitter. According to the broadcast, he and Marquis actually have the same career batting average." Is this the same Blanco that Jim Hendry gave a two year $5.25 million contract deal with a $3.0 million option in 2009?

Submitted by Old and Blue on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:40 am

It's not early. The season is about 10% over already and the Cubs are in last place (again). Lou himself said that after about 16 games you have a pretty good idea of what kind of team you have. If the Cubs keep playing like this, they'll be buried by the end of the next homestand, which features all central division rivals. By May 2, their last in a series of games against Central teams if they keep this pace, they will be in salary dump mode. Then the White Sox come to town a couple weeks later, and will finish them off. Most long term Cubs fans are not very shocked by this team, but it's a drag to not have a very strong interest in the baseball season at such an early stage. I'm not giving up yet, but my timetable is an easy one to follow.

Submitted by Virginia Phil on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:56 am

Is this the same Blanco that Jim Hendry gave a two year $5.25 million contract deal with a $3.0 million option in 2009? Hendry sometimes does his Xmas shopping a little early. Wasn't it the first thing he did last offseason to offer fairly generous terms to Blanco and Darryl Ward? He might have waited a while or not made those moves at all, and waited to see what came out of spring camp. Koyie Hill, at Iowa, is a switch-hitting catcher who looked pretty good in ST. He's got a little power--a game winning HR the other day--and he can also take a walk. I don't know whether he can throw, but Blanco can't throw runners out from the dugout either. Hill could have been a decent backup catcher and lefty PH and then they wouldn't have needed (or thought they needed) Ward. It would have freed up a roster spot. It's the Trib's money Hendry is spending. If they want to accumulate overpaid and under-utilized niche players--and JJ may be entering that category--what do I care?

Submitted by Bogey on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:02 am

CSN had Buehrle as high as 90 last night but their gun is beyond erratic. I've never seen him throw harder than 88, but then again CSN has had Howry, Eyre & Wuertz consistently at 91, Z no higher than 94 so it appears to me that their gun is generally around 2 mph slow on Cubs telecasts... Soriano might be back this weekend for the Cards series. That should throw another cog into an already bloated OF. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/348803,CST-SPT-cubnt19.art…

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:28 am

Virginia Phil — April 18, 2007 @ 9:21 pm In a statistical oddity, Eyre, Ohman and Howry all had spring-training ERAs of 4.50. Dempster came to camp in excellent shape and he’s had a good April. Eyre and Ohman still look a little chubby, no? Here’s an idea that isn’t rocket science: make a guy’s performance in March count toward where he plays in April. I know Eyre will get it going by June, but do we have to be in last place till then? Let him work out the kinks someplace else, like DesMoines. Les Walrond, who had a 2.00 ERA in camp against the same teams that Eyre, Howry and Ohman were facing, threw six more shutout innings tonight and has an ERA of 1.06. I don’t know if he’s better than Eyre or Ohman; but he was better tonight. ============================ VA PHIL: I mentioned Les Walrond's fine ST performance last month, and said that if the Cubs had room for a lefty reliever/spot starter, that Walrond had pitched well enough to make the 25-man Opening Day roster. I actually thought the Cubs were going to trade him at the end of ST to a team needing a lefty in the pen (like AZ). The Cubs could easily transfer Juan Mateo to the 60-day DL if they need to clear a roster spot for Walrond, and then they could transfer Wood to the 60 or recall Prior and place him on the 60 when Mateo is rready to be optioned to Iowa,

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:47 am

Virginia Phil — April 19, 2007 @ 7:56 am Is this the same Blanco that Jim Hendry gave a two year $5.25 million contract deal with a $3.0 million option in 2009? Hendry sometimes does his Xmas shopping a little early. Wasn’t it the first thing he did last offseason to offer fairly generous terms to Blanco and Darryl Ward? He might have waited a while or not made those moves at all, and waited to see what came out of spring camp. Koyie Hill, at Iowa, is a switch-hitting catcher who looked pretty good in ST. He’s got a little power–a game winning HR the other day–and he can also take a walk. I don’t know whether he can throw, but Blanco can’t throw runners out from the dugout either. ============================= VA PHIL: Right again ref Koyie Hill. He seems to be 100% back from his broken ankle of a couple of years ago (suffered a few days after the D'backs got him from LAD in the Steve Finley deal), and he would be a perfectly acceptable MLB back-up catcher.You might have noticed that the Cubs optioned Geovany Soto to AAA on March 20th (and Soto will be out of minor league options next year), but kept the ST NRI K, Hill around until the 26th, and then took him to Las Vegas, too.

