Kung Fu Panda Slams Z; Giants Beat Cubs 5-1
by Al Yellon on Mar 10, 2010 4:54 PM CST
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
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PrintSo let me get this straight. Last Saturday, a Cubs right-handed pitcher named Carlos got pounded early and often by White Sox hitters, allowing two home runs, and everyone here was out with the pitchforks and torches, saying, "Release him! He sucks! He'll never be good! He's the worst pitcher in baseball!"
Today, a Cubs pitcher named Carlos gave up six hits, a walk, and a grand slam to Pablo Sandoval, allowing five runs in three innings of work.
Get rid of him, right? DFA?
I should put the sarcasm photo here, because obviously, the Cubs aren't going to release Carlos Zambrano based on one bad spring training appearance. And also obviously, he's earned the right to have bad spring outings more than Carlos Silva, who got hammered by the Sox last weekend. And if Silva continues to pitch poorly, then yes, the Cubs will have a decision to make about him. But supposedly Silva had a mechanical flaw that's been corrected -- we'll see if that makes any difference when he goes tomorrow against the Padres at Peoria. The point is, don't judge a pitcher -- any pitcher -- off one spring training appearance.
Sandoval's grand slam was pretty much the story of the game; the Giants' five runs in that third inning off Z were the only runs they scored in a 5-1 win over the Cubs. Six Cubs relievers -- John Grabow, Mike Parisi, Andrew Cashner, Thomas Diamond, John Gaub and Justin Berg -- limited the Giants to a single and a pair of walks after that. That's good news, as a couple of those guys, particularly Cashner and Berg, are strong candidates to go north with the team.
Meanwhile, the Cubs managed only one run. Derrek Lee walked and Aramis Ramirez hit an RBI double -- but only after D-Lee had to be removed from the game for pinch-runner Micah Hoffpauir after he fouled a ball off his foot. Hopefully, that was only as a precaution, given that this is an early-spring game.
Today's attendance was 9,381 on another cool day when the game-time temperature was again lower in Mesa (55) than it was in Chicago (60 outside my window on the north side). The weather's supposed to gradually warm into the 70's by the weekend. Average attendance in Mesa for five dates is now 9,968. I would expect that to increase after the next home game, a Saturday afternoon date with the Reds, the first meeting with Cincinnati after their move to Arizona spring training this year.
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nestle quick
Sunday Feb 28 at 7 PM CST free webcast of the live taping of The Austin Variety Show www.austinvarietyshow.com/
by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 10, 2010 5:49 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Quik*
A LO PROFUNDOOO...NOO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOO...DIGALE QUE NO A ESA PELOTA!! GANAN LOS CACHORROS DE CHICAGO!!
by Azul Cachorro on Mar 10, 2010 7:22 PM CST up reply actions
No one was judging Silva on one ST appearance
they were taking into account his previous pitching performances just like no one is over-reacting about Z’s bad one off – because they’re taking into account his previous performances.
"Keep pushin till it's understood,
And these badlands start treating us good."
WOXY.com - The Future of Rock and Roll
by Gibbon Jockey on Mar 10, 2010 5:19 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not sure I trust Mr. Snipes
It’s all 3rd hand info, have you actually tried it?
It never gets to be easy
by chitownhawkeye on Mar 10, 2010 7:19 PM CST up reply actions
then where, exactly
do cat biscuits come from?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 10, 2010 7:26 PM CST up reply actions
LOL :)
made me laugh.
nicely done.
WOXY.com - The Future of Rock and Roll
by Gibbon Jockey on Mar 10, 2010 7:34 PM CST up reply actions
From the supermarket
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
Al, surely you can appreciate the difference..
between a good career, marred by the occasional bad outing, and a bad career with the rare good performance?
by Damen Jackson on Mar 10, 2010 5:22 PM CST up reply actions
I can appreciate...
… seeing a guy get more than one or two spring appearances before he’s declared done.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I sincerely hope he repays your faith in him
"Keep pushin till it's understood,
And these badlands start treating us good."
What's to repay?
If he does well tomorrow he lives to see another game…
If he doesn’t the Cubs will probably give him one more chance if that.
I don’t think Silva eating up two or three innings is going to be the make or break deal for the Cubs, give the guy a shot. What’s the worse that could happen? He could turn out to be a Jason Marquis and eat up a decent amount of innings while having a mediocre slightly above average ERA… and that would probably be the most ideal situation we could hope for.
