en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/786412 Comments by dat_cubfan_dave http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/07/projecting-the-roster-week-1/#IDComment60706839 Oh, OK. This commenting system continues to pose challenges. Now the comments I left yesterday appear at the top of the thread, making it look like they came first. Tue, 9 Mar 2010 14:41:58 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/07/projecting-the-roster-week-1/#IDComment60706839 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/07/projecting-the-roster-week-1/#IDComment60445108 Here's my best guess - at the moment - as to how the 25-man could break down: Starting lineup 1. Kosuke Fukudome RF 2. Ryan Theriot SS 3. Derrek Lee 1B 4. Aramis Ramirez 3B 5. Marlon Byrd CF 6. Alfonso Soriano LF 7. Jeff Baker 2B/3B 8. Geovany Soto C Bench 9. Mike Fontenot 2B 10. Andres Blanco or Darwin Barney SS/2B 11. Koyie Hill C 12. Xavier Nady OF/1B 13. Sam Fuld OF Starting rotation 14. Carlos Zambrano RHP 15. Ted Lilly LHP (out until May 1; replaced by Gorzelanny or (gulp) Silva) 16. Ryan Dempster RHP 17. Randy Wells RHP 18. Sean Marshall LHP Bullpen 19. Carlos Silva RHP 20. Tom Gorzelanny LHP (out of options) 21. Esmailin Caridad RHP (3 option years remaining) 22. Jeff Gray RHP (has 1 option year remaining) 23. John Grabow LHP 24. Jeff Samardzija RHP (has 1 option year remaining) 25. Carlos Marmol RHP Mon, 8 Mar 2010 16:26:33 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/07/projecting-the-roster-week-1/#IDComment60445108 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/07/projecting-the-roster-week-1/#IDComment60444155 I definitely agree about giving Fuld the roster spot over Colvin, so Tyler can get regular ABs in Iowa. Bruce Levine seems convinced Colvin is a future left fielder, but I still think he could be the Cubs starting right fielder after Kosuke in a best case scenario. Agree on Cashner and Gaub as well. I believe Gaub projects as a good LOOGY option. Samardzija is another question mark - if the Cubs really want to use him as a starter, send him to Iowa. If not, put him in the 'pen and let that be the end of it. Mon, 8 Mar 2010 16:23:10 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/07/projecting-the-roster-week-1/#IDComment60444155 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/07/projecting-the-roster-week-1/#IDComment60444112 Nice rundown. The only minor point I'd quibble with is, up until this weekend, I saw Andres Blanco as all but a lock to make the 25-man. The Cubs need a middle infield backup/defensive replacement and he appears to fit the bill perfectly. I think I read that Blanco will be out around two weeks with this sprain, so I'm not sure whether that will keep him from heading north with the team. At least one mainstream writer has already pounced on the opportunity to say this opens up a spot for Starlin Castro, but I don't think so. If Blanco can't make it, give Darwin Barney a shot. I've read that he actually projects to be around Blanco's equal defensively and possibly better with the bat. Of course, the team could go with Fontenot as the backup middle infielder, which would open up another bench spot for Tracy or Millar. I personally don't see Fontenot as a shortstop backup but, then again, I didn't see him as a third base backup either. Mon, 8 Mar 2010 16:22:50 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/07/projecting-the-roster-week-1/#IDComment60444112 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/07/projecting-the-roster-week-1/#IDComment60440876 David? Mon, 8 Mar 2010 16:12:06 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/07/projecting-the-roster-week-1/#IDComment60440876 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/06/putting-lipstick-on-a-pig/#IDComment60416054 Yep, this is what will likely happen. If Silva shows any sort of effectiveness in spring training whatsoever, however, Lou could give him a consolation start sometime in April - frighteningly enough. Mon, 8 Mar 2010 14:58:27 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/06/putting-lipstick-on-a-pig/#IDComment60416054 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/06/putting-lipstick-on-a-pig/#IDComment60415553 Agreed on both counts. Carlos Silva has way too much service time to be optioned anywhere. He's likely going to be buried in the bullpen as a mop-up guy (and probably DL'd a couple/few times) or released. And, yes, this past Saturday's game was the first on WGN. Mon, 8 Mar 2010 14:56:25 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/06/putting-lipstick-on-a-pig/#IDComment60415553 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/06/putting-lipstick-on-a-pig/#IDComment60414852 That's a function of Major League Baseball's service time system. It really has nothing to do with the attitude of the player in question. Mon, 8 Mar 2010 14:53:38 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/06/putting-lipstick-on-a-pig/#IDComment60414852 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/04/the-grand-vizier-speaks/#IDComment59903197 You raise an interesting question about whether Milton will face the Cubs. Something tells me he won't, but it will make for some great drama if he does play in that game. Did you read about the Giants plunking Prince Fielder yesterday for the Brewers' ridiculous walkoff celebration last season? Maybe the Cubs will follow suit. Fri, 5 Mar 2010 16:12:49 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/04/the-grand-vizier-speaks/#IDComment59903197 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/04/in-the-news-yknow-theres-a-game-today-right/#IDComment59902090 Yep - FINALLY just downloaded it onto my BlackBerry this morning. (I had to wait for my PayPal account to activate.) I'm ridiculously excited, too. Fri, 5 Mar 2010 16:01:34 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/04/in-the-news-yknow-theres-a-game-today-right/#IDComment59902090 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/04/in-the-news-yknow-theres-a-game-today-right/#IDComment59901668 Yeah, Milton is just...wow, I don't what to say anymore. I tried to support the guy as a baseball player - I still think he has a ton of talent. Guys who can work the count like that always impress me. But he is absolutely clueless when it comes to dealing with the media. And the fact that he keeps taking shots at the city where I live and work is aggravating to say the least. Fri, 5 Mar 2010 15:57:30 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/04/in-the-news-yknow-theres-a-game-today-right/#IDComment59901668 