Piniella: Zambrano will start the opener

by neonverse1 on Jan 18, 2007 6:59 PM CST

http://www.cubs.com

Carrie Muskat has written another article. In it she outlines the following points:

"Big Z" will start on opening day, 2007.
Center field is still, of course, open.
As many as eight guys will compete for five spots in the rotation. Wood is not one of them.
Piniella will stress "fundamentals."
The Cubs will put in long hours in Mesa.
A player who misses the 25-man roster but performs well probably will be called up later.

All of this (except for CF) sounds good to me, but what does BCB think?

It should be an interesting weekend at the Convention/Cubbie Love Fest. I'll admire it all from afar.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Zambrano for the opener??

Duh

Spendry!!!

by mrcubsfan on Jan 18, 2007 7:01 PM CST reply actions

I know

I was banking on Prior. Just kidding, of course!

All we are saying... is give Pie a chance

by neonverse1 on Jan 18, 2007 7:07 PM CST reply actions

Point 6...

... appears to address the Felix Pie situation directly, without mentioning him by name.

by Al Yellon on Jan 18, 2007 7:41 PM CST reply actions

You think...

Pie will miss the 25-man roster?

UZI

Carrie Muskat - HOF-2026

by Ozgreeder on Jan 18, 2007 8:08 PM CST up reply actions

Good question.

If he wins the starting job, he'll be on the roster, obviously.

If he doesn't, I don't see the point in having him sit on the bench in Chicago. He should be playing every day, whether it's in Iowa or for the Cubs.

by Al Yellon on Jan 18, 2007 8:12 PM CST up reply actions

If he wins the starting job,

he'll be on the roster, obviously...

lol

Check out my daily baseball blog at MLB-threeSIXTYfive

by TheBeerBaron on Jan 19, 2007 10:26 AM CST up reply actions

the same thing went through my head

when i read that

DON'T TRADE PIE!

by kylejo on Jan 19, 2007 6:06 PM CST up reply actions

Angel Guzman as the fifth starter

(crosses fingers)

by VS on Jan 18, 2007 8:02 PM CST reply actions

Are you serious?

Or are you being sarcastic? I mean, I hope Guzman succeeds, but based on his past performances/melt-downs, I'm not so sure. We'll see, though.

UZI

Carrie Muskat - HOF-2026

by Ozgreeder on Jan 18, 2007 8:08 PM CST up reply actions

I'd rather have...

...him and Marshall in the 4 and 5 spots, than Marquis and anybody.

Damn, I'm on my Marquis kick again.

PTBNL!

by gravedigger on Jan 18, 2007 8:11 PM CST up reply actions

Yes, you are.

Guzman had a worse year than Marquis last year. I'm skeptical.

by Al Yellon on Jan 18, 2007 8:12 PM CST up reply actions

I'm skeptical of both as well,

BUT Guzman just looked absolutely lost last year. I'll play the devil's advocate and say that Marquis was just having a crap-season.

UZI

Carrie Muskat - HOF-2026

by Ozgreeder on Jan 18, 2007 8:18 PM CST up reply actions

Well...

Remember when you said you thought Angel Guzman would never through a pitch in the majors? :)

He has now.

I hope he proves you wrong again.

"I don't talk. I just let what I do talk for myself." -Johan Santana

by sparkles721 on Jan 18, 2007 8:22 PM CST up reply actions

Oh God.

I meant THROW! Not through.

"I don't talk. I just let what I do talk for myself." -Johan Santana

by sparkles721 on Jan 18, 2007 8:23 PM CST up reply actions

I knew what you meant.

Hey, I'd love to be wrong about Guzman. Four years ago he was supposed to be next in line after Wood, Prior, Zambrano.

Well, he's followed Wood and Prior, anyway, right onto the DL.

by Al Yellon on Jan 18, 2007 8:27 PM CST up reply actions

Really?

He went on the DL? I totally do not remember that. I know he has injury problems though, so he probably went on the minor league DL at some point.

"I don't talk. I just let what I do talk for myself." -Johan Santana

by sparkles721 on Jan 18, 2007 8:29 PM CST up reply actions

At least...

...Guzman has potential.