I hated to bat against Drysdale. After he hit you he'd come around, look at the bruise on your arm and say, 'Do you want me to sign it?'- Mickey Mantle
by Sioux City Cubs Fan on Mar 11, 2010 12:57 AM CST up reply actions
You said it yourself...although confusing
“What’s the worse that could happen? "
“and that would probably be the most ideal situation we could hope for.”
Yup. I think that is the best we could hope for. Certainly NOT the worst that could happen.
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
This is a really weird argument, Al...
It’s not like Silva is some farmhand getting his first look at the majors. He’s been bad for quite some time now.
by Damen Jackson on Mar 10, 2010 5:51 PM CST up reply actions
not saying he will
but there is always a possibility of Silva winning comeback player of the year award for his 2010 with the Cubs.
now do I think so, no I doubt he has a chance in hell, but players like him are the exact reason that such an award does exist. let him either sink or swim during spring training, it wont hurt the regular season
Sunday Feb 28 at 7 PM CST free webcast of the live taping of The Austin Variety Show www.austinvarietyshow.com/
No, I get that...
I really do. It’s this recurring rebuttal of “It’s only Spring Training”, or “It’s only two innings of Spring Training”, as if Silva doesn’t have an extensive resume with which to gauge his talent.
by Damen Jackson on Mar 10, 2010 7:01 PM CST up reply actions
Whilst i agree with their "give the guy a chance" view of Silva...
… you have to remember what he represents to a lot of people. His name is tied to the happy memory of getting rid of MB. Many here who detested MB the most strongly (in this case, Al) probably get a warm fuzzy feeling whenever they hear the name “Carlos Silva” simply due to the transference of happy vibes from the shedding of MB alone.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Mar 10, 2010 7:23 PM CST up reply actions
what's really interesting is you could take this comment...
…and just swap Silva and Bradley, direct it towards Mariner fans instead of Cub fans and it would be equally as applicable. To wit:
… you have to remember what he represents to a lot of people. His name is tied to the happy memory of getting rid of Silva. Many here who detested Silva the most strongly (in this case, all of us) probably get a warm fuzzy feeling whenever they hear the name "Milton Bradley" simply due to the transference of happy vibes from the shedding of Silva alone.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
LOL
True.
Look, if Silva continues to stink it up in every outing, then I’ll be right on board with those of you who think he needs to be released or stashed on the DL.
But as of now, there is still a possibility — admittedly slim — that he could figure it out and be at least as “good” as he was with the Twins.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
LMAO
Sunday Feb 28 at 7 PM CST free webcast of the live taping of The Austin Variety Show www.austinvarietyshow.com/
Nicely done.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 11, 2010 1:38 AM CST up reply actions
except that's not exactly accurate
because as big as a douche as Milton was, you can at least look at his numbers and say “yeah there’s a decent chance he’ll have a good, to very good season in Seattle”
You CANNOT do that with Silva.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Mar 11, 2010 11:56 AM CST up reply actions
then he would have had one good SPRING TRAINING start
hidden among a career of mediocre to bad pitching.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Mar 11, 2010 11:50 AM CST up reply actions
Nice job by the relievers.
They did a hell of a job today. Some of the Cubs hitters-Theriot- also had a fine day.
"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
Judging Silva
I didn’t pile on the anti-Silva band wagon after last weeks game, but c’mon, do you really think that anyone judging Silva was doing so based off of one spring game? I think (or hope) you realize the judgment was based on his last few years and showing up to spring training looking overweight and out of shape.
Again, what would the reaction be if Silva had thrown well on Saturday?
Or if he throws well tomorrow? What then?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
forgot to hit the "reply to"
… that its a good first step but he’s got a lot more to prove. Calling for Silva to be released or installed as a savior after one appearance is ridiculous. There’s no reason to release any one pitcher after one spring outing because keeping him around costs nothing. But if he has a great outing tomorrow… well its a good outing but shouldn’t cause anyone to forget how mediocre he’s been the last few years.
I guess I’m taking issue with your comparisons of Carlos and Carlos. IMO its the kind of stuff we criticize the mainstream media for.
I think you needed this...
I hated to bat against Drysdale. After he hit you he'd come around, look at the bruise on your arm and say, 'Do you want me to sign it?'- Mickey Mantle
by Sioux City Cubs Fan on Mar 11, 2010 1:06 AM CST up reply actions
I even suggested I probably should have put that there.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
or just left out entirely
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Mar 11, 2010 11:56 AM CST up reply actions
Who cares. It's spring training.
