2009 Chicago Cubs Pitching Staff

It’s the first part of February. Here, in the Upper Midwest, we are entrenched in yet another dreary and drawn out winter. But there’s always hope and anticipation as Spring Training ’09 is set to open with pitchers and catchers reporting on Friday.

Let’s take a look at the 2009 Chicago Cubs pitching staff from the view of one optimistic, hopeful yet realistic die-hard fan--myself.

Manager Lou Piniella has stated that he will likely carry 12 pitchers on the 2009 roster. Five starters plus late-inning specialists Carlos Marmol and newly acquired right hander, Kevin Gregg(Marlins). That leaves just five openings and a lot of candidates.

The list includes right-handers Jose Ascanio, Jeff Samardzjia, Chad Gaudin, Kevin Hart, David Patton, Jeff Stevens, Luis Vicaino, Randy Wells, and Mitch Atkins. Left-handers being Neil Cotts, Sean Marshall and possibly non-roster invitee Mike Stanton.

It remains to be seen if Stanton will be able to mount a comeback of sorts to make it onto the Cubs opening day roster as he hasn’t pitched since 2007 when he made 69relief appearances for the Reds.

The Cubs starting rotation looks to be shaping up as Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, Ted Lilly, and Rich Harden. The leading candidate for the fifth spot in the rotation, left vacant by the trade of Jason Marquis to the Rockies, at this time seems to be lefty Sean Marshall. However right handers Gaudin and Samardzjia are likely to get a close look at that position as well.

The Cubs are also looking for a possible sixth man in the rotation, a swing man who will be able to sub in when needed. More than likely to spell Harden and possibly Zambrano, in hopes of preventing any late season arm problems. Contenders for that position are newly acquired Aaron Heilman, and minor leaguer Mitch Atkins both right handers.

I like the looks of this year’s rotation, however there are some question marks. From a Cub’s fan perspective, that’s pretty much a given.

One of the biggest questions is whether Ryan Dempster can come close to repeating his stellar performance of 2007 when he went 17-6, with an ERA of 2.96. He pitched 206 innings with 187 strike outs.

There’s also the question of whether or not Carlos Zambrano’s arm has healed from last season and if Rich Harden’s arm holds up over the course of a long summer pitching at Wrigley. Harden did go 5-1 with an ERA of 1.77 in twelve games after being acquired mid season from Oakland.

I see Heilman being a better fit in that fifth spot, while using the lefty Marshall, and righty Gaudin as that swing man. I also see Kevin Gregg as the new set-up man for Carlos Marmol.

Of course, there’s still room for Jake Peavy. That is, if the Cubs could somehow swing a deal for him.

All in all it is this Cub’s fan’s belief that they once again have what it takes to win the Central Division. I know, what about the playoffs?

Keep your fingers crossed Cub fans. The summer can be pretty long at Wrigley!