QUESTIONS: Harden, Gorzelanny, Wells, Fukudome, Soriano, DISH

by nickler on Sep 30, 2009 4:14 PM CDT

Hi, all. Just a few questions. As always, thanks for your insight.

1. How has Gorzelanny looked this year? I live in Cleveland and the scheduling never got so that I could watch him pitch. I was intrigued by the trade and hoped that he would do really well.

His ERA is an unimpressive 4.70; yet his WHIP is in the 1.2's and his SO/BB rate is nearly 4:1. How is this possible? Is he giving up home runs all the time??

How is his stuff, and what type of stuff does he have?

2. How has Fukudome looked recently? Is he still getting on base, or is he still doing that weird wild-swing thing where he screws himself into the ground? I think we're stuck with him for the entire length of contract, just wanted to know what you all thought of his progress. Do you think last years' meltdown is what we should be expecting, or do you think he's made a comeback?

3. I know there's been discussion about Harden before. I would hope we'd at least offer him arbitration and give the guy a chance if he's willing to take a one year deal. Why did he take himself out of the rotation? Is he hurt? I have seen some stuff about this, but can't find anything regarding the details.

4. Do you think we should trade Wells while his value is high? Personally, I really think we should. Some of his starts (i.e., those against teams who are not terrible) have really looked pretty shaky and there have been times that other teams have teed off on him. I would think we could get quite a nice package for him. I worry that if we hold him for too long, this season where he has exceeded expectations might come crashing down in a Rich Hill like fashion.

Are there any ways to determine if a pitcher's success is due to the fact that opposing players are simply not used to him (like stats over time to see if they get better or worse), or if a pitcher's success is only due to getting lucky? Is there a stat to look at this?

5. What are your thoughts on Ben Sheets? Do you think he'd take a one-year deal? Do you think he's worth a gamble. I know we tried this with Wade Miller and Mark Prior before, but if he's cheap enough, I would think it's an option worth investigating.

6. If you have DISH, and live outside of Chicago, is there any other way to get Cubs games? Does MLB network air actual baseball games or is all they show discussion and crap? Can I order CSN or FoxSportsChicago in Ohio? All I get to watch is WGN games and I hate watching games on my computer. Any thoughts?? Do I really have to change over to DIRECTV to get the Cubs games that I want?

Sometimes on DISH a baseball game will show up on Channel 400 or something under the title "ALT" Can I order these somehow? The idiots on the phone have no clue.

I have no loyalty to DISH, just hate the idea of having to change everything in my house. Their repair service (if something goes wrong) is really good too. They also have a very useful CHAT feature. How is DIRECTV's help line service?

7. Is an [Alfonso Soriano + prospect] for [Johan Santana + bad contract (like Oliver Perez or Luis Castillo)] trade that far off?

Soriano is what the Mets need: a big bat in the outfield who can drive in runs; they tried that with Gary Sheffield and, well, that guy is almost as big an unproductive jerk as Milton Bradley. Having an ace pitcher like Santana hasn't helped them for the past 2 years when he was in his prime. He clearly is not their answer, and they've put a huge amount of money into him. The Mets might buy the idea that Soriano was the pits this year because of his injury (I am not sure I buy into that to be honest).

Santana would fill a need for us for a top of the rotation starter (if he comes back healthy which is a gamble), and would allow us to place Fox in LF which seems to be the only postion he's comfortable playing. He also is coming off surgery, so the Mets really can't know what they're going to get and they have to be worried he might be in his decline.

Anyhow, I am sure that is a pipe dream but wanted to get your thoughts. And yes, I do think that the Mets might be stupid enough.

Thanks, as always for your wisdom!

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.

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As for # 7, it would save the Mets considerable money and I hear they are a bit broke.

by nickler on Sep 30, 2009 4:22 PM CDT reply actions

Turn off the X-box and go back to work

No way, or let me rephrase that, Highly unlikely that the Mets would trade Santana.

The sun will shine in '69

by gaclaudy on Sep 30, 2009 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions

it's a pipe dream

mets already need 1, if not 2, more starters. Dealing Santana would exacerbate the situation, and I don’t think they are going down the full rebuild path yet. I think they’ll contemplate adding an OF and a SP, although there seems to still be an occasional rumble/spec that they may look to change 2nd basemen (but that would require clearing Luis Castillo’s contract).

by toonsterwu on Sep 30, 2009 5:00 PM CDT up reply actions

A few quick responses

1) Gorzo is an on and off again pitcher.

2) Dome is better than last year but still not what we expected.

3) I wanna cut ties with Harden. He’s a stud when healthy but that comes at a cost. He taxes a bullpen.

4) With us having IMO a 1yr window to win it all, Wells is an almost cost nothing preety reliable starter who is still a rookie! Keep him please!

5) Sheets if proves healthy will attract at least 1 big contract from somewhere IMO. I think he will land with Texas but whatever the case stay far far away. Too brittle and I doubt we have a whole of money to take gambles like this one.

