The State of the Bullpen

I covered the bullpen some in yesterday's post, but unfortunately technical difficulties prevented me from posting that story. So today, let's talk a little bit about the Cubs' relief core.

Carlos Marmol is the closer. He is of the utmost importance to this ballclub because they already lack bullpen depth. As of now, there would be nobody to take over for Carlos if he goes down or struggles.

But instead of thinking about "What ifs..." let's face the situation the pen is in right now. With the injury to Angel Guzman, the already thin bullpen lost a significant arm. Marmol will be the Cubs closer, John Grabow will be the primary left handed setup man, and beyond that there's a gray area. Lou Piniella has showed confidence in Esmalin Caridad, who pitched well late last year when he received a callup. Lou says that Caridad has made the club as a setup man. Whoever is left out of the rotation of the group of Samardzija, Marshall, and Gorzelanny will fill the 4th spot in the bullpen. That leaves three slots open.

Jeff Gray, who came to the Cubs in the deal that shipped Fox and Miles to Oakland this winter, is out with a groin injury and will probably not be ready to start the regular season.

So these final three spots could be filled with young pitchers that are in camp, or the Cubs could look to add a veteran presence to the bullpen by going outside the organization. Bruce Levine continues to report that Jason Frasor and Luke Gregerson are options for the Cubs. Frasor worked a scoreless inning in his only spring appearance so far for the Blue Jays. Gregerson has worked 2 innings so far for the Padres and has yielded just one base runner and no runs.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports connects the Cubs to John Smoltz and Pedro Martinez. Would it be worth the injury risk to try to bring in one of these post-prime legends?

Even if the Cubs fill 1 spot with a trade or free agent signing, there will still be at least 2 bullpen openings for younger guys. Bruce Levine says that Casey Coleman, John Gaub, Jeff Stevens, and James Russell are candidates. Carrie Muskat mentions Justin Berg, Mike Parisi, and Thomas Diamond. Muskat adds that David Patton will most likely start in the minor leagues now that the Cubs have kept him on the roster long enough to keep him since the Rule V Draft in December of 2008. Carlos Silva will also vie for a spot in the bullpen if he does not make the rotation. He could start the year hidden on the DL if he does not improve upon his Cactus League debut.

Let's take a look at how some of the Cubs competing for spots in the bullpen are doing in the Cactus League:

• Andrew Cashner: 2 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 1 ER
• Casey Coleman: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER
• J.R. Mathes: 2 IP, 2 ER
• Mike Parisi: 2 IP, 1 ER
• Carlos Silva: 2 IP, 7 H, 6 ER
• Jeff Stevens: 1.2 IP, 3 H, 4 ER
• John Gaub: 1.1 IP, 1 ER
• Marcos Mateo: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER
• Jeff Kennard: 0.2 IP, 4 H, 4 ER
• Mitch Atkins: 0.1 IP, 0 ER

We'll see how it plays out!

Levine's Chat & Miller on ESPN 1000

Chat'n with Bruce
Earlier this week, on Tuesday, Bruce Levine hosted his weekly chat over at ESPNChicago.com. Here's the recap:

• Xavier Nady could be the "diamond in the rough" that pays dividends for the 2010 Chicago Cubs.
• At this point, the Cubs don't really have the money for Heath Bell and are more likely to look at Luke Gregorson.
• Adam Kennedy has been on the radar for awhile, but money is an issue.
• Chad Tracy will compete with Hoffpauir and Millar for the 24th or 25th spot on the roster.
• At this point, trades and minor league contracts are the only things the Cubs can do.
• Starlin Castro is going to get his shot to be the Opening Day short stop. Lou Piniella and his staff will decide in Spring Training if Starlin is ready.
• Levine thinks the Cubs' defense will be improved in 2010, because Kosuke is an upgrade over Bradley in right while Byrd is an upgrade over Kosuke in center.
• Ryan Theriot is the Cubs second baseman of the future.
• John Smoltz is still out there, but at age 43, he may have nothing left to bring.
• Ownership is taking a "wait and see approach" in 2010.
• Ryan told Bruce at the Cubs Convention that he will gladly move to second base to make room for Castro at short.
• Andrew Cashner could get called up to the bullpen at some point this year.
• Cashner could be tossed into the late inning mix if someone goes down, but for now he will start in the minors.
• All indications are that Ted Lilly is on track and will be ready to throw in Spring Training.
• Sam Fuld could make the team over Tracy or Millar because of his speed and defense.
• The Cubs are not thrilled about the direction Theriot's arbitration case has gone.
• A Luke Gregorson for Angel Guzman swap was mentioned by Levine once again.
• Castro is not a patient hitter at this point, but he bring five tool possibilities down the line.
• There have been rumblings of the Cubs trying to extend the contracts of Lee and Lou.

