Second Round of Cuts

The  Cubs lightened the load today when they announced their second round of roster cuts, reducing its spring roster from 44 players to 36 players.

Sean Marshall (recovering frome arm soreness), Carlos Marmol (erratic) and catcher Geovany Soto have been optioned to Triple-A Iowa. Five non-roster invitees have been returned to minor league camp, including left-handed pitchers Ryan O’Malley and Carmen Pignatiello. Infielders Casey McGehee and Micah Hoffpauir, as well as catcher Jake Fox, have also been returned to minor league camp.

Chicago’s spring roster of 36 players consists of 18 pitchers, three catchers, eight infielders, and seven outfielders.  They will break camp with 25 players.

The 18 pitchers are;

  Starters; Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis, Rich Hill, and Wade Miller

  Bullpen; Rocky Cherry, Angel Guzman, Neal Cotts, Scott Eyre, Bobby Howry,  Juan Mateo, Roberto Novoa, Will Ohman, Michael Wuertz, Les Walrond, (why is he still with the club?), and closer Ryan Dempster

Soon to be on the Disabled List; Kerry Wood and Mark Prior

Let’s say that the Cubs break camp with 12 pitchers.  We know the five starters will be on the team, and Eyre, Howry, and Dempster will close the games.  Ohman is needed because he is a lefty.  We’ll also assume that Prior and Wood will start the season on the DL.  Les Walrond won’t be on the team.  That’s nine pitchers and three more spots.  Wuertz and Novoa are both overcoming arm injuries and are behind everyone else.  Cotts has a big contract, but has pitched terrible.  Rocky Cherry is the feel good story of the spring, but will he be able to keep it up?  So to you, the intellingent Crawly’s Cub Kingdom reader, which three do you keep in the bullpen?

Your choices are;

Rocky Cherry, Angel Guzman, Juan Mateo, Michael Wuertz, Neal Cotts, and Roberto Novoa.

Regardless of contracts (I’m looking at you Neal), which three would you want to keep?

Let’s hear those comments!