Submitted by garsky on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:50 am

Yup, garksy. Blame Barrett. He caused Eyre to walk two guys. It’s all his fault Eyre walked two guys in one inning with a one run lead. No walks and we don’t lose. How about that concept? Forget it. We’ll take it out on the catcher. It’s the catcher’s fault that pitchers don’t throw good pitches.
Actually, Wes, I said PARTIALLY blame Barrett for the ONE PITCH. He was set up so far off the plate that it may have caused the ump to think the pitch was off the plate. That's all. Nice try, tho.

Submitted by Rynox on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:55 am

I don't like the trap of blaming one person or another for a loss. Teams win and lose together.

Submitted by Rynox on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:57 am

...Of course when your pitchers walk 8 guys, it's hard for the team to win. :-p

Submitted by Chris on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:00 am

I agree that you gotta figure Zambrano will eventually straighten out but it's hard to believe just how bad he's been. He has a BB to K ratio of 1 to 1. His ERA is 7.77 after 22 IP. There's not another starter in either league that is within 2 runs of that suck. Reading his quote after the game saying "he shut the door" after the first inning was just rich. Whatever. That'd be like Hendry saying at the end of last season, "Man, we really got things together those last few week in September". Nobody gives a crap. He did worse job than fricking Wade Miller. Giving up 5+ runs every time you take the mound for 5-7 innings just sucks. Geez. Just get together already.

Submitted by medium sized n… on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:16 am

The cubs should be able to 60 day DL retroactive to mid march. Correct Mr. Phil?

Submitted by jacos on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:33 am

for those in the its too late crow- Cubs are in last place, but three games out of first. First place is held by the omnipotent Milwaukee Brewers The guys that we are counting on to get hot Soriano, & Z not Neifi & Rusch. There are lot more things to worry about, like tomorrow 4/20. WHO WILL GO DOWN?!?!?!!?

Submitted by Rynox on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:41 am

Doesn't the Ramirez wrist injury & Soriano's hammy satisfy the Cub's sacrafice to the baseball gods?

Submitted by WPZ on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:09 am

I thought it was the 4/19 curse ... you mean DLee and Nomar, right? Guess I had my date wrong. Smart money's on Hill if it's today. If it's tomorrow, I'll take Dempster.

Submitted by Rynox on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:36 am

In good news...Some guys are just built good...
SORIANO IMPROVES: Soriano took batting practice for the first time since straining his left hamstring Monday against the San Diego Padres and predicted a return to the lineup this weekend against the St. Louis Cardinals.
''Depending how I feel, maybe Friday,'' said Soriano, who also stretched with the team before batting practice and jogged lightly.
He said the injury feels similar to a hamstring strain in 2005 that kept him out less than a week.
Click here for the full story.

Submitted by Wes on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:05 am

Bogey, that's really great stuff on Prior's mechanics. I think those changes were made due to his "genetically loose shoulder".

Submitted by Chad on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:28 am

Let's clear something up... "I thought it was the 4/19 curse … you mean DLee and Nomar, right? Guess I had my date wrong." Nomar rips groin: 4/20/05 DLee breaks wrist: 4/19/06

Submitted by Bogey on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:30 am

Wes, Levine spoke with an ex team doctor a couple months ago and claimed that Prior was double jointed in both his elbow & shoulder which supposedly leaves him more susceptible to injury....maybe that's true but since no exam to date has shown anything structural it's quite the paradox. Levine has also had Mike Marshall (the ex Dodger pitcher) on his show who stated a few years back that Prior had among the worst mechanics he'd ever seen...which naturally runs contradictory with most scouts who said that Prior had perfect mechanics. Who knows for sure though...could be the double jointedness, or compounding of injuries, or varied arm angles, or steroids/HGH. We'll probably never know.

Submitted by Joey from Iowa on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:31 am

Bogey--that clip on Prior is awesome. Pay particualr attention to the clip of him at his latest...to the far right...as a Cub in the Royal Blue shirt. Compare it to his throws when he was at USC (Far left). His head/neck is straight up in the Cubs uniform.......vs the other two clips. If you CAN throw a ball, try this. It puts tremendous strain on your shoulder to force your head straight up while you generate power for the throw. As well, you'll lose velocity. I know, I know...I'm a hack that had a kind of a sniff at low level pro ball as a pitcher.....but I REMEMBER doing the same thing when I was rehabbing. Prior's clip when he was with USC shows his head releasing down, allowing his back and abdomen to assist in generating power, not to mention his legs. As he is throwing now, ALL HIS POWER is being generated from his arm and shoulder. Staying straight up is a symptom of two things: 1. Trying to be accurate with your pitch, and 2. Fear of damaging something....he's being cautious (THAT was profound, no?) Prior is done.....seeing him throw like that....I'm with Silent on this one....Prior is done!!!! Joey PS...Pie, 3/44

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:34 am

Prior will rise from the ashes...and appropriately end up playing in Phoenix. :) Felix Pie's BR.com page available now for $190.....steep

Submitted by The Real Neal on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:40 am

"His ERA is 7.77 after 22 IP. There’s not another starter in either league that is within 2 runs of that suck." Brett Myers has a higher ERA, so does Jae Seo. Carlos leads the ML in runs allowe,d but only a few pitchers have had 4 start, so it's not really apples to apples. One more of those and I hope Lou puts him in the pen. I think it's time for a wakeup call.

