Monday, February 14, 2011

Day 2 in Mesa: Marmol Signs, Bruce Miles on WGN Radio and More

Happy Valentine's Day Cubs fans! More importantly to most of us, pitcher's and catchers worked out as a team for the first time today!

The biggest news of the day was that the Cubs have signed Carlos Marmol to a 3-year, $20 million deal, avoiding arbitration. Marmol is penciled in as the Cubs closer for at least the next three seasons.

Some random notes from today
  • Check out Tim Sheridan's post over at BOS for some great pics.
  • Carlos Zambrano would like to start on Opening Day.
  • Tyler Colvin will see some time at first base this spring.
  • Angel Guzman is a long shot to make the team and is still not 100% healthy.
  • Carrie Muskat reports that Guzman threw off the mound today.
  • Carlos Silva went home today with a 103 degree fever.
  • Branden Looper, Trey McNutt, Casey Coleman, Thomas Diamond, Andrew Cashner, Kerry Wood, Jay Jackson, Marcos Mateo, Justin Berg and Todd Wellemyer are all scheduled to throw off the mound tomorrow.
  • Mike Quade on Ron Santo, "We'll win one for him and I'm not talking about Opening Day."
  • Santo's patch is already being sported on the Cubs uniforms.
  • According to Bruce Miles, Randy Wells says he lost focus at times last season.

Cubs beat writer Bruce Miles was on WGN Radio Sports Night with Noonan and Koz tonight. Here is what he had to say:

  • The Carlos Marmol signing is a very, very good one. This is a nice deal for Marmol and the Cubs and everyone seems very happy about it.
  • This salary figure is more of a discount for the Cubs.
  • Marmol did not want to go to arbitration. That is not something that the Cubs like to do.
  • Carlos is not worried about his control, he is only worried about getting three outs before a run is scored against him.
  • Carlos Zambrano would love to start on Opening Day, but if it doesn't happen it doesn't happen.
  • The first day of Spring Training is a lovefest that is all about optimism.
  • It is a big spring for Carlos Silva, who is fighting for a job.
  • There was a lot of stretching, throwing and bunting practice today.
  • There are a lot of position players in camp that have reported early.
  • The hitters that have reported early work with Rudy Jaramillo and work on conditioning.
  • Miles likes going to Spring Training because it is the start of a new season, you get back into the routine.
  • Baseball is a sport where you develop a rhythm.
  • There are about 18 guys competing for 12 spots on the pitching staff. Those decisions will go down to the very last day of camp.
  • Bruce thinks that this team is capable of winning 85-90 games.
  • Mike Quade is a guy who cannot sit still that lays the law down in a very nice way with his players. He is a "hands on" manager that brings a certain energy.

That's it for now, but I'll keep you posted!

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