The Jason Marquis trade was controversial at the time it was made. Many here disliked Marquis for providing fifth-starter performance for more than fifth-starter money. There's something to that, but especially last year, Marquis did as he was asked. The deal wound up being a bad one, in my opinion, because it was made for salary reasons (in part, to afford Milton Bradley's deal) and the player acquired -- Luis Vizcaino -- turned out to be useless and was released.
Marquis, who somehow always pitched well in Coors Field, has prospered there, making the All-Star team and keeping his ERA under 4.00. He's even pitched well after the All-Star break, something he has never done before in his career. His sinker works in Denver; this is something other breaking-ball pitchers have gone to Coors with and failed.
It's time to pay back Marquis -- and the Rockies -- for this deal.
Speaking of deals, will the Cubs acquire anyone via a waiver deal this month? Jim Hendry says "maybe":
"It's hard to say," general manager Jim Hendry said of whether the Cubs will be able to add another player. "We're not in the upper echelons, but our record's good enough where we don't get first cracks at some guys. We'll see. If we find something that makes us better, we'll try."
Right now, I don't see anyone out there who would be available by waiver deal -- and who wouldn't cost a lot in terms of players or money -- who could really help the Cubs. I don't want John Smoltz -- I think he's done -- and with Ted Lilly due to return in 10 days or so, the Cubs are going to be OK for starting pitching even with Carlos Zambrano going on the disabled list, given the apparent revival of Tom Gorzelanny. Fortunately, Z's DL move is retroactive to August 2, so he will be eligible to return on the 17th, and Lilly should be back by then as well.
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Jason Marquis... well, what can you say. He was the guy many here loved to hate, but he's been rejuvenated as a Rockie. He handcuffed the Cubs on April 15 at Wrigley Field and has a 3.79 ERA in nine starts at Coors Field this year. However, several Cubs used to light him up as a Cardinal -- maybe they can pick that up tonight. Derrek Lee (16-for-33, 2 doubles, 4 HR) and Aramis Ramirez (9-for-21, 2 HR) lead the hit parade.
Ryan Dempster threw very well in his last start last Sunday in Miami -- that's what we need from him tonight, the guy who pitched so well last year. He has not had much success in Coors Field -- a 15.23 ERA in seven appearances (three starts, 13 total IP), but most of that came from two horrific starts he made in 2001 and 2003, comprising six of those innings and 16 of the 22 earned runs allowed. Against players currently on the Rockies he's done much better -- a .211 BAA. Only Todd Helton has hit him well -- .389 (7-for-18) with 3 HR.
TV tonight is, for the third game in a row, cable-only, CSN Chicago and FSN Rocky Mountain. If you are outside of Bud's Idiotic Blackout Zones, you should be able to see the game on the MLB Network. For other games today see the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
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Overflow comment threads will post today at 8:15 pm, 9:15 pm and 10 pm CDT.
Discuss amongst yourselves.