Submitted by Wes on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:40 am

I have been around this game a while and I have never met a pitcher who was double jointed in his shoulder. Ever. That's shocking news to me. I believe it when he said that would make you more susceptable to injury. I did know a guy who told me he was double jointed in his elbow. He was a submariner. He also sucked. Those items may or may not be related. I still think Prior has very good mechanics.. better than most. 2001 Mark Prior had great mechanics (save the elbow above the shoulder, but i won't mark him down for that). They're still pretty good, but the changes are beginning to affect his velocity. I thought Mike Marshall had poor mechanics.... so there. Great stuff, Joey, btw. Well put.

Submitted by BillyBucks on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:45 am

FWIW -- former MLB catcher Bob Brenley also said Barrett was set up too far outside to get the call. Whatever -- the Bartman theme continues. One little thing goes wrong, then the defense doesn't make a routine play, then it all goes horribly wrong. Nobody ever steps up to stop the bleedig until it's too late. Congrats to Buehrle -- too bad the guy has the personality of a fire hydrant. Probably the least interesting Chicago star since the days of Ryno -- at leas Ryno had a cool nickname.

Submitted by The Real Neal on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:50 am

The Cubs have been pretty bad at home over the last few years, and I am starting to wonder if the schedule makers have anything to do with that. Can anyone explain why they played Monday night? They had a day game Sunday, and so did the Padres. Now they come home after tonight's game, and they have a day game. What the hell? When they need a night game for extra rest after a road trip, they get a day game. When an opposing team comes into town off of a day game, they get a whole day and a half. That makes no sense, whatsoever to me.

Submitted by Not Really Neal on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:56 am

Are we going to get a new post today? Please tell me AZ Phil is locked in a dark basement somewhere hammering a new post out.

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:17 am

Padres didn't have a day game Sunday, it was the Sunday night game of the week. Still 5pm on the West Coast... And I believe there are union rules and such on the schedule that allow for traveling, etc.

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:25 am

medium sized nate lewis — April 19, 2007 @ 9:16 am The cubs should be able to 60 day DL retroactive to mid march. Correct Mr. Phil? ============================= Nate: Time spent on an MLB 15-day DL counts toward time on the MLB 60-day DL when a player is transferred from the 15 to the 60. For instance, if a player on the 15-day DL is transfered to the 60-day DL after spending 30 days on the 15, he only has to spend another 30 days on the 60-day DL before he is eligible to be reactivated. Juan Mateo and Kerry Wood have (so far) spent 18 days on the DL, and if transferred to the 60, both would be eligible to be reactivated on May 31st. Mark Prior, on the other hand, was optioned to Iowa and then was placed on Iowa's DL, so if the Cubs want to use his roster spot for another player (like Les Walrond, just for instance), the Cubs would have to first recall Prior from his optional assignment, and then immediately place him on the 60-day DL. Time spent on a minor league DL does NOT count toward time spent on an MLB DL, so if Prior was recalled and then placed on the 60, he would (unlike Mateo or Wood) have to spend at least the full 60 days on the DL. A club also cannot make a player's start date for the 60-day DL retroactive to the day after his last appearance in an MLB game--or backdated ten days, whichever is less (as would normally be the case), if the player is recalled from an optional assignnment for the purpose of placing him on the 60, as would be the case with Prior. So I would expect the Cubs to move either Mateo or Wood to the 60 before I would expect to see them recall Prior and place him on the 60. That's unless Prior has shoulder surgery, because then he's for sure out for the year anyway. .

Submitted by Dennis on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:59 am

Chad says: April 19th, 2007 at 11:28 am Let’s clear something up… “I thought it was the 4/19 curse … you mean DLee and Nomar, right? Guess I had my date wrong.” Nomar rips groin: 4/20/05 DLee breaks wrist: 4/19/06
So... we should have had the problem yesterday, right, to follow the trend (4/18/07)? Maybe we'll find out that Z's injured?

Submitted by Chad on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:15 pm

Neal, since the Padres played on Sunday, without a Monday travel day, they generally don't make you play a day game the very next day. You'll rarely see a day game following travel the night before. In fact, it probably doesn't happen at all. Rob, even if they played Sunday during the day, they probably still wouldn't have allowed them to play during the day on Monday.

Submitted by Rob G. on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:41 pm

I have no idea what the exact rules are, but I also believe some of it has to do with distance traveled.

Submitted by The Real Neal on Thu, 04/19/2007 - 04:41 pm

Chad, WTF are you talking about? What time to the Cubs play today? What time do they play tomorrow?

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