Cubs Could Carry As Many As Four LH Relievers

Via Bruce Miles' notes column today, which also has info about Carlos Silva saying he's got a rotation spot locked up, Tyler Colvin at 1B, and more. Bruce writes:

Speaking of lefties, Q says it’s not out of the question that the Cubs could carry three or even four left-handed relievers if they open with an all-right-handed rotation, which is likely.

over 1 year ago Al Yellon 44 comments 0 recs |

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Interesting quote from Silva

I’m not sure if he was:

1) Just being very confident
2) Relaying something that he’s been told
3) Delusional

by jerry morales rules on Feb 15, 2011 1:43 PM CST reply actions

I'm guessing No. 1 with a dash of No. 3.

by elgato on Feb 15, 2011 1:59 PM CST up reply actions

Just what we need

Another pitcher who’s starting the season with a hot head and delusions of grandeur

~Ronald Reagan has held the two most demeaning jobs in the country; President of the United States and radio broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs~ George F. Will

by unretrofied93 on Feb 15, 2011 2:02 PM CST up reply actions

maybe he puts up a good 1st half like last year, and if the Cubs are as far out of it as most think they’ll be, then trade him. If he blows chunks the first 4 or 5 starts then just release him. Then bring on the next option.

"I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die." - Anonymous

by Easy Ed on Feb 15, 2011 2:08 PM CST up reply actions

What if Silva is outpitched in ST?

by elgato on Feb 15, 2011 2:18 PM CST up reply actions

Don't matter...

he’s making 10 gazillion dollars this year. He’s gotta pitch at least the first month or so. If he sucks then release him. No use having him if he’s gonna blow games left and right. Better off paying him to NOT pitch then to pitch and stink the place up.

"I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die." - Anonymous

by Easy Ed on Feb 15, 2011 2:46 PM CST up reply actions

I halfway agree.

I’d rather pay him not to be a Cub if he’s getting shelled. What I don’t understand is the thinking that he HAS to get shelled in the regular season for a while before he gets released.

Sure, if he’s just kinda mediocre in ST but still better than the others competing for starting jobs, I understand putting him in the rotation. But if he’s outpitched in ST, I don’t think he should make the rotation JUST because he’s getting paid a lot. That’s especially true if he’s really clobbered in ST.

by elgato on Feb 15, 2011 3:10 PM CST up reply actions

If he is outpitched in ST.....he needs to go

by TJ11 on Feb 15, 2011 6:57 PM CST up reply actions

Hopefully...

he surprises us all again like he did last year. If I recall…he got knocked around pretty good in ST last year and came outta ST firing on all cylinders. So, if he sucks again this ST I think he needs to get the benefit of the doubt and allowed to pitch at the beginning of the year. According to Paul Sullivan on CTL, Silva looks like he’s heavier than last year. That can’t be good.

"I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die." - Anonymous

by Easy Ed on Feb 15, 2011 10:18 PM CST up reply actions

Didnt he struggle in ST last year?

I am pretty sure he did, thats why his hot start was even more shocking. Lets see what he does in the first few starts.

"Baseball is ninety percent mental. The other half is physical." -Yogi Berra

by imacubman on Feb 16, 2011 9:05 AM CST up reply actions

Actually...

… after one really bad start at the beginning of ST last year, Silva had a pretty good spring — six starts, 21.2 IP, 27 hits allowed, only two walks allowed, 3.80 ERA — pretty close to what he did in the first half of the season.

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by Al Yellon on Feb 16, 2011 9:09 AM CST up reply actions

We need more spineless wussies, that's for sure.

by Flatley on Feb 15, 2011 2:33 PM CST up reply actions

Because there is ABSOLUTELY no in between.

You’re either someone who can’t control yourself on the mound, or a spineless wuss.

"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer

by BoVandy on Feb 15, 2011 3:41 PM CST up reply actions

I'm guessing #2

But I guess we’ll see

"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer

by BoVandy on Feb 15, 2011 2:10 PM CST up reply actions

Why would you guess that?

Do you think that Quade is quietly assuring Silva of a job, despite the talk of a competition for the final roster spots?

by elgato on Feb 15, 2011 2:17 PM CST up reply actions

I would actually guess Hendy is either instructing Quade to do so, or directly telling Silva that

"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer

by BoVandy on Feb 15, 2011 3:40 PM CST up reply actions

But why?

Either they’re lying to Silva and there actually is a competition … or they’re lying to everybody else and there isn’t a competition.

by elgato on Feb 15, 2011 3:42 PM CST up reply actions

The four LH relievers would likely be...

Marshall
Grabow
Russell
Maine

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by Al Yellon on Feb 15, 2011 1:45 PM CST reply actions

I guess that's making our team more left-handed.

