The Cubs made some cuts today, sending Jason Jaramillo to minor league camp and optioning Alberto Cabrera, Jeff Beliveau, John Gaub, Josh Vitters, Junior Lake and Matt Szczur to the minors. Here are some Cubs-related news items as the countdown to Opening Day continues…
- Right-hander Aaron Kurcz has been told that he is going to the Red Sox as part of the Theo Epstein compensation package, reports ESPN's Jerry Crasnick (Twitter link). Kurcz, an 11th round pick in the 2010 amateur draft, posted a 3.28 ERA and a 9.9 K/9 rate in 32 games for Class A Daytona last season. After months of negotiation, the Cubs and Sox agreed to righty Chris Carpenter and a player to be named later (Kurcz) as the price for the year remaining on Epstein's Boston contract. The Red Sox still need to send a player to the Cubs to complete the deal.
- The Cubs will take the time to get to know Matt Garza before determining whether to sign him long-term or trade him, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney tweets. The right-hander's on track to hit free agency following the 2013 season.
- There's no everyday job for Cubs outfield prospect Brett Jackson, but he has impressed his new manager nonetheless, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. "It’s been pretty impressive, every part of his game," manager Dale Sveum said. Jackson figures to open the season in the minors and work on his approach at the plate.
- Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune wonders what the Cubs will do with left-hander Travis Wood if he doesn't make the rotation. The Cubs could put Wood in the bullpen or send him to the minor leagues.
- Sveum added that Rule 5 selection Lendy Castillo has been "throwing great," Sullivan writes.
If Wood dosn’t make the rotation he could possibly be used as a setup man or a guy like Wakefield was who can make spot starts when others need rest. I think he would be good in this role.
idk if i would use him as a set up guy. maybe play the role that russell had last year granted he is even with the big league club
Using him as a Set-Up man/Spot Starter would be a good idea because you would have a guy who could possibly come in the 6th inning and hold it for the closer until the 9th in days when the bullpen are tired.
i think 7-8th inning guy when i think of set up. i think spot starter/mid relief would suit t. wood better.
Yeah he would be better in middle relief now that I think about it more. Also do you think this trade would work out Brentz,Ryan Kalish, Mike Avilies, and Kevin Youkilis for Matt Garza. I only throw in Youkilis because I think it would be a good way for them to get something in return for him before he hits free agency and at the rate Middlebrooks is going he should be ready for the majors after another year or so of seasoning.
with the cubs going young, i don’t see how youk would fit in their plans. Also, i would expect the cubs to seek pitching prospects in return for garza. brentz is a top OF prospect, but the cubbies have their own top OF prospects.
How would Anthony Ranaudo, Drake Britton, Matt Barnes, and Blake Swihart for Garza be? More reasonable?
i think its more reasonable than the other one, but i can’t honestly say i know much about britton and swihart. Ranaudo and barnes are legitimate prospects IMO. I honestly think that garza will be extended rather than traded
I think that Garza has a good chance of being extended but there is also a fair chance that he will be traded and it would only make sense for the cubs and Red sox to hook up on a trade because Jed and Theo were with the Sox and know what some of these guys can do Theo drafted most of them so he must place value on them, so it may give the Red Sox a good chance to land Garza if he becomes Available.
Ehh..it also means that the prospects Theo wants the most are likely the same prospects Cherington is least likely to want to part with in a trade..
Well if it was a deal for Garza and Byrd Cherrington would take it most likely. Because it helps two parts of the club become stronger.
There is no way the Sox would do that but i’m sure thats the type of deal Theo is looking for.
Set-up man and spot starter are not comparable roles. Your spot starters are generally your long relievers, because they are ones in the bullpen who are generally stretched out enough to pitch 2-3 innings consitently, and would have the most endurance to be a starter. Set-up men are usually just 1 inning type guys.
Regardless of where T-Wood slots in (I imagine he’ll be the swingman when all is said and done), I’m just glad the Cubs have a little bit of legitimate pitching depth for once. It was rough watching Doug Davis and Ramon Ortiz put on the pinstripes last year.
Kurcz is another potential set-up/closer guy. I think the haul is officially solid for Theo. Both guys got nice potential.
the boston media will still complain
Ownership too probably but who cares. Our ownership mishandled the situation by giving him up prior to negotiations. If we hadn’t we might well of got what they wanted. We didn’t though so if both or at least one of these young controlled relief prospects pan out then its def good enough for me. Kurcz looks like he could be really good in the pen at some point.
it stings a bit to see Kurcz go, he is an underrated prospect. good luck to him and carpenter in boston