Pitchers work on new pitches, locating, arm slots, etc. I’m more concerned that Zambrano couldn’t get out of the inning than I am that he gave up a grand salami.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I think
Thomas Diamond deserves some consideration for a spot if Berg, Cashner and others are being looked at also.
2010 is OUR year.
Sounds good
If he gets people out, and he’s an internal option, why not?
The biggest negative was the lack of Cubs runs, despite a couple players doing well at the plate.
The Cubs defense and Pitching was, as far as on can tell from the radio feed, rather good apart from the third inning. A solid job done by some of the “no names” too.
I hope the PBP was of use, seeing as WGN did not carry the game. Sorry about some of the spelling, I was guessing hacking at times. At Bat on the iPhone was lagging by several minutes before showing replacement players.
Now it’s really time for bed.
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
Oh, Jesus Christos!
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 10, 2010 7:40 PM CST up reply actions
Good point on Silva - anything we get from him is really bonus anyway..
Let’s wait until he has a bad Spring to cut him, instead of the insane calls to release him right now before he can play out the Spring when games mean ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I’m sure that management is listening to BCB for advice anyway, and this is one case where I’m pretty glad about that.
Other thoughts so far – Really like what I’m seeing from Castro, Theriot, Fontenot, and Soto. Hoffpauir is playing his way off the team so far. We’ve got some intriguing young arms. Colvin’s better than I expected. I’m really worried about Soriano, but not so much about Lee and Ramirez because a bad year not related to injury for them would be unprecedented.
by DisCUBbobulated on Mar 10, 2010 5:32 PM CST reply actions
In some part
…you’re correct. Generally, spring games mean nothing. However, for a guy with absolutely no stuff that has flailed around for the past few years masquarading as a major league pitcher only because another organization was asleep at the switch long enough to sign him to an asinine deal, every spring pitch thrown is absolutely critical. Unless of course he prefers to continue on auto-pilot to the benefit of guaranteed money. His offseason conditioning certainly speaks to that quite loudly.
"When the day comes with that last winning run and I'm crying and covered in beer. I'll look to the sky and know I was right to think someday we'll go all the way." - Vedder
Silva has always been heavy.
He doesn’t look any different to me now, than he does in this photo, which is at least three years old. A pitcher being overweight doesn’t necessarily have any impact on his pitching.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Al,
not to nitpick, but did you see him at the Cubs Convention? Honestly, I’d easily put another 20 pounds on him. Easily.
by Damen Jackson on Mar 10, 2010 9:09 PM CST up reply actions
I'm sorry
Al, but that’s just blind loyalty coming out. He’s at least 20 pounds heavier than in that photo. He looks like the reverse of the comparison between the 2009 and 2010 versions of Soto. He’s fat, even fatter than usual…end of discussion.
"When the day comes with that last winning run and I'm crying and covered in beer. I'll look to the sky and know I was right to think someday we'll go all the way." - Vedder
Reading between the lines...
I think maybe your worst fear is that he pitches well enough (you would probably say lucky enough) to make the team – which you’ve already written him off for in terms of what he was capable of even before his bad outing. It’s not a bad point of view, but, as more of an optimist, I’d like to see him get a shot to redeem himself over the next few weeks. If it makes you feel better, I’d only put him on the team if he pitches well from here on out.
by DisCUBbobulated on Mar 10, 2010 9:34 PM CST up reply actions
Can't win 'em all...
I’m still enjoying the whole “baseball is back” honeymoon so I’m not too bothered here… plus I bet Z is working on some crazy new pitch or something… he always seems to do something silly like that in Spring Training.
Same here.
I’ll begin worrying more as the regular season starts.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 10, 2010 7:41 PM CST up reply actions
Body of work
I’ll judge both of them by their work this year when it matters (that’s if Silva makes the team of course). Although, BigZ having a very poor inning is becoming pretty reoccuring theme….cruising, cruising, cruising, uh-oh.
''I'm really not a Facebook or Twitter guy. I'm a prime rib and baked potato guy.'' - Sweet Lou
Somewhere
(Insert random shell of a legitimate MLB pitcher here, I’ll choose Mel Rojas) is revving up his non-roster invitee phone calls using the fabled “discover of a mechanical flaw” argument.
Next up for Silva, the “shoulder discomfort” shutdown which is imminent.
