Why Jason Marquis Will Start The Spring Opener

by Al Yellon on Feb 26, 2007 8:23 AM CST in Chicago Cubs News

In the Sun-Times today, new beat writer Gordon Wittenmyer details the Cub pitching rotation for the first few spring games:

Thursday against the San Francisco Giants: right-hander Jason Marquis starting, with several young pitchers scheduled in relief.

Friday against the Los Angeles Angels: righty Carlos Zambrano starting, with left-handers Neal Cotts and Will Ohman and righty Bob Howry among the relievers.

Saturday against the Oakland Athletics in Phoenix: righty Wade Miller starting, with closer Ryan Dempster, Michael Wuertz and Carlos Marmol in relief.

Sunday against the White Sox: lefty Rich Hill, followed by Juan Mateo and Scott Eyre.

Monday against the Seattle Mariners in Peoria: lefty Ted Lilly starting.

Doing it this way probably has more to do with getting Carlos Zambrano set up to start on Opening Day in Cincinnati than anything else. It matters little who starts the spring opener; it just happens to be Marquis. In a way, this makes sense if Marquis is to be the fifth starter; in that case he'd naturally start right before Z. Spring training game results and strategy are far different than anyone would use during the regular season.

Speaking of Marquis, Bruce Miles has a story on him today, quoting Marquis on the reasons he believes he had such a bad year in 2006. Sometimes, fresh scenery and a fresh start can make all the difference in the world to an athlete.

Let's hope so.

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I'm in the minority

like you, Al. I have high hopes for Marquis. He possibly can't be as bad as last year. It's funny how fickle we Cub fans can be.
We scoff at Marquis, who throws 200 innings every year and are willing to throw him and Lilly aside for Marshall, Mateo, Guzman, and all the other minor leaguers.
With the exception of Marshall, the others need to develop more. Heck, all the minor leaguers thrown to the wolves last year didn't work. At least we have depth now. And don't forget the fact that we're not counting on Prior and Wood exclusivly now.

Juuulie!!!Juuulie!!!Juuulie!!!

by fuzzycubfan on Feb 26, 2007 8:34 AM CST reply actions

plus he is only 28. He wouldn't be the the

first pitcher to recognize his limitations and fill the important roll of eating innings. Since 1996 in the minor leagues he has been an average pitcher. Once he comes to terms with what he can and cannot do he will be fine.

by relaxal on Feb 26, 2007 9:37 AM CST up reply actions

Thank you!

Someone has sense about Marquis. The way some people have acted he is the reincarnation of Satan and embodies all that is evil with the world.

Yes he had a horrible 2006 but he was a good pitcher before that.

I'm beginning to think some people are hoping he does badly which is plain dumb. Rooting for any Cub especially someone who will start every 5 days and be a big factor in whether or not we wil 20 percent of the games this season is crazy.

If he was a bad guy I'd understand but I have not seen anything to back that up.

For Cub fans spring training combines the eternal hope of spring with the irrational belief in the impossible.

by kerrysotherwife on Feb 26, 2007 9:01 AM CST reply actions

This is ridiculous

I don't even know how to respond to this post. Look at his damn numbers. No one is calling him satan. They're saying that he was horrid last year and has had several really crappy years throughout his career. Is this not true? Yes, he had two solid years and 2004 and 2005, but the thought of giving the WORST starter in the NL last year a three year guaranteed contract is inane. I understand giving this guy a flier, the same way you let someone like Guzman or Marmol try to adjust to the majors, but people seem to think that Marquis poor 2006 was the result of 2 or 3 bad starts. He had one month last year with a sub 5 ERA.

If you think people are rooting against Marquis then you've come to the wrong place.

DmL

by dmlichte on Feb 26, 2007 10:15 AM CST up reply actions

Read

Read some of the comments about him. It's gotten pretty nasty and really beyond criticizing performance.

Casting doubt that a player will do well is one thing. But nastiness is another.

For Cub fans spring training combines the eternal hope of spring with the irrational belief in the impossible.

by kerrysotherwife on Feb 26, 2007 10:25 AM CST up reply actions

I hope we learned a lesson.....

with what happened last year with Jacque Jones. For God's sake, let's let the guy play, and see how it plays out. But above all, we need to give him a chance. More than anything, I am hoping against hope that he does great because not only will it help the Cubs, but any success that Marquis has will piss off the entire city of St. Louis. That's what I'm rooting for.

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

by ctcoff99 on Feb 26, 2007 12:17 PM CST up reply actions

3 Years

I agree that 3 years guaranteed is insane for Marquis as well. I would have rather have seen a 1 year deal with a team option for year 2 based on his 2006 performance alone.

Anyone care to do a ballpark adjustment to Marquis' stats from 2006 - now that he'll be pitching Wrigley?

(My early skepticism is a warranted defense mechanism to keep me from being jaded in July if this experiment fails.)

However, even through my doubts, I will root for his success.

There's always next year.

by BJ Simpson on Feb 26, 2007 6:53 PM CST up reply actions

Re

These are pretty much my feelings about Marquis as well.

When my head looks at his career numbers and last year's train wreck, it's a wonder Z didn't ask for $20MM. Unless there's some private deal with the devil, it was a horrific signing.

But he's now a Cub, so my heart hopes in spite of all reasonable expectations that Rothschild really has fixed his mechanics, that he'll go back to being a ground-ball pitcher, and that he'll eat innings while keeping the Cubs in the game.

Visit The Digital Gazette

by Jed Taylor on Feb 27, 2007 12:37 AM CST up reply actions

Appreciate your Admissions, but...

Al:

Thank you for making the BCB site possible.

I agree that there should be some community standards. It is appropriate, or elso you have people who will hijack the site with absurd postings, and spams that paralize the site and make it unpleasant for all the other users. You know whom I am referring to.

However, I come here particularly to discuss baseball matters, with deference to the Cubs - my team. I am really not interested in people sending private messages to each other about what dog food is on sale at their local Superstore. I've also seen people here carry on a whole thread just flirting with each other.

In my opinion, I think a place such as MySpace is a better place for stuff like that. So - is this a Cubs BASEBALL site, or purely a social blog?

Cardinals make me see Red!

by TheEman on Feb 26, 2007 9:02 AM CST reply actions

Isn't this a hijack?

This should have been posted under Al's "Mea Culpa.Mea Maxima Culpa thread from yesterday.

Juuulie!!!Juuulie!!!Juuulie!!!

by fuzzycubfan on Feb 26, 2007 9:11 AM CST reply actions

Yeah, it probably should have.

To Eman: want to repost it there?

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al Yellon on Feb 26, 2007 9:13 AM CST up reply actions

Sure.

Just posted on the most recent thread.

Cardinals make me see Red!

by TheEman on Feb 26, 2007 12:15 PM CST up reply actions

Hilarious

What the future here holds?....

I very excite about this upcoming season! Jenqui!

by nextyearcub on Feb 26, 2007 2:17 PM CST up reply actions

Prior?

Has there been an estimation on when Prior will pitch in Zona? I remember ArizonaPhil's post last week about how good he looked..

Is Prior going to be throwing in a game at all?

by ontheuptick on Feb 26, 2007 9:19 AM CST reply actions

Yes.

Check the "Monday Morning Headlines" diary on the sidebar for more details.

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al Yellon on Feb 26, 2007 9:20 AM CST up reply actions

Thanks...

it appears the diary was posted just as I was posting my question...

by ontheuptick on Feb 26, 2007 9:42 AM CST up reply actions

Sorry TheEman,

That came off rude. I apologize, I was just stating the obvious. I never would intentionally be a jerk like that. Sorry.

by fuzzycubfan on Feb 26, 2007 9:20 AM CST reply actions

No offense taken...

I'll repost on the proper thread.

Cardinals make me see Red!

by TheEman on Feb 26, 2007 12:16 PM CST up reply actions

Boy

If Marquis can repeat his first year with the Cards, I am sure we as Cub fans would be quite happy. I wish I had time today to look at others performances after a bad year and than changing teams. Corey Patterson comes to mind. He had a nice year in Baltimore last year.

"Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead"

by wild bill on Feb 26, 2007 9:28 AM CST reply actions

i take

9-12 from him.

anything around .500 is great, better than that fantastic. plus, i expect him to hit a bit and even pinch hit from time to time.

I don't care about the World Series, just be competitive.

by buckmulligan on Feb 26, 2007 5:36 PM CST up reply actions

Head case

I know a Deadbird fan who tells me Marquis is fine until he is in a tough spot. Then he blows up, loses his concentration, etc. He thinks Marquis has good stuff, & if someone can get him to stay calm during tight situations, he could be a steal.

by KedzieKid on Feb 26, 2007 9:30 AM CST reply actions

Right.

The Cardinal fans had a nickname for him, which I won't repeat here, based on that.

This, too, is something that an individual can work on if he is so inclined. It'd seem to be pretty important in baseball.

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al Yellon on Feb 26, 2007 9:33 AM CST up reply actions

Al, You tease!!!!!!!!!!

N/T

by fuzzycubfan on Feb 26, 2007 2:36 PM CST up reply actions

oh, it's bi-polar betty.

I don't care about the World Series, just be competitive.

by buckmulligan on Feb 26, 2007 5:37 PM CST up reply actions

Exactly...

if losing focus in pressure situations is a pitcher's biggest problem, that's very correctable. It just takes a little time and effort, and it won't be much of a problem anymore.

Ahh, finally...spring has arrived...

by Mark H @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Feb 26, 2007 8:01 PM CST up reply actions

Of the many Cardinal fans I know

many of them tended to like Marquis. My business partner is one of them - but in baseball he tends to be a bit irrational in his defense of all things Cardinal (I can say this here because he doesn't read this forum - and if he does "Hi Ed!").

For me, I'll be glad if Marquis is as good as Matt Clement was during his time as a Cubbie and of course I'd be thankful for anything better.

Side note: 10th anniversary coming up. Since my wife loves most things about me except my love for baseball I'm begining to question my secret plan to fly to Mesa for a romantic picnic in the Spring Training outfield grass...

by stelmodad on Feb 26, 2007 10:25 AM CST reply actions

LOL

But still, once she's there in the sunshine, I'm sure she'll enjoy the picnic.

If you do go, stop by the LF lawn and say hi.

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al Yellon on Feb 26, 2007 10:27 AM CST up reply actions

The solution to this...

(which I am hoping works with my female companion who is joining me for this weekend in Mesa) is to stay at one of the spa resorts in the area. That way I can go be a baseball nerd and she can join me if she wants or get pampered back at the resort.

by FullyKraeusened on Feb 26, 2007 12:45 PM CST up reply actions

BUT - There MUST be a reason...

La Russa had him as the solid #2 behind Carpenter for two years.

Tony is a lot of things, but stupid is not one of them.

Maybe J-Marq was tipping his pitches, right?

Cardinals make me see Red!

by TheEman on Feb 26, 2007 12:18 PM CST reply actions

Always remember.....

that there is something about pro athletes that gets them extra jacked up about playing against the former teams, especially if they felt they were mistreated or let go prematurely. That is certainly the case with Marquis being left off the postseason roster during a world championship season, so let's hope that he is a thorn in the side of the Cards all year.

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

by ctcoff99 on Feb 26, 2007 12:19 PM CST reply actions

I couldn't have said it better.

It would just tickle the hell out of me if the Cardinals had major pitching woes this year, and Marquis gives us something special every fifth day. Stranger things have happened...not much stranger though, I guess.

I just feel so much better when I'm drinking beer.

by deadcatbounce on Feb 26, 2007 9:39 PM CST up reply actions

marquis

is the only cub i don't like. He is a cardinal and doesn't bleed Cubbie blue. just try and poke him with a needle and look at his blood it is RED

by roach on Feb 26, 2007 4:57 PM CST reply actions

LOL

But seriously, you'd find red blood in every player.

"[BCB] is much better than... well, everything." -- gravedigger, January 21, 2007

by Al Yellon on Feb 26, 2007 4:58 PM CST up reply actions

i don't buy it

he was a cardinal yes, but they dumped him. he is from new york. and he spent his early career at atlanta. he obviously loves maddog. i bet he hates the cardinals at this point.

I don't care about the World Series, just be competitive.

by buckmulligan on Feb 26, 2007 5:39 PM CST up reply actions

Exactly.

I don't how he'll do overall, but something tells me he just wants to kick the Cardinals' asses.

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

by ctcoff99 on Feb 27, 2007 12:33 AM CST up reply actions

The Marquis signing could end up being...

a very good one. He's young, he's got good stuff when he keeps his pitches down, and he only cost an average of $7MM a year. We'll see what happens.

If nothing else, we've got the best hitting rotation in baseball :).

Ahh, finally...spring has arrived...

by Mark H @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Feb 26, 2007 8:04 PM CST reply actions

I for one...

will wait and see how Marquis pitches before I throw him under the bus. Automatically assuming he is a bust because of how he pitched last year or even two years ago is wrong. All previous stats are somewhat useless due to his new pitching coach and new environment. Could the reason some hate Marquis so much is because he played for STL last year?

by VandalayIndustries on Feb 27, 2007 8:09 AM CST reply actions