42. Coming off significant shoulder issues.

I'm not sure I have any use for Schilling, even for a nothing deal. I think it's better than even money that Marshall/Gaudin/BPJ/Heilman outpitch Schilling at this stage...

Would Schilling be a bigger PIA than a help?

If the Padres remain desperate to move Peavy, and Peavy continues to insist on the Cubs -- then I have to imagine something can be worked out. If the Cubs get Peavy, there are probably several 5th starter derbyites that become available for trade.

I don't know, zonk. That's why I said they should consider it. It's hard to put any sort of off the field contributions into context, but he might be able to help there. What, if anything, is that worth to this team? I don't know, but I don't have to make the decision. All I'm saying is that I hope the Cubs seriously analyze that and make an informed decision. If his shoulder is completely shot, and it very well might be, then it's an easy decision. But if not, well, I'd be curious, that's all.

Well, if Schilling can squeeze his ego into a team leader/2nd pitching coach/occasional start role, sure.

I'm as worried about Schilling's ability to play that role as much as his shoulder.

Can Shilling and Milton Bradley fight to the death???

BTW Happy Spring Training to all you Cub primates ....

I'd imagine Schilling's only going to be a consideration when a Cubs pitcher suffers an injury. At that point, the choice won't be between Schilling and BPJ / Heilman / Gaudin. It'll be between Schilling and Randy Wells / Ascanio / Kevin Hart / Angel Guzman (if we can sneak him into the minors). That might still be a losing proposition as the Cubs might be better off with two of their #5 possibilities in the roatation than Schilling.

####### you, Schilling! You've made this thread about you!

I agree, TRHN. The Cubs have plenty of options for the swing role. If he were healthy, he's a better option than all of them, but since he isn't there's a lot more to consider.

Can Shilling and Milton Bradley fight to the death???

That reminds me, I forgot to link to this story of Ron Washington extolling the virtues of Milton (we need a nickname for him).

And look at this, more from Schilling already.

As for Koskie, Canadians appear to be the Cubs' newfound market inefficiency!

The roster appears to be set except for the question as to whether Gathright or an IF makes the team. Koskie probably could play in AAA if he's willing, even if he doesn't make the team out of spring training. Fontenot's taking turns at 3B, which doesn't really solve much of anything as the difference between Ramirez and Miles is pretty big. Unless Koskie makes the team at Gathright's expense, Aramis can only miss a handful of games this season.

It's a shame that Hoffpauir, Soriano, Lee and Bradley can't all play the field at the same time. I'd really like to see what Micah could do in 600 ABs.

It's a shame that Hoffpauir, Soriano, Lee and Bradley can't all play the field at the same time. I'd really like to see what Micah could do in 600 ABs.

If Bradley weren't so fragile, they could. But I don't think I want Bradley to play in CF everday. I wouldn't be surprised to see that happen on occasion.

Good outing for Zambrano today: 2IP, 0H, 0R, 1BB, 3Ks. Marmol has struck out 2 in 1IP, but I'd guess he might be done for today.

I haven't read Zambrano's 2009 BPro player comment, but it seems like every year they've predicted an injury for him. A healthy, effective Carlos would be good for its own sake, but it'd be extra sweet to see the Prospectus folks hem and haw and bullshit about their predictions for another year.

It's not just the BPro people that constantly predict injury for big Z, lots of posters here think the same thing (just read the Schilling/Cubs thread from Saturday).

Marmol is leaving for the WBC tomorrow, so that's all he'll pitch for the Cubs for a while.

#6

I said that because I love guys like Bradley and Shilling just seems so divisive in the clubhouse. (I would have hated him as a teammate)

When it comes to Big Z and injuries, I have just come to believe he is a pitching freak that can throw forever. We'll see

Some more links today.

