Lou Names 2010 Closer
According to Lou Piniella's comments before the game, Carlos Marmol will be the closer in 2010.
"I see that, yes," Piniella said Monday. "I really do. I think he's
done enough and shown enough. We have confidence in him enough going
into spring training next year. It's his job. We'll leave it just at
that."
Short-term memory loss is becoming a problem for our manager, who just on Saturday had this to say about his future 2010 closer.
"You know, you just can't keep walking people like that
late in the game," said Cubs manager Lou Piniella, whose team fell to
72-68 as its four-game winning streak ended. "It catches up to you. And
it did today."With Marmol, it's the walks. This young man wants to
be a closer. And that's OK. But you've got to have command. If you
don't have command, you can't close."
Ah Lou, your slow descent into whatever PC term I should use for you forgetting things is either going to be highly entertaining or very, very sad.
Considering the Cubs abundance of problems and likely rigid budget constraints, it's probably best they stay away from the free agent closing market that includes Mike Gonzalez, Billy Wagner, Trevor Hoffman, Jose Valverde and Fernando Rodney.
Twitter RSS for TCR
#1 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
Sullivan opines in the Trib that according to the always-elusive "sources," the Cubs will shop Zambrano this offseason. I'd support that. Cubs could use the salary relief, they'd be dealing from strength (starting pitching depth) and big-market teams are always looking for another arm.
To the Dodgers for Matt Kemp and a nice prospect?
As for the 2010 bullpen, here is a floater: Bradley to the Indians in exchange for the prodigal Cub, Kerry Wood? Contracts would be a wash, Bradley began as an Indian and clearly has more value to an American league team. Wood has not been good, but he's been healthy for another year and is no longer young, so the "protect his career" argument no longer has meaning. So....trade Z, get rid of Bradley, and make Wood a starter once more? Why not?
My other brain fart is to offer Fukudome to Seattle for the oft-injured Erik Bedard. I'd have to believe Dome would love the chance to play with Ichiro and Johjima and would waive his NTC. Bedard is a disappointment, but he sure has talent.
And no more Cubs with the first name "Aaron" in 2010, please.
#3 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
lol... good luck with Matt Kemp for Zambrano. If I'm LA that offer is nothing short of laughable.
#4 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
Sullivan's 'source' was likely Rosenthal's idle speculation the other day. I think it would be a good idea to very quietly gauge interest in Zambrano. My suspicion is that it will be minimal. He's got a NTC so he's not going to the American league. The Dodgers could probably afford him, what do you think about Juan Pierre in return?
Not sure I get the "Bradley clearly has more value to an American league team' bit, because he's a pretty good outfielder. The reason the Indian's traded Bradley is they didn't like his attitude. The Giants would seem like a better fit. Then we would have the wonderful defense of Hoffpauir/Fox in right field, which would make you pine for Bradley's return.
#7 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
I wish there were another way to deal with Zambrano. What happens when he's traded and the team that acquires him actually gets him focused on pitching and doing his job? He has a ton of talent; Maybe he just needs a manager who will kick him in the nuts and tell him to shut up. Somehow Zambrano needs to get the message that it's not about him.
Same for Bradley.
I always looked back at Lou's incident with... was it Rob Dibble or something? and thought it was really unprofessional, but maybe some of these guys need a hard ass once in a while. Of course at this stage in his life I would advise Lou against getting into a fist fight with Carlos Zambrano. That's a fight he's likely to lose.
#11 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
"What happens when he's traded and the team that acquires him actually gets him focused on pitching and doing his job?"
They'll have a player earning his salary. Ideally we would get an under performing asset back and get him to earn his salary, and also have a little money to spend elsewhere.
#30 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
unless the Cubs take on another contract or offer major salary relief, the only possible stops for Z are:
both LA's, NY Mets (don't think Yanks need another high salary pitcher, but you never know), Red Sox, and never count out the White Sox to try and make a splash. I don't know how Ozzie and Z get along, but they have the Venezuela connection. Peavy for Z?
