Wait Til Next Year 3.0

[Trendy Bastard]

With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training, I thought I should probably go ahead and get my random rant thread started. This place (along with the rest of the baseball discussion) has been a ghost town.

This is always an exciting part of the year, even when you know your team is still going to suck.

Can Starlin Castro step up his game and prove he deserves all of the praise he receives? Will Anthony Rizzo continue to mash the ball over a full Major League season? How about Jeff Samardzija(spelled that right on the first try!)? He reportedly turned down a five year contract over the offseason because he believes he can pitch better. The outfield is full of platoons. Third base is manned by a supposed 100% healthy Ian Stewart, but he's got to prove himself during the spring. His deal is non-guarenteed.

Personally, my eye's will be glued to the minor league reports. Baez, Solar, Almora, Paniagua, Vizcaino, Vogelbach, Candelario, and so many more fun players to keep an eye on.

[zodious]

Are you happy with the moves Theo has made? What would you like to see the next move be?

[Trendy Bastard]

I like how he has handled the pitching staff. Garza, Shark, Jackson are virtual locks for 1-3 with Villanueva, Feldman, Baker, Wood, and Vizcaino(slim) battling it out for the rest of the spots. The bullpen is very deep as well. There is going to be a lot of healthy competition, which is exactly what I was hoping for. This is a much improved team compared to 2012.

The next move I'd like to see made is dealing Marmol. I'm hoping he's sharp this spring so we can ship him off before the season starts.

I personally think DeJesus, Hairston, Marmol, and (one of)Baker/Feldman will all be dealt before August 1st. Possibly Garza. Soriano unlikely.

[Trendy Bastard]

Garza experienced a lat strain during one of his throwing sessions. At first it was a bit nerve racking to hear about him leaving the field, but Garza said it has nothing to do with his elbow. They were just being cautious.

In other news, Sveum has made it seem that Baker won't be ready by Opening Day. It seems Feldman has a much better shot at snagging a rotation spot.

[zodious]

Still Early, Garza will just need to stretch out more.

[Trendy Bastard]

I'm not too worried, even though he's getting an MRI

[zodious]

Precautionary

[Trendy Bastard]

Shutting him down for a week

[zodious]

Not bad, one week, total precautionary.

[Trendy Bastard]

Solar is impressing so far this spring. Everyone seems to have something good to say about him.

I just watched a video of him hitting an absolute bomb during an intrasquad game. It was purty.

[Trendy Bastard]

Cubs are off to a 3-1 start.

Ian Stewart is out for a few weeks, gunna hurt his chances at making the roster.

D-Train was derailed after 7 pitches during his 'comeback'. Says he'll overcome it.

[Kingdom]

Will he comeback be learning RF or 1B?

[Trendy Bastard]

Castro with a tight hamstring. We need him healthy.

[Trendy Bastard]

Looks like Garza could miss the first month of the regular season. Yay.

[Trendy Bastard]

Samardizja
Jackson
Feldman
Villanueva
Wood

Barring any more injuries, this is what the rotation is shaping up to be to begin the season.

-Castro will rest another week to rest his hamstring. :pokerface:
-I read an article on fangraphs absolutely praising Cuban RF Jorge Soler. Fun read for a Cubs fan.
-Brent Lillibridge has pretty much been given a roster spot already. Mather deja vu.
-Ian Stewart might find himself a free agent again. It seems like management is growing impatient with his ability to get healthy. Sveum also loves Valbuena.