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Cubs Opening Day Roster Set

Murton and Marshall sent to AAA

Congrats goes out to Piggy.

PITCHERS (12 + 2 D.L.):

21-Jason Marquis, RHP
22-Kevin Hart, RHP
30-Ted Lilly, LHP
32-Jon Lieber, RHP
34-Kerry Wood, RHP
37-Angel Guzman, RHP (60-day DL)
38-Carlos Zambrano, RHP
43-Michael Wuertz, RHP
46-Ryan Dempster, RHP
47-Scott Eyre, LHP (15-day DL)
49-Carlos Marmol, RHP
53-Rich Hill, LHP
62-Bob Howry, RHP
63-Carmen Pignatiello, LHP

CATCHERS (2):

18-Geovany Soto
24-Henry Blanco

INFIELDERS (7):

2-Ryan Theriot
5-Ronny Cedeno
7-Mark DeRosa
16-Aramis Ramirez
17-Mike Fontenot
25-Derrek Lee
33-Daryle Ward

OUTFIELDERS (4):

1-Kosuke Fukudome
9-Reed Johnson
12-Alfonso Soriano
20-Felix Pie

 

 

Full Story at Cubs.com

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080330&content_id=2466602&vkey=pr_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

 

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.

Comment 38 comments  |  2 recs  | 

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Not bad

Can't wait for tomorrow!

by gjdow on Mar 30, 2008 2:26 PM CDT reply actions  

Either can I !

I just hope they play. Thunder storms in the forecast. I just looked and the good news is the T-Storm aren't expected til 3pm. Yesterday they said expect the weather at noon.

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 30, 2008 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions  

Sort of

surprised that Fontenot made the team since he can only play 2B, but I guess if you anticipate Derosa moving around a lot, Fontenot will get quite a few starts.

by cubswin14 on Mar 30, 2008 3:13 PM CDT reply actions  

He's been playing some SS and 3B...

not very well, mind you. But I guess Piniella trusted Fontenot's bat more than he trusts Patterson's bat. I'm not sure if I agree, but so be it. Hopefully, neither player is depended on for much this year.

And ultimately, we have a lot of versatility with Cedeno and DeRosa, so it's less necessary that Fontenot play all over the place.

by SouthernCub on Mar 30, 2008 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions  

This:

we have a lot of versatility with Cedeno and DeRosa,

is a really good point, one I certainly hadn't considered (though that's not saying much!) in my criticisms of Fontenot's inclusion on the roster.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Mar 30, 2008 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions  

I may be waaay off on this one

I was wondering who the late inning pinch hit power bat would be. I guess it'll all fall on Ward. If Ward PHs for someone like Cedeno then Lou can send Font to the field possition or move DeRosa to fill the spot and send Font out to 2nd if Ward doesnt stay in the game.

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 30, 2008 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions  

Agreed about Fontenot

OVerall this 25 man roster is the one that I would've chosen, with the exception of Fontenot over Patterson. I really wanted Patterson to make this team. But I certainly understand why the Cubs went with Fontenot over Patterson.

by lemon20pie on Mar 30, 2008 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions  

Please explain:

I certainly understand why the Cubs went with Fontenot over Patterson.

Because I certainly don't understand it.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Mar 30, 2008 6:05 PM CDT up reply actions  

Because Lou likes Fontenot.

And despite the fact that Patterson apologized for his faux pas of showing up late (twice, and there was more to it than JUST showing up late), I think management isn't enamored of his attitude.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 30, 2008 6:06 PM CDT up reply actions  

I guess,

but I'd rather have bad attitude than bad baseball, though I guess there's a chance I get both with Patterson and only the latter with Fontenot.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Mar 30, 2008 6:32 PM CDT up reply actions  

Just curious Al;

is there something specific you know about Patterson besides his showing up late or is it that he just has a general bad attitude?

by bluekoolaide on Mar 30, 2008 9:02 PM CDT up reply actions  

Yes.

But I can't post it. Suffice to say there were other issues.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 30, 2008 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions  

Or,

Patterson is seen as having more potential and thus needs to be playing everyday somewhere?

by TC Cubby on Mar 30, 2008 8:46 PM CDT up reply actions  

Yeah, Piggy!

Nice to see. Now if Lou could demote Fontenot and bring up E-Patt....

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Mar 30, 2008 3:19 PM CDT reply actions  

That makes too much sense.

Why should Lou keep a guy with blazing speed who can play both 2B and OF when he can keep a guy who can only play 2B (not very well) and be a poor LH PH behind a good LH PH?

(My explanation: Lou has a mancrush on Fonty. Anyone have a better explanation?)

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Mar 30, 2008 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions  

It could be Fonts new mullet.

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 30, 2008 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions  

It is

a pretty kickass mullet. I think this guy

has Fonty beat, though. The shaved 'burns really top it off.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Mar 30, 2008 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions  

HAHA!