PTBNL!

by gravedigger on Jan 18, 2007 8:32 PM CST up reply actions

Not in 2006, he didn't.

Just most of the previous three years.

by Al Yellon on Jan 18, 2007 8:36 PM CST up reply actions

Rich Hill

too!

Here's to a new year!!

by santo for prez on Jan 20, 2007 1:35 PM CST up reply actions

I hope that many Cubs...

prove me wrong this season. Whether Guzman or Marquis or Prior or (fill in blank) end up playing to their full potential is something that will be seen.

UZI

Carrie Muskat - HOF-2026

by Ozgreeder on Jan 18, 2007 8:26 PM CST up reply actions

Indeed...

the subject of Marquis is a dead horse, BUT his acquisition is still troublesome. BTW, is he going to be at the Convention?

UZI

Carrie Muskat - HOF-2026

by Ozgreeder on Jan 18, 2007 8:16 PM CST up reply actions

According to...

... this page, no, he's not.

Come to think of it, has there even been an official announcement of the signing? I don't seem to remember a press conference with Marquis.

by Al Yellon on Jan 18, 2007 8:21 PM CST up reply actions

I don't believe so...

He's listed on the roster, but there's no record of an official announcement. That's kind of odd...

UZI

Carrie Muskat - HOF-2026

by Ozgreeder on Jan 18, 2007 8:23 PM CST up reply actions

They're Afraid. Very afraid.

n/t

Coming Soon: The Martha Stewart Collection's Mark Prior "Signature" Towel ...

by Littlerock Rynofan on Jan 18, 2007 10:46 PM CST up reply actions

His upside is infinitely higher than Marquis

And part of his struggles were due to an unaturally high BABIP. ZIPS projects Guzman to be better than Marquis next season, and PECOTA gives him a 45% chance to breakout, the highest among any pitcher who pitched in the majors last season, if I'm not mistaken. His velocity was back to normal at the end of the season and he is having a great winter, so I'm very optimistic. Here's hoping the Cubs give him a shot.

by VS on Jan 18, 2007 9:23 PM CST up reply actions

What?

Zambrano is going to start?!? I was hoping for Jason Marquis to be the opening day starter. That would be a great surprise for everyone.

Plus, Carlos doesn't like opening day starts based on past performance. That disappoints me, and he better not screw up badly again this year. Actually, if he has a great season I don't care if he loses opening day.

"I don't talk. I just let what I do talk for myself." -Johan Santana

by sparkles721 on Jan 18, 2007 8:32 PM CST reply actions

Grrrrrrr...

Don't even hint at that! You'll be the one to have to clean up my brain matter when my head explodes.

PTBNL!

by gravedigger on Jan 18, 2007 8:33 PM CST up reply actions

I can do that.

I was joking obviously because if he started I think I would hate Lou.

"I don't talk. I just let what I do talk for myself." -Johan Santana

by sparkles721 on Jan 18, 2007 10:50 PM CST up reply actions

"I was hoping for Jason Marquis ..."

Sparkles ...? Are you taking Blue Mike pills? The next thing we're gonna hear is how you think Cesar Izturis is the future of Cubs' baseball ...

Y'all--have fun at the Convention! We'll be iced in here in Little Rock.

Coming Soon: The Martha Stewart Collection's Mark Prior "Signature" Towel ...

by Littlerock Rynofan on Jan 18, 2007 10:46 PM CST up reply actions

Projected score...

of the first game based upon the last two years:
26-4. Cubs win.

UZI

Carrie Muskat - HOF-2026

by Ozgreeder on Jan 18, 2007 8:34 PM CST reply actions

Z gets ejected...

in the sixth.

UZI

Carrie Muskat - HOF-2026

by Ozgreeder on Jan 18, 2007 8:34 PM CST up reply actions

That's right...

...the Cubs have really dominated opening day lately.

PTBNL!

by gravedigger on Jan 18, 2007 8:36 PM CST up reply actions

But in those seasons...

they have had a complete meltdown soon thereafter. Strange as it may seem, I'm hoping we get blown out in Game 1 and then beat the hell out of everyone for the rest of the season.

UZI

Carrie Muskat - HOF-2026

by Ozgreeder on Jan 18, 2007 8:38 PM CST up reply actions

True enough

Maybe that's all they need.

