Do the Cubs Overrate Their Prospects?

Tyler Kleparski — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 19:45:49 -0500

In the past 5-6 years, the Chicago Cubs have had high expectations for several prospects.

At the beginning of the 03' season we had 5 young "can't miss" pitchers. They were Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Carlos Zambrano, Juan Cruz, and Angel Guzman.

Carlos Zambrano is the only one to reach his potential at the big league level.

Wood and Prior have been plauged by injuries and are in different roles. Wood is competing for a spot as the Cubs closer. Prior is still a starter but competing for a spot in the San Diego Padres rotation.

Juan Cruz is now a dominate set up reliever in the Arizona Diamondbacks bull pen.

Angel Guzman is also fighting injuries like Wood and Prior. He is likely to be in the Cubs minor leagues until he manages to stay healthy.

The Cubs have also had hot hitting prospects, espically in the outfield. Cory Patterson, Jason Dubois, David Kelton, Matt Murton, Felix Pie, and also infielders such has, Ronny Cedeno, Bobby Hill, Hee Seop-Choi, and Julio Zuleta.

Jason Dubois was given a chance in '05 and it was a disaster. He was later traded to the Cleveland Indians and then released after a year.

Cory Patterson was finally traded after flailing at everything possible to the Orioles.

Kelton was a slugger with no position. He played 3B, 1B, RF, and LF but no position was a fit. He was later released.

In 2004 the Chicago Cubs recieved Matt Murton from the Boston Red Sox in the Nomar Garciparra Deal. He is the most successful of the mentioned players, but still finds himself with out regular playing time.

He is battling for a 4th outfielders position. He is a possibility in a trade.

Juio Zuleta was a slugging right handed hitter who after years in the minors left for Japan and became a star with regular playing time.

Ronny Cedeno is fighting for a spot as a utility player on the Cubs roster. He is a slick fielding infielder trying to be turned outfielder. He has tore up the minor leagues in hitting and also winter ball. In the majors he hasn't been able to find regular playing time and has struggled at the plate.

At one time second baseman Bobby Hill, and first baseman Hee Seop-Choi were the "future" of the Chicago Cubs.

At one point they were almost traded to Montreal for RF Vladamier Gurerro and 2B Jose Vidro. The trade fell through thankfully for the Expos.

Bobby Hill was a switch hitting lead off hitter with great defense and a short compact swing. He struggled in 03' spring training and lost the job to Mark Grudzalenik.

During the trading deadline he was traded to Pittisburg for Aramis Rameriz. He has been a utility player ever since.

Hee Seop-Choi was a left handed slugger who could slugg 40+ homers. He got a chance in 03' and after a collision with Kerry Wood he suffered a concusion and never regained regular playing time in Chicago.

At the end of the season he was traded to Florida for Derek Lee. Choi was so popular that Cub fans booed Lee because it sent Choi away.

The question from me is why do all of these prospects never turn out for the Cubs. Is it too much hype, too much pressure playing in Chicago, or is it simply that we way over rate these players?

Now the Cubs have new prospects and time will tell how they do. Their names are: Geovoney Soto, Felix Pie, Ryan Theroit, Fike Fontenot, Kevin Hart, Jeff Samardzija, and Billy Petrick.

Jason Marquis: Trade Bait for the Cubs?

Tyler Kleparski — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 21:06:59 -0500

Chicago Cubs pitcher Jason Marquis said Saturday after his 6-2 loss, if he doesn’t make the Cubs rotation, he would possibly ask for a trade.

After hearing Marquis' comments in a press conference, Cubs manager, Lou Piniella said, "If he wants to leave, let him leave."

With Marquis not wanting to compete for a spot in the Cubs rotation, he has quickly found his way to the dog house with his skipper. There are still reports that the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles are discussing a trade for Brian Roberts.

The Orioles are asking for young talent, especially pitchers and with the comments from Marquis, this could be a piece of bait for the Cubs. It would add a veteran pitcher to complement a young talented core of young pitchers for the Orioles.

In addition, the Cubs would have to give up possibly a second pitcher, and a position prospect. Those prospects could be second prospects, lefties, Mike Fontenot and Sean Marshall.

Fontenot is a very good contact hitter, who could be a perfect No. 2 hitter for the Orioles. Sean Marshall, also could pitch as a No. 4 or 5 starter. He also has experience in the bullpen.

With a proposal of this kind to the Orioles, for the speedy switch-hitting Roberts, it would give the Orioles what they are looking for, pitching and a replacement for Roberts. The Orioles GM Andy McPhail has had experience with these three players, being the Chicago Cubs president, before joining the Orioles as the General Manager.

Bleacher Report - Articles by Tyler Kleparski

Do the Cubs Overrate Their Prospects?

Jason Marquis: Trade Bait for the Cubs?