Question: Bedard, Martinez, Garland

by nickler on Jan 18, 2010 1:51 PM CST

Hello; thanks to all of you in advance for your comments.

1. While I certainly understand the interest in Ben Sheets, and the need to have another potentially high level starting arm, why is Ben Sheets the only name that the Cubs seem to be mentioning?

It would seem that Erik Bedard would be a better bet. He started 15 games last year as opposed to Sheets' zero (Did he play at all last year?) and Bedard has pitched equal or better numbers in the AL. His medical condition (a small cyst in the shoulder which needed to be debrided) is less severe than that suffered by Sheets (rotator cuff pathology)

Why is there so little interest in Bedard this year? I would think the Cubs should have equal, or more interest in Bedard than in Sheets.

Also, the argument, "if he's so good, why isn't he signed yet?" doesn't make any sense to me. Sheets isn't signed either!

2. If we miss out on the Sheets/ Bedard sweepstakes (i.e., if they ask too much and other clubs are willing to fork over the $$$ and years), would Pedro Martinez be a reasonable candidate? Yes, he is jurassic, but he looked great for the Phillies last year. For a one-year, low risk deal, I would think he'd be a reasonable target. I almost wish my Indians would do something like this (this is very much the type of deal Shapiro is known for pulling, and sometimes it actually works such as in Scott Elarton, Kevin Milwood, Kenny Lofton, Carl Pavano).

3. Finally, the same question about Jon Garland. He posted pretty solid numbers pitching in very batter-friendly parks, has always been durable, and would likely sign to a very reasonable short term deal given his relative youth and possible hope that, with good numbers, he could get a great deal in the future when the economy bounces back.

Why is it that he keeps getting passed around? Is it that his strikeout totals are too low?

Thanks again for your input and 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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Hendry was pretty clear this weekend that they're not actively seeking starting pitching

I have a feeling the only reason Sheets is being considered is because they think they can get him on the cheap. Given that he hasn’t pitched in a season and a half he should be by far the cheapest of all the options you mentioned, and we have budget constraints.

by Wreckard on Jan 18, 2010 1:56 PM CST reply actions

and a half?

He pitched in September 2008, IIRC.

by elgato on Jan 19, 2010 8:43 AM CST up reply actions

Probably should have said a year and a half

Pedant.

by Wreckard on Jan 19, 2010 1:26 PM CST up reply actions

Some thoughts

Nothing based in fact but I bet Garland is looking for a multi-year deal. Based on his durability, I suspect he would have been signed by now if the demand wasn’t that high.

Sheets may also be more willing to take a cheap one year with incentives which is why he gets named the most. He also would also likely have the biggest upside if healthy.

by rlpete on Jan 18, 2010 1:56 PM CST reply actions

Bavasi on Bedard

’nuff said.

On Bedard going only five or six innings and 100 pitches of late, Bavasi says a lot of pitchers can have days where 90 pitches feel like 200. On why Bedard can’t go longer, Bavasi says it’s a good question, but one that has to be put to Bedard.

“He’ll have a stupid answer for you, you can count on it,‘’ Bavasi said. "He’ll have some dumbass answer.’’

by jerry morales rules on Jan 18, 2010 2:25 PM CST reply actions

Then there is this

by Bradsbeard on Jan 18, 2010 2:26 PM CST up reply actions

For some reason the link wasn't included

http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/mariners/2008/06/bill_bavasi_on_players_bedard.html

There are a lot of people that question Bedard’s head. A lot. I’m thiking that Hendry is staying as far away from these types of guys as possible.

by jerry morales rules on Jan 18, 2010 2:28 PM CST up reply actions

I would say that this man would like a word with you:

But he really wouldn’t.

I’m thiking that Hendry is staying as far away from these types of guys as possible.

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 Jan 18, 2010 7:48 PM CST up reply actions

WOW.

Bavasi is a total jerk. I’m amazed that a high level professional can get away with this! This guy is a GM???

That is an unacceptable thing to say about someone who:
1) is your current employee
2) was your employee in the past.

Whatever he thinks about the guy, to say that publicly is absolutely terrible. Can you imagine if your employer or prior employer said that about you knowing it would probably be put down in writing??

I’m amazed Bedard doesn’t sue him for libel. That said, it DOES answer a lot of questions!

by nickler on Jan 19, 2010 10:03 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah, it's pretty shocking a GM would make those kind of statements on the record.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Jan 19, 2010 11:45 AM CST up reply actions

It proves either

Bavasi is a jerk,
or Bedard is.

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 Jan 19, 2010 11:55 AM CST up reply actions

Or both.

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

by Al Yellon on Jan 19, 2010 11:58 AM CST up reply actions

good point, Al

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 Jan 19, 2010 12:08 PM CST up reply actions

That probably came when Bavasi already knew his days were numbered and the number was small

by ClarkFan on Jan 19, 2010 12:54 PM CST up reply actions

Bedard

Might not be ready to go for Spring Training. I get the sense that is what is slowing down interest in him. I could see Seattle ultimately retaining him for cheap.

by Bradsbeard on Jan 18, 2010 2:26 PM CST reply actions

Garland = a-hole

no thanks.

by madtown on Jan 18, 2010 2:32 PM CST reply actions

Why?

