Which pitcher goes?
Is there really ANY mystery which pitcher should be shed to get back to a 12 man staff? Michael Wuertz ! He has been terrible all season long. His slider just begs to be hit. And if his slider isn't getting tattoed then he is walking people like crazy.
The pen should be....Wood, Marmol, Howry, Gaudin, Lieber, Cotts, Marshall. Figure out what to do with Scott Eyre when he is ready to come off the DL.
Bye bye Michael Wuertz.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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Proof today
Bye bye Michael Wuertz. Proof in the game today in the 4th inning.
by pickupman21 on Jul 10, 2008 2:54 PM CDT 0 recs
Congrats, MDBNIU
The Cubs did get Rich Harden. I don’t know if the Cubs would have to release Wuertz or have the option to send him to Iowa. At any rate, he’s the guy I would choose to remove. The Cubs already have enough righties in the pen. I hope the Cubs can get another good healthy lefty reliever to go along with Cotts. Eyre does not appear to be that guy.
P.S., Aren’t you glad you didn’t have to give your left (well, you know) as part of the deal to get Harden?
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
by memphiscub on Jul 10, 2008 2:59 PM CDT 0 recs
Marshall
There’s not much you can do with Wuertz; he’s been so good in the past that you can’t just give up and DFA him now.
Marshall can be optioned. Send him to AAA and keep him pitching every 5th day so you have a backup plan.
by Wreckard on Jul 10, 2008 3:01 PM CDT 0 recs
NO!!
You have to get rid of Weurtz. This guy is awful more proof in today’s game. he can’t throw strikes and when he does they are right over the heart of the plate. His slider isn’t moving close to the amount it has in the past. keep marshall get rid of Weurtz.
by cubs on
Jul 10, 2008 3:38 PM CDT
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Ya get wuertz out of town, he is a bum who has no part on this team other than mop up man
"This is why Major League Baseball does not need instant replay, because then every single play will then be reviewed." -- Joe Morgan, 5/18/08, referring to an umpire ruling a Carlos Delgado homerun foul when replays showed it hit the foul pole.
by CubsBall2202 on Jul 10, 2008 3:49 PM CDT 0 recs
Let me hop on the "anti-Wuertz" bandwagon
He’s definitely the weakest link. I’d love to see Hendry actually get a body for him though-I know that the Tigers were interested a couple of months ago-I wonder if the’re still that desperate for bullpen help.
by bluekoolaide on Jul 10, 2008 4:44 PM CDT 0 recs
Package deal...
Wuertz, Marqius and cash (if necessary) for Maddux! Who’s with me!!!
by socalicubsfan on
Jul 10, 2008 5:00 PM CDT
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Nope. Cubs have a plethora of good starters now.
Maddox doesn’t fit anywhere. I would certainly try to trade Wuertz, but I would send Marshall down before DFA-ing Wuertz. Trade him anywhere but ST. Loius. With his history, if we traded him to Dave Duncan and the Cards he’d end up winning the Cy Young in two years…
by Archie on
Jul 11, 2008 9:06 AM CDT
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Ummm...
How about Maddux takes Marquis’ spot?
Current temperature in hell: 45 degrees F - and falling!
by wnielsen on
Jul 11, 2008 10:00 AM CDT
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I'd be with you,
it’s just that the pads won’t be with you…
Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.
by blackhawk24 on
Jul 11, 2008 9:06 AM CDT
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because of one
relief appearance?
He didn’t do any worse than any other Cubs pitcher today.
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on
Jul 10, 2008 7:15 PM CDT
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In fact, did better
He gave up hits to the first 2 batters he faced. Allow him some nerves. then shut the door on the next 6 batters (I think)
by patron on
Jul 11, 2008 8:49 AM CDT
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Yep, based on the box score at least...
...Gaudin was arguably the best pitcher. Sure, that’s not saying much when every Cubs pitcher gave up at least one home run, but he seemed to settle down nicely. I’m sorry, but the mere idea of releasing him is ridiculous.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
by dat cubfan daver on
Jul 11, 2008 9:30 AM CDT
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Are all you guys crazy
Release Gaudin…he was the steal in the trade. He is 25, has good stuff. You guys want to crucify him for giving up a homerun on the day that the wind was blowing out and it was his first appearance at wrigley.
If Marshall is not going to start for the Big Club, send him to Iowa. His value to this team is starting not being a situational lefty in the bullpen. He does not have the stuff for that kind of role. Eyre will be back in a week anyway so Marshall would be going down then anyway.
Marquis is going to stay unless they can trade him…plain and simple. Deal with it. He will traded in the offseason for some broken maple bats and used cups..
Everyone…back away from the ledge. This was a slugfest today and we got outslugged.
"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey
by TheRiot Police on Jul 10, 2008 5:09 PM CDT 0 recs
LSA.
