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Pick your 5th Starter

With Marquis officially a Rockie, and rampant speculation on the Internets, not being helped by Hendry's intentionally vague language regarding the 5th slot in the rotation, I began to get a little juiced thinking about another starter. Shoot for the moon with Peavy? Pick up an innings horse like Tim Redding, who probably would make us wish we had Marquis back?

Here are my candidates. What do you think?

UPDATE: I done added a poll.

 

Star-divide

1)  Jake Peavy

Probably the number one choice of most people, if we can afford him. Turns our rotation into probably the best in the league (SF and the Yanks might have something to say about that.) My first choice as well, and he obviously would love to be here.

2)  Derek Lowe

I'd love to have him, but I can't see *any* way he comes here unless he decides he would trade ivy for the big lettuce he's looking to make. He's not as good as Peavy,  but he might be the best fit of anyone out there, all things (playoff experience, groundball pitcher) considered.

3)  Andy Pettitte

Hmmmmm. I don't know how much he has left, but even if it's a little, he'd be a great 5th starter on a contender. Knows how to win, pitches with his left arm. Might still be too expensive if he actually did turn down 10 million from the Yankees. I hope the Cubs at least kick the tires on him.

4)  Braden Looper

My first reaction is that he'd also fit very nicely at the back end of our rotation, but then I remember having him on my fantasy team and how he often pitches only 5 or 6 innings. That might be a jaded memory or maybe I am remembering wrong, but it seems like we'd be into the bullpen a lot sooner than with some other guys, and we already have a guy like that in Harden.

5) Tim Redding

Incredibly unsexy eater of innings. He's fairly steady, but it would be pretty disappointing after all the fun speculation about who might be available to end up with this guy. If I didn't think we'd need Gaudin for spot starts and long relief, I'd prefer Gaudin over him.

6) Chad Gaudin

I certainly think he can do the job well enough, but not having him in the pen for 2 or 3 inning stints when needed hurts the team I think, especially when he's not likely to pitch more than 6 innings himself, thereby magnifyling his absence from the pen.

7) Sean Marshall

I don't know what to think about him. I'd really love to see him get a shot at being a full time starter; at the very least we can see if he's any good at it. BUT, we might make better use of him in the pen. I still don't trust Cotts very much. It's times like these it would be great to have Sean Gallagher back. Of course, then we'd still need another starter or two...

8)  You tell me!

Poll
Who fills out the rotation?
Jake Peavy
34 votes
Derek Lowe
4 votes
Andy Pettitte
1 votes
Braden Looper
0 votes
Randy Wolf
4 votes
Ben Sheets
3 votes
Tim Redding
0 votes
Sean Marshall
29 votes
Chad Gaudin
3 votes
Other
7 votes

85 votes | Poll has closed

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.

0 recs  |  Comment 43 comments

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I would like to see Marshall given a shot

I think he will be a good one. maddux was a big fan of him and I tend to trust the Professors opinion. I would also not mind Peavy or Pettite. Just no Looper or Redding. If that is the case we should have kept Marquis.

"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"

by fischisgod on Jan 7, 2009 11:04 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Redding and Looper could come cheap...

…Marquis was over $9mil and would offer similar production as those two. I think that with Harden’s potential arm issues, we should sign someone to fill this role. Below I made a small case for signing Randy Wolf.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Jan 7, 2009 11:30 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Realistically Marshall

Well, I’d rather have Peavy or Lowe in the rotation. That “ain’t” gonna happen. I think Marshall has the potential to be a little better than Marquis was last season as the 5th starter. I hope the Cubs can find a lefty in the pen to replace Marshall.

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jan 7, 2009 11:10 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

While I would love Peavy,

I think the more logical choice would be either Marshall or Angel Guzman.

Tamia Lynn Davis:
Born: August 18, 2008

by Unique on Jan 7, 2009 11:12 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Guzman

Isn’t going to be a starter any time soon. He needs to get back into pitching shape and stretch his arm out.

by JodyDavis on Jan 7, 2009 11:17 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed

This guy hasn’t been able to stay healthy in a gazillion years and now people want to immediately plug him into the starting rotation. Please no. Guzman’s best role to start the season will be as the 12th man in the bullpen and see how he does.

by rlpete on Jan 7, 2009 11:36 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

+1

Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.

by dat cubfan daver on Jan 7, 2009 3:00 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

If not Peavy

Gaudin or Marshall. They’re ours, talented, and inexpensive.

by leothelip on Jan 7, 2009 11:17 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

not really talented

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

by Ivy Walls on Jan 7, 2009 2:56 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Sean Marshall is absolutely talented.

Not “Johan Santana” talented, but plenty talented to be a No. 5.

Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.

by dat cubfan daver on Jan 7, 2009 3:01 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Marshall

I think Marshall is going to be really good and has learned very well. Would have like to seen us to make a move for Greg Smith i think he is going to be very good as well

by CajunCub12 on Jan 7, 2009 11:17 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Bartolo Colon...

I can’t see Hendry being able to afford much more.

by Damen Jackson on Jan 7, 2009 11:22 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Would Pedro be more expensive than Bartolo?

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Jan 7, 2009 2:26 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I wouldn't think so..

Although at this point I’d be much more concerned about his recovery than I would about Bartolo’s.

by Damen Jackson on Jan 7, 2009 3:02 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

What's the point?

Haven’t we done the “resurrect the injured pitcher” thing enough?

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

by Al on Jan 7, 2009 4:15 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Uh...

no. It worked out pretty well for Ryan Dempster. And wasn’t it you campaigning for the Cubs to sign up Freddy Garcia, practically sight unseen after his surgery?

Personally, I didn’t much appreciate his exit from the Sox last year, but I don’t know all the particulars, so I won’t pass judgement. That said, he looked good, and certainly confirmed that he was successfully past his shoulder problems.