6) I personally like extra innings except for those stupid blackout rules.

7) Not a chance in hell! Santana is one of those few once in a lifetime, frontline, true #1 pitchers!

I would sleep with Blou if it meant the Cubs would win a WS. by Doggie Stalker on Aug 22, 2009 4:11 PM EDT

by cubsluver22 on Sep 30, 2009 4:28 PM CDT reply actions

wow

Question #7 makes me think you never watch the Cubs or know nothing about baseball. I mean come on Johan Santana?

I dont even know if the Mets would trade a hot dog for Alfonso Soriano.

FIRE VDN

by gocubs526 on Sep 30, 2009 4:57 PM CDT reply actions

#7

Will never happen unless the Mets truly want to lose their remaining fans.

by ak123 on Sep 30, 2009 4:57 PM CDT reply actions

Is #7 that far off?

About as far off as anyone could get.

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Sep 30, 2009 5:00 PM CDT reply actions

I have Dish. No luck getting CSN Chicago. I had to get MLB.TV to see Cubs games, and even then, I'm screwed about half the time.

My ISP (Verizon) uses a “randomizer” to change the ISP addresses. MLB.TV doesn’t understand that and tells me I’m blacked out of Cubs games about 80% of the time.

I have to call MLB-TV tech support and then they reset things and it usually works. Unless the signal drops for some reason, then I have to do it all over again. Each time I lose about 20 minutes of real time farting around like this.

I tried to cancel several times, but like the Mafia, once you are in, you’re stuck. I could not get my money back.

And MLB.TV is about 2 full minutes behind real time. So watching it while chatting in the game threads is pointless. I’ll know what happened from the conversation LONG before I actually see anything on my computer on MLB.TV.

So all in all, my Dish and MLB .TV experiences kinda suck.

"Pain don't hurt you none" - Sparky Anderson (1987)

Obviously Sparky was never a Cubs fan...

by Zeke on Sep 30, 2009 5:22 PM CDT reply actions

...............um................ okay.............

FIRE VDN

by gocubs526 on Sep 30, 2009 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions

My experience with MLB.TV has been better...

I’ve had it for, I think, three years now and it’s gotten better each year. It generally works reliably; every now and then there will be a glitch that requires me to log in again, but that’s pretty uncommon.

I don’t have (or want) cable or satellite, so I was very glad to have the option of watching on the computer.

Another option, if you have or want an iPhone, is to use the MLB app – all radio broadcasts are included, and for a buck a game you can watch the home team TV broadcast. The TV is included for free if you have an MLB.TV subscription. The screen is small, obviously, but the video quality is surprisingly good, especially over WiFi (as opposed to the cell network).

Hope this helps….it’s tough being an out-of-market fan!

"I tried to let Ryan know that [jumping over the dugout railing] was a thing that maybe just athletes should stick to." -- Ted Lilly, 28 July 2009

by CaughtInTheVines on Sep 30, 2009 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions

kinda baffled by the proposed Soriano trade

No WAY the Mets do that.

Also, how did we try a one-year deal with Prior before? That said, I think Sheets is worth a look.

Wells will not be traded (and he shouldn’t be) considering his price tag among all the big contracts on the books next year. I also don’t think there’s any reason to think Wells has the mental issues Hill has.

And Harden’s a goner, based on what Lou says. I’m more than fine with that.

by elgato on Sep 30, 2009 5:36 PM CDT reply actions

The thing with Sheets

Is that if we offer him a 1 yr. deal why not offer one to Harden instead?

I would find Sheets in Cubbie Blue a good deal. He’s much more efficient at pitching than Harden. Also, I know it’s petty but it will piss the hell out of Brewers fans to see Sheets pitch for us.

by ak123 on Sep 30, 2009 7:21 PM CDT up reply actions

you are not alone

gotta wonder why someone would think the Mets would go for that? Real head-scratcher.

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Oct 1, 2009 8:03 AM CDT up reply actions

Have you given up

on getting Rondell White back yet?

by LT on Sep 30, 2009 8:22 PM CDT reply actions

I am just posting this question here, so I don't have to make a whole fanpost for 1 ?

But is there anyway that we could get Adam Dunn. The model of consistency, as well as striking out a little less and a higher batting average than before with none of the baggage, clearly he is who we should have signed before. Is there anyway that we can get him away from a terrible nationals team? i know he only has one year left but it would be great to get him here while Lee and Aramis are for sure still under contract as well as Ted, etc. Apparently he wants to be here but can it happen? Anyone heard any talk about this?

by KButler on Sep 30, 2009 9:09 PM CDT reply actions

I think Abreu would have been even better for us

He has had a great year in LAA. He is a better defensive RF than Dunn, and was far cheaper than either Dunn or Worthless Milty.

by Mulhollandmania on Oct 1, 2009 3:04 AM CDT up reply actions

I would have liked Dunn to be signed a year ago.