This pretty much sums up my current viewpoint as well. I’d rather see Marshall as the No. 5 but, as long as Marquis wears a Cubs uniform, I think he’ll be in the rotation. Sean’s been patient – he’ll just have to be a little more patient.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
by dat cubfan daver on
Jul 10, 2008 5:36 PM CDT
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+1
"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion
by DTJchris on
Jul 10, 2008 8:38 PM CDT
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I agree, but
He did a fine job as a situational lefty.
Better it seems than Eyre and Cotts.
If he is not going to be the #5 this year,
why waste his talent in Iowa? He’ll have plenty of time to stretch out over the winter.
by patron on
Jul 11, 2008 8:51 AM CDT
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Nope.
You can’t think about Marshall with tunnel vision. You have to look towards the future. If Marshall will be of any use to us in the future – whether as trade bait or as a Cub – it will be as a starter. Continue to develop him towards that, not towards a lefty specialist out of the bullpen. He will develop far more as a starter in Iowa, than as a bullpen reliever here.
by Archie on
Jul 11, 2008 9:09 AM CDT
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LSA2
Gaudin is the insurance policy if Harden goes down. Looking at it this way the Cubs traded Gallagher + misc pieces for Gaudin and the chance Harden and Z become the best 1-2 punch in all MLB.
Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.
by blackhawk24 on
Jul 11, 2008 9:07 AM CDT
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Lou's press conference
Lou said it’s goofy to be hangin’ with 13 pitchers. But he also said that will probably continue to be the case until after the All Star break.
Certainly there has to be a market for Michael Wuertz. Surely we can get a used infield rake for him. Maybe even a rosin bag in near mint condition.
Rich Harden Fever, Catch It !!!!!!!!!!
by MDBNIU on Jul 10, 2008 5:13 PM CDT 0 recs
his numbers
Especally career wise. Are not that bad. Can’t we fool someone? I mean we got a live arm for Ohmen,
Wuertz is surely more valuable than that.?.
by patron on
Jul 11, 2008 8:52 AM CDT
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Good point!
If Senor Scowl got a player back in trade, Wuertz should at least be worth a halfway decent prospect or two.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
by dat cubfan daver on
Jul 11, 2008 9:32 AM CDT
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After today...
... my guess is that Lieber might get released.
Barring that, Wuertz, despite his poor day today, may have some trade value. We’ll see.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jul 10, 2008 5:42 PM CDT 0 recs
Gaudin makes Leiber expendable
I can see that before I can see Wuertz. Leiber has been a complete non-factor this season.
by Wreckard on
Jul 10, 2008 5:57 PM CDT
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Agreed
I saw him today leaving the stadium with his 3 kids. Actually I think the Cubs will do good to him and give him to a team where he can innings.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on
Jul 10, 2008 7:28 PM CDT
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and despite what Bozo says above
Wuertz DOES have trade value.
OT——while jogging today I stopped by Wrigley and saw Gaudin and Harden taking a cab home/hotel. I wonder where they stay, Ill assume they rent a apt nearby soon for the remainder of the season
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on
Jul 10, 2008 7:29 PM CDT
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Maybe they could crash at your place.
Just don’t make Harden sleep on the floor. He could wake up with a stiff shoulder or something.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
by dat cubfan daver on
Jul 10, 2008 8:17 PM CDT
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ha, he can have the bed...
my GF is watchin a lame ass movie and ignoring me so I could get her initials on the lease without her even knowing!!!
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on
Jul 10, 2008 8:39 PM CDT
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together?
think they’re odd-couple-ish?
Daaah-DAH dah-dah-dahdah-dah daaah-DAH…
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on
Jul 10, 2008 10:53 PM CDT
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Hm, seeing Lieber get released would be kinda sad.
On the plus side, the Cincinnati Reds would never hit another home run against the Cubs again. I keed, I keed.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
by dat cubfan daver on
Jul 10, 2008 8:25 PM CDT
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Argh, I meant this to be a reply to Al's post above.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
by dat cubfan daver on
Jul 10, 2008 8:26 PM CDT
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I think Wuertz definitely has trade value.
His career K:BB ratio is 265:123. He is having a pretty rocky season thus far and, as cwyers mentioned in the game thread today, his strikeouts seem to be down. But I have to believe a team looking to shore up its bullpen could use him.
I just heard Hendry interviewed on Dave Kaplan’s show on WGN, and he said (in so many words) that the Cubs were likely done dealing for this season. So why not trade Wuertz for a couple of decent prospects?
Nanika Ga Okoru!
by dat cubfan daver on
Jul 10, 2008 8:33 PM CDT
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Wuertz does have value.....hes being used wrong
he is not for this team. On this team, he has little value, on another he is an important cog….
