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Analysis, News & Rumors
Archives
March 2005 Headlines
Ramirez Needs an Extension - 3/31/05 8:48am
Kelton or Dubois? - 3/28/05 10:06pm
Closer Role Gets Interesting - 3/26/05 10:14am
Spring MVP's - 3/20/05 11:45pm
Should We be Scared? - 3/17/05 10:45am
Prior and Wood at it Again - 3/15/05 4:27pm
Wood's Injury Not Serious - 3/11/05 10:57pm
3/31/05 8:48am - Ramirez Needs an Extension
Adam Katz and the Cubs may be cutting it close. With only a few days left until the regular season, Aramis Ramirez's
agent and the Cubs are working to reach an agreement on a contract extension. Both sides have said they do not
want to negotiate during the regular season, so they only have until Monday to finalize an extension to
his contract.
Currently, Ramirez has a one-year, $8.95 million contract. If a deal is not complete, Ramirez could become
a free agent next year and would likely go for a much higher price. He is asking for a 4 year deal for
approximately $10 to $12 million a year.
While his accomplishments can be overlooked, he already had three 100 RBI seasons and is only 26 years old. This
spring, he is batting .364 in 20 games.
- Jim | Return
3/28/05 10:06pm - Kelton or Dubois?
With time winding down, will the Cubs choose to keep Kelton on the roster rather than Jason Dubois?
With all the talk about Dubois, most would assume that he would be splitting time in left field with Todd Hollandsworth in 2005, but that
may not be the case. If Kelton is going to be sent down to the minors again, he would have to clear the waiver process. This almost
certainly means the Cubs would lose him.
In 22 games, Dubois is batting .310 with 4 homers and 8 RBI's, while Kelton is batting .350 with 1 homer and 6 RBI's. If the Cubs choose
to keep Kelton, they would probably start Hollandsworth fulltime in left field. If Dubois makes the roster, he would probably split time
with Hollandsworth and Kelton would be picked up by another team.
Will the Cubs cut ties with David Kelton? He is a 5 time minor league all-star, but has yet to do much when he was brought up to the majors. On
the other hand, Dubois is a strikeout candidate, and Dusty Baker is trying his best to stay away from the strikeouts this season.
- Bryan | Return
3/26/05 10:14am - Closer Role Gets Interesting
While the news is getting better for the Prior - Wood saga, it isn't as great for Joe Borowski and the Cubs'
closer situation.
Another freak injury for the Cubs now places Borowski on the DL for at least six weeks with a broken right
arm. Borowski attempted
to bare-hand a ball hit back to the mound on Monday. This brings even
more questions as to who will be the Cubs closer.
Comparing the candidates, Latroy Hawkins probably has the advantage due to his experience, however several
other names have been mentioned. Chad Fox has a 5.68 ERA in 8 games and also has 2 saves. He has struck out
9 during that time. Michael Wuertz may also be a good candidate as he has a 2.61 ERA in 8 games with 2 saves.
He has struck out 10 batters in 10.1 innings this spring. Last year in Triple-A Iowa, Wuertz had 19 saves and
a 2.45 ERA and was voted Pitcher of the Year. Will Ohman may also get some consideration with a 4.35 ERA in
10 games.
Between Hawkins, Fox, Wuertz, and Ohman, Hawkins is leading the candidates with a 0.96 ERA in 9 games. He
has 1 save and has struck out 10 in 9.1 innings.
The Cubs may also consider trading for a closer like Urbina from the Tigers if they want to keep Hawkins
as the setup man. Urbina has made it known that he wants out of Detroit, but the Mets may Urbina's first
choice.
- Bryan | Return
3/20/05 11:45pm - Spring MVP's
If a batting and pitching MVP could be chosen this spring, all votes would go to Nomar Garciaparra and Carlos
Zambrano.
On the offensive side, Nomar is batting .448 this spring and dominating pitchers after hitting 3 homers
in the last 2 games. He is 13 for 29 this spring, and has proved that he is seeing the ball well with his first-pitch hits.
On the pitching side, the durability and strength of Carlos Zambrano should earn him the opening day start,
after Kerry Wood's injury. On Saturday, Zambrano struck out 9 in 6 innings against the Brewers. In 4 games
this spring, Zambrano has not given up a run. He has only given up 9 hits in 15 innings, while striking
out 15.
- Bryan | Return
3/17/05 10:45am - Should We be Scared?
Should fans be scared? Could this be a repeat of what happened last year with Prior and Wood having injury
plagued seasons? Maybe, but probably not.
The Cubs are being very cautious at what they are saying, and for good reason. Last year, the Cubs were
saying the same thing, but the injuries proved to be more serious than the media and fans were led to believe. The
difference this year is that the players are throwing and practicing again. It appears that Wood might be on
track after throwing off the mound recently without problem. Prior threw long-toss as well, but still have some soreness in
his elbow. We may know more in a few days after the medication has a chance to work.
The only difference is that the Cubs may alter they plans of having Kerry Wood be the opening day starter so that
both Wood and Prior can have some extra time to get ready for the season.
- Jim | Return
3/15/05 4:27pm - Prior and Wood at it Again
The curse for the Cubs pitching staff was even worse on Monday. After pitching in his first Spring Training
start on Thursday, Mark Prior complained about some discomfort in his elbow, but is quick to say it is a
different problem than what sidelined him last year.
After receiving an MRI, doctors found no ligament or nerve damage, but because of recent problems, the Cubs
are in no hurry to bring Prior back too early.
Prior was in good spirits after talking to reporters on Tuesday. He suggested he isn't worried about it
but did not put a timetable on his return. The estimated return for Kerry Wood isn't yet available either,
but the Cubs did acknowledge that he may miss the opener. If that is the case, Dusty Baker may insert
Ryan Dempster in Wood's spot. If Prior is not ready either, the Cubs could have major problems.
Similar to last year, the Cubs remain optimistic and suggest both injuries are not serious, but remembering
back to last year, reporters were told the same thing but Wood and Prior remained on the DL for a good part
of the season. For those of you who don't believe in the curse, this may be the beginning of the 2005
curse for the Cubs.
- Bryan | Return
3/11/05 10:57pm - Wood's Injury Not Serious
If last year was any indication, the Cubs and their fans are very anxious about the health of their
starting pitching. Both Wood and Prior missed good portions of the season in 2005, and the Cubs are
being very cautious that 2005 will be different.
Wood left Wednesday's game in the third inning after tightness in his shoulder. After taking some
warm-up tosses before the inning, he stepped off the mound. After chatting with Baker and trainer, Mark O'Neal,
Wood left the game.
After being flown to Chicago on Thursday to have his shoulder examined, Wood was diagnosed with
having bursitis and slight inflammation. He is expected to only miss one spring training game.
- Jim | Return
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