According to Paul Sullivan, Sean Marshall is the favorite for the 5th SP spot, due to his 3 inning, zero hit performance yesterday. He thinks BPJ is next, with Gaudin and Heilman only getting a chance if the first 2 suck. I love that he's basing this off Marshall's stellar 1.80era in 5ip, even though Marshall is the only of the 4 with more than 1 start so far. He also doesn't have any quotes to support this, and as a matter of fact here is what Lou does have to say (from that link):

"Let's see how our bullpen stacks up here this spring," Piniella said. "We haven't really taken much of a look at it. I think Samardzija is in the mix for both."

I guess Sullivan isn't the only one penciling Marhsall into that spot already.

Harden should make his first start sometime next week.

Aramis wants to finish his career with the Cubs.

The Cubs, especially Z and Dempster, are missing Kerry Wood.

I just saw Phil Roger's guess at the Cubs opening day roster:

SP: Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, Ted Lilly, Rich Harden, Sean Marshall.

RP: Carlos Marmol, Kevin Gregg, Aaron Heilman, Neal Cotts, Chad Gaudin, Kevin Hart, Mike Stanton.

C: Geovany Soto, Paul Bako.

INF: Derrek Lee, Mike Fontenot, Ryan Theriot, Aramis Ramirez, Aaron Miles, Luis Rivas.

OF: Alfonso Soriano, Milton Bradley, Reed Johnson, Kosuke Fukudome, Micah Hoffpauir.

There's 2 guys there I never even considered as options - Rivas and Stanton. No Gathright, but Rivas would be just as terrible of a choice (honestly, might be even worse of a choice). Rivas only has 230PA in the last 3 seasons, and has sucked in almost every single one of them. Stanton didn't pitch in the majors last season, and was terrible in 2007 (57 2/3IP, 5.93era, 40k/18bb). I could see there being a suprise bullpen guy so BPJ can start in AAA (I've read a couple articles mentioning Chad Fox is looking good, maybe some other young guy we haven't considered yet).

I guess I'm glad Rogers isn't making the roster.

Battle for 5th starter is down to 3:

It appears Chad Gaudin will drop from the starter's derby and return to the bullpen after he allowed four hits and three runs in three innings Wednesday against Cleveland.

"I would think that he is on the outskirts of that derby," Piniella said. "I think we look at Gaudin more as a spot starter, middle-reliever type."

Isn't it even crazier to assign jobs based on the spring-sized sample in Arizona, where the air is thin and the infield dirt is especially hard? Every pitcher gets lit up in the Cactus League, and all kinds of hitters light them.

There's 2 guys there I never even considered as options - Rivas and Stanton.

There's a chance Stanton can break the all time games record for pitchers. He needs 75. Last year he got 69. The year before that, 82.

Curse you no edit function in this blog.

OK, I missed that Stanton didn't play last year. Make that a slim, outside, probably won't happen, chance.

Still, who knew he was in second place?

Isn't it even crazier to assign jobs based on the spring-sized sample in Arizona, where the air is thin and the infield dirt is especially hard? Every pitcher gets lit up in the Cactus League, and all kinds of hitters light them.

Is is. And I doubt most managers go simply by the numbers they put up. Most of the comments I reading about this particular battle relate how each guy is throwing the ball, velocity, movement, etc. And coming into ST, it seemed like Marshall was the favorite for the job and of the candidates had the most success as a starter.

Every year, guys make teams bullpens or benches based off a hot spring. Sometimes, it's warranted, other times not. Does the manager realize this once the season starts, and is he willing to correct a mistake? I think Lou can do that, so if someone like Stanton were to make the roster based on a hot spring, if he turns out to be a pumpkin he's not going to last long (ouch, what a terrible sentence).

Heilman pitched 3 scoreless innings yesterday, trying to stay in the 5th starter derby.

Geez.

I'd rather have Gathright than Rivas on the roster. At least Gathright could serve a nominal purpose as a pinch-runner...

Perhaps Phil Rogers is trying to show and say "I know a player the Cubs have in camp that you didn't!"

i want hoff to make the team, he is a decent power bat off the bench and can also spell a few games at the corner outfield positions

Hoff has already made the team, meatwad. No worries there.