Gallagher to the bullpen...Huh?
by TheRiot Police on Jun 29, 2008 10:56 PM CDT
Email
PrintIn this article...
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cs-080629-pitchers-chicago-cubs,0,5859396.story
Lou is quoted as saying that he would not mind having Gallagher's arm in the bullpen? Does that mean Marshall stays? Does that mean Gallagher goes to the bullpen if another starter is acquired. Interesting stuff...
Lou's reason for wanting another power arm in the bullpen does not sound like a vote confidence in Howry or Marmol. I think with Howry and Marmol and if Pedro can stick around, they have the power arm thing in the bullpen taken care of.
The only thing that i can think of is that maybe Lou thinks that the League will catch up with Sean and that until he develops a third pitch he is more effective in the relief role.
Discuss away
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.
46 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Interesting
I’d like to think Lou’s anticipating another starter being acquired but I think it’s still probably too early for that so, yeah, I think it’s probably based more on his understandably low opinion of the bullpen right now.
Ugh
For the sake of their trade values and having spot starters ready, both Gallagher and Marshall should be starting regardless whether of it’s here or in Iowa. I hope Lou’s not thinking this in terms of right now, though from that quote it sounds like he is.
Now IF they somehow manage to swing a deal for a good starter (and I mean a difference maker, not Randy Wolf or some other schmuck not even worth going for) without moving Gallagher, maybe they should try him in the pen but to be honest I really don’t see how that would happen. To get quality, you have to move at least perceived quality and Gallagher’s the Cubs’ best trade bait.
I have more confidence...
In Gallagher and/or Marshall that I do w/Marquis.
Marshall ahd a qual. start 2/last nite and his issues are pitch selection 2nd time arround….BUT…he threw 95 in 7 innings last night….the Cubs could use a lotta that from the 3rd starter….that’s all fixable w/ ssome coaching…...and a 2nd southpaw starter ….
I was harsh on people wanting “Madux back” last night…..it kinda makes sense if Maddux asks out in San Diego...and he’s had “on the cheap” (talent wise).....
Dempster is way more than I or anyone expected…..concerned about him gettting “tired” as the season goes on…..
Geting the offense bacck would make a lot of this ddiscusssion “go away”...
The best defense is a good offense
This pisses me off.
It makes no sense to put Gallagher in the bullpen when he’s been the third best starting pitcher we have in this rotation, thus far.
If the kid struggles in the rotation, of course you would think about it.
The power arm bullshit is beyond idoitic. How Gallagher can be considered to go to the bullpen, and Marquis keeps pitching every 5th day, infuriates me.
Absolute bullshit.
My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!
Lets not freak out
Gallagher is still in the rotation, and going to start against the Giants this week. No move has been made yet so there’s no reason to say absolute bullshit or anything like that yet. I can’t even count how many things Lou has thought out loud about, and everyone overreacts and takes it as fact. So please wait to give these type of reacts when the move actually happens. But like it or not, Marquis is going to be in the rotation, unless he’s completely awful. Marquis being 6-4 with a 4.96 era with the money he make isn’t bad enough to lose his rotation spot. Yes Gallagher and Marshall could probably outpitch Marquis right now, but things aren’t equal between Marquis and those guys because of the money issue. It’s bullshit but thats just how baseball works, no team would take Marquis out of their rotation with the money he makes and the production he’s given so far. Personally I would be very upset if Gallagher gets taken out of the rotation. But I’m not going to worry about that happening until Lou offically makes that move. Hopefully Sean Marshall goes down to the minors when Zambrano returns and the rotation is what it was a few weeks ago.
No one is over reacting to anything.
But the power pitcher thought is still bullshit. It makes no sense. You have enough damn power arms in the bullpen, and yet some of them still don’t get the job done. Also, Gallagher was awful as an reliever, so if it isn’t broke why even think about moving him out?
Stupid thought.
My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!
This is just Lou thinking out loud.
He probably shouldn’t do that. Read the whole quote:
“We have to make a decision on who leaves the rotation [upon Zambrano’s return],” Piniella said before Sunday’s game. “My initial thought was to put a nice young arm like [ Sean] Gallagher in the bullpen and let him help out with some power. I like power bullpens. I always have. But let’s see how Sean Marshall pitches. Marshall has to get some people out too. That’s another consideration.”
