The Cubs currently have 6 starting pitchers on the roster*. Those 6 include Matt Garza, Ryan Dempster, Paul Maholm, Travis Wood, Chris Volstad and Randy Wells. Jeff Samardzija is also going to be stretched out in spring training, but may return to the bullpen when the season begins. The Cubs also have Andy Sonnanstine and Casey Coleman. If Trey McNutt gets off to a strong start in 2012 he could see some playing time too.
* Maholm is not yet on the roster as the Cubs are required to make a corresponding roster move as they already have 40 guys on their roster. The most likely candidates, in my opinion, is one of the left-handed relievers. Since Jeff Beliveau was added to the roster this offseason he’s not leaving. Neither is James Russell. That leaves John Gaub or Scott Maine. If Sonnanstine ends up relief the Cubs will have no use for either of them and with Beliveau not far away one of them is expendable. Other candidates could be Alberto Cabrera, Marcos Mateo or less likely Tony Campana.
Obviously the Cubs aren’t going to have a 6-man rotation. The 5 best will be in the rotation with the remaining starters available in case of injury or ineffectiveness. Below are 8 Cubs starters and their Oliver projected ERA and FIP.
| Oliver | ERA | FIP |
| Garza, Matt | 3.69 | 3.70 |
| Wood, Travis | 4.12 | 3.75 |
| Paul Maholm | 4.45 | 4.03 |
| Dempster, Ryan | 4.36 | 4.07 |
| Wells, Randy | 4.25 | 4.36 |
| Volstad, Chris | 4.75 | 4.64 |
| Coleman, Casey | 4.70 | 4.71 |
| Samardzija, Jeff | 4.51 | 4.72 |
Oliver thinks more highly of Wood than I’m guessing most other projection systems do. Oliver also sees a distinct difference between the top 5 and bottom 3. There is little difference between Volstad, Coleman and Samardzija. This is what the Cubs starters, including some work from Volstad would be worth using WAR:
| Pitcher | IP | FIP | WAR |
| Matt Garza | 200 | 3.70 | 3.8 |
| Travis Wood | 180 | 3.75 | 3.3 |
| Paul Maholm | 170 | 4.03 | 2.5 |
| Ryan Dempster | 160 | 4.07 | 2.3 |
| Randy Wells | 140 | 4.36 | 1.5 |
| Chris Volstad | 100 | 4.64 | 0.8 |
The IP are my estimates and it’s not based on player projections, but rather starting the number 1 (Garza) at 200 IP and dropping each spot after that. That’s not a bad rotation based on the Oliver projections. CAIRO projects a 4.11 FIP for Wood for what it’s worth.
Comments
So the Cubs MIGHT get more than 70 wins…I guess that’s contingent on whether Garza sticks around though.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I mean…
.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
.
Sorry, guys.
RodrigoQuote Reply
Stupid smart? phone
RodrigoQuote Reply
Next time I’ll just pretend I have something constructive to contribute.
RodrigoQuote Reply
It’s admirable that you’re still churning out new content even after the mishap, MB: http://bodyodd.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/06/10009107-penis-tattoo-gives-guy-permanent-erection
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=Rodrigo]Next time I’ll just pretend I have something constructive to contribute.[/quote]Or you could login (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]It’s admirable that you’re still churning out new content even after the mishap, MB: http://bodyodd.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/06/10009107-penis-tattoo-gives-guy-permanent-erection%5B/quote%5DI'm a good person.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Or you could login (dying laughing)[/quote]
Nice, snark.
But yea I’ll start doing that (dying laughing)
RodrigoQuote Reply
[quote name=Rodrigo]Nice, snark.
But yea I’ll start doing that (dying laughing)[/quote]I’m not complaining. I’m just letting you know that’s all you’d have to do to see the comments until the cache expires
mb21Quote Reply
Madsen to the Reds. That bullpen is looking strong. The Cards are the favorites on paper but that team is littered with guys unlikely to stay healthy all year. Reds look like they could take the division with some ease.
JManQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]I’m not complaining. I’m just letting you know that’s all you’d have to do to see the comments until the cache expires[/quote]
Thanks for letting me know.
RodrigoQuote Reply
[quote name=Rodrigo]Thanks for letting me know.[/quote]Don’t thank him for letting you know.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Don’t thank him for letting you know.[/quote]Don’t tell him not to thank him for letting him know.
MishQuote Reply
I heart Cubs fans
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Don’t tell him not to thank him for letting him know.[/quote]Don’t tell me to not tell him to not thank him for letting him know.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Don’t tell me to not tell him to not thank him for letting him know.[/quote]Yes.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]I heart Cubs fans[/quote]We should put that on a t-shirt.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]We should put that on a t-shirt.[/quote]With a pony.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]With a pony.[/quote]
That would probably be copyright infringement. We’ll use Ronnie Woo-Woo instead.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Whats the deal with Aroldis Chapman.
They gonna let him start?
bubblesdachimpQuote Reply
[quote name=bubblesdachimp]Whats the deal with Aroldis Chapman.
They gonna let him start?[/quote]
Rice CubeQuote Reply
MB, I still have the ticket from your coronation. It was truly a glorious day.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
I’m glad I gave Mulligan Stew a second try. The first time was awful.
/rimshot
GBTSQuote Reply
[quote name=GBTS]I’m glad I gave Mulligan Stew a second try. The first time was awful.
/rimshot[/quote]Bit subtle for a rimshot, no?
Now, ST’s gif of a woman taking a dump in a grocery store aisle deserved a rimshot.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Bit subtle for a rimshot, no?
Now, ST’s gif of a woman taking a dump in a grocery store aisle deserved a rimshot.[/quote]Everybody poops.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
sweet pics ryno
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]
[/quote]
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Rodrigo RamirezQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]sweet pics ryno[/quote]
Thanks!
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
http://www.cubbiefans.com/archive/index.php/f-122.html
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Bit subtle for a rimshot, no?
Now, ST’s gif of a woman taking a dump in a grocery store aisle deserved a rimshot.[/quote]
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]
[/quote]
Her fingering is all wrong
Snyds01Quote Reply
http://badnewscubs.wordpress.com/2009/11/10/acb-its-own-bcb/
Since I know he pops in from time to time…
EDIT: that site no longer exists apparently…
Snyds01Quote Reply
(dying laughing) (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
and one for MB
Snyds01Quote Reply
http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/5695603/the-hawk-on-maddog
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
That’s not an accordion, it’s a concertina.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/5699055/tyger-v-hawk
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Dare I ask what Shawn and MB wrote that ruffled that guy’s feathers?
(Yes…yes I dare)
Rice CubeQuote Reply
who is “The Hawk” or “Tyger”
Snyds01Quote Reply
http://didthewizardswinlastnight.com/
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]http://didthewizardswinlastnight.com/[/quote]
I’m not going to follow that link unless you summarize the entire thing.
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Alvin]Dear Theo and Jed,
Hi! How are you doing? Enjoying Chicago so far? We haven’t had much of a winter here yet, so it’s probably been easy and comfortable for you to get to work at the corner of Clark & Addison. I hear you two have been pretty busy working late nights, examining the organization from top to bottom; so far I like all the deals and signings you have made in re-making the Cubs major league roster and acquiring additional depth for the minor league system.
I’m excited about the future. You guys had success together in Boston and I know you know what you’re doing and believe me, I understand your method. You can’t just go for the quick fix as the Cubs have for the last decade; if the two of you and Jason McLeod and the others you have brought in can build a strong top-to-bottom organization, then the Cubs can become a team that can contend for the postseason every year, and win a couple of times in a decade like your old team in Boston did.
I get it. And I like the way you’ve begun the process. It’s the right way to go.
I have only one question this morning. Why haven’t you signed Kerry Wood yet?[/quote].
Aisle424Quote Reply
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
Aisle424Quote Reply
Aisley, is that real?