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/02/28/i-take-issue-with-the-espn-depth-chart/#IDComment59743902 I'd still prefer Castro log some minor league playing time - and I think that's what will happen. If Fontenot is traded, I'd rather see Chad Tracy get his spot. He and Nady would make a nice balance on the bench. And I'm not sure Colvin has any trade value right now. As you mention, he hasn't proven anything at the plate yet. And he's not really blocking Brett Jackson. I believe Colvin projects as either a full-time right fielder or a 4th outfielder. Jackson still looks to be the starting centerfielder in a couple years. Thu, 4 Mar 2010 14:50:06 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/02/28/i-take-issue-with-the-espn-depth-chart/#IDComment59743902 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/02/in-the-news-is-cashner-our-set-up-guy/#IDComment59743400 I think Maddux is still "feeling out" (for lack of a better term) is off-the-field role. Although making him pitching coach obviously makes a lot of sense, I actually see him more as a bench coach and, eventually, a manager. He likes to break down all parts of the game. Thu, 4 Mar 2010 14:46:10 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/02/in-the-news-is-cashner-our-set-up-guy/#IDComment59743400 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/02/in-the-news-is-cashner-our-set-up-guy/#IDComment59401390 Yeah, I think it all depends on whether the Cubs want to stick with Cashner as a starter or start grooming him as the future closer. If it's the latter, then why not bring him up now and get the learning process going. The team really needs a strong, dependable late-inning arm. As mentioned, I'd only look to Smoltz to be a set-up guy/bullpen mentor/backup closer. In that role, he could do a mostly young bullpen like the Cubs some good. But something tells me he wouldn't go for that. Tue, 2 Mar 2010 19:29:23 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/02/in-the-news-is-cashner-our-set-up-guy/#IDComment59401390 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/02/in-the-news-is-cashner-our-set-up-guy/#IDComment59397214 Well, I think there's a big difference between a "medium" shot and a "long" shot. I wouldn't say the Cubs are a long shot from winning the division. They may be a medium shot - most of the preseason projections are certainly depicting the team that way. But that shouldn't preclude the team from using Cashner in this role. I believe he's mainly been projected as a future closer, though I would of course admit that his value would be greater as a starter. As far as Smoltz goes, that's not a bad idea but: a) The Cubs have already publicly committed themselves to using Marmol as the closer, so that's probably not going to change now, b) It's really not clear at this point whether Smoltz would agree to be a closer. He might be, but it's no sure thing. Smoltz was pretty adamant about being a starter last season, and he may want to go the Pedro route and wait around for a contending team to call for his services. I'd like to see the Cubs take a flyer on Smoltz to be a set-up guy and backup closer, but that seems unlikely as well. Tue, 2 Mar 2010 18:53:49 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/03/02/in-the-news-is-cashner-our-set-up-guy/#IDComment59397214 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/02/28/i-take-issue-with-the-espn-depth-chart/#IDComment59366424 It doesn't seem like the Cubs are heading in that direction - Bruce Miles wrote an article a few days ago in which Lou seemed to indicate that Fontenot was fully in his plans. And Fontenot would have to clear waivers AND accept an assignment to the minors to be sent down. All of this is why I think he may be a trade candidate. Eliminating Fontenot from the 25-man would open up a spot for Chad Tracy, whom I'd like to see make the club if he's healthy. Tue, 2 Mar 2010 14:58:31 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/02/28/i-take-issue-with-the-espn-depth-chart/#IDComment59366424 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/02/28/back-to-the-cradle/#IDComment59222832 Sounds like another great read - thanks for doing these reviews. Mon, 1 Mar 2010 16:39:42 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/02/28/back-to-the-cradle/#IDComment59222832 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/02/26/girlieview-02262010/#IDComment59222256 Cringe-worthy things: 1. Worrying about whether Soriano will rebound to respectable levels of production. 2. Watching the Cubs juggle Carlos Silva from the rotation (ugh) to the bullpen (meh) to the DL. 3. Worrying about Lilly's health and the stability of the bottom of the rotation. I guess, right now, I have a hard time seeing the 2010 Cubs as a championship-level team. But, hey, the postseason is a long, long way off. In terms of the regular season and within the NL Central, I absolutely see the Cubs as a competitive team - and that's all that counts at the moment. Mon, 1 Mar 2010 16:34:31 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/02/26/girlieview-02262010/#IDComment59222256 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/02/26/girlieview-02262010/#IDComment59222238 Sorry to be a little late to this party. Three favorite things about the Cubs this year: 1. Having a full-time centerfielder that allows Kosuke to move back to right field. 2. Having good depth at pretty much every position. (Worry not, Lizzie, Jeff Baker came up through the minors as a third baseman, so he's more than capable of backing up that position. And if Chad Tracy makes the team, he could be a strong 3B backup as well. I do agree that going into last season with Fontenot and [apparently] Aaron Miles backing up third base was a HUGE mistake.) 3. This may sound crazy, but this team has a ton of young pitching depth and I think at least a couple of these guys could turn out to be something decent. No one saw Randy Wells coming last season - let's hope we've got a couple more guys like that for either the rotation or the bullpen. Mon, 1 Mar 2010 16:34:23 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/02/26/girlieview-02262010/#IDComment59222238 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/02/28/i-take-issue-with-the-espn-depth-chart/#IDComment59220650 I've heard some refer to ESPN as the Eastern Seaboard Programming Network. Of course, it's not all bad...ha ha...nervous laughter...clearing throat. Mon, 1 Mar 2010 16:18:54 +0000 http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2010/02/28/i-take-issue-with-the-espn-depth-chart/#IDComment59220650