Open Thread: Cubs vs. Brewers, Monday 3/10, 3:05 CT
Today is the first of only two scheduled meetings between the Cubs and Brewers this spring. The addition of several teams to the Cactus League is a double-edged sword: it's nice to see ST baseball in Arizona flourishing, but having 12 teams (and it'll be 14 next year, with the Dodgers and Indians moving) means you see each team fewer times.
Carlos Zambrano's turn should have been today, but Lou Piniella moved him back a day because he doesn't want the Brewers to get a look at him before Opening Day. Rich Hill will go instead. Dave Bush starts for Milwaukee.
Looks like our first four starters are set, barring setbacks, says Bruce Miles: Z, Hill, Ted Lilly and Jon Lieber. That leaves it between Jason Marquis and Ryan Dempster for the last spot, and:
On top of that, he has a split-finger fastball to go along with a good fastball and slider.
Piniella seems impressed by what Dempster has done.
"No question, and he wants it badly," the manager said. "He came to camp in really good shape. He's maintained that. He's worked hard, and he's enthused and excited about the prospect of starting. And we told him we were committed to giving him that opportunity, and that's exactly what's happening."
That, of course, begs the question: what to do with Marquis? He wouldn't fit in the bullpen. I assume Jim Hendry is trying to deal him -- and let's not get that Boston rumor going again, because it's been shot down.
Here is today's Mediacenter link. It shows the game on audio, but I think they made a mistake -- KLAA isn't the right radio station, that probably belongs to the game below the Cub game, the Angels/A's game. However, you can watch on CSN Chicago or MLB.TV.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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The Cubs played Milwaukee once already...
Whoops!
The point stands... you used to see teams 4-6 times in spring... now most teams, you play only twice. (Yes, I know, some are more, like the Giants.)
It probably all breaks even...
Of course, the same can be said for our team, so it's probably a sum-zero equation.
If the Cubs traded Marquis...
Question... please help
I do realize that it sucks to pay a guy for little production. But the Cubs have the money. If we don't get anything in return, why not just hold onto him? Who knows whether Dempster or Leiber will come up with an injury, or Hill will have a bad outing and exit early necessitating using another starter.
Look at the Dallas Mavericks. I am sure they would rather undo the signing of Erik Dampier. However, they have him and may as well use him as a backup. He is being paid far too much as a backup, but what is done is done and may as well use him to benefit the team.
The Mavs, like the Cubs have plenty of money so at least it doesn't prevent us from important free agent moves.
No teams are willing to trade anything of value for Marquis and will want us to pick up the entire tab. Why not just hold onto him then?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Especially since
See Carlos Silva
Marshall, Gallagher and Hart will get a shot when injuries occur.
When did Lohse sign a Minor League Deal ?
Has he actually signed with a team?
by jessica on Mar 10, 2008 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions
re: Question... please help
I must say, the empathetic part of me feels for Jason: He's dropped from the postseason roster in '06, left out of the postseason rotation in '07 and, potentially, relegated to the bullpen in '08. Don't get me wrong -- I understand why these things have happened (or may happen), but those are some tough pills to swallow. If he's a survivor, though, he'll find a way to make it work. Who knows; maybe one way to avoid Marquis' second-half swoon is to simply wait to the second half and add him to the rotation then.
Marquis
I would love to throw Marquis down to AAA and have him be a backup or an injured reserve sort of player, but I expect he would throw a fit and demand to be traded.
If he caused enough of a stink, the Cubs might worry about how that could affect future FA signings.
by salparadise23 on Mar 10, 2008 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions
He can if he gives his permission, right?
Here's how it would work.
If no team claims him, then Jason Marquis can be assigned to a AAA team; Marquis has enough service time to refuse an optional assignment, however. So the Cubs would either have to convince him to accept the assignment (generally this is done by guaranteeing payment on some of the contract incentive clauses) or give him his outright release, where he would probably be picked up by some other team who would offer him the league minimum.
If Jason Marquis was given his outright release, we would be paying all of the salary owed to him in his contract except for the amount taken on by his new team (which would be the league minimum); if somehow NO team decides they want Jason Marquis for the league minimum, we pay him to sit at home.
A thought on Marquis
Marquis' value
Not to mention any health issues in our rotation ...
On Dempster, ...
I really hope Dempster has a great year. You know he wanted to start in the past, but sacrificed himself to be the closer: he embraced a role not so much because he wanted it, but because the Cubs needed it. - TL
Lineups
Theriot, SS
Fukudome, RF
Lee, 1B
Ramirez, 3B
Kroeger, LF
DeRosa, 2B
Blanco, C
Fuld, CF
Hill, P
Brewers
Weeks, 2B
Nunez, 3B
Kapler, LF
Fielder, 1B
Hart, RF
Escobar, SS
Gwynn, CF
Munson, C
Bush, P
Unless the Brewers have someone hurt
Yep.
To Mark Derosa:
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 10, 2008 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions
re: To Mark Derosa:
BBBZZZZZZZZZZZ!
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 10, 2008 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions
re: BBBZZZZZZZZZZZ!
Um...no.
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 10, 2008 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom
by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Mar 10, 2008 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions
re: I'd like to buy a...
lol!
It does ALL our hearts good to see him back in the lineup. Hopefully, he puts up HUGE numbers to put all the silly B-Ro business to rest.
by drewishdrewid on Mar 10, 2008 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions
TGJ
by weiler @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Mar 10, 2008 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Next Cubs game I can watch live...
by dragonsfanatic on Mar 10, 2008 12:16 PM CDT reply actions
Is it true...
Not likely....
They will be replayed in following night so I won't miss them, but it's too sleepy to watch them live - it's 2:30AM right now so I need to go to bed...
by dragonsfanatic on Mar 10, 2008 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions
The worst part is...
Well, that's pretty damn stupid.
Haven't we all learned by now...
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 10, 2008 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions
The Japanese networks...
Technology exists, doesn't it...
Oh, wait. Makes too much sense. Sorry, carry on.
Explain this to me...
Just a few days later than Z?
So how does it not hurt his cause to pitch against them today? I would think you would rather have those pitchers see some of Z's 98-mph fastballs than have a chance to zero-in on Rich's big loopy curve.
There may be a very obvious reason for this, if someone would care to enlighten me...
by cublessinmilwaukee on Mar 10, 2008 12:21 PM CDT reply actions
For answer...
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 10, 2008 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions
I actually thought I had heard...
by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Mar 10, 2008 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions
You're right
We're assuming
thats been my assumption all along actually
by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Mar 10, 2008 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Aha.
Thanks, fellas.
by cublessinmilwaukee on Mar 10, 2008 12:33 PM CDT reply actions
AZ
I'm glad Demp is leading for the 5th spot, I don't trust Marquis out there and it seems he consistently has trouble with his manager. It would be nice to be able to hold onto Marquis for a month or two into the season so we can deal him to a team that is desperate.
I have to admit...
Has Leiber pitched that much better than Marquis/Dempster to slot him as #4 in the rotation, as Miles claims?
And how about Marquis and Dempster on their own? Have they been good/bad/ugly thusfar?
re: I have to admit...
Although Lou claims to have patched things up with Marquis, attitude still may play a key role in all of this. Despite Demp's world series prediction and joking around with Millar earlier in spring training, he seems really, really focused. (I caught his in-game interview yesterday and got this impression.) And Lieber has that "veteran presence" thing going, which managers and coaches always seem to like. Even if Marquis continues to pitch well, he still doesn't appear likely to crack the rotation.
agreed.
that being said, I agree that even if Marquis pitches well the rest of ST, he may still end up being the 6th best starter. I think if there's a way to keep him around for insurance, Hendry/Lou will do it. But that's a tough thing to do with veterans as pointed out in an earlier comment, so he probably is gone.
I would guess though that Hendry holds off until the end of ST, just in case someone comes up with a sore arm or other DLable injury.
Jay Payton
All in all I am impressed....this weekend
Wood was also solid as was the entire bullpen. Pie is showing himself as a starting regular, hitting with authority and patience. Ward was in mid season form at the plate and others including AAA players played well.
The only decisions are as follows: It seems to me that the following 5 starters and 6 relievers (11)and 11 position players are set, 8 starting regulars plus Blanco and Cintron...leaving 4 spots open....
What to do with Marquis?
What to do with Murton?
What to do with Fontenot?
What to do with Cedeno?
What to do with Fuld?
What to do with Patterson?
What to do with Marshall?
DeRosa & to a lessor degree Theriot offers so versatility...the next versatile player is probably Cedeno (on the field), then Patterson, then Fuld, Fontenot and Murton. Fonty & Murton offering more offense.....
I could see Patterson making this team for the month of April as the 25th player simply because the Cubs play in so many cold climate games and speed at the end of the game could be a difference. So then you have 2 more players (probably all three being position players unless the Cubs cannot trade Marquis).
With Cintron and if Patterson goes north (can back up CF) than Cedeno is on the bubble, with Patterson then Murton (23rd player) goes as a rightie-bat-off-the-bench, leaving one more player.....Fontenot or Fuld....and based on whether Fontenot can play SS in a pinch he goes as the 24th player.
Ward (IF-OF, PH par deluxe), Blanco(C), Cintron & Fontenot (IF utility), Patterson & Murton (OF) ....through April. But this means Marquis must be traded in a salary dump.
When May comes along then the decision will be between Fontenot or Patterson, as the final roster spot as the Cubs would probably recall a 7th relief pitcher.
my thoughts
Anyone got a used infield rake? I guess we keep him, if we can't trade him.
What to do with Murton?
Backup for RF, LF.
What to do with Fontenot?
Back-up for 2b, maybe short.
What to do with Cedeno?
Trade him. But then, I don't like him,
What to do with Fuld?
Back to AAA ball.
What to do with Patterson?
Back to AAA ball, call him up if there are two guys out in the infield, maybe.
What to do with Marshall?
BullPen. that's four, right?
This is ALL my personal feelings. I'm not a stat-head like some of the smarter people here; I can't keep track of numbers like that. But I think there's something to be said for the soft-science of "this makes a good team that works well together".
by drewishdrewid on Mar 10, 2008 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Response
Desperately try to engineer a salary sway deal, where we take somebody's bad contract. Barring that, put him on the DL with phantom injury.
What to do with Murton?
Trade him for whatever can be had. It doesn't help the ballclub or Murton to send him back to Triple A.
What to do with Fontenot?
He doesn't have a role at the major league level. He lacks the versatility to be a suitable utility infielder. So off to Triple A he goes.
What to do with Cedeno?
Augh. I wish the Cubs would deal him, but he and his low baseball IQ probably stick as a utility infielder.
What to do with Fuld?
Simple. Triple A. bound.
What to do with Patterson?
Suffers from the same problem facing Mike Fontenot. Patterson either learns how to play several positions semi-well and transmogrify himself into the next Willie Harris, or he will be riding the Triple A buses for a long time. He's ticketed for Triple A.
What to do with Marshall?
Likely destined for Triple A, unless he can beat Carmen Pignatello out for a bullpen spot as the # 2 lefty. Just because he starts the year in Des Moines doesn't mean he won't help the Cubs in 2008.
stupid time change
by TipsyMcStagger on Mar 10, 2008 2:17 PM CDT reply actions
It's official! My Spring Training has started!
Anyway. to prepare for my trip, I shaved my beard off and gave myself a pseudo-military haircut. 1/4" on top, 1/8" on the sides and some 1/16" edgework. I'm gonna save so much money on shampoo...
Ballhawk
by Tangled Up In Blue on Mar 10, 2008 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions
yep, I want to make sure I get a nice even...
Well, not ALL over. I will spare the other Cubs fans out there the pain of snow-blindness by keeping my shirt ON...
LOL!
by Tangled Up In Blue on Mar 10, 2008 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions
MLB TV / audio
re: MLB TV / audio
yep - same thing here
I'm going to hold off on re-upping though until I see what happens with Cubs Club or whatever it's called. Although it curdles my stomach lining to give Bud Lite any money, CubsCam is a pretty cool feature...
Speaking of audio...
Now mostly off again...
Must be technical difficulties.
Mine came on briefly, too...
nothing here as well
but i can watch mlb.tv
I'm watching on MLB also
You can watch on MLB tv?
Im pretty sure
Wait...
And what a pleasant sound it is!
my audio is working now
by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Mar 10, 2008 3:12 PM CDT reply actions
god,
by LilLPLancer23 on Mar 10, 2008 3:13 PM CDT reply actions
ARam hits two-run double...
ramirez!!!
by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Mar 10, 2008 3:13 PM CDT reply actions
Aram
by LilLPLancer23 on Mar 10, 2008 3:14 PM CDT reply actions
Nice to see him using the RF line
by Mike Vails Evil Twin on Mar 10, 2008 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Theriot and Fukudome
How did Theriot and Fukudome get on?
by John Q Freejazz on Mar 10, 2008 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Per Gameday...
josh kroger
by LilLPLancer23 on Mar 10, 2008 3:14 PM CDT reply actions
3-0
by LilLPLancer23 on Mar 10, 2008 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Mark Derosa
by LilLPLancer23 on Mar 10, 2008 3:16 PM CDT reply actions
Chubby kid with a web gem!
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 10, 2008 3:16 PM CDT reply actions
I hope he makes SC
by sanantonecub on Mar 10, 2008 3:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Bush's stuff...
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 10, 2008 3:17 PM CDT reply actions
yes.
by LilLPLancer23 on Mar 10, 2008 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions
henry blanco
fouls off a 2-seamer. 0-2
takes curveball outside. 1-2
line 2 seam fastball to 2b. 3rd out
by LilLPLancer23 on Mar 10, 2008 3:18 PM CDT reply actions
Pie is going to
"Little Problem"?!
by TheEman on Mar 10, 2008 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Rickie Weeks
Fastball inside, 1-1.
Bunt popped between 1st and pitchers mound, Hill has to come in for it and cathces it
1 out.
by LilLPLancer23 on Mar 10, 2008 3:21 PM CDT reply actions
MiamiCanes,
by LilLPLancer23 on Mar 10, 2008 3:22 PM CDT reply actions
Hill's curve...
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 10, 2008 3:22 PM CDT reply actions
hmm
It also still thinks Andres Blanco is catching.
Felix..
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 10, 2008 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Actually...
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 10, 2008 3:27 PM CDT up reply actions
re: Actually...
Damn that Gabe Kaplan!
ZZ Top's inspiration
Hart
swinging strike 0-2
passed ball 1-2 Kappler tries for home but goes back
check swing 2-2
pop up RF 3 outs
Cubs 3-0
Sam Fuld
Pitch inside. 1-1
Curveball starts high, right over middle of plate, 1-2.
Curveball comes in, strike 3 on the swing.
1 OUT
by LilLPLancer23 on Mar 10, 2008 3:30 PM CDT reply actions
Rich Hill...
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 10, 2008 3:31 PM CDT reply actions
Rich Hill
Swings at fastball high, 0-2.
Curveball outside for a ball. 1-2.
Lines one out of play. 1-2.
Takes fastball low and away, 2-2.
Takes same pitch. 3-2.
Grounder to second, flips ball out of glove to 1B.
2 OUT.
by LilLPLancer23 on Mar 10, 2008 3:32 PM CDT reply actions
Sam Fuld...
Except of course for...
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 10, 2008 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions
The SHow or 2k8?
by dkowal22 on Mar 10, 2008 3:35 PM CDT reply actions
There have already been...
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 10, 2008 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions
I have 2k8 for Xbox 360.
by LilLPLancer23 on Mar 10, 2008 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Ryan Theriot
Curveball outside, 1-1.
Misses attempt at bunt for a hit, 1-2.
Foul ball, 1-2.
Pitch is low, 2-2.
Cureball inside, 3-2.
Swings at curveball. K.
3 OUTS.
Cubs 3- Brewers 0. On to the Bottom of 2nd.
by LilLPLancer23 on Mar 10, 2008 3:35 PM CDT reply actions
Nice play by A-Ram,
by LilLPLancer23 on Mar 10, 2008 3:37 PM CDT reply actions
For those watching the game...
Tony Gwynn Jr
Fastball down 2-0
Fastball up, foul 2-1
Fastball outside corner 2-2
Slider away 3-2
Fastball way up
Walk
Anyone know of a website
by LilLPLancer23 on Mar 10, 2008 3:41 PM CDT reply actions
Hill starting to get hit...
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 10, 2008 3:43 PM CDT reply actions
come on hill
by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Mar 10, 2008 3:43 PM CDT reply actions
That looked like a curve to me...
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 10, 2008 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Kapler
Curve down 2-0
Fastball basehit down LF line
Weeks in, Kapler to 2nd
Brewers 4-3
I guess..
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 10, 2008 3:45 PM CDT reply actions
CSN
by LilLPLancer23 on Mar 10, 2008 3:46 PM CDT reply actions
I'll just...
Fielder
Fastball 1-1
Curve, swinging strike 1-2
Fastball out 2-2
Checkswing, strikeout
3 outs
Kosuke Fukudome
Curveball away. 1-1.
Fastball low and away. 1-1.
2 Seamer inside taken. 2-2.
Curveball low in the dirt, 3-2.
2 seam low but in the zone, foul tipped and caught for strike 3.
1 OUT.
by LilLPLancer23 on Mar 10, 2008 3:50 PM CDT reply actions
Derek Lee
Curveball taken. 1-1.
Fastball up and away, he tries to take it to LF but line to Rickie Weeks at 2B.
2 OUT
by LilLPLancer23 on Mar 10, 2008 3:51 PM CDT reply actions
lee seems to be struggling this spring
Aramis Ramirez
fastball same place, fouled away. 0-2.
Curve ball low, 1-2.
Slider away, strike 3 on the swing.
Going into bottom of 3rd, Brewers 4- Cubs 3.
by LilLPLancer23 on Mar 10, 2008 3:53 PM CDT reply actions
Corey Hart
Changeup in 1-1
pitch in 2-1
Changeup up and away 3-1
fastball up, basehit LF
Thanks Miami
I dont like what I am reading, but thanks again.
Tony Gwynn Jr
pitch away 2-0
pitch in 2-1
hit to 3rd base out at 1st
1 out
Hart at 3rd, Escobar 2nd
That was...
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 10, 2008 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions
For Rich Hill...
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 10, 2008 4:03 PM CDT reply actions
Ouch.
im a little dissapointed with hill today.
by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Mar 10, 2008 4:03 PM CDT reply actions
Rickie Weeks is up
Slider away 1-0
Fastball down 2-0
Slider, foul 2-1
Fastball down, foul 2-2
Fastball, swinging strike three end of the inning
Brewers 4-3
It's spring training
re: It's spring training
Nah...
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 10, 2008 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions
my internet keeps going in and out
sorry i will try to make it bakc on later
You internet is doing what?
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 10, 2008 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Ha, that went over his head
Lahey works a 1-2-3...
Cubs go 1-2-3 as well...
Get off the ledge folks
Is Lou conceding this game...
I am getting a little faclempt (sp)
The Cubs concede...
Another round of roster cuts must be on the way
by John Q Freejazz on Mar 10, 2008 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Now he is...
by John Q Freejazz on Mar 10, 2008 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Who says Fonty lacks arm strength
i know someone who won't be playing OF
COUGH CEDENO
Hoff-power!
by John Q Freejazz on Mar 10, 2008 5:29 PM CDT reply actions
Casey McGhee
by Tangled Up In Blue on Mar 10, 2008 5:29 PM CDT reply actions
First two reach base
Double play with a score
and just like that....
by Tangled Up In Blue on Mar 10, 2008 5:30 PM CDT reply actions
Yes...
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 10, 2008 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions
We lost to the Brewers...again...
by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 10, 2008 5:31 PM CDT reply actions
Last I checked
by sanantonecub on Mar 10, 2008 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Dusty?
But it's ST-- and I don't care.
Budweiser Tent
UW-Platteville alumni enjoyed watching the game from the Budweiser pavillion in right field. Brewers' fans were especially pleased with the outcome of the game.

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