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
by Hammer on
Jul 10, 2008 8:41 PM CDT
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Likely Leiber Goes
At 38, this could very well be Leiber’s last year in the bigs anyway …. it won’t cost the Cubs much to release him and it is clear Lou has no confidence in him whatever. Adding Gaudin, another long reliever, makes Leiber even more expendable now.
If It Takes Forever ....
by wrigley1 on
Jul 11, 2008 7:44 AM CDT
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Lieber is being paid $3.5 million in 2008
While Michael Wuertz hasn’t even hit arbitration and is therefore making a lot less. Keep Lieber, lose Wuertz. Another team will throw us a bone for Wuertz. It might be a crappy bone, but it will be something.
Rich Harden Fever, Catch It !!!!!!!!!!
by MDBNIU on
Jul 11, 2008 9:13 AM CDT
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The season is half over.
Releasing Lieber costs about $1.5 million. I’m guessing that’s the next move.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Jul 11, 2008 9:38 AM CDT
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Well, I hope not
I like Jon Lieber. Right now Michael Wuertz is incapable of getting the job done. Unless his specific role is to pitch in blowouts he has no purpose.
Rich Harden Fever, Catch It !!!!!!!!!!
by MDBNIU on
Jul 11, 2008 9:43 AM CDT
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I hope not either
But then Lou would actually need to use Lieber more than every 2 weeks. How do they expect him to get people out when he is never in the game.
Current temperature in hell: 45 degrees F - and falling!
by wnielsen on
Jul 11, 2008 10:04 AM CDT
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Does Lou
know something we don’t? You mentioned in your recap that he doesn’t appear to trust him enough to use him more. Why release Lieber and eat 1.5mil when we could trade Wuertz? And get something in return? I’m confused…help
by StevenABQ on
Jul 11, 2008 10:12 AM CDT
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My thought is
For one we might not be able to get anything for Weurtz. If the whole league knows that he’s lost his slider nobody might want to give up anything for him. Also, you know what your going to get with Lieber. Weurtz on the other hand could turn things around and be solid in the 2nd half. I still think we should get rid of Weurtz because even in his best times he still has trouble throwing strikes and seems to get ahead of hitters and then lose them. We’ll see what happens/.
by cubs on
Jul 11, 2008 10:16 AM CDT
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He has to have some value
Especially with tons of teams trying to shore up their bullpens. But I think Al and others have answered the question in later posts. Lieber is a sunk cost…there is no getting the 3+ Mil for 2008 back… Maybe if they stick him on the waiver wire it will be a small favor that will come back to Hendry. Just some thoughts.
by StevenABQ on
Jul 11, 2008 10:40 AM CDT
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It would be sad
If we were done dealing. I still think we need to shore up the bull-pen.
and bring in another late inning guy. Maybe a lefty-latey
by patron on Jul 11, 2008 8:54 AM CDT 0 recs
Santo is right, Wuertz has had terrible stuff all season long
For whatever reason Michael Wuertz has lost his slider. That was his key pitch the past couple of seasons. I also happen to think that Wuertz isn’t one of Lou’s favorites.
I’d hate to see the Cubs get rid of Jon Lieber. While he hasn’t played much of a role in the bullpen of late (remember, he NEVER pitched in the pen before this season) he does have value as an insurance policy against one of the starters going down. I’ve always liked Lieber and his stuff. He’s a good fit for Wrigley Field too.
Rich Harden Fever, Catch It !!!!!!!!!!
by MDBNIU on Jul 11, 2008 9:12 AM CDT 0 recs
Well, it's been a while...
....but Leiber did pitch out of the pen in his 2nd and 3rd season with the Pirates. I just hate when people say “NEVER”. LOL.
Nobody cares about your fantasy league team
by carmen_fanzone on
Jul 11, 2008 10:39 AM CDT
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The best thing to do with Wuertz
Would be to come up with a fake injury for him so you can send him the minors without putting him through waivers.
He’d have to be amicable to that however.
by Wreckard on Jul 11, 2008 10:06 AM CDT 0 recs
Slider
has flattened out and can’t get hitters out. His fastball has never been great and is even worse this season. Any chance Cashner comes up and helps us this season ?
by lescubbies on
Jul 11, 2008 10:07 AM CDT
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Yep
Agreed on Weurtz. I think Cashner could definitely help us towards the end of the season, that is if he has no problems at all with the hitters he faces in Boise. With 95-97 heat and a good breaker he oculd really dominate hitters before they started to figure him out.
by cubs on
Jul 11, 2008 10:10 AM CDT
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Well, that settles it.
Someone needs to Nancy Kerrigan his ass.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
by dat cubfan daver on
Jul 11, 2008 10:17 AM CDT
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I'm thinking someone...
who is not doing anything

by StevenABQ on
Jul 11, 2008 11:05 AM CDT
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