The more important thing in that article is that it confirms that the Cubs are after starting pitching.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Considering Gallagher's habit of running high pitch counts and reaching the 6th at 100+ already
I could see why they would consider him in the pen.
He typically doesn’t allow too many runs early in his starts… but he throws a TON of pitches.
So, if we acquire a real top quality starter and guys have to get moved around… I understand the logic. Not only do we need another starter, but we need another quality pen arm to go along with Marmol and Wood. Howry isn’t getting it done this year at all. And the rest of the pen is crud… aside for the lefties who are there to get the L to L matchup.
I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008
What in that quote "confirms" the Cubs are after starting pitching? I don't see it.
Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager
The quote doesn't.
The rest of the article does. Read my comment again, that’s what I said.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Also, thanks for posting that whole quote, it kind of changes the meaning of the story as written in the original post.
Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager
How was my paraphrasing different
than the actual quote. I said nothing that was not also in the article that I referenced.
"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey
by TheRiot Police on Jun 30, 2008 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions
When I read your post I thought, "Gallagher is going to the bullpen."
When Al quoted it verbatim, I thought, “Oh, Lou is thinking out loud about who might move to the bullpen.”
Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager
I did not intend it to be definitive...
"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey
by TheRiot Police on Jun 30, 2008 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions
I can see that by the body of your post.
But the title implied otherwise.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Roger that....
"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey
by TheRiot Police on Jun 30, 2008 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed Al
And it’s not as if Lou can say, “yeah, we’ll move Gallagher to the pen unless we can find a taker for Marquis, which we’re clearly trying to do.”
Agreed.
At least Z will be back on Friday. That’ll help.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Yup.
Could use one a bit sooner though IMO. I now nothing is ahppening but I am going to wish for one anyway.
Calm down.
by Kinky Reggae on Jun 30, 2008 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree that
we do need another starter, but its just what Big Z “jokingly” said,
“We don’t need another starter, we need CC Sabathia. Just kidding.”
Sure you were…
I think my favorite uncle was Uncle Caveman. We called him that because he lived in a cave and would eat one of us. We then realized he was a bear.
by deepthoughtsbyjackhandey on Jun 30, 2008 9:28 AM CDT reply actions
Gallagher been doing fine in the rotation
I wouldn’t mess with something that is going well, however, with Marmol struggling it might not be a bad idea.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jun 30, 2008 9:47 AM CDT reply actions
I wouldn't say "fine"
i think his last 3 or four starts have been somewhat inconsistent IIRC.
Calm down.
by Kinky Reggae on Jun 30, 2008 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions
I think it's debatable...
...whether Marmol is struggling. His last three appearances have been much better in terms of control. Yeah, he gave up the home run to Quentin, but it wasn’t a terrible pitch and Quentin all but admitted himself that he got somewhat lucky.
That said, I agree that Gallagher should be left in the rotation. As much as I like Sean Marshall, Gallagher has more upside and, therefore, will benefit the team more in the long term by getting more starting experience.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
But has he been that good?
IIRC, he had one great start and the rest have been somewhat lacking a bit. Marshall pitched pretty damn well last night IMO.
Calm down.
by Kinky Reggae on Jun 30, 2008 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions
Well, that's where sample size issues come into play.
Marshall has started two major league games this season. Last night’s outing against the White Sox was good, but his previous one (also against the White Sox) was a little shaky (though not all that bad now that I look at it)—4.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 7 K. Lou obviously pulled him early, but the seven strikeouts was impressive.
Gallagher has started nine games and, yeah, aside from that one great game against the Dodgers on 5/27, he hasn’t had any really outstanding performances. He did, however, have two other quality starts (on 5/16 and 6/19), and several of his other outings were fairly solid. I wouldn’t say he’s looked outright terrible in any of his starts. Well, OK, he looked pretty bad against the Sox on Saturday, but so did Dempster on Friday.
Again, I just think Gallagher’s higher upside qualifies him for more chances at this point.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
To me...
I think he was so good in the Dodger start cause the weather was so condusive to pitching that he felt he could make some mistakes and they would not leave the yard. There were several balls hit hard but because of the wind they stayed in the park.