"When the day comes with that last winning run and I'm crying and covered in beer. I'll look to the sky and know I was right to think someday we'll go all the way." - Vedder
not "shoulder discomfort" TIRED ARM syndrome
That is translation for “he pitches like crap and we are hiding him on the DL while we figure out if has ANY use”
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Mar 10, 2010 7:26 PM CST up reply actions
Get out
the towel drills
I hated to bat against Drysdale. After he hit you he'd come around, look at the bruise on your arm and say, 'Do you want me to sign it?'- Mickey Mantle
by Sioux City Cubs Fan on Mar 11, 2010 1:10 AM CST up reply actions
Are we really to believe that moving
Silva’s positioning on the rubber will improve results? This seemingly minor correction escaped Seattle for the past 2 years? Let me go on a limb and say he will still suck.
Dallas Green!
Not even that
It’s a final excuse, a last straw, one final piece of spin control before Silva heads into oblivion as a grossly overpaid mistake by Seattle and the lasting temporary fallout from the Bradley signing. Comments and “solutions” like this can be made in March…they can’t be made in June.
"When the day comes with that last winning run and I'm crying and covered in beer. I'll look to the sky and know I was right to think someday we'll go all the way." - Vedder
Carlos Silva is awful
Al Yellon knows that. He’s not that shit stupid.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
by BLou on Mar 10, 2010 9:01 PM CST reply actions 3 recs
Rec'd
but it did take him awhile to get on board with the Dusty firing….. ;)
by timeforachange2009 on Mar 10, 2010 9:11 PM CST up reply actions
Rec'd....
I think there is a profound statement there somewhere.
Hey Lou, we're long overdue.
by deadcatbounce on Mar 11, 2010 12:28 AM CST up reply actions
At the least,
We’re finding this out in spring training.
Though, could you at least give him more than one chance to prove himself? This doesn’t mean you need to “sing kum-by-ya [with him] and the guess hitting hack at the campfire.”
In case anyone was wondering, BLou said the part in quotes to me in a game thread last August.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 11, 2010 1:24 AM CST up reply actions
+1
He stunk last year and he stunk his first time out this year. Unitil I see a good performance from him, he stinks.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Mar 11, 2010 2:02 AM CST up reply actions
This coming from the guy who said Milton Bradley would be one of the best hitters in the NL last year.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al Yellon on Mar 11, 2010 5:59 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs
Haha!
Now that I rec’d.
Some people say the glass is half empty, some say half full. I say, are you going to drink that?
by BleedsbluinMI on Mar 11, 2010 7:43 AM CST up reply actions
Turn it green
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
Green'ed.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 11, 2010 10:04 AM CST up reply actions
Come on Al.....
You have to grow some thicker skin……..
by timeforachange2009 on Mar 11, 2010 11:48 AM CST up reply actions
I thought that was a pretty mild comeback, actually.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Im back!!
Thanks to Vineline and my blackberry, my winter wasnt too bad except for the Bears. As for the topic at hand, Silva like every other pitcher is trying to campaign for a lead role and if he has a bad outing..at least its only pre-season. And the Panda is a “bad man”..we knew this from last season and Z since dropping the cutter, has got to find his rythum on the mound. Techniques and corrections are what this thing is all about. Im just glad we got some hitting going…now lets work on getting those boys across home plate. 2nd to last in MLB with RISP.
" The reason I am here, they tell me, is that I played the game a certain way, that I played the game the way it was supposed to be played."- Ryne Sandburg's Hall of Fame speech
What's up with this man crush
everyone has for Silva. He’s a fat bucket of lard out there on a mound that seems to be more deserving to someone like, well…just about anyone. Yeah Big Z gave up a grand slam and took the loss, but Silva not only gave up hits and HRs, he was throwing balls consistently down the middle. Z was looking at the runners and Silva was not. Z came to camp ready and fit, Silva did not. Even if Silva makes the team I guarentee you he’ll have more bad outings than Big Z. Obviously Silva will not have as many wins as Z, and if for some strange reason he is the 5th starter, Parisi will have more wins than him being in the bullpen. Get over it, Silva is a terrible acquistion. The only thing good about him is we got him in return for Milton. I trade a box of cereal for Milton.
Six Million will buy a LOT of boxes of Lucky Charms
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Mar 11, 2010 10:52 AM CST up reply actions
Man crush?
Hardly. All I’m arguing for is to give the guy another chance or two in spring training before you dump him.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
If he blows this next opprotunity
then what would you think will happen to Silva? I don’t think he’d get released, but maybe a Triple A demotion. At least until he can get in shape and do something with his life, besides down a couple boxes of donuts a day. In all seriousness, if he does well, yeah he deserves another chance. Don’t get me wrong, anyone who puts on a Cub’s uniform, I want them to do the best, I just don’t think he’s the guy.
by alabamacubbie on Mar 11, 2010 9:08 AM CST up reply actions
If he gets pounded again today...