PTBNL!

by gravedigger on Jan 18, 2007 8:39 PM CST up reply actions

Let's start...

... by NOT scoring 16 runs on Opening Day. That's been a bad omen.

by Al Yellon on Jan 18, 2007 8:40 PM CST up reply actions

Score 17!

PTBNL!

by gravedigger on Jan 18, 2007 8:41 PM CST up reply actions

That works for me...

... as long as we don't give up 18!

by Al Yellon on Jan 18, 2007 8:42 PM CST up reply actions

As long as...

...Marquis isn't the starter, that should be avoidable.

;)

PTBNL!

by gravedigger on Jan 18, 2007 8:43 PM CST up reply actions

Touché

n/t

by Al Yellon on Jan 18, 2007 8:44 PM CST up reply actions

Z throws a no-hitter...

and is promptly ejected from the 18-0 game after roundhouse-kicking Adam Dunn in the chest in a fit of joy.

UZI

Carrie Muskat - HOF-2026

by Ozgreeder on Jan 18, 2007 8:46 PM CST up reply actions

Oh, c'mon.

Let him kick Ryan Freel. Freel deserves it more.

by Al Yellon on Jan 18, 2007 8:49 PM CST up reply actions

Freel it is...

but it's an uppercut.

UZI

Carrie Muskat - HOF-2026

by Ozgreeder on Jan 18, 2007 8:53 PM CST up reply actions

BTW,

Al, Due's is unbelievable. My first Chicago deep-dish was everything I hoped it would be. Now for Irish pubs and possible Mark Grace sightings. He was in Kitty O'Shea's earlier tonight, but I'm too lazy to go downstairs and harass him.

UZI

Carrie Muskat - HOF-2026

by Ozgreeder on Jan 18, 2007 8:55 PM CST up reply actions

Oh, come on!

We need a first-hand report!

by Al Yellon on Jan 18, 2007 9:05 PM CST up reply actions

I'm headed down...

in about ten minutes. We'll see what trouble I can get into.

UZI

Carrie Muskat - HOF-2026

by Ozgreeder on Jan 18, 2007 9:07 PM CST up reply actions

Why does Z...

have to be ejected?

He's not supposed to do that anymore.

"I don't talk. I just let what I do talk for myself." -Johan Santana

by sparkles721 on Jan 18, 2007 10:52 PM CST up reply actions

It's necessary for

the assumed validity of the story.

UZI

Carrie Muskat - HOF-2026

by Ozgreeder on Jan 18, 2007 11:05 PM CST up reply actions

Cub Sighting!!

Matt Murton trying to get on the elevator only to be heckled by yours truly saying, "Platoon, my ass!"

UZI

Carrie Muskat - HOF-2026

by Ozgreeder on Jan 18, 2007 11:08 PM CST reply actions

Seriously?

What'd he say? Anything?

Did you follow it up: "You don't need to stinkin' platoon. You're Matt-f**king-Murton!!!" If you didn't, I think you should have. I would have thought you cooler.

EINSTEIN!

by tyger1147 on Jan 19, 2007 12:50 AM CST up reply actions

I actually did say...

we don't need no f*** platoon, but left out the "stinkin'" part. I met him last year and told him that if he didn't get as much playing time as possible in left field, it'd be damn shame. He seemed to appreciate it. He's a good 'ol Georgia boy.

Best thing I've ever said to any Cub?

"Wait a second....this isn't Corey Patterson's line? F***!" - to Ryne Sandberg at the convention last year.

UZI

Carrie Muskat - HOF-2026

by Ozgreeder on Jan 19, 2007 8:04 AM CST up reply actions

Fundamentals?

As a Cub fan for 28 years I have forgotten what fundamentals are. Can someone please elaborate?

by whoshotjr on Jan 19, 2007 12:05 AM CST reply actions

Zambrano

I was hoping he wouldn't get the opening day start, because he's proven he can't handle the pressure. I predict he'll throw less than 5 innings before being knocked out.

"Eighty-five percent of the $#@&$ world's working! The other 15 come out here! A %&$&# playground for the $&&*@!"

by danimal15 on Jan 19, 2007 9:57 AM CST reply actions