Pagan and Cherry sent to minors with Prior

by CA Cub Fan on Mar 29, 2007 10:28 AM CDT

A simple one liner at the bottom of the Prior article states that Pagan and Cherry were optioned to Iowa yesterday.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070328&content_id=1864295&vkey=spt2007new s&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

This is interesting for several reasons...it looks like Weurtz wins a bullpen spot, Guzman will be the long relief pen guy, and Pagan won't make the club or be traded. I was under the assumption that Pagan would have to clear waivers to be sent down but this does not appear to be the case since there was no mention of that. Maybe he already cleared?!?! Not sure what is up here. I am glad we are keeping him though b/c he does have value.

BTW- AAA should have a very solid rotation:

Prior, Mateo, Marmol, Marshall, and Wells

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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I also thought

that Pagan had to clear waivers before going down. Maybe he has an option year left?

by bleacher on Mar 29, 2007 11:14 AM CDT reply actions

The article says...

... Pagan was optioned, so he must have an option year left.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 29, 2007 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Cotts

would have sent him down before Pagan and Cherry. IMO one week without having a true outfield defensive replacement and Pagan will be back.

DmL

by dmlichte on Mar 29, 2007 11:17 AM CDT reply actions

I suspect...

that Theriot will be making frequent outfield appearances early in the season. This could work out okay, but I would have kept Pagan with the club as well.

by Damen Jackson on Mar 29, 2007 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions

So would I...

.... especially with the two off-days the first two weeks. If the starters can go deep into games (and we sure hope they do!) -- Guzman's going to sit on the bench and rot.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 29, 2007 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions

Guzman

He may indeed rot on the bench. On the other hand, if Piniella is adept at using the bullpen, Guzman could be really valuable. One of my main criticisms of Dusty Baker was that he just had no idea about the concept of a long reliever. The Cubs would either be up big or down big with the Cubs starter struggling to make it through five or six innings. Dusty would invariably use three or four relievers when one would suffice.

So with Ted Lilly and Wade Miller quite likely being five or six inning starters, Angel Guzman could see a game or two a week where he's going two to four innings. This would really save the rest of the pen.

DmL

by dmlichte on Mar 29, 2007 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Ah, but...

... I think the starters, including Miller and Lilly, will be six-plus inning starters. Thus, with Howry, Eyre, Dempster, Wuertz, Ohman available for the 7th, 8th and 9th, where exactly does Guzman fit in?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 29, 2007 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions

That won't happen every game

So hopefully, Guzman will be able to get some work.

I still think that he should be pitching in AAA.

by gjdow on Mar 29, 2007 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions

He fits in

in the 4th inning, after Marquis gives up 6 runs after 3 1/3 innings.

Sorry Al. I gotta keep chirping about Marquis until he shuts me up, which I hope he does.

One day, the dream will come true.

by brianp88 on Mar 29, 2007 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions

I heard Lou's plan..

...for the first couple of starts is to limit his pitchers to 75-80 pitches though (unless they are looking really strong). Must be the reason for having more pitchers to start the season.

Here's to a new year!!

by santo for prez on Mar 29, 2007 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions