BBTF's Transaction Oracle Discussion :: Cubs

Transaction Oracle
— A Timely Look at Transactions as They Happen

Monday, April 24, 2006

Cubs - Demoted Williams

Chicago Cubs - Optioned P Jerome Williams to Iowa; recalled P Angel Guzman.

How can you tell when the Cubs really don’t like a young player? When one really bad start is enough to demote him, rather than the requisite three games they give the young players they like.

On the other hand, we’re at that strange nexus of the universe at which Angel Guzman’s healthy, so it’s good that the Cubs are going to take advantage of him before one of those delicate celestial factors changes and throws off the balance. Guzman was a really good prospect some time ago, but after not throwing 100 innings since 2002, it’s really hard to guess what they’re going to get from him at this point. He could put it all together and stay healthy or go the Justin Thompson route.

Dan Szymborski Posted: April 24, 2006 at 07:26 PM | 13 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
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1. Meatwad denied pope, reveals he faked it at mass Posted: April 24, 2006 at 07:57 PM (#1985792)

im just glad he is healthy

2. Moses Taylor peacocks peacock Posted: April 24, 2006 at 08:01 PM (#1985800)

Guzman was a really good prospect some time ago

And IIRC, the Cubs preferred to keep him over Willis in the Clement/El Pulpo trade.

3. Sweet Posted: April 24, 2006 at 08:45 PM (#1985916)

Guzman's one of my all-time favorite prospects, and I can't wait to see him pitch Wedensday. Check out his completely bizarre pre-injury, post-injury splits:

Pre-injury (2000-2003, ages 18-21, Rookie League thru AA):

61 G, 24 W, 9 L, 2.34 ERA, 354 IP, 316 H, 99 BB, 298 K, 15 HR

Post-injury (2004-2005, ages 23-24, Hi A thru AA) (that is, post-first-injury -- he's been injured several times while putting up the following stats):

17 G, 3 W, 5 L, 4.13 ERA, 65 IP, 67 H, 5 BB, 77 K, 5 HR

This may be just a sample-size blip, as he's been wild and homer-prone thus far in 2006, but how can you not root for a guy who posted K:BB numbers of 40:0 in his first 30 innings following major shoulder surgery?

4. Hendry's Wad of Cash (UCCF) Posted: April 24, 2006 at 08:51 PM (#1985933)

I'm thrilled Guzman's getting a start, but it's obvious that Williams has been Choied by the Cubs brass and has about a 2% chance of ever being a real contributor. His best hope at this point is for the team to be forced to move him to make room on the 40-man roster for another stickless middle infielder, because otherwise he's going to be Iowa shuttle guy the next couple of years, up to make a couple of starts when needed but otherwise not getting any real look. I think Rich Hill may be in the same boat, and it looks pretty silly at this point that they refused to part with Hill over the winter if they're going to let him sit at AAA again this year. Is he supposed to have a better season this year, maybe 15 or 16 K/9?

5. MM1f Posted: April 24, 2006 at 08:51 PM (#1985934)

"This may be just a sample-size blip, as he's been wild and homer-prone thus far in 2006, but how can you not root for a guy who posted K:BB numbers of 40:0 in his first 30 innings following major shoulder surgery?"

Well, alot of it was in Aball after he had done well in AA so it was a step down in competition but even so hes clearly been very sharp.

6. Mike Emeigh

Posted: April 24, 2006 at 08:57 PM (#1985944)

Guzman hans't pitched badly in AAA this year, the 6+ ERA notwithstanding. He's allowed 4 HRs but his other ratios are good. I'm inclined to think the HRS are just the PCL effect and that he'll be effective for the Cubs if he can stay healthy.

Of course, Rich Hill would be, too.

-- MWE

7. Moses Taylor peacocks peacock Posted: April 24, 2006 at 08:57 PM (#1985946)

I'm thrilled Guzman's getting a start, but it's obvious that Williams has been Choied by the Cubs brass

As much as I like/liked Choi, part of me thinks the Cubs were right on that one. And they may be right on Jerome, too.

He really should have lost about 20 pounds this offseason, if only to make a good impression (or proof of his effort).

8. SouthSideRyan Posted: April 24, 2006 at 09:43 PM (#1986038)

I wanna say Williams lost about 15 pounds this offseason. I think he comes off as having a lax attitude, and that seems to really put off this current administration.(See CPatt.)

9. Hendry's Wad of Cash (UCCF) Posted: April 24, 2006 at 09:57 PM (#1986069)

He really should have lost about 20 pounds this offseason, if only to make a good impression (or proof of his effort).

I would think the Cubs of all teams might know that being a hefty pitcher is not necessarily a bar to pitching well. Williams is a big guy, but I think Zambrano may be even bigger.

10. Moses Taylor peacocks peacock Posted: April 24, 2006 at 10:55 PM (#1986167)

That's true, UCCF, but they specifically said he was way out of shape when he came to the team last year. He looks the same to me, although that's obviously just speculation. I wanted to see/hear stories about all the work he put in, and we didn't get any.

Who knows, I guess I'm just distracted by shiny things, and Guzman is much shinier.

11. McCoy Wilfong for Money Posted: April 25, 2006 at 05:37 PM (#1987916)

I wouldn't say Williams was Choi'd more like Ojedad. In that he was probably given more chances then warranted and for some strange reason a small group of people really like him. Unfortunately this time the small group is on the internet instead of the Cubs front office. If Williams wasn't somebodies first round draft pick I don't think there would be all this love for him.

12. SouthSideRyan Posted: April 25, 2006 at 05:41 PM (#1987925)

I don't think it has anything to do with him being a 1st round pick as much as his being an above average pitcher (ERA wise) every year of his career.

13. Dewey, Steven Wright Wannabe and Soupuss Posted: April 25, 2006 at 05:44 PM (#1987930)

I wouldn't say Williams was Choi'd more like Ojedad. In that he was probably given more chances then warranted and for some strange reason a small group of people really like him.

I'm not sure why 400 big-league innings with a 4.00 ERA from a 24-year-old = "more chances than warranted", but okay.

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Monday, April 24, 2006

Cubs - Demoted Williams

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