… then yes, I think the Cubs are going to have to start thinking about what to do with him.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I imagine ...
the thinking has already begun.
I imagine...
… the thinking won’t really start until after today’s appearance.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
You mean,
I imagine the thinking won’t really start until after today’s performance if he is indeed as bad as he was last Saturday, or not at all if that performance was an outlier.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Mar 11, 2010 10:22 AM CST up reply actions
Why?
Don’t you think the options for Silva are being considered now, even before they know how he’ll do?
I’m not giving up on the guy yet, but I bet Larry and Lou are planning things if he does well, if he gets shelled, etc.
I suppose so.
We should have a much better idea after today’s game.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
why?
Why should we have a better idea of what we’re getting with Silva after today? What if he does pitch well? He’ll have one bad start, and one good one. And we’ll STILL know that during the regular season, he’s at BEST mediocre, and usually much worse.
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Mar 11, 2010 1:08 PM CST up reply actions
As I said....
… Silva’s upside is Jason Marquis. We’d take that.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That doesn't really answer my question
why will we know better what we’re getting after today?
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Mar 11, 2010 1:36 PM CST up reply actions
Well...
… if Silva sucks today, we’ll know that suckage is the likely result.
If he doesn’t — and at this writing he’s been at least decent — he probably has earned another spring start, at the very least.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That would be some incompetent running of a team
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Mar 11, 2010 1:07 PM CST up reply actions
If the Cubs/Larry straighten out Silva by the time the season starts
I will forever stop beating on Rothschild for being a mediocre pitching coach. I hope it works…but I am not holding my breath.
"...to the home of the brave, the land of the free, and the dooooooooormat of the National League." -Steve Goodman
Define what straightening him out means
Because the chances of him being as bad as he was last year are slim, the chances he’ll be as bad as he was in 2008 are pretty decent
I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers
by Nunyabidness on Mar 11, 2010 1:33 PM CST up reply actions
I know you were being somewhat sarcastic in your post, Al ...
but the fact that Silva came to camp out of shape (as another poster noted) really makes me less willing to give him the benefit of the doubt — especially considering his performance with the Mariners.
I’m fine giving him another start or two — this is ST and all. But I find your favoring doing so, when the Cubs could use mound time to figure out the bullpen, somewhat hypocritical — considering that you were so dead set against giving Jeff Baker SOME time in the outfield this spring because it would take playing time away from other outfielders.
The Cubs ARE using mound time to "figure out the bullpen".
Six relievers threw yesterday. That has nothing to do with Silva starting, or not.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I agree with you re: Silva
What I don’t agree with is YOUR stance on Baker in the OF. Frankly, now that we know Nady’s status isn’t great, knowing whether Baker can play the corner outfield spots is even more important. And if you’re cool with letting Silva keep pitching in the spring — taking time away from young arms — you should be OK with Baker getting some time in the OF.
Since when is starting Silva taking time away from young arms?
I repeat, SIX relievers threw yesterday. I assume five or six will throw again today.
I’m just not sure why you’ve got this thing about Baker in the OF. The idea that he’s another DeRosa… not sure where that comes from.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Argh.
Baker doesn’t have to be the next DeRosa. I don’t think he’s up to that, and I’ve said that multiple times.
But all we can expect from Nady for TWO MONTHS is pinch-hitting, so we should look at all options to fill time in the outfield. My point is that giving Silva time isn’t a waste of resources/time — and neither is seeing what Baker can do in the outfield. But the latter is a point that you’ve had repeatedly made.
Read the Nady article again.
It does NOT say he “cannot” play the outfield AT ALL until June. All it says is that he can’t play it “regularly”.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I read it.
But whatever. We’re not going to agree on this.
Mechanical flaw...
I think ole Larry is reaching a bit. That is code for he is really bad and making a change can’t hurt, unless you’re the White Sox or Cards where they do actually fix pitchers.
Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air...
Silva
I appreciate Al’s hope that he might be useful even as the 12th pitcher. However, while I do think he should get another opportunity just to prove the point, I think it is impossible for him to do well as Al keeps postulating might happen.
To me thinking Silva might do well is the same as resigning Chad Fox and thinking there is a chance that he will do well.
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