Michael Bowden in the Pen and Dave Sappelt on the Bench and Other Bullets

michael bowden cubsAs a heads up, today’s the last day to take advantage of the free shipping promotion on BN apparel (buy at least two items, get free shipping). The code to use for the promotion is “EASTER2013.”

  • Dale Sveum suggested yesterday that outfielder Dave Sappelt would make the Cubs’ bench, and that pitcher Michael Bowden would make the bullpen. On Sappelt, the decision boils down to his ability to hit left-handed pitching, his versatility in the outfield, his spot on the 40-man roster, and the fact that the Cubs have two lefty regulars in the outfield right now. Brian Bogusevic has had a good Spring, but Sappelt is the better fit for the roster as it is constructed. He probably also has more upside, too.
  • “He’s had a good spring, he has a track record, he pitched very well the last two or three months he was up last year,” Sveum said of Bowden, per Cubs.com. “He’s basically the one guy in the bullpen who can go multiple innings, and that’s a huge asset to have.” After being called back up to the big team in early August, Bowden put up a 1.33 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP, and a near 2:1 K/BB ratio in 27 innings of work. And in 8 of his 20 appearances during that stretch, he went more than an inning. He was good.
  • With Bowden in the pen, joining Carlos Marmol, Kyuji Fujikawa, James Russell, Shawn Camp, and Hector Rondon, there’s one spot left, and a whole lot of guys to choose from: Chris Rusin, Hisanori Takahashi, Jaye Chapman, Rafael Dolis, Jensen Lewis, Blake Parker, Casey Coleman, Drew Carpenter, Zach Putnam and Cory Wade. If Sveum wants another lefty, Rusin or Takahashi could be a LOOGY/long-man hybrid. If it’s not going to be a lefty, none of the righty non-roster guys (or rostered guy Dolis, who has an option left) has really separated himself from the pack. Wade and Putnam probably have the best pedigree, but it’s very, very close. My pick would be Takahashi, assuming finding a 40-man spot isn’t going to be a problem. I wouldn’t hate Rusin, either – I don’t think his development, such as there is more left to do, would be stunted as a starter by being a long man in the big league pen (as opposed to starting in a very crowded AAA rotation). That might be his best future role anyway. He’d also still be relatively able to step into the rotation should a need emerge. That all said, I think Rusin’s going to start at AAA.
  • Speaking of Bowden, Carrie Muskat profiles the Cubs reliever.
  • Phil Rogers wrote a hey-look-at-me column on tearing down the Old Scoreboard at Wrigley … but I actually think he did a pretty good job of making the argument that, if necessary, it’s time to replace the Old Scoreboard with a new video board. I don’t agree – largely because I am hopeful that a video board can be accommodated without losing the Old Scoreboard – but I don’t think I can fight Phil too aggressively on this one. If a JumboTron (and the associated tens of millions of dollars in advertising revenue) is impossible without displacing the scoreboard, then I could be convinced that it’s time to make a change. But if there’s any way to accommodate both – a board in left, or the JumboTron somehow below the Old Scoreboard, which would have to be raised – that’s what I’ll keep pushing for.
  • Think Wrigley needs an updating? A ranking of ballparks from TripAdvisor based on the experience for the average ballpark-goer ranked Wrigley just 10th.
  • Scott Feldman, who has struggled on the results side this Spring, says he’s still working on his pitches. “I feel pretty good with three out of four of my pitches but the changeup is one I haven’t thrown enough in spring, and the ones I have thrown, they’re not game ready,” Feldman said, per Carrie Muskat. “It’s something I need to hammer out the last 10 days or however long I have to pitch. It’s something I have to work on a lot and get it straightened out.”
  • Len Kasper talks to Bruce Miles about Len’s new partner for the season, Jim Deshaies.
  • Paul Sullivan answers some questions, including renovation stuff.
  • The paranoia is getting the best of me: the Cubs are waiting for the team orthopaedist (Cubs’ spelling) to come down to Mesa tomorrow to check out Scott Baker’s elbow and his MRI after he felt some soreness earlier this week … but what was the point of getting the MRI if it couldn’t be analyzed by whatever medical staff is already down there? The answer, I fear, is that it could. And was. And what they saw was sufficiently bad that not only did they have to shut Baker down immediately (because, recall, whoever is already down there has been able to make evaluative decisions for every other player who’s received an MRI this Spring), but they also had to call for the special joint/ligament doctor to come take a look at Baker in person. Like … before making a serious declaration? As I said, it’s probably just paranoia running wild. Maybe the orthopaedist was just on Spring Break. Or in surgery all week. Actually, that’s pretty plausible – the Cubs can’t be his *only* client. And you’re not going to let the guy recovering from ligament surgery start throwing again until he’s blessed by the ligament doctor. Ok. I’ve talked myself down from the ledge. Mostly.
  • For your early planning purposes, to the extent you want to hang – my first trip into Chicago this season will be Friday, May 3 through that weekend. I’ll be going to those games, and getting together with anyone who wants to grab a beer. If enough folks are going to be around, we can plan a more formal-type get-together that Friday evening after the game.
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    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation. You can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation, on Bluesky at @Brett-Taylor, and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

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    Yesterday at The Athletic, Patrick Mooney wrote: "For the Cubs to sign (Alex) Bregman, he would probably have to lower his expectations from a six- or seven-year deal to a shorter-term contract structure with opt-out clauses." And privately, I can...

