Esmailin Caridad Has Already Won a Bullpen Spot?
The race to take a spot in the Chicago Cubs bullpen is a wildly crowded one. Carlos Marmol, Angel Guzman (if healthy), and two of the would-be starting pitchers (Sean Marshall, Tom Gorzelanny, Jeff Samardzija, and Carlos Silva (sigh)) seem like mortal locks to make the pen.
But is a fifth pitcher already locked in as well?
Piniella said rookie right-hander Esmailin Caridad, who debuted last August and had a 1.40 ERA in 14 appearances, is all but assured a spot in the bullpen.
”He’s on the team; he’s almost got to pitch himself off,” Piniella said. ”I don’t think he will. I like this young man. He competes. He’s got a good arm. He can pitch a lot. And he handled himself here quite well the last two months or so of the season that he was here.”
In fact, it might not be out of the question to see Caridad pitch himself into a late-inning setup role, especially if Guzman’s recovery goes longer than expected.
”He’s got the stuff for it,” Piniella said. ”Now, does he have the experience, the savvy? We’ll have to wait and see. One good thing about this young man is he’s not scared.” CHICAGO SUN-TIMES.
Caridad has been high on the Cubs’ radar since late 2008, but I’ll be frank: I had no idea that he was this locked in. Given that the list of other pitchers competing for spots in the bullpen is almost too long to recount without missing someone (Jeff Gray, Mike Parisi, Jeff Stevens, Justin Berg, Blake Parker, John Gaub, Thomas Diamond, James Russell, J.R. Mathis, Jeff Kennard, Vince Perkins, Casey Coleman, and Andrew Cashner), it’s hard to imagine that Caridad is locked in.
But so Piniella has said. I guess we’ll see how it plays out, and hopefully Caridad doesn’t get complacent.
ShareSpring Training Participants
Here’s a helpful recap of the players participating in Spring Training with the Chicago Cubs this year - pitchers and catchers report this week. Thanks to Bruce Miles for putting this together.
Pitchers: Mitch Atkins, Justin Berg, Esmailin Caridad, Ryan Dempster, Rafael Dolis, John Gaub, Tom Gorzelanny, John Grabow, Jeff Gray, Angel Guzman, Ted Lilly, Carlos Marmol, Sean Marshall, Marcos Mateo, Mike Parisi, Blake Parker, David Patton, Jeff Samardzija, Carlos Silva, Jeff Stevens, Randy Wells, Carlos Zambrano
Catchers: Welington Castillo, Koyie Hill, Geovany Soto
Infielders: Jeff Baker, Andres Blanco, Mike Fontenot, Micah Hoffpauir, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Ryan Theriot
Outfielders: James Adduci, Marlon Byrd, Tyler Colvin, Kosuke Fukudome, Sam Fuld, Xavier Nady, Alfonso Soriano
Nonroster invitees
Pitchers: Andrew Cashner, Casey Coleman, Thomas Diamond, Jeff Kennard, J.R. Mathes, Vince Perkins, James Russell
Catchers: Robinson Chirinos, Steve Clevenger, Chris Robinson
Infielders: Darwin Barney, Starlin Castro, Blake Lalli, Kevin Millar, Chad Tracy, Josh Vitters
Outfielders: Matt Camp, Brett Jackson, Bryan LaHair, Bobby Scales, Brad Snyder
Obvious player to watch: Starlin Castro
Dark-horse candidates to watch: Darwin Barney, Blake Parker
Pitching prospect to watch: Andrew Cashner
Annual Rule 5 pick: Mike Parisi
I’d also suggest watching John Gaub, a lefty with a chance to make the pen, Jeff Stevens, a righty with a chance to make the pen (received from the Indians, together with Gaub and another prospect for Mark DeRosa), and Casey Coleman - the Cubs’ minor league pitcher of the year last year, whom I think could have a very outside shot at landing the fifth spot in the Cubs rotation.
ShareChicago Cubs Avoid Arbitration with Carlos Marmol
As expected, the Cubs have managed to sign closer Carlos Marmol to a
one-year deal, avoiding the ugliness of arbitration that lies ahead
with respect to the last remaining unsigned Cub, Ryan Theriot.
According to Carrie Muskat, the two sides agreed to a $2.125 million
salary, which is approximately the midpoint of what the Cubs had
offered and what Marmol had requested.
