Wittenmeyer intv w/Guzman and why the Cubs were seeking a setup this winter

"Cubs pitcher Angel Guzman says he plans to have surgery on his injured shoulder, even though he's been told few pitchers ever come back from that kind of surgery.

"It's going to be tough," said Guzman, 28, who was diagnosed over the weekend with a significant ligament tear near his armpit and instability in the shoulder. "But it's better than not having it and not having a chance. Doing it, I have a small chance, but there is a chance. So I'm going to take the chance."

Guzman says the decision isn't final. He plans to see famed orthopedist James Andrews – who already has done operations on Guzman's shoulder and elbow -- as soon as this week and then consult with his agents and his family."

ME: Since Guzman was shut down last September from what was reported to be some mysterious "triceps" problem, coincidentally close to but not the shoulder, and the Cubs kept pursuing a set up righthander all winter, my guess is this is not surprise....

almost 2 years ago Ivy Walls 9 comments 0 recs |

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since Ricketts said he would spend money in mid-season if we were contending...

dont you think the Cubs need him to spend that money now to replace Guzman, or is that not an issue yet?

by cooliogirl47 on Mar 7, 2010 9:16 PM CST reply actions

I think

they’ll want to see how our young minor-league pitchers do first.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Mar 7, 2010 10:56 PM CST up reply actions

one way to get someobody ...

would be to trade contracts away. I suggested this last month, but trading Marshall and Fontenot would save about $2 million. Add that to the $800,000 saved in the Theriot arbitration, and that’s almost $3 million.

I think it’s great that the Cubs are trotting out some youngsters. But I think they could do that AND add one arm. We’re talking about seven spots, and only three (Marmol, Grabow, Caridad) are claimed. The loser(s) of the derby for the fifth rotation spot would be in the mix, too, obviously.

by elgato on Mar 8, 2010 10:34 AM CST up reply actions

More important than the baseball implications...

… this is just a sad story. From the fact that he came back from previous shoulder issues to the death of his brother and best friend.

“It’s very sad, but what can I do? I’m still breathing…I love pitching. I’ve been pitching since I was 4 years old. I’m still 28. I think 28’s a good age to keep pushing it.”

by dmlichte on Mar 7, 2010 9:19 PM CST reply actions