Carlos Zambrano
Big Z needs to step up and be the ace of this staff again. A year ago, he was hot and cold. If Zambrano gains more consistency, then he should be a 20 game winner. Yesterday we heard that Big Z might not start on Opening Day, but I think he should.
2008 Numbers: 14-6 with a 3.91 ERA
Rich Harden
The key for Harden is staying healty. The Cubs made the right choice by picking up his option. I've heard that Harden and Sean Marshall could switch off starts. That way Harden will only start half the games to save his arm for late in the season.
2008 Numbers: 10-2 with a 2.07 ERA
Ryan Dempster
One of the key moves of the Cubs off season in my opinion, was actually re-signing Dempster. He shocked all Cubs fans last year with how smoothly he transitioned from the 9th inning, to the rotation. Expect another monster year for Ryan.
2008 Numbers: 17-6 with a 2.96 ERA
Ted Lilly
A very underrated guy in the starting 5. This guy won 17 ball games last year! Signing the lefty was, along with DeRosa, the 2 best deals that Jim has gotten as Cubs GM.
2008 Numbers: 17-9 with a 4.09 ERA
5th Spot
We know that Lilly, Dempster, Harden, and Zambrano will all be in the rotation, but that leaves the 5th starter spot open because of the departure of Jason Marquis. Sean Marshall is the front runner. Jeff Samardzija says he wants to start and will do anything he can to win a job in the rotation. Aaron Heilman, Chad Gaudin, and Angel Guzman are also fighting for that one spot in the rotation.
2008 Numbers: Marshall was 3-5 with a 3.36 ERA. Samardzija had a 2.28 ERA in the bullpen. Heilman was 3-8 with a 5.21 ERA for the Mets. My pick for the 5th starter- Jeff Samardzija!
If you missed any of our NL Central off season recaps you should check them out:
Brewers
Cardinals
Astros
Reds
Pirates
Cubs
Happy Valentines Day Cubs fans! More posts to come...
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are you listening to espn 1000
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping Chad Gaudin wins it in spring training, because we need Marshall as a 6th man and as another 2 lefty in the pen. Aaron Heilman starting NO. I want Chad to start the year as the 5th man until the SHARK come back up.
ReplyDeleteNo I didn't get a chance to listen to ESPN 1000 this mourning. Phil, I agree about not liking the idea of Heilman starting. I also agree about needing Marshall as the spot starter and long man but I think he deserves a chance to win a job in the rotation. I'm not too sure about Gaudin as a starter, we'll have to wait and see what happens this Spring.
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