It was about a month ago when I pondered aloud if Jeff Samardzija was heading down a similar career path as former Michigan QB Drew Henson in the minors. After seeing yesterday that Samardzija has been promoted to AAA Iowa thanks in part Big Z's elbow, I started to read around and I stumbled upon a name that I, and I'm willing to bet many Cubs fans haven't said aloud recently: Rich Hill.
From MLB.com writer Carrie Muskat:
The Iowa team is a little shorthanded with Sean Marshall set to be promoted on Tuesday to replace Carlos Zambrano in the Cubs' rotation, and Hill being sent to Mesa, Ariz., for some extra tutoring.
Hill will work with Minor League pitching coach Rick Tronerud and pitching coordinator Mark Riggins. The left-hander, who opened the year in the Cubs' rotation but struggled to a 1-0 record and 4.12 ERA in five starts, was 2-4 with a 5.88 ERA in seven games at Iowa. In his last start against New Orleans, he gave up six runs on three hits and four walks and couldn't finish the first inning. He has walked 28 and given up 22 hits in 26 innings at Iowa.
Hard to believe the guy is struggling as much as he is considering some of his stats from last year: 11-8, 3.92 ERA, 195 IP, 183 K, 1.195 WHIP.
If Hill could get back to form quickly, that would provide another bargaining chip for the Cubs to dangle in order to get that #2 guy in the rotation they'll need if they are to make a run deep in October.
While I think it's important to get another guy, I don't think it's as dire a need as maybe others do. Let's face it; the Cubs are not getting Sabathia. What does that leave? The next month will be a telling factor. Could Erik Bedard be jettisoned in his first year with the M's? Seems like their axing anyone who isn't pulling their weight these days (of course that's front office, but who knows what direction they're going considering how shitty they are).
QUICK UNRELATED SIDE NOTE: We haven't done the ESPN Douchbag Members in quite a while. After a couple readers asked what happened to it, I've decided it's making a comeback. That said, help us out!
All you need to do: Go to ESPN.com, and click on one of the main page stories. Below the copy, you'll see a comments section. Click on it, and find the biggest douchebag you can for us to verbally abuse. Send your nomination to chicagobullblogspot@gmail.com
2 comments:
I could see this coming and was hoping Hendry would trade him this past offseason. All you needed to do was watch game 3 of the NLDS to see this guy has absolutely no balls and is just a gigantic pussy. I would have paid money to fist fight him on Saturday, October 6th of 2007. He's not really even the reason we lost the game it was just so blatantly obvious that he wasn't ready and would never be ready to pitch in a big game.
Sean, you gotta give the guy a chance to have some leeway for the playoffs. I'm sure if I were in your shoes I would feel the same way, but if he gets it back he could be a huge help, be it as a long relief pitcher, or a starter if someone should get hurt. The guy started off last year 4-0 with under a 2 era if I remember correctly. Good lefties are always valuable, especially as the season drags on.
On the other side, if you can package him, Murton, and Patterson for someone who's a #1/2 depending on the team, you do it.
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