The Bullpen

There are a lot of stories lately about the Cubs' bullpen issues, especially since Guzman's injury. This is a terrible blow, no doubt. Guzman has always held out so much promise, and last year he seemed to come into his own.

I pretty much take the view that the bullpen, and pitching in general, is the least of their worries. In one of my earlier posts, I bemoaned the presence of Carlos Silva on the roster, but I have to admit that so far, with the exception of his first start, this guy seems to have turned it around. If he continues to progress, he really simplifies some of the Cubs' pitching issues. It now seems likely that Silva and Marshall will begin the season in the starting rotation, with one of them dropping into long relief when and if Lilly comes off the DL.

So, as far as the bullpen is concerned, then, there is probably just one slot open, and the question is, do you fill it with one of the remaining free agent relievers or trade for a journeyman right-hander, or do you just stand pat?

Marmol is set as the closer, and Grabow and Caridad as the principal setup men. Berg also seems assured of a spot. Gorzelanny seems to be pitching himself out of a spot in the rotation, but he will be OK as a reliever. Samardzja has also been unimpressive. I've never thought this guy is ready for the majors and nothing I have seen changes that opinion. It is widely thought the losers in the race for the fourth and fifth starters would go to the bullpen, but the Cubs need to realize that Samardzja's future, if he has a future, is as a starter and that he needs at least a whole year in the minors to learn how to pitch and to develop off-speed pitches. I can see him opening the season at the major league level, especially if Gray is still hurt, but as soon as either Gray or Lilly is ready, he needs to be sent down.

Gray also is a bit of a wild card here. When the Cubs acquired him from Oakland in the Fox deal, you would have to have considered him a lock on making the team and really contending for one of the major setup roles. A fluke groin injury has kept him on the shelf through most of spring training, but if he recuperates sufficiently, he definitely makes the roster.

So that is the bullpen right there, and it isn't a bad one as bullpens go. The Cubs always insist on carrying twelve pitchers when eleven is sufficient for most needs. They generally have one guy they only use when the game is hopelessly out of reach, so it is just a wasted roster spot, but there is no convincing Piniella and Hendry of this, so they will have to fill one more spot. I cannot see trading anybody of any conceivable use to get there, and the remaining free agents are either too expensive, hurt, or not very good, so it looks like another rookie for this spot. Russell has been the most impressive candidate so far.