Gallagher is missing an outpitch. He gets ahead in the count and then can’t put hitters away…i.e. high pitch counts. Until he proves that he can consisently get Major League hitters out with something other than his fastball when he is ahead in the count, then they are going to sit on the Fastball. This is further compounded when he can’t throw the fastball for strikes on the corners and gets to much plate. Likewise, later in the game he starts to lose velocity on his fastball and that makes him even more hittable.
His breaking stuff is okay…but not great by evidenence that he does not get a lot of swings and misses on it when he is ahead. He needs a change up and it would be nice if he could develop a sinker. Also, needs to pitch learn to pitch up and down to change hitters eye level. All of this will come with time. He is just getting it on the fly because Dickie Hill went mental. Who would have thought back in 03 that Zambrano would turn out to be the ace of the staff in 08.
"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey
by TheRiot Police on Jun 30, 2008 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions
If Lou pulls him out of the rotation
He should go to Iowa. Starting pitchers need consistency something as I have
mentioned Lou either does not believe or does not care. You will NOT make him
a better or reliable starter by sticking him the bullpen to only emerge when the Cubs
are in some kind of blow out which is what he does with a guy like that.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on Jun 30, 2008 12:44 PM CDT reply actions
Let's just C.C.
what happens with Sabathia and demote Marquis.
BTW, first post ever. Long time reader, but needed to throw my 2 cents in.
Well, thanks for joining.
Now how ‘bout making your second post an explanation of how the Cubs can “demote” Marquis?
Nanika Ga Okoru!
geez daver
cut him some slack, he’s new here.
Okay 1060, I stuck up for you, now answer the f*$kin question. ;)
j/k, I would guess a demotion for Marquis would be considered anything besides being a part of the starting rotation. If that means mop up work out of the pen, a trade, dfa’d, whatever. And I’m all for it.
I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. - Robert McCloskey
LOL, yeah, sorry if I came across as cross, 1060.
To be honest, I would love if the Cubs could demote Marquis to the bullpen – or maybe bench duties as a designated bunter/pinch runner (half-joking). But it probably won’t happen.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
I often daydream...
...about making Marquis the most perfect superutility player, ala Brooks Kieschnick. He hits! He runs! He fields! He pitches!
Sadly, it won’t happen.
Here's how it would have to work.
Marquis would have to be designated for assignment. He would immediately be removed from the 40 man roster and placed on waivers. Teams would then have a chance to claim him off waivers.
If he clears waivers – and he would almost certainly clear waivers – the Cubs have two options. One, they could place him on assignment with a minor-league team (that’s why it’s called designated for assignment). Marquis, however, can refuse an optional assignment to the minors; realistically the only way he’d waive that right is if the Cubs guarantee certain performance incentives in his contract, in other words paying him to do so.
If he refuses the assignment – and he almost certainly would, barring payment – he could be given his outright release. The Cubs would owe him the entire rest of his contract, minus the prorated league minimum if another team signs him.
If the Cubs don't want to eat his salary, he'd make a fine PR/PH/mop-up guy for Lou to use without burning someone more useful on the bench.
Just to kind of agree with your daydream up there. I’d love to see that.
Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager
Wrong word
I quess I’m not much of a linguist, I meant send him to the pen to pull some Lieber-like duty.
I have WAY more confidence in Gallagher over Marshall (and Marquis in the longer-term)
This is a curious development in my estimation.
GET Rich Harden !!! 11 starts, 5-0, 57 IP, 83 Ks, 2.15 ERA !!!
It's not a development.
Try reading the article and the thread a little more closely.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
Cubs By The Numbers
Cubs By The Numbers is a history of the ballclub by uniform number, but the biographies help trace the history of our beloved team in a new way. For everyone who's a Cubs fan, anyone who ever wore the uniform is like family. Cubs By The Numbers reintroduces readers to some of their long-lost ancestors, even ones they think they already know.
Click here to order your copy, available now!
Recent Stories in Ticket Exchanges
Baseball Nation Recent Stories
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Marlins agree to unretire No. 5 for Logan Morrison, who will honor his father’s favorite player
- Weatherman Derek Holland does Dallas TV
- Ask Alex: Will Julio Teheran or Matt Moore win rookie of the year?
- Ku Klux Klan, umpires and bowling: Why the minor leagues tossed out Jim Evans academy
- The Cardinals Hall of Fame can now be found at Bill Clinton’s library in Arkansas (Huh?)
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
