At the Winter Meetings, the Cubs indicated that the bullpen will be improved with small moves.
The Cubs picked up LHP Wesley Wright who will be in the bullpen. Theo Epstein believes that Arodys Vizcaino, who the Cubs acquired in 2012 but has not pitched for 2 years due to set-backs from Tommy John surgery, will also be in the bullpen. Epstein said that Vizcaino is healthy now -- and he was throwing 98 mph in the
Dominican instructional league.
Vizcaino was a starting pitcher for the Braves. By putting him in the bullpen can be a signal that the club is going to take it easy on his pitching arm to build up innings, or the acknowledgement that he is a failed starter at this point in his career.
The bullpen begins to shape up like this"
Closer: Fujikawa, coming off his own lost season due to injury.
Set-Up: Strop, who some believe could be the heir apparent closer.
8th: Vizcaino, if he is truly healthy.
LHP: Russell, who was overworked last season
LHP: Wright, who is a true LOOGY.
RHP: Parker, who fell into a long reliever by default last season.
Long/Spot Starter: Villaneuva, who could get a shot at the 5th starter role this spring.
Overall, the Cubs are tweaking not rebuilding their bullpen. There is no track record to see if Fujikawa will be any better than Kevin Gregg, or Vizcaino will be better than Hector Rondon.
Showing posts with label Vizcaino. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vizcaino. Show all posts
December 14, 2013
September 11, 2013
PATTY CAKE BAKER'S MAN
Scott Baker finally returned to the mound after two seasons. He pitched five scoreless innings for a bad Cubs team mired in the cellar of the NL Central. Baker "earned" approximately $1.4 million for that start.
Baker is not a bad person for taking the Ricketts money. The Cubs were dumb enough to give him $5.5 million to rehab from Tommy John surgery. The front office miscalculated how severe the injury was to Baker since he was never available to be flipped at the trade deadline.
Baker took his millions, rehabbed with the Cubs staff, and now will get 3 more starts before going back into the winter free agent market looking to command even more money.
This seems to be a bust transaction from the Cubs point of view. The gamble on picking up injured players, especially pitchers, and hoping for strong comebacks is a bad business plan. Take another example, Arodys Vizcaino, who has not thrown in the majors since 2011 and who is currently on the 60 day DL with setbacks from his Tommy John surgeries. Vizcaino is only 22, but he has been in the minors since he was 17. There are no guarantees that he will recover fully from his arm troubles.
Baker is not a bad person for taking the Ricketts money. The Cubs were dumb enough to give him $5.5 million to rehab from Tommy John surgery. The front office miscalculated how severe the injury was to Baker since he was never available to be flipped at the trade deadline.
Baker took his millions, rehabbed with the Cubs staff, and now will get 3 more starts before going back into the winter free agent market looking to command even more money.
This seems to be a bust transaction from the Cubs point of view. The gamble on picking up injured players, especially pitchers, and hoping for strong comebacks is a bad business plan. Take another example, Arodys Vizcaino, who has not thrown in the majors since 2011 and who is currently on the 60 day DL with setbacks from his Tommy John surgeries. Vizcaino is only 22, but he has been in the minors since he was 17. There are no guarantees that he will recover fully from his arm troubles.
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