February is Arbitration Month, and the Cubs Still Have Two Unsigned
Major League Baseball clubs and their arbitration-eligible players have until February 21 to come to terms on a 2010 contract - either by way of agreement, or arbitration, which can be scheduled at any time in those first three weeks of February.
It would be no surprise if you didn’t know this, because the Chicago Cubs haven’t gone to an arbitration in over 15 years. But this year, arbitration is a real risk for the Cubs with respect to closer Carlos Marmol and shortstop Ryan Theriot.
Marmol and the Cubs aren’t that far apart in their respect 2010 salary positions: the Cubs have offered $1.75 million, and Marmol has requested $2.5 million. Given the relatively modest $750k difference, the Cubs are likely to bend, and settle closer to Marmol’s requested figure in order to keep things out of arbitration. Though arbitration favors the teams about three out of every four times, Marmol’s request in this case is fairly reasonable. There has been no word on negotiations between Marmol and the Cubs, though you have to believe they are ongoing.
As for Theriot, he’s living on the moon: the Cubs offered a very reasonable $2.6 million, but Theriot requested $3.4 million. For an average, at best, hitting shortstop, who is below average defensively and below average on the basepaths, one has to wonder what the Cubs were thinking in offering so much, let along Theriot in requesting even more. Though the difference between the two sides is just $800k, Theriot is reportedly (according to some radio reports over the weekend) digging in, unwilling to drop significantly from his $3.4 million request.
Theriot is clearly missing the forest for the trees: if you are merely average at your position, and there’s a stud prospect right on your heels (Starlin Castro), is it wise to piss off your current employer? Further more, is it wise to squeeze as much cash for 2010 as possible in your first year of arbitration? Given the escalating nature of salaries in arbitration, if Theriot has another average year in 2010, rightly or wrongly, he’d be on track to get another significant raise in arbitration in 2011. If his 2010 salary is sufficiently high - like, oh, let’s say $3.4 million - guess what happens, Ryan? You get non-tendered by the Cubs after the season. And do you think, after another average year, you’ll get anything close to that amount on the free agent market?
Going to arbitration with Theriot, as with Marmol, is probably a mistake. But if Theriot absolutely will not come down to $3 million - which is still far too much for a guy with Theriot’s skill set in his first year of arbitration - then the Cubs should head to their first arbitration since 1993. Heck, let me argue that case. I’ll get the Cubs their $2.6 million.
ShareThe Unsigned Arbitration Eligible Cubs Exchange Numbers
While the Chicago Cubs were able to sign just five of their eight arbitration-eligible players yesterday, the team is hopeful it can finalize contracts with the other three before going to arbitration - something the team has successfully avoided for more than fifteen years. The three remaining are shortstop Ryan Theriot, closer Carlos Marmol, and swingman Sean Marshall, each of whom is eligible for arbitration for the first time.
Theriot and the Cubs are $800,000 apart. Theriot, 30, who made $500,000 last season, his third as the starting shortstop, is seeking $3.4 million while Chicago offered $2.6 million. Marmol, 27, who made $575,000 last year and heads into the 2010 season as the team’s closer, is asking for $2.5 million. The Cubs offered him $1.75 million.
Marshall, who will be competing for a spot in the rotation or could be a swingman again, asked for $1.175 million while the Cubs offered $800,000. The left-hander made $450,000 last season. cubs.com.
Marshall and the Cubs are sufficiently close that they should settle with relative ease.
Theriot’s request is, however, I’m sorry to say, egregious. In his first year of arbitration eligibility, there is no reason Theriot should have expected to get more than $3 million. A starting shortstop in name only, Theriot has limited range and a weak arm. He has decent speed, but is now a terrible base-stealer and a terrible base-runner. He is intermittently good at the plate, but still managed just a .712 OPS (83 OPS+) last year. And with hot middle infield prospects on the way, Theriot’s greedy request is only setting himself up to be non-tendered in the future. If he duplicates his numbers this year, do you really think the Cubs are going to be looking forward to ponying up some $5 million for him in 2011? To be frank, I believe the Cubs’ $2.6 million offer is far too generous for Theriot. $2 million is plenty.
Uncomfortable thinking, reading, and saying all of this? I am, too. But this is what lies ahead for Theriot and the Cubs if they go to arbitration (which is why the Cubs never do).