If so, I hope Theo and Jed have a really good laugh.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
[quote name=Snyds01]who is “The Hawk” or “Tyger”[/quote]Tyger used to comment regularly on ACB. TheHawk is just some idiot and I have no idea why he’s even being discussed at this point. That shit got old in 2008.
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424](dying laughing)
(dying laughing)
(dying laughing)[/quote]I still don’t understand Cubs fans.
mb21Quote Reply
Hey Maddog, why dont you live in Chicago and meet some real Cubs fans instead of 22 year old college kids on your piece of shit fucking blog.
Such Poetry.
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=mb21]Tyger used to comment regularly on ACB. TheHawk is just some idiot and I have no idea why he’s even being discussed at this point. That shit got old in 2008.[/quote]
That guy was responsible for some of the greatest threads in ACB history. Quasi Papal Outfit will live on through time
dylanjQuote Reply
He already answered it. It may not be the right way to go. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Aisley, is that real?
If so, I hope Theo and Jed have a really good laugh.[/quote]
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL2PicT9Kng[/quote]Imagine my surprise when I realized she was a recurring guest on MacGyver. Boy she aged horribly.
Rice CubeQuote Reply
I wish I had time to FJM that thing. That is gold.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]I wish I had time to FJM that thing. That is gold.[/quote]Was that the whole letter, or was there more?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
15 years ago, this happened:
http://www.mlb.com/news/wall/article.jsp?content_id=26310114&partnerId=aw-5787216177451382280-997
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Feeling kind of mocky today. Anyone interested in an NFL mock draft?
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
you should be focusing on the first SF playoff game in 8 years. Break it down for us Boomer
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=Rice Cube]Was that the whole letter, or was there more?[/quote]
That was just the intro.
Aisle424Quote Reply
That letter from Al reads like a 10 year old wrote it. How is not embarrassed by that shit????
Rodrigo RamirezQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]you should be focusing on the first SF playoff game in 8 years. Break it down for us Boomer[/quote]
Dear 49ers,
You will lose.
Sincerely,
Ivan Drago
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
Bernstein on the Bear’s GM hunt
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/01/11/bernstein-what-are-the-bears-doing/
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]That was just the intro.[/quote]Oh, so he wrote about 100000 other words with 2000000 commas thrown in?
Rice CubeQuote Reply
Are any Bears fans actually surprised to watch the Bears fuck up this GM search? They are one of the worst front offices in sports. They will most likely end up with Ruskell and we will be begging for Angelo back.
MuckerQuote Reply
[quote name=Mucker]Are any Bears fans actually surprised to watch the Bears fuck up this GM search? They are one of the worst front offices in sports. They will most likely end up with Ruskell and we will be begging for Angelo back.[/quote]My suspicion at this point is that this was always going to be Ruskell’s job, just the Bears had to find a way to sell it. Fortunately for the fans, Hub Arkush blew the lid off that bullshit yesterday. This is about 2 things:
1.) Ted Phillips knows less about football than the ball itself
2.) Money
Ruskell is already here, already under contract. It basically is a break-even move to fire Angelo and elevate Ruskell, and that, as Hub says, is the extent of Ted Phillips’ football knowledge. So they play-act at a search, let the good candidates get gobbled up, make the rejection of their overtures towards a couple candidates very public, and then say “Well, Ruskell is the best last option.” They sabotaged this “search” from the outset by guaranteeing A.) that Lovie would remain HC in 2012 and B.) by publicly stating Lovie would involved in the search and hire. The Bears (and I only realize this now after hearing Hub yesterday) never wanted another GM. It was always Ruskell. If someone falls in their lap, they might hire them. But the Bears will be as inert as possible until the time when they must hire a GM (around mid-February), and unless someone begs for the job, they’ll hire Ruskell and pretend like they were forced into making the decision they made the minute Angelo was fired.