I had never heard anything along those lines before?

Eamus Ursuli!

by WGNstatic on Jan 18, 2010 2:36 PM CST up reply actions

I hadn't either.

Garland would be a Marquis-type inning eater, but probably wants too much money.

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

by Al Yellon on Jan 18, 2010 2:55 PM CST up reply actions

Good friend of mine was a beat writer here in Chicago

Said Garland was a bad guy. Always late, not well liked in the clubhouse. He says he is just a really selfish dude.

by madtown on Jan 18, 2010 4:20 PM CST up reply actions

Huh.

I believe you, but that’s the first I’ve heard of that.

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

by Al Yellon on Jan 18, 2010 5:02 PM CST up reply actions

Hm, interesting.

Maybe that’s why he’s bounced around so much?

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Jan 19, 2010 11:46 AM CST up reply actions

Autograph request rebuffed?

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Jan 18, 2010 3:01 PM CST up reply actions

The answer to all three questions is money...

The Cubs are admittedly hamstrung by a high payroll (hence they dumped the talented but somewhat expensive Harden), and have relatively cheap (and already under-contract) options for the #5 starter spot. The only reason that there’s been discussion about Sheets is that he potentially could be had for a low base deal with incentives. If he can’t be signed on the cheap, then I doubt the Cubs will sign him anyway.

Bedard will want too much money. Same is true of Garland. Martinez would probably fit within a similar price range that the Cubs would be wanting to sign Sheets, but he doesn’t have nearly the upside that Sheets has at this point in his career. So for the money (assuming that the money can be agreed upon), Sheets is the best risk-reward candidate.

by SouthernCub on Jan 18, 2010 3:49 PM CST reply actions

Bedard

Not only does Bedard’s reputation paint him as flakey, but also somewhat soft. Add in that he may not be able to pitch until June and the offers probably won’t be flying in anytime soon.

"I'd rather hit home runs you don't have to run as hard." -- Dave Kingman

by BucknerKongCardenal on Jan 18, 2010 7:18 PM CST reply actions

Jon Garland has devolved into human batting practice

We already have one of those types on this staff in Carlos Silva.

The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.

by BLou on Jan 18, 2010 8:15 PM CST reply actions

Really?

I’m not disagreeing with you (I don’t know him very well except when he was with the White Sox) but his numbers didn’t look half bad last year, and he pitched half of it in a very unfriendly park (in Arizona).

by nickler on Jan 19, 2010 10:00 AM CST up reply actions

Do you ever actually check anything before you start typing

Jon Garland has devolved into human batting practice

I mean, I personally think it’s hilarious that you use your half-witted intuition to just type whatever shit pops into your head about a player and never want you to stop doing what you do. I would just think you’d get tired of being wrong all the time is all.

Here are Jon Garland’s ERA and WHIP charted over the course of his career. He hasn’t “devolved” into anything less than he ever has been. He’s the definition of league average.

by Wreckard on Jan 19, 2010 1:31 PM CST up reply actions

He's very much like Jason Marquis, isn't he?

A middling-ERA type inning eater.

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

by Al Yellon on Jan 19, 2010 2:28 PM CST up reply actions

That's a pretty fair comparison.

by Wreckard on Jan 19, 2010 2:30 PM CST up reply actions

thanks for the graphs

seems like a good 4 or 5 pitcher

Just because you talk a lot doesn't mean you're saying anything. dtpollitt 1-7-10

by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 19, 2010 3:37 PM CST up reply actions

I don't understand

if it is true that Hendry is not looking at starting pitching. I just don’t see the outs in Marshall, Shark, Silva and Gorzo to fill the 4 and 5 spots until Lilly gets ready.
I will be pissed if Hendry doesn’t get a arm for competition in the rotation.

by Grockcubs on Jan 18, 2010 10:20 PM CST reply actions

but a fifth starter isn't that important in April

And Lilly is set to be back by the beginning of May.

by elgato on Jan 19, 2010 8:45 AM CST up reply actions

To be honest

I have been absolutely miserable this off-season with the lack of acquisitions, I understand the Cubs Cap they have put on themselves and hat the Grabow re-signing at least at that amount. I will admit I was for Bradley and saw that explode in all our faces, but why not go after more people that wont cost tons. Look at LaRoche he played well in Atlanta with a decent team he could have been a great back up and maybe filled in at 3b I think he played several games in the minors there, he signs a 5 million 1 year, that would have been great. But anyways after that little frustration release on to the point of this thread. I really was high on Sheets think he is a quality pitcher and could have a huge comeback and really add life to me thinking once again the Cubs could win a World Series this year. After Bedard only had a cyst removed that doesn’t seem to be such a major surgery and less of a setback. I guess what I am saying is I would take either one, but please Hendry get something anything give us some hope!

by LouLous on Jan 18, 2010 10:41 PM CST reply actions

LaRoche wouldn't have accepted a backup role if a full-time position was available.

And I doubt Bedard is the silver bullet to get us to the WS.

Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.

by Ryno Runner on Jan 18, 2010 10:53 PM CST up reply actions