But now it just doesn’t seem possible.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Oct 1, 2009 8:07 AM CDT up reply actions

I live in DC

Not likely Dunn will be moved unless you are overpaying. The 3-4-5 of Zimmerman, Dunn and Willingham is about the only thing the Nationals have going for them. He is also evidently trying to improve at 1st base. All the rumors about his bad attitude in Cincinnati evidently have not surfaced here.

Not sure where you hear that he wants to be in Chicago.

by rlpete on Oct 1, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions

The Cubs should sign Dunn for 2011 and put him @ 1b.

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Oct 1, 2009 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Dunn is actually been a below average player this year, despite the awesome offense

He plays the least valuable positions on the diamond – first base and left field, and plays them terribly.

by vivaelpujols on Oct 1, 2009 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Gorzelanny is a pretty good pitcher

His fastball velocity’s been rising steadily this year, and he’s starting to strike some guys out.

by vivaelpujols on Oct 1, 2009 12:26 AM CDT reply actions

If he can get back to his 2007 performance level...

… he’d be a really good #4 or #5 starter.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Oct 1, 2009 8:08 AM CDT up reply actions

Y'know, I thought his velocity seemed to be trending upward.

Good to hear.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Oct 1, 2009 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions

If he is your team's 4th or 5th starter

you are in good shape. He appears to be healthy and is throwing pretty well.

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Oct 2, 2009 7:39 AM CDT up reply actions

I've had both Dish Network and DirecTV

and I haven’t noticed any real difference in customer service. DirecTV does call me every now and then and asks me if I’m happy with everything, which I find more annoying than anything, but if you want to complain about something, it gives you a chance.

But no, there is no way to legally get the Cubs games that aren’t on WGN, ESPN or the MLB Network on Dish.

One factor though is that I understand WGN America is in HD in Dish, whereas it’s still in SD on DirecTV. So that may be a factor. However, I expect it to be in HD on DirecTV by next season (a new satellite is going up) so you could just wait until March to make the decision. Of course, DirecTV also has the NCAA Tournament March Madness package, which saves me a fortune in Sports Bar tabs.

by Josh Timmers on Oct 1, 2009 1:07 AM CDT reply actions

My take on Wells

Based on his minor-league history, what I’ve read about his repertoire of pitches, and his stats as a major-leaguer I don’t think Wells is at all likely to have an ERA near 3 for his career. That doesn’t mean he’ll be bad, just… maybe a mid- to back-of-the-rotation starter. I would love to eat those words, btw.

There’s always some risk with pitchers — risk of injury and risk that the pitcher will just lose it for some reason. Every team knows this, every team can look up scouting reports and read fangraphs, and for these reasons I don’t think that the Cubs could bring in via trade a package likely to be as good as Wells, let alone a package corresponding to the great results he got this year. There is always risk with young pitchers but I think Wells is the Cubs’ risk to take.

by aldimond on Oct 1, 2009 3:38 AM CDT reply actions

Dish

I live in Des Moines area and have Dish 200 package. These are my home markets and I get every game from: Brewers, Cubs, White Sox, Cardinals, Royals and just a few Twins games. The Cubs are on Comcast channel 429 on Dish or of course WGN. You can purchase all the Fox Sports channels for $5 per month and I believe it includes Comcast Chicago. Problem is if you’re blacked out in your area, you out of luck. Call and ask if this is the case.

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 Oct 1, 2009 9:47 AM CDT reply actions

He said he's in Ohio

and while I’ve met foreigners who have confused Iowa for Ohio, I doubt Dish Network will.

Yes, you’re the beneficiary of baseball’s insane territorial markets. If you have satellite in a place like Iowa, Oklahoma or Las Vegas, you can get a ton of games for cheap on the Sports pack because you are “in market.” Of course, that also leads to blackouts for other people and the insanity of getting Extra Innings in those markets.

by Josh Timmers on Oct 1, 2009 6:24 PM CDT up reply actions

The Cubs should sign Dunn for 2011 and put him @ 1b.

SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!

by CubFaninCA on Oct 1, 2009 12:10 PM CDT reply actions

Why stop there?

Sign Eric Young, Jr. for 2013 and put him at 2B.
Tony Gwynn, Jr. should be a free agent in time for 2014.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 1, 2009 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Silly.

Eric Young Jr. won’t be eligible for free agency until at least 2015.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Oct 1, 2009 3:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Man, is my face red.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 1, 2009 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions

I can't imagine Harden being brought back.

What little money the Cubs do have to spend on free agents or trading for quality veterans will be spent on offense. I like Harden, and when he’s on he can be awesome, but a guy like that will be just too expensive when a team is in as much need of offense as the Cubs are. I will say this, though, regarding offense: I think Soriano and Soto will come around next year (Soriano will be healthy, and Soto will have a real Spring Training, no WBC), I think Fukudome will keep getting better each year, and as long as Ramirez and D-Lee stay healthy, I think the offense will be better. Having said that, they still need one more big bat, and a leadoff man.

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Oct 3, 2009 2:40 PM CDT reply actions