    The Milwaukee Brewers Will Honor Bob Uecker on Their Uniforms This Season

    Not that I'm in the business of giving props to the Milwaukee Brewers, but I had to nod in their direction for the very good decision to honor Bob Uecker all season with a patch on their uniform. The long-time...

    Are the Cubs Finished Making Moves? The Front Office Speaks

    Good luck getting Cubs President Jed Hoyer or Cubs GM Carter Hawkins to firmly commit to anything about the roster at a press conference. But I understand that the questions have to be asked, and the information in response, however...

    Imanaga in Japan, Hoerner and Shortstop, Suzuki and DH, First Day, and Other Cubs Bullets

    That game confirmed that the biggest sports moment of the day was Cubs pitchers and catchers reporting. We knew it from the jump. Speaking of the game, owing to its timing, I must confess that I was not able to...

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    Svitolina vs. Pegula Prediction at the WTA Doha, Qatar – Tuesday, February 11

    In a match scheduled for Tuesday, Jessica Pegula (No. 5 in rankings) will meet Elina Svitolina (No. 22) in the Round of 32 at the WTA Doha, Qatar.Pegula is favored (-175) in this matchup, compared to the underdog Svitolina, who...

    Rybakina vs. Stearns Prediction at the WTA Doha, Qatar – Tuesday, February 11

    In the Round of 32 at the WTA Doha, Qatar on Tuesday, Peyton Stearns (ranked No. 47) takes on Elena Rybakina (No. 7).Rybakina is getting -526 odds to beat Stearns (+360).WTA Doha, Qatar InfoTournament: The WTA Doha, QatarRound: Round of...

    Zheng vs. Jabeur Prediction at the WTA Doha, Qatar – Tuesday, February 11

    Ons Jabeur (No. 35) will meet Qinwen Zheng (No. 8) in the Round of 32 at the WTA Doha, Qatar on Tuesday, February 11.Against the underdog Jabeur (+105), Zheng is favored (-135) to advance.WTA Doha, Qatar InfoTournament: The WTA Doha,...

    van Assche vs. Bonzi Prediction at the Open 13 Provence – Tuesday, February 11

    Benjamin Bonzi (No. 64) will meet Luca van Assche (No. 164) in the Round of 32 at the Open 13 Provence on Tuesday, February 11.In this match versus van Assche (+190), Bonzi is favored to win with -250 odds.Open 13...

    Sramkova vs. Andreeva Prediction at the WTA Doha, Qatar – Tuesday, February 11

    On Tuesday, Mirra Andreeva (No. 15 in the world) faces Rebecca Sramkova (No. 46) in the Round of 32 at the WTA Doha, Qatar.Andreeva is favored (-450) in this match, compared to the underdog Sramkova, who is +310.WTA Doha, Qatar...

    Chidekh vs. Bergs Prediction at the Open 13 Provence – Tuesday, February 11

    In a match slated for Tuesday, Zizou Bergs (No. 62 in rankings) will meet Clement Chidekh (No. 189) in the Round of 32 at the Open 13 Provence.Bergs is getting -225 odds to beat Chidekh (+175).Open 13 Provence InfoTournament: The...

    Argentina Open Schedule Wednesday, February 12: Matchups & TV/Live Stream Info

    There are two matches at the Argentina Open on February 12, the best being No. 2-ranked Alexander Zverev versus No. 81 Dusan Lajovic. The Tennis Channel provides live coverage and highlights of all the major moments across tournaments during Center...

    Struff vs. Guinard Prediction at the Open 13 Provence – Tuesday, February 11

    In the Round of 32 at the Open 13 Provence on Tuesday, Manuel Guinard (ranked No. 280) takes on Jan-Lennard Struff (No. 46).Against the underdog Guinard (+350), Struff is favored (-526) to advance.Open 13 Provence InfoTournament: The Open 13 ProvenceRound:...

    Badosa vs. Anisimova Prediction at the WTA Doha, Qatar – Tuesday, February 11

    In the WTA Doha, Qatar Round of 32 on Tuesday, No. 10-ranked Paula Badosa faces No. 41 Amanda Anisimova.Badosa is getting -155 odds to beat Anisimova (+118).WTA Doha, Qatar InfoTournament: The WTA Doha, QatarRound: Round of 32Date: Tuesday, February 11Venue:...

    Miami (FL) vs. Syracuse Prediction: Spread, Total Points, Moneyline Picks – Tuesday, February 11, 2025

    The Miami Hurricanes (5-18, 1-11 ACC) host the Syracuse Orange (11-13, 5-8 ACC) in a matchup of ACC teams at Watsco Center, beginning at 7:00 PM ET on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. The Hurricanes are 1.5-point favorites in the game....

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