The Cubs have tabbed left-hander Brett Anderson to open the season as their fifth starter, tweets Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago. Consequently, fellow southpaw Mike Montgomery, whom Anderson beat out, will head to the bullpen. At $3.5MM, Anderson received one of the biggest contracts the Cubs handed out during an offseason devoid of free agent splashes for the reigning World Series champions. Given the 29-year-old Anderson’s well-known injury history, though, it stands to reason Montgomery could end up in the rotation this season. “I could see him starting,” manager Joe Maddon told Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com. “Long relief, short relief. All of it.”
- The Rangers “have had conversations with other clubs” about acquiring starting pitching, though they didn’t delve into the “top end” of the trade market, general manager Jon Daniels told MLB Network Radio (Twitter link). Daniels doesn’t expect to land another starter from outside the organization, as he noted that the Rangers are “going internally” to address their rotation. Texas won’t need a fifth starter until April 15, when Andrew Cashner could return from biceps tendinitis, and it appears they’ll slot A.J. Griffin in as the No. 4 option behind Yu Darvish, Cole Hamels and Martin Perez, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. The recovering Tyson Ross (shoulder) figures to join the starting five when he makes his 2017 big league debut, which could happen in early May.
- Right-handed prospect Lucas Giolito has lost some of the hype that accompanied him last year, leading Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com to wonder if he’ll regain it with the White Sox organization. Previously a member of the Nationals, with whom he topped out as Baseball America’s fifth-best prospect, Giolito was part of a blockbuster December trade in which he (and fellow righties Reynaldo Lopez and Dane Dunning) went to Chicago for outfielder Adam Eaton. Despite serving as the headlining part of the return for the Sox, and despite continuing to rank as a high-end prospect according to most outlets, skepticism has developed regarding the 22-year-old. “I think he will be a bullpen guy down the line, kind of like a Jon Rauch or Luke Hochevar,” a National League executive told Crasnick. “He got hyped up a lot and Washington found out later. Usually, the drafting team is the last to know.” Meanwhile, one member of an American League front office Crasnick spoke with isn’t as ready to write off Giolito. “As a 22-year-old who’s already missed a year with Tommy John, Lucas Giolito deserves a chance to grow and evolve,” he said. “He really hasn’t had enough innings to show us what he’s going to be.”
- Indians righty Carlos Carrasco could begin the year in extended spring training as he looks to build up his arm strength after a bout with elbow soreness, writes Terry Pluto of cleveland.com. The Indians have two off days in the first two weeks of the season, which would enable them to be patient with Carrasco and not have to use five starters immediately.
Moncada, Giolito, and Quintana for Bartolo Colon. It would be hard to give up big sexy so the WS might have to throw in another piece but I think that will do just fine
The worst part of this trade would be not being able to watch Bartolo at the plate and running the bases…
‘Running”…is that what they call it? I think they dangled some chicken wings and dip out in front of his helmet to inspire him.
You shouldn’t fat shame. He is the dad bod all dad bod’s aspire to be.
has anyone invented something that can make someone’s electronic device that they type something in magically catch fire yet?
only if the sox eat all of Q’s salary
I’d do this in a heart beat
Why would they announce Anderson as the 5th starter? His ERA is 7.11 so far this spring. Montgomery’s numbers are all around better than Anderson’s. Maybe his numbers indicate he is more valuable in the bullpen. Personally, I think Eddie Butler has earned the job with numbers better than both of them this spring.
ERA isn’t everything. I believe someone asked the same question in the chat yesterday and it was explained. And like cachhu said, he was going to be the 5th the second he signed unless he got hurt in spring training.
cuz spring training
Technically, Maddon named Anderson the 4th starter, and Hendricks the 5th (due to match ups). Butler will need to prove it in Iowa, but I also liked what I saw in him. Montgomery deserved a spot in the rotation, but he is more needed in the bullpen currently. He is a team player, and handled the announcement like a pro. Now hopefully this means Duensing gets DFA.
Anderson and Hendricks have nothing to do with matchups. It is done so that the two lefties—Anderson, then Lester do not pitch back to back.
That’s more or less what I meant. Maybe I worded it poorly. When they face the Cardinals it will be Lester-Arrieta-Lackey (who pitched better against STL than Hendricks in 2016) and when they face the Pirates it will be Hendricks-Lester-Arrieta. It will be good if they can get a early lead in the division.
He was going to be the fifth starter from the time he was signed, barring injury.
Like what they say about closers, when you have 2 of them that means you don’t have any. Same thing to be said for Cubs 5th starter. They don’t have one. This was a gaping joke that wasn’t really addressed this offseason.
Cubs have studs at catcher first base second base ss 3b lf and a rf gold glover. 3 aces and lackey is a strong #3. Backend of Bullpen strong with strop Rondon Wade Davis . We should still win 95-100 games with whoever at #5. Trade deadline can grab odorizzi or Teheran type if needed
The Cubs don’t really need a fifth starter. They’re going to win the division. Once you’re in the playoffs, the fifth starter most likely will never step foot on the mound at all. As long as their first three starters are rock solid, and their fourth is pretty good, that’s all that matters.
LOL
There’s no greater disappointment in life than seeing a top draft pick and pitching-prospect end up in the bullpen.
Unless they become a closer or relief ace a la Andrew Miller.
I don’t see anything wrong with it. Most prospects don’t pan out. I’d rather see them go to the pen and be useful in that capacity then to completely flame out.
Tom Verducci did a great in depth report/breakdown on Giolito for MLB Tonight back in November using Statcast data.
His spin rate is well below the MLB average, so even when he was throwing 100 mph it was still a straight line with little movement and MLB hitters can handle it.
If his spin rate is unchanged and now he’s throwing 92-93 mph, even a bullpen job might be optimistic.
As much as getting Yu Darvish on the cubs would be cool the cubs would be much better off giving that money to Jake Arrieta. He’s only a year older and Darvish has.had TJS already. Much higher risk.
Re-sign Davis for the Short term 2 years with an opt out after one year depending on amount of saves. Carl Edwards Jr. Has electric stuff he could be the closer of the future.
Doesn’t matter at all Brett Anderson is very expendable Dylan Cease’s ETA is this year. Anderson is somewhat injury prone. Cease will get the call and ultimately replace Anderson who will be DFA then traded for cash or ptbnl. Anderson and Jon Jay for bench players. Lol. Jay is the ultimate bench player. He’ll be the juwaun Howard of baseball like when the Miami Stern Silver Lebrons won the NBA title he celebrated like he helped.
And though Jay might come off the bench and steal a bag or be an extra innings replacement he won’t contribute much.
Dylan Cease eta this year? He was only in low A last season. I’ll be happy if he makes it to AA in 2017. I could see 2018 mid-late season if all goes well.
I agree with the AL guy. If Lucas G hasn’t shown significant improvement by age 24, then you can write him off as another Gavin Floyd. For now, the potential is still there & the White Sox have a solid reputation of developing young arms …
before Kenny trades them for players he’s looney about 🙂
I don’t think Hahn completely prevents that.