Totally agree. This is the very reason they allow expanded rosters in Sept. If our bullpen only has 3 guys who can get batters out when it matters, then we're not going anywhere in the postseason, anyway. This is when you find out who your 4th-5th reliable arms are.
Oh, I didn't realize that we're not allowed to criticize millionaire professional athletes on this board because we don't have that same ability. I guess we're all supposed to be grandmas wearing our buttons with our favorite little guys on them in their uniforms, while we wave our pompons and yell "nice try, Johnny; get 'em next time..."
Those guys are on full display in the football threads as they tell Brian Ferentz, "You'll get 'em next time, Champ. Don't listen to the haters".
I was ok with pulling Assad at a career-high 98 pitches, but you could have even rolled him a couple more batters just to see. I’d have been fine with any of the guys you mentioned. Hell, Palencia has been better in higher leverage spots (maybe not surprising given that’s what he was pitching in AAA).
There’s a lot to like in the young pitching. Hendricks was traded for, but mostly home-developed. After him, Steele, Assad, Wicks, Keegan, Alzolay, Palencia, Hughes, and guys like Ethan Roberts, Jeremiah Estrada and Cade Horton are all Cub-drafted/developed and promising for next year. Far cry from where the Cubs were a few years ago.
I don't know how you can trust Palencia. He's either got it or he can't find the strike zone. His control is horrible. There's no why I could trust him because he's bound to give up huge innings just by walking people.
Fulmer is on the IL because of overuse, and Leiter has lost command of his splitter. He'd been used 4 times in 5 games. They are all overworked. Ross has got to spread the workload around. Greene actually has a track record of saving MLB games, so why not try him out Saturday night?
I don't disagree but with Palencia's control problems it's possible he may tax your bullpen even more.
3 HRs in the first 2 innings????
I think Wesneski might still have a future as a starter, but looking at his numbers since being recalled in late July, I think Ross needs to consider him for short relief. In 7 of his 8 relief appearances since returning to the Bigs, he has not given up a run in his first inning pitched. He seems to get in trouble in his 2nd or 3rd inning. With Thompson and Smyly available for 2-3 inning relief appearances, I'd like to see Wes get some shots at a getting a clean 7th or 8th inning in close games when Leiter and Merryweather are gassed.
He’s been better in leverage than non-leverage spots…..but fine, if you don’t trust him, the Cubs have to find key innings from some guys not named Alzolay, Merryweather or Leiter or all their arms are going to fall off and/or they’ll be ineffective.
I think he just might end up in the rotation next year, or at least become a spot starter. Between him, Wicks, and Assad the Cubs may finally have some quality starting depth. Add in Hendricks, Stroman (if he doesn't opt out), and Steele, and hopefully an improved Taillon, their rotation might become quite useable next year. It seems as though Brown could also fit into the overall picture.
I totally agree with this. My point was that the bullpen really needs some guys to step up THIS season to take some of the load off of Merryweather/Leiter/Alzolay. Doesn't look like there's a place for Wes in the rotation for the remainder of this season (partially due to his ineffectiveness in the role), but he might be just what the bullpen needs, if used properly. I'm sure you know there are tons of examples of guys being effective in the bullpen early in their careers (and even in the postseason) and then going on to be regular starters.
I’d like to see a little more Cuas, Wesneski, Palencia & Greene. I’d also like to see Luke Little get a shot. The big 3 should still be in the mix, but get the some routine rest.
How 'bout the Cubs rotation all next season be Steele, Wicks, Assad, Wesneski and Brown, with Horton coming up mid-season as a spot starter or injury replacement? Cubs could boast the most expensive middle relief in MLB history (Stroman, Hendricks, Taillon, Smyly).
I'm not sure, but I think Wesneski has issues with left-handed batters he needs to resolve. What he did Saturday was special, and he just unwound his fastball.
Oh, he’ll fight for a spot for sure. Shit, can’t believe I left him off the list and included Kilian.What am I? Chopped liver?
Love the concept, but need to actually see Brown pitch in the bigs and Horton cross 100 innings before I make that move.
Pretty sure Horton just got shut down. They will undoubtedly start him slow next year with an extra month in Arizona, then up to Iowa. As I also posted about Brown, again, I just don't see him coming up this year. They value his ability as a starter too much to ramp up after a month off and be a reliever. They must be happy with his development this year.
He’s very overrated. The Cubs will never win a World Series on the roster because he cares more about Justin Bieber and Korean pop music than baseball.
Being a dumbass must be so exhausting.
