(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Rich Harden is a pitcher who has a very dominating package of pitches and has used it well in his career. He had a career year last year in ERA. He has been showing some signs of struggle in Spring Training but that didn't effect his first start as he fanned 10 and allowed one earned run in a no decision against the Crew, but showed its ugly head in his second start where he gave up four runs in three innings.
His one loss as a Cub last year came in a 1-0 loss against Arizona. If he can go without being injured this year I feel as though he can be and will be the CY Young award winner this year. He averages over a strikeout an inning in his career and has been a nightmare for hitters. Given his power 21 wins seems reasonable, maybe a bit high, but reasonable.
Sean Marshall:
Last Year: 3-5 3.86 ERA
This Year: 5-3 4.22 ERA (15 Starts)
Sean Marshall has been a very interesting prospect in his career and has showed very good stuff. He went 3-5 in 34 games, seven of which where starts. He looked amazing in Spring Training up until he faced the Angels and looked a bit shaky in his first start giving up three runs in five innings.
He will do well this year based on skill but will also struggle do to his inexperience. He'll be shaky in plenty of his starts this year but he'll also show signs of being a masterful pitcher. I think he may be replaced mid way through the season when he seems to be struggling badly.
Possible Additions:
Ben Sheets:
Last Year: 13-9 3.09 ERA
This Year: 3-2 3.77 ERA (9 Starts)
This will most likely be a HUGE stretch but there is a very good chance that the starter in last years All-Star game will need a home this season after he recovers from surgery, and where better than the two time division winning Chicago Cubs. He has gotten offers from the Texas Rangers but knowing Hendry and his record for hunting great players I think he may land in Chicago.
Last year he started in 31 games before going on the DL with shoulder problems with the Wild Card Brewers. I think he'll come down to Chicago after some probable issues with Sean Marshall, even though I hope he has an amazing year because A. he's on the Cubs and B. He's on my Fantasy team.
He has been a dominating pitcher having double digit wins in seven of his first eight seasons. He'll be a bit shaky when he starts, probably be put in the pen to bring some order into a very inconsistent bunch.
Jeff Samardzija:
Last Season: 1-0 (26 games) 2.28 ERA
This Year: 3-0 (5 starts) 1.89 ERA
He came into the Cubs rotation last year and was an instant success as he was being considered for Rookie of the Month in his first and only month in the big leagues. He was dominating hitters as he was striking out hitters left and right.
He was fighting for the fifth spot in the Cubs rotation but ended up losing it to Sean Marshall as Jeff struggled in Spring Training. He was sent down to the Minors but has been looking great in his starts in Triple-A and will undoubtedly be called up some time in the season. The Cubs are going to have some problems in the Bull-Pen and are going to need his power.
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