Which is a really long-winded and bitter way of saying no, I am not surprised by this. (dying laughing)
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]My suspicion at this point is that this was always going to be Ruskell’s job, just the Bears had to find a way to sell it. Fortunately for the fans, Hub Arkush blew the lid off that bullshit yesterday. This is about 2 things:
1.) Ted Phillips knows less about football than the ball itself
2.) Money
Ruskell is already here, already under contract. It basically is break-even move to fire Angelo and elevate Ruskell, and, as Hub says, is the extent of Ted Phillips’ football knowledge. So they play-act at a search, let the good candidates get gobbled up, make the rejection of their overtures towards a couple candidates very public, and then say “Well, Ruskell is the best last option.” They sabotaged this “search” from the outset by guaranteeing A.) that Lovie would remain HC in 2012 and B.) by publicly stating Lovie would involved in the search and hire. The Bears (and I only realize this now after hearing Hub yesterday) never wanted another GM. It was always Ruskell. If someone falls in their lap, they might hire them. But the Bears will be as inert as possible until the time when they must hire a GM (around mid-February), and unless someone begs for the job, they’ll hire Ruskell and pretend like they were forced into making the decision they made the minute Angelo was fired.
Which is a really long-winded and bitter way of saying no, I am not surprised by this. (dying laughing)[/quote]
You’re missing the important question here, MO. Does Ruskell bring his lunch pail to work with him?
BerseliusQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]by publicly stating Lovie would involved in the search and hire.[/quote]
Is that true?? Isn’t that the same thing as an employee hiring his boss? Lovie is going to reject anyone that is going to fire his ass, which is most likely all candidates.
WaLiQuote Reply
“Sure, I’d love to GM your team, even t hough you totally hamstring me by not allowing me to pick my own head coach”.
–No one, ever
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Berselius]You’re missing the important question here, MO. Does Ruskell bring his lunch pail to work with him?[/quote]DIS IS A BLEW KAWLER TOWN AND WE NEEDT BLEW KAWLER FOLKS TA RUN DESE TEAMZ.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Fun little interview with Kerry.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/celebrity/aboutlastnight/chi-interview-kerry-wood-charity-event-20120111,0,2200718.column
Rodrigo RamirezQuote Reply
[quote name=WaLi]Is that true?? Isn’t that the same thing as an employee hiring his boss? Lovie is going to reject anyone that is going to fire his ass, which is most likely all candidates.[/quote]Well, this exposes the lie, doesn’t it?
The Bears aren’t hiring a GM, and I should have realized that after the PC, but I got smokescreened badly. They are hiring a Pro Personnel Director, despite their protestations to the contrary. So Lovie isn’t hiring his boss–he’s hiring his co-worker.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
http://joeposnanski.si.com/2012/01/09/a-long-hall-of-fame-review/
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Rodrigo Ramirez]Fun little interview with Kerry.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/celebrity/aboutlastnight/chi-interview-kerry-wood-charity-event-20120111,0,2200718.column%5B/quote%5DBest part of that story:
.
WaLiQuote Reply
Is it too much for me to believe that the Bears will just promote Ruskell just to clean house in 3 years when Lovie’s contract is up? I just don’t see the Bears ever firing Lovie unless they go 6-10 or worse.
MuckerQuote Reply
[quote name=Mucker]Is it too much for me to believe that the Bears will just promote Ruskell just to clean house in 3 years when Lovie’s contract is up?[/quote]Hub was saying yesterday that there’s a good chance the team is sold by then, because the estate tax on the team if Virginia tried to pass it down would be crippling, as the team is valued at somewhere around 70-90 mil. In my opinion, that could only be a good thing. Rid this team of the scourge of the McCaskey’s
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
Someone on another forum claimed that the presence of Koyie Hill added .1 WAR to each and every player in the clubhouse. No only did she (yes, she) come up with this farce, but she also put a tangible number on how much he affects the players. True story.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
Dr. Aneus TaintQuote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami]Someone on another forum claimed that the presence of Koyie Hill added .1 WAR to each and every player in the clubhouse. No only did she (yes, she) come up with this farce, but she also put a tangible number on how much he affects the players. True story.[/quote]Oh, you gotta cut and paste that shit here.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Dr. Aneus Taint]
[/quote]That is an insult to their best fuckin’ customers.