Wherever Lou is, he must be thrilled.

by Flatley on Feb 15, 2011 1:55 PM CST up reply actions

Quite the Departure from 1984...

when the Cubs had no lefties in the pen.

2011 - The 103rd time is the charm.

by memphiscub on Feb 15, 2011 2:48 PM CST up reply actions

And one of those is Marshall, who was no slouch vs. Righties last year

"Easy on the words, brother,'' Quade said.

by RiskyBusiness on Feb 15, 2011 3:24 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks, Al - I had the first three, but I could never remember that last one... ;-)

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Feb 15, 2011 10:16 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, he's kind of unmemorable that way... ;-)

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by Al Yellon on Feb 16, 2011 7:22 AM CST up reply actions

Interesting quote by Brett Jackson

“I’ve just got to get goofy and have a good time,” he said. “We’ll see. Last year was fun. It’s really easy to adapt here, a lot of guys who are willing to take you in and make you feel part of it. From last year’s experience, the nerves are a little less, but they’re certainly still there.”

I guess its good to be relaxed to perform your best

by El Borto on Feb 15, 2011 2:34 PM CST reply actions

Yeah but not Steve Lyons relaxed

by jerry morales rules on Feb 15, 2011 3:14 PM CST up reply actions

It's so easy...

to dislike Carlos Silva.

by kanderber on Feb 15, 2011 3:17 PM CST reply actions

Why?

by jerry morales rules on Feb 15, 2011 3:47 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, I don't get that either.

I don’t have much confidence in the guy given all of the things he’ll have to overcome to be decent in 2011. But I don’t personally dislike him. He seemed like a decent dude last season …

by elgato on Feb 15, 2011 3:55 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah, I agree

It was Seattle’s stupid idea to sign him to that contract. I have no reason to believe that his injuries aren’t legitimate. He seems to come to the ballpark willing to do whatever it takes (with the possible exception of skipping a buffet every once in a while).

by jerry morales rules on Feb 15, 2011 3:58 PM CST up reply actions

The weight issue ...

MIGHT reflect poorly on him — if he gained more weight this offseason and if his other health issues didn’t make it hard for him to keep in shape.

by elgato on Feb 15, 2011 4:01 PM CST up reply actions

Because...

he continues to show up to camp fat and out of shape, and then has the audacity to make these comments.

Not to mention the fact that he’s awful.

by kanderber on Feb 15, 2011 5:25 PM CST up reply actions

He was good as a Cub

Yes, the conditioning is not good especially if it contributes to his injury woes. I still wouldn’t say it’s easy to hate him. I don’t. It looks to me like he comes in and competes.

by jerry morales rules on Feb 15, 2011 6:49 PM CST up reply actions

OK - he is at camp already. Any feedback on his weight/conditioning/gut?

No reason for more speculation – he is there and working out.

And regarding not being able to exercise over the winter – once they got the arrythmia (sp?) under control, I would guess that the therapy for his heart involved exercise.

by ClarkFan on Feb 16, 2011 12:02 PM CST up reply actions

Exactly

If – as suggested in another thread – I was signed by the Cubs, and happened to show up to camp fat and out of shape (a distinct possibility), I’d certainly have the sense to keep my mouth shut. Except when they put out the post-game spread… ;-)

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Feb 15, 2011 10:21 PM CST up reply actions

Have there been definitive reports...

…that he showed up “fat and out of shape” this year? Serious question — I haven’t really read anything to that effect. I just heard that he was sick.

The guy’s never going to be the model of athletic conditioning — he is what he is. I think Carlos is just showing some gumption by saying what he did. And, FWIW, he is a veteran MLB pitcher, so there probably is a certain amount of tenure involved here.

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by daver on Feb 16, 2011 9:02 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

good grief

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 Feb 17, 2011 7:45 AM CST up reply actions

This is an interesting idea

If Russell isn’t a LOOGY, I like this idea. Considering our rotation is going to be all righties, this could work out well.

"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck

by Musicdude10 on Feb 15, 2011 4:22 PM CST reply actions

If Maine can get his walks down, his stats look pretty good.

by Rick B on Feb 15, 2011 4:28 PM CST reply actions

Look at the Cubs depth chart at their website and tell me what is wrong with the picture

Screw the haters. It's Cutler time.

by lexmarklover on Feb 15, 2011 9:43 PM CST reply actions

The Bullpen?

"A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality." John Lennon
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by Cubbiegoon on Feb 16, 2011 1:40 PM CST up reply actions

If we have four lefties

It means we are repeating a 12 man pitching staff. I don’t buy that we would balance out with lefties in the pen. You’ll have Wood, Marmol and Spellcheck because they’ll have to put him out there because of salary considerations. That eats up a spot for someone more deserving of a bullpen spot.

by Nibbles on Feb 16, 2011 10:23 AM CST reply actions