I guess I could see Philly or Houston being on the outskirts of a deal, but I don't see much else out there. And chances are, Z will only approve a deal to the NL of course.
#10 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
there's no way in hell Bradley is going back to Cleveland unless there's a regime change...
And I guess we could trade Fukudome to Bedard, but that would seem like bad business since Bedard is a FA coming off surgery this offseason.
I'm all for trading Z for something of value, problem is once you commit $16M+ a year to any deal, you're probably going to have to cough some salary relief or take on another bad contract. I'd probably try Lilly and/or Dempster first.
#2 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
Tommy Aaron as 2010 to replace Miles and Paul Reuschel to replace Heilman?
#5 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
Derrek Lee forgot how many outs there were in the top of the 7th last night. I am eagerly looking forward to the boo birds down the first base line with their 'Outs in the inning' sign for him.
#8 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
Derrek Lee has been here 6 seasons, is generally considered a good guy in the clubhouse and on the field, and is having a very good season at the plate.
Sure...just like Milton "The Real Neal's Savior" Bradley.
Minus the tenure, reputation, or stats...except for OBP of course.
#9 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
Here's a surprise. You missed the point.
#12 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
I'm sorry...you had a point??
Hmm..that's new.
#13 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
Yeah that was stupid of me. You missed the sarcasm of the first post, so not sure what made me think you'd be able to catch it on a reply.
#15 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
Sorry...it's just hard to tell when you are sarcastic this season.
I'll turn my sarcasm meter up to "incomprehensible"
#19 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
Sorry to butt into the argument, I'll let you finish, but I just wanted to say Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time...
of ALL TIME...
#20 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
Ryno... BWAAHAAAAAA-HAAAA!!!
#6 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
Theoretically the team can get better through trades, Rule 5 and its own system, and the Cubs will probably need all of those plus a free agent signing to get the bullpen fixed.
No amount of money will fix our offense; either the guys we have are improved or we're sunk.
At least the Cubs in theory have some tradeable pieces, most notably Jake Fox since he seems to have no future (not to mention present) here. Soto's another possibility if the Cubs are as high on Castillo as some other people seem to be.
This team is already married to a lot of overpriced if useful guys for 2010, but I think there's enough wiggle room for a smart and creative organization to be highly competitive. I wonder how the Cubs will handle that.
#14 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
http://espn.go.com/chicago/columns/blog?post=44738...
2 yr deal in the works for Grabow...
#16 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
A. How much is Grabow worth to you?
B. How much do you think Hendry will give him?
#17 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
A. $3.5 mil/2 years + performance bonuses.
B. $5.5 mil/2 years + no trade
#25 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
grabow is probably worth $2.5 to $3m in the free market...
#21 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
$3 million one year
$4.2 million three years.
Hendry should just offer him arbitration and be happy to get him for a year or get draft picks - one of these years hopefully Hendry will figure this whole 'arbitration' thing out. Right now it obviously just confuses him.
#18 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
How about that Sam Fuld, huh? He's exhibit A why you don't need to spend money for guys like Freel and Gaithright.
#22 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
Is he still sitting at 0 RBI's? He's totally useless.
I was watching the game at the bar and couldn't get a really clear picture - was that a trap, or did the ball bounce off the bottom of the glove?
#23 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
he made the catch...it was quite awesome.
#29 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
The Real Neal:
Is he still sitting at 0 RBI's? He's totally useless.
Dude.
#24 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
"Maybe if I go to a different city next year," he said Monday, "if I get traded, I can do what I want."
sounds like Z doesn't want to leave. heh...
there's a lot more to Z in that clubhouse than we're being told...and a lot more to bradley and Z...
#27 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
if you follow the Rotoworld link to the Trib article, that quote was in reference to him being criticized for playing softball and then in typical Z fashion, he recanted saying he was kidding.
#28 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
ah...taken in by another rotoworld partial quote...thnx.
#26 Re: Lou Names 2010 Closer
a little Ryan Dempster love-fest
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/dempster-...
considering the personal problems he had to start the year, a pretty solid season.
But I would definitely look to move him if possible...
Return to Homepage