The Pot Boils Over

This has been a long time coming.  After watching Marquis' Jekell and Hyde act last season, Lou had to be talked into putting Cubs starter Jason Marquis on the playoff roster by pitching coach Larry Rothchild.  Pinella could not understand how someone could pitch so well in the first half of the season, and stink it up the second.  Lou even went so far as to go to a three man rotation for last years divison series against the Diamondbacks, with Zambrano, Lilly and Hill being the three pitchers and Marquis being assigned bullpen duty.  Well, after a mediocre performance today, Jason Marquis shot his mouth off and probably lost any chance of starting, and Jim Hendry is most likely on the phone, trying to figure out how to get rid of Marquis and the $16.25 million left on the big contract the Cubs awarded him last year. 

First off, today's game, a Cubs 6-2 loss, is very misleading.  The Angels played most of their superstars, Garrett Anderson, Chone Figgins, Gary Matthews Jr, Vlad Guerrero, etc.  The Cubs did not have Soriano, Lee, Ramirez, Theriot, Fukudome, etc in the lineup.  Needless to say, the Cubs did not score many runs.  Felix Pie continued to slide, going 0-3, Soto went 1-3 but left three men on base, and Ronnie Cedeno went 0-2. Alex Cintron also continued to stink, going 0-3. The Cubs left 10 runners on base today.  At least Matt Murton went 3-3, with a Baltimore scout in attendance.

Pitching wise, the Cubs also did not look so good.  Marquis didn't alow anyone to score in the first inning, but gave up a questionable walk to Garret Anderson.  Torii Hunter.  Marquis allowed another hit, scoring Hunter, and Marquis ended the day giving up 2 runs on two innings of work, allowing three hits and one walk with no strike outs.

Potential closer Kerry Wood had it even worse.  In one inning he gave up three runs on four hits and didn't strike anyone out.  Hunter hit the big blow of the inning, a 3 run home off a hanging breaking ball, giving the Angels a 5-0 lead.  Wood told reporters;

"I think we'll start worrying about the end result later -- this was the first time out," Wood said. "For the first time, I thought my location was all right. I threw good fastballs and had some decent sliders. Obviously, the results aren't what you're looking for. I'm pleased with it."

Pleaed with that performance.... are you kidding me?!  Not only that, but the other potential closer, Bobby Howry, gave up one run on two hits.  Luckily, left hander Carmen Pignatielllo  pitched another scoreless inning and keeps making the case to be the other lefty to come out of the bullpen.

The real fireworks started after the game though.  When talking to reporters, Marquis said;

"I love Chicago.  I definitely want to stay here. This is the place I want to be. I signed here for a reason. But I also signed as a starter, and I think that's where I help the team the most. We'll