Aisle424Quote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami]Someone on another forum claimed that the presence of Koyie Hill added .1 WAR to each and every player in the clubhouse. No only did she (yes, she) come up with this farce, but she also put a tangible number on how much he affects the players. True story.[/quote]The mind boggles…and yes, copypasta please.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]The mind boggles…and yes, copypasta please.[/quote]Surely just a link will do.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Surely just a link will do.[/quote]I won’t click on it, SK.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Surely just a link will do.[/quote]Don’t call me Shirley.
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Don’t call me Shirley.[/quote]Don’t tell him what to do.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Hub was saying yesterday that there’s a good chance the team is sold by then, because the estate tax on the team if Virginia tried to pass it down would be crippling, as the team is valued at somewhere around 70-90 mil. In my opinion, that could only be a good thing. Rid this team of the scourge of the McCaskey’s[/quote]70-90 million? Do you mean 700-900 million?
MuckerQuote Reply
This goes perfectly with the recent clubhouse chemistry and good person discussion. (dying laughing)
jtsunamiQuote Reply
She then proceeded to call everyone stat nerds for disagreeing (dying laughing)
jtsunamiQuote Reply
[quote name=Mucker]70-90 million? Do you mean 700-900 million?[/quote]Yes. I was using Sullivan math. All apologies.
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mercurial Outfielder]Yes. I was using Sullivan math. All apologies.[/quote](dying laughing) I thought that looked a little low
MuckerQuote Reply
[quote name=jtsunami]Someone on another forum claimed that the presence of Koyie Hill added .1 WAR to each and every player in the clubhouse. No only did she (yes, she) come up with this farce, but she also put a tangible number on how much he affects the players. True story.[/quote]I need a link to this stuff. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=Suburban kid]Surely just a link will do.[/quote]So you can complain later? (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
[quote name=mb21]So you can complain later? (dying laughing)[/quote](dying laughing)
MishQuote Reply
Jon Morosi @jonmorosi
Source: #Cubs and Kerry Wood are close on a one-year deal that will include a 2013 option.
MishQuote Reply
This was the guy who called Koyie Hill “Popular”, so take it FWIW. (dying laughing)
MishQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]Jon Morosi @jonmorosi
Source: #Cubs and Kerry Wood are close on a one-year deal that will include a 2013 option.[/quote]
Mercurial OutfielderQuote Reply
[quote name=Mish]This was the guy who called Koyie Hill “Popular”, so take it FWIW. (dying laughing)[/quote]To be fair, Moronski probably meant Koyie was popular with pitchers, GMs, Lou Piniella, etc., not the fans. I think.
Also, he must be right about the Wood deal. He is not based in Chicago.
Suburban kidQuote Reply
Jeff Bianchi we hardly knew ye
dylanjQuote Reply
[quote name=dylanj]Jeff Bianchi we hardly knew ye[/quote]The Brewers claimed him, right? So I expect him to go on a hot streak that leads idiot Cubs fans to claim we should never have let him be taken.
MishQuote Reply
im just amazed we still have 7 fucking OF on the 40 man.
dylanjQuote Reply
So we can all agree that jtsunami is full of shit until there is a link posted, right?
Aisle424Quote Reply
This is… interesting..
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2398754,00.asp
.
I should have been a teledildonic engineer.
WaLiQuote Reply
[quote name=Aisle424]So we can all agree that jtsunami is full of shit until there is a link posted, right?[/quote](dying laughing)
http://forums.prosportsdaily.com/showthread.php?t=685039&page=2
SK lead me to believe that links were bad manners.
jtsunamiQuote Reply
new thread: http://obstructedview.net/chicago-cubs/minor-leagues/a-comparison-of-two-prospects2.html
For SK: this link is about comparing the top two Cubs prospects, Brett Jackson and Anthony Rizzo. (dying laughing)
mb21Quote Reply
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