This is all funny to me becuase I lost a bet with my friend on the Indy 500 last year and the loser has to sport a mullet this year. I've been growing the mullet for almost 8 months now. My hair is usually cut with a 2 1/2 on the buzz clips but its long all over now. I dont have the business in the front yet though. I'll save the ACTUAL mullet for May 25th.

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 30, 2008 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions  

LOL!

"Business in the front, party in the back"

Classic.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Mar 30, 2008 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions  

I think

Fontenot is going for the retro Mickey Morandini look.

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Mar 30, 2008 9:57 PM CDT up reply actions  

Join that up

with Ryno's porn 'stache

and you have a guy who at least looks like a major league second baseman...

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Mar 30, 2008 10:04 PM CDT up reply actions  

What about Greg Maddux' pornstar stache?

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 31, 2008 4:07 AM CDT up reply actions  

HAA!

He looks like a pirate!

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Apr 1, 2008 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions  

What about Haufpauer?

I know there was no room for him on the roster, but it seems to me we are 1 outfielder shy and 1 too many infielders. I know in spring training Haufpauer played some right field. His bat is awesome! I am afraid he is going to be traded. Being behind Lee is tough, but this guy has been awesome! Your thoughts?

by cubbiesrule on Mar 30, 2008 4:24 PM CDT reply actions  

Because he sucks at D even worse than Murton does

And we already have a LF power hitter who does that - Ward.

by gjdow on Mar 30, 2008 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions  

I was wondering the same thing

about only having 4 outfielders. But DeRosa and Ward can play out there and I think I remember seeing Cedeno out there a few times last year. I wouldnt mind seeing Hoffs bat on the bench though.

Poor Matty Murton....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 30, 2008 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions  

PH only?

I forgot about DeRosa being able to play RF. I would still like to see Hoff be strictly a PH. I still think he will be traded along with Murton, Marshall and Gallager. BTW, Prior will win 10 games this year. All of these guys will have decent careers but not with the Cubs. Oh well, lets go to war with what we have and enjoy the season! Go Cubbies!

by cubbiesrule on Mar 30, 2008 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions  

How in holy hell

would Prior even possibly win 10 games? He won't pitch even in a minor league game until June, as the Padres have just placed him on the 60-day DL. Figure, bare-minimum, 3-4 starts in the inors, that puts him roughly to late Jun, early July. Given that the Padres put him straight into the rotation post All-Star break, he'll have a shot at 13-16 starts. If he wins 10, he's in Jake Peavy, Brandon Webb territory. That's just not going to happen. I don't see Prior getting a major league start this year, let alone a win.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Mar 30, 2008 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions  

Like the roster...for now

I doubt Hendry is done tinkering with the roster. Maybe he swings a deal in the near future for a utility infielder, with Murton the principal bait. Cedeno AND Fontenot coming off the bench is weak. Too weak for a playoff caliber team.

by MDBNIU on Mar 30, 2008 7:38 PM CDT reply actions  

Agreed

The best pinch-hitter in the National League last season was available as a free agent, and nobody around here wanted him.

"My bed is pulling me, gravity, daysleeper. Daaaysleeper."

by markleonette on Mar 30, 2008 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions  

Yeah, I can't believe nobody picked up Neifi.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by daver on Mar 31, 2008 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions  

25th man always a topic of great debate

Fontenot earned the spot with a good spring and hot June last year. In a way he does offer the club the flexibility to PH when Theriot or Cedeno are in the game or allowing Piniella to use the double switch with the pitcher by moving DeRosa over to SS and bringing in Fonty for a late inning sub. Then Cedeno or Theriot could PH (whomever is on the bench ) and DeRosa could move back to 2B.

More importantly the Cubs went north with 12 pitchers....Marshall went to AAA and Murton to a holding pattern...(in case of injury break red haired glass),

Cubs still need a better SS utility player and look to improve by subtracting Marquis from the club.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Mar 30, 2008 8:51 PM CDT reply actions  

I'm glad

that Marshall will get a chance to start regularly in Triple-A. Overall probably better for his development than pitching maybe once or twice a week for Chicago.

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Mar 30, 2008 9:58 PM CDT reply actions  

Yep.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Mar 30, 2008 10:04 PM CDT up reply actions  

Matt Murton

has been my favorite player since his first call-up, and i'm telling you hes a damn good hitter. It seems clear though that Lou wants as many guys as possible that can play multiple positions (cedeno, dero, fukudome, ward, etc.), and I don't think we've been this versatile in a long time - hopefully fontenot is replaced at some point by hoff if he becomes a better fielder cuz he can crush it

Soriano a lo profuuundo-NO-NO-NO-NO! (Spanish for "Soriano hits a home run!)

by CubbyBlues on Mar 30, 2008 11:31 PM CDT reply actions  

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