Kevin Millar with Waddle & Silvy on ESPN 1000

• Millar is already in Mesa getting some work in.
• He came up as a third baseman and loves that position. He wants to prove he can play 1B, 3B, and OF.
• Kevin enjoys coming off the bench in the National League because you have a good chance to get in the game each night.
• Millar understands that a lot of people look at stats, but he pointed out that he will also bring out leadership qualities and World Series Winning experience.
• He was a teammate of Derrek Lee and Ryan Dempster in Florida.
• Kevin wants to only worry about the things he can control.
• He thinks he can bring a lot to a clubhouse in addition to being a right handed bat off the bench. "Team chemistry is NOT overrated," he said.
• The experience of overcoming the curse in Boston could help Millar in Chicago. The 2005 Red Sox didn't care about everything people said. They just believed they could win the game each night.
• "This whole curse still isn't funny. It's not the love-able loser thing any more," Millar said.
• He thinks that Jim Hendry has done a great job bringing in some good guys this winter. Kevin expects it to be a different situation.
• At this point, he had not had a chance to talk with Lou Piniella, but Millar is looking forward to playing for Sweet Lou.
• Millar seemed like a very friendly, down to earth guy. Personally, I'm rooting for him to make the club.

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

Mid Week Roundup: Dawson's Cap, Cubs Spring Training, Adding to the Bench, and More

A lot has been going on this week around the word of the Chicago Cubs, so let's dive right into it!

Dawson to Enter Hall An Expo
As first reported early this morning by Fred Mitchell of the Tribune, Andre Dawson will enter the National Baseball Hall of fame as a Montreal Expo. The Hawk played 11 years in Montreal, but some of the most memorable years of his career were while sporting blue pinstripes. Andre said at the Cubs' Convention that he would prefer to enter as a Cub, but the Hall makes the final decision. While many Cub fans believe that Dawson should have been granted his wishes, Phil Rogers supports the Hall's decision. He will join Gary Carter as the only players to wear Expo hats on their plaques. Andre told Mitchell that he is disappointed by that decision.

Cubs To Stay In Mesa
It's official. The Chicago Cubs, as expected, made the announcement today that they will keep their Spring Training home in Mesa. Ricketts confirmed the deal to stay in the valley of the sun during an announcement at Arizona Capito today. Cub camp has been located in Arizona since 1952. A proposal that includes 100-plus acres called Wrigleyville West is possible. The Cubs decision is to stay, but this is dependent on a November referendum of voters in Mesa.

Nady Signs With Cubs (Pending Physical)
As posted yesterday, the Cubs are close to adding Xavier Nady to their outfield mix. Nady missed most of 2009 due to Tommy John surgery. The phsical that Xavier has to take could be more than a minor obstacle because of his recent health issues.