And for all the hoopla about how far apart Theriot and the Cubs are, the team is actually even further apart with Marmol. Though Theriot’s request was $800k over the Cubs’ offer, on a percentage basis, it is much closer than the Marmol spread, which is approaching a 50% difference. Think of it this way, which sets of offers are closer to settling: Player A requests $15 million but is offered $12 million, and Player B requests $3 million but is offered $500k. Clearly it’s the former.
That doesn’t mean I think the Cubs will have trouble settling with Marmol, probably somewhere around the mid-point. But it’s worth watching. Marmol clearly has asked for money based on his brief closer experience and closer potential, and the Cubs are offering based on his inconsistent setup experience.
Arbitration hearings take place throughout the month of February and these things can be settled at any point before the hearing.
ShareChicago Cubs Agree to Terms with Mike Fontenot, Tom Gorzelanny, Koyie Hill, Angel Guzman and Jeff Baker
Today was the last day for arbitration-eligible players and their teams to exchange their proposed salaries for the upcoming season. Unsurprisingly, it also makes for a very popular day for teams to sign the aforementioned arbitration-eligible players.
So, too, it was with the Cubs, who today signed second basemen Mike Fontenot and Jeff Baker to $1 million and $975k, respectively. The Cubs also signed a couple of pitchers: Tom Gorzelanny got $800k and Angel Guzman got $825k. The team also signed backup catcher Koyie Hill for $700k. No real surprises in those figures, save Fontenot, who was only in his first year of eligibility after a terrible 2009 campaign, and still managed to reel in the most of the group. On the whole, it appears that the Cubs got off a little light, as each of Gorzelanny, Guzman and Baker could have conceivably topped Fontenot’s $1 million mark.
The three remaining arbitration-eligible Cubs are shortstop Ryan Theriot, now-closer Carlos Marmol, and swing-man Sean Marshall.
ShareJim Hendry Hearts Relievers: Cubs Remain Interested in Kiko Calero
Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry continues his search for a right-handed veteran reliever, and one name that has popped up from time to time is Kiko Calero. It’s popping up again because the Cubs are interested if the money is right.
Calero, 35, is a free agent after putting together a very good 2009 season with the Florida Marlins. He went 2-2 with a 1.95 ERA in 67 appearances.
It can be said with certainty that few available relievers are coming off a better year. His 60 innings were a career high, even though he missed roughly three weeks with inflammation in his right (throwing) shoulder.
More than anything, that shoulder probably explains why Calero hasn’t been signed already. He was also sidelined by a torn rotator cuff in 2008, when he made only five big-league appearances with Oakland.
The Cubs are among the teams that have checked on Calero, two major league sources said Tuesday. But their interest is probably contingent on how confident their medical officials are in the health of Calero’s shoulder.
While the Cubs are committed to Carlos Marmol as their closer, they would like to add another late-inning reliever, the sources said. FOX Sports on MSN.
The market for a guy with dominating 2009 numbers has been surprisingly thin; obviously this is based on the shoulder issues. Hence, from the Cubs perspective, if the money is right, they’ll happily take a chance on Calero (as they should).
But counting on him would be a tremendous mistake.
ShareJim Hendry Hearts Relievers: Chicago Cubs are Still Considering Heath Bell
Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry continues his relentless pursuit of a right-handed reliever. But at least this rumor involves a slightly more dominant type.
According to sources, the Cubs are kicking the tires again on Padres closer Heath Bell, as they did at the winter meetings. He would strengthen the bullpen, but Lou Piniella would be back to juggling two would-be closers in Bell and Carlos Marmol, who went 11-for-11 in save situations after Piniella gave him the job. chicagotribune.com.
If you recall, the Cubs have had a long dalliance with Heath Bell - there were rumors of interest before the 2009 season, and then again during the 2009 season. Bell, 32, has been dominant in two of the last three seasons, and was pretty good in the third. He made just over $1 million last year, his first year of arbitration, and should get a significant raise this year.
There are two concerns with Bell: 1.) he led the National League in saves last year, his first as a closer - how do you make that guy a set-up pitcher, rather than the closer? You don’t. Carlos Marmol gone’ be pissed; and 2.) he has averaged an insane 80+ innings per season - all out of the bullpen - over the past three years.
Bell’s cost would make for an interesting discussion. Previously, the Padres had asked the Cubs for a king’s ransom, including at least one of their top prospects (at the time, it was Josh Vitters and Andrew Cashner). Given how much Bell is set to make in arbitration - topping $5 million wouldn’t be a shock - you would have to wonder whether that cost in trade would drop.
Share
