Guzman ready to come to Chicago

by NittanyCub on Aug 14, 2008 9:33 PM CDT

Shamelessly taken from Knox News:

"I'm feeling pretty good," Guzman, who had Tommy John (ligament replacement) surgery 11 months ago. "I was trying to get all my pitches together. I thought I had pretty good stuff keeping the ball down and throwing strikes."

Guzman was clocked at 95 mph(!!!!) and his first 13 pitches were fastballs.

...Guzman has done everything he can physically to be part of the Cubs' plans this season, not next.

"I worked really, really hard during the offseason," he said. "I think it is paying off. I came back and I feel way stronger than I used to be."

I'm not sure how likely it is that Guzman will make it Chicago, but I'm really gunning for him. I don't know the exact specifics, but Howry plainly needs to be let go as this point of the season. Having Guzman for the 7th, Marmol for the 8th, and Wood closing the game gets me excited in ways I wish my girlfriend knew how.

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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"gets me excited in ways I wish my girlfriend knew how."

Uh. Well, setting that disturbing knowledge aside… :P

if he can get the job done, we’re good. What does he have besides the 95mph fastball?

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 14, 2008 9:35 PM CDT 0 recs

My humor sucks

"Yes it's true. Everyone knows that I've pitched. I make sure of that. I have nine different pitches, all of which are awesome. I have a 0.00 ERA, got one out, throwing all knuckleballs. I don't remember who I faced -- some dude from Ole Miss." - Ryan Theriot

by NittanyCub on Aug 14, 2008 9:36 PM CDT up 0 recs

There's a Penn State joke here somewhere...

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Aug 14, 2008 10:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

Correct me if I'm wrong, but way back when in 2005 ,2006

I remember his changeup and sinker being really, really good. I don’t think he has the stamina to be a starter right now, nor do the Cubs have the space for him in the rotation, so I think the bullpen would be the most logical choice for him. He used to have really good command, but who knows if he’s changed or not.

I’m surprised people weren’t as bummed as I was when he had to have TJ surgery. There were a couple of people comparing him to Zambrano from his fire balls he used to throw, with his 4 seamer clocking around 97 MPH. Im excited for this guy; he’s had arthoscopic and TJ surgeries, and he’s still clocking out at 95. I hope he makes it up to the Bigs.

by NittanyCub on Aug 14, 2008 9:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

I would LOVE to have Guzman's power arm in the pen

Guzman-Shark-Marmol-Wood would be a nice little bullpen.

Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs

by nji232 on Aug 14, 2008 9:41 PM CDT 0 recs

Depends

It’ll be interesting to see if the Cubs want to blow an option year for 1 month of a guy who just came off surgery.

by dr stabbingworth on Aug 15, 2008 9:08 AM CDT up 0 recs

I'm glad to see him coming along

but I don’t want to rush him. TJ is serious.

I think it’s just his face. - dat cubfan daver

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Aug 14, 2008 9:48 PM CDT 0 recs

I agree.

While I also agree that Howry is pretty useless to the bullpen right now, putting a recovering TJ guy like Guzman into a critical role is a little iffy, IMO.

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

by Al on Aug 15, 2008 8:11 AM CDT up 0 recs

Someone has to push there way up, or we trade.

Howry is circling the drain. If Guzman can come in and give you a decent inning that beats Howry coming in and giving up moon shot homers. You cannot win a pennant with too many +5.00 ERA pitchers in your bullpen.

by Nibbles on Aug 14, 2008 9:51 PM CDT 0 recs

If Howry is weak link

I’m OK with that. Fact is this game we gave up a lot of hits (all pitchers did) and Howry gave up a HR at a bad time. However I’d rather have Howry as a weak link than weak links on the Brewers and Cardinals. I don’t know if Howry is going to pull out of this but he has proven lately he can throw some scoreless innings still…I say he gets 2-3 more games before anything drastic happens.

by ak123 on Aug 14, 2008 10:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

Howry is clearly hot and cold

And that’s ok for the regular season. I really believe he’s a good pitcher who has stretches where nothing works, and when he’s down, he hurts the team in magnificent ways. I like the idea of Guzman shoving his way closer to the 7th inning role as framed above – a little competition hurts nobody, and clearly helps.

When it’s playoff time, nobody cares about pouting relievers anyways – there’s no time for it.

"Hey Hey, Holy Mackerel, No Doubt About It!"

by scottsdalecubs on Aug 14, 2008 10:28 PM CDT 0 recs

Has Howry pouted?

i don’t follow as much as others, but I can’t recall hearing Howry make excuses or refuse to take any blame.

by TC Cubby on Aug 15, 2008 9:59 AM CDT up 0 recs

no

on the other hand, I don’t recall him talking all that much in general. He’s got such a deadpan face, too.

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 15, 2008 12:56 PM CDT up 0 recs

hahah

funniest post I have ever read. I hope he can come back and be Marmol 2.0 in the 7th inning. With Shark in the 6th, we would only need Harden to pitch his standard 5 innings, 3 hits, 10ks, no runs and it would be a guaranteed win every time.

by WUSTLCubsFan on Aug 14, 2008 10:38 PM CDT 0 recs

Hot and cold?

Howry has a 5.53 ERA. That is more cold than hot for a guy that pitches one inning a game. If he can’t shut down a team like the Braves that are hurting what is he going to do against Ryan Howard and the Phils, or Prince and the Brew Crew if we meet them in the league final?

by Nibbles on Aug 14, 2008 10:50 PM CDT 0 recs

Not too much to argue

But he just seems like a guy who’s going to go on a hot path any game. And as for the Braves, today they were hitting us regardless. They hit Wood and they hit Lilly. I wouldn’t completely write his off yet and regardless Guzman is not the answer in my opinion. Not this year at least.

by ak123 on Aug 15, 2008 12:08 AM CDT up 0 recs

Anything Guzman can accomplish

is a bonus. I wrote this guy off already….as promise never to be fulfilled.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Aug 14, 2008 10:59 PM CDT 0 recs

I remember i said

he would be back about a month ago and Al and others said it would never happened but im telling you he will be the next Marmol if he pitches out of the bullpen maybe not this year but next year

by oeosoto on Aug 15, 2008 12:35 AM CDT 0 recs

This is my take

I would be surprised if the Cubs rush him up considering the long list of arm problems he has had. I remember being out in Mesa in 2003 watching him throw, I thought he was better than Prior. Wow funny how 5 years makes a difference.
Wish him the best, I guess we will see how it shapes up.

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Aug 15, 2008 6:09 AM CDT 0 recs

Other direction

Because of his long history of arm problems, I say use him right now. If he can give the Cubs any effective innings, it will be worth it. If it causes damage, I am not concerned because the damage probably would have occurred anyway, this year or next.

This might sound harsh to Guzman, but I don’t think it is unfair. He has been hurt for a many years, it’s time to give him a shot to see if he can do it.

by TC Cubby on Aug 15, 2008 10:02 AM CDT up 0 recs

Angel

It would be nice to bring him up and get him some time and if he can do well give Marmol a break here and there.

Go Cubs

by cubstoseriesby100 on Aug 15, 2008 7:09 AM CDT 0 recs

September Help?

The story is from the Knoxville News-Sentinel. I can’t see Guzman being on the postseason roster, but he could certainly help the Cubs in September. I don’t trust Howry any longer. I’d like to see Angel get some light work in mop-up roles. Let’s hope he can come back in 2009 for a full healthy season.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Aug 15, 2008 7:50 AM CDT 0 recs

+1

Bring him up. Howry has had it.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 15, 2008 7:56 AM CDT 0 recs

give him a September look

At the very least, he’ll give the Cubs an idea of whether or not they can plan on him for the pen next season. At the very best, he pitches well, Bob Howry comes down with a “mystery” injury, and Guzman can take his playoff roster spot.

by kranskie on Aug 15, 2008 8:50 AM CDT 0 recs

Lets say they bring him up September 1 and he dominates for a month

Can they put him on the playoff roster?

Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs

by nji232 on Aug 15, 2008 9:13 AM CDT 0 recs

Yes, if there's an "injury" to someone else.

Say, Howry.

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

by Al on Aug 15, 2008 9:15 AM CDT up 0 recs

Does it even need to come to that?

Wasn’t he on the 60-man DL all year, and thus, able to join the playoff roster regardless?

by jbau on Aug 15, 2008 2:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

Good question.

Anyone know?

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

by Al on Aug 15, 2008 3:44 PM CDT up 0 recs

Since teams can replace players on the 60 man DL

with other players w/i the org, I assume that having the player himself be the “replacement” would be allowed.

by jbau on Aug 16, 2008 10:12 AM CDT up 0 recs

Happy for Guzzie

and nice to see the Cubs have stuck with him through his injury problems. No wonder Hendry and his boys are so well respected – they seem to do right by guys, at least it seems that way.

Demp and Rich: proof that people that live in igloos and say "eh" can contibute!

by Canadian Cubs Fan on Aug 15, 2008 9:18 AM CDT 0 recs

Still not excited

Look at the history. I want to see him pitch more than two weeks before I say he’s ready for the bullpen down the stretch.

by rlpete on Aug 15, 2008 9:50 AM CDT 0 recs

BJ. Ryan of the Blue Jays came back from TJ

11-12 months after having the surgery, but he’s more of a vet than Guzman. 2009 is when I’m counting on Guzman; 2008, only if he’s 100% no matter how horrible Howry is.

The critical thing to understand is that major-league pitchers don't appear to have the ability to prevent hits on balls in play. There are many possible reasons why this is the case, and I don't really have a concrete idea as to why it is.

But the one thing I do know is that it is the case.

--Voros McCracken

by nbt on Aug 15, 2008 10:05 AM CDT 0 recs

But BJ Ryan didn't miss major parts of the prior seasons

for a variety of other problems. I think you have to go back to 2002 to find a completely healthy Angel Guzman (156 IP).

IMO Guzman’s body just can’t handle the strain of pitching.

by rlpete on Aug 15, 2008 10:19 AM CDT up 0 recs

Yabbut

Guzman’s more practiced at coming back from injuries.

The author of this post is not a certified scout, doctor, agent, statistician, manager, or journalist, nor was he ever a very good player, though he tried very hard to be like Ryne Sandberg and was about as scrappy as it gets (in T-ball). Any opinion expressed above should in no way be confused with fact, truth, or reality and is hereby qualified in the following ways: 1) The author does not know as much about baseball as Lou Piniella. 2) The author does not know as much about baseball as Jim Hendry. 3) The author does not know as much about baseball as either Dusty or Darren Baker.

by DGU on Aug 16, 2008 12:13 AM CDT up 0 recs