Cubs Ink Tracy to Minor League Deal
The Cubs have signed former Arizona D'backs' infielder Chad Tracy to the mix for bench spots in Spring Training. Chad has agreed to a minor league deal that includes an invite to big league camp. Here is some info on Tracy:

• Full Name: Chad Austin Tracy
• B/T: Left/Right
• Drafted: in the 7th round of the 2001 amateur draft
• MLB Debut: April 21, 2004
• Teams: Arizona (2004-'09)
• 2009 Stats: In 98 big league games, he hit .237 with a .306 OBP, 8 HR, and 39 RBIs.
• Career Batting Average: .280 over 6 big league seasons
• Age: 29
• Career Games by Position: 3B (654), 1B (260), RF (47), DH (8), LF (7)

Cubs Avoid Arbitration with Marshall

Cubs' left handed hurler Sean Marshall has agreed to a 2010 contract with the club. The two sides will avoid arbitration. However, the Cubs still have two arb elgible guys that need to be locked up or else they will go to a hearing: Ryan Theriot and Carlos Marmol. Gordon Wittenmer tweets that Marshall will get $950,000 this year. Sean will compete for a spot in the starting rotation this spring.

Sheets Signs With Oakland

The Oakland Athletics have signed Ben Sheets to an $8 million deal. Sheets had been on the Cubs' radar, and many fans think the rehabbing righty would have been a nice add to our rotation. Jon Garland has signed a $4.7 million deal with the Padres, so you can scratch him off the Cubs' list as well.

Notes from Bruce Levine's Chat

Here's the link to Bruce's full chat from Tuesday, and I'll fully recap all the Cub info we gained right here:

• Nady could overtake Kosuke as the starting right fielder, but unless the Cubs get another top of the order hitter it is unlikely that Fukudome will be benched.
• Levine guesses that Milton Bradley will ask to leave the state of Washington by fall.
• Prior management were the ones who dictated large, free agent signings to Hendry. Because of this, the Cubs do not have the money to add a starting pitcher.
• Levine shockingly stated that he'd put his money on Ryan Theriot to be the Opening Day second baseman, with a good shot for Castro to make the team out of Spring Training.
• Lou Piniella loves offense. If the Cubs' struggle to score runs early in the season, Nady will be given a chance in the starting lineup.
• Rick Ankiel did not sign with the Cubs because they couldn't promise him regular playing time after adding Marlon Byrd.
• The Cubs are out of money at this point, and any other deals will most likely be trades.
• Jim Hendry will now turn his attention to the bullpen. A deal with San Diego for Luke Gregerson seems like a possibility.
• Anything Carlos Silva does for the Cubs will be a bonus.
• Even if Castro makes the team, putting him at the top of the order would be too much pressure for a 20 year old rookie.
• Nady can play first base, so Hoffpauir could be on the bubble. Sam Fuld's status may also be affected by the signing.
• Chad Tracy could be a plus because he is a left handed bat, and it is only a minor league contract. He may steal Hoffpauir's spot on the roster.
• Jeff Gray and Esmalin Caridad will be in the mix as right handed set-up men, but Levine thinks Gregerson or Frasor would be better.
• Strikeouts remain a problem for Hak-Ju Lee, but he is certainly on the fast track to the big leagues right now.
• The Cubs do not have the money to sign Chan Ho Park.
• Brett Jackson should be playing in the majors at some point.
• The Padres have interest in getting Angel Guzman in return for Gregerson.
• Guzman has a great arm and good stuff, but injuries are an issue.
• Lou's future with the Cubs depends on the first couple months of this season.
• Levine likes Randy Wells and his attitude. Wells is still eager to prove he belongs as a starting pitcher in the big leagues.
• More announcements regarding improvements to Wrigley Field are expected to come in the near future.
• When/if Lilly, Ramirez, and Lee leave, the Cubs will have $60M to spend on other guys.
• Luke Gregerson could close if Marmol has a wild spell this season.
• Josh Vitters is at least a year away.
• The Ricketts family really love Derrek Lee. It is possible that he will sign an extension during the season.
• Ryan Dempster will not return to closing in any situation. The Cubs are paying him to be in the rotation.

And lastly, former Cub Rich Hill has signed minor league deal with the division rival St. Louis Cardinals. The deal includes an invite to Spring Training in Florida.

That's it for now, but we'll see if the business of this week continues! I'll keep you posted!