It’s hardly dumpster diving, and I could see the Cubs doing alot worse than bringing him to camp.

by Damen Jackson on Jan 7, 2009 5:04 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Marshall

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on Jan 7, 2009 11:25 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Randy Wolf

He’s a lefty, an innings eater, and had one hell of a 12 game stretch with the Astros at the end of the season, with an ERA+ of 118. Keep in mind Lilly’s 2008 was 109 ERA+.

He could end up as a late steal depending on the ownership situation and what they’ll allow. I’d love to see him sign a one year deal at a discount much like Kyle Lohse did last season.

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Jan 7, 2009 11:27 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

I'm on board with this if

he is cheap. As you state, he’ll probably sign late as he is probably trying to turn last season into a multi-year deal.

by rlpete on Jan 7, 2009 11:38 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Where have you gone, Rich Hill??

We miss the cheap and good 2007 version of you!!

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Jan 7, 2009 11:34 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

so...

a lot? I mean pretty much all the time?

"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella

by El Borto on Jan 7, 2009 4:37 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Marshall starting would be a huge detriment to the pen

so unless they get another lefty to replace him, I think its gonna be someone else. Pettitte would be very intriguing if he can be had for less than the 16 he’s reportedly seeking.

Looper seems like a lateral move from Marquis, so whether thats good or bad, I dont know.

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Jan 7, 2009 11:37 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Marshall

He has the potential to be a good #3 starter as he matures and probably is the best choice on the rotation right now. If I were Hendry, I would look to flip Vizcaino or Wuertz for a LH reliever or try to bring in a few non-roster invitees to battle with Cotts for the pen spots.

by Qixotl on Jan 7, 2009 11:38 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

By Definition...

… Peavy would not be our #5. So, my vote is Harden.

Hendry has alluded to us getting another starter. I read somewhere that Hendry is pleased on what Marshall has done being a “swing guy”. At some point, if the opportunity arises, he’d like to see if Marshall can be rewarded by earning the 5th spot in the rotation.

My 2008 Christmas wish list includes this jersey. In Hendry We Trust!

by initram on Jan 7, 2009 11:48 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Hey, add a poll to this post.

Also – what about Ben Sheets?

I like Marshall, Pettite, and if we can get Peavy, that’s spectacular. But I wonder if Peavy is enough of an upgrade over Sheets, given likely contracts and what else we could get with the trade pieces.

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 Jan 7, 2009 11:52 AM CST reply actions   0 recs

Seriously?

Wouldn’t Harden/Sheets just be Wood and Prior all over again?

Hell, you might as well just go ahead and have Dr. Andrews open a remote office in Chicago now.

by Damen Jackson on Jan 7, 2009 11:56 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

They wouldn't be Wood-Prior all over again,

because this time we’d have more depth in our rotation. The best way to use depth like this is to make a run at high-upside players.

And here’s the real question – if Peavy is still on the trade block, do you really believe his health is better than Sheets’?

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 Jan 7, 2009 1:01 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I'm not sure that I get...

how whom we might replace them with changes the nature of the pitchers themselves. Both pair are right-handed power pitchers, with a history of injuries to the elbow and shoulder.

But yes, it is helpful to have that depth. And as for Peavy, I’ve no issue with his health, and consider him a much better risk in that regard than Sheets. Truth is though, I wouldn’t be interested in either.

by Damen Jackson on Jan 7, 2009 3:06 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

When most people say "Wood-Prior all over again"

I think what they’re really thinking about is running Ryan O’Malley and Les Walrond out to start. If Harden is a good bet for the Cub to make at 8 M, then why not double down on that bet with Ben Sheets? (Except that it’s not really double-downing, it’s like splitting a pair.) If the choice is running Sean Marshall or Tim Redding out there or running Ben Sheets out there till he’s injured and then running Sean Marshall out there, unless you’re Sean Marshall, why not play Sheets while he’s healthy?

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 Jan 7, 2009 3:15 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Getting Sheets would also piss off Brewers fans...

…so we’d have that going for us.

Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.

by dat cubfan daver on Jan 7, 2009 3:33 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I'd rather just beat the Brewers every game...

than sign their ex-ace and pay him 11-14 million dollars a year to be hurt.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jan 7, 2009 5:46 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I say Guidin

because that keeps lefty Marshall in the pen where we need another lefty and allows him to spot start for Hardin. Peavy would be a little nicer though.

This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).

by mrcubsfan on Jan 7, 2009 12:11 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Gaudin not Guidin

my bad,

This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).

by mrcubsfan on Jan 7, 2009 12:11 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

You guys are ignoring the obvious

With Cubs spending $135M to date, they could possibly reduce that by $4.0M if they can find a taker for Vizcaino and Wuertz and Cedeno with $141M their limit

What are you going to be able to purchase? That said you still have to get a back up catcher. Okay that is $1M, and you want to have a $4-5M fund for in season opportunity/need acquisition…..what can be taken for $3-4M?

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

by Ivy Walls on Jan 7, 2009 3:00 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Bako, Johnson or K. Hill will be the backup catcher...

… maximum price for that = $500,000.

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

by Al on Jan 7, 2009 4:16 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Which B word?

Bako? Or backup?

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

by Al on Jan 7, 2009 5:49 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

BAKO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Give me Koyie any day over Bako.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Jan 8, 2009 9:10 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I want

Hank White back.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on Jan 8, 2009 2:26 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Me three.

Unfortunately, I suspect he’s going to retire.

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

by Al on Jan 8, 2009 8:53 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

MY VOTE=

Hank White but I also think he is going to hang up his spikes . Too bad it’s hard to replace his experience …..And he was a team player for sure …..

by cubs north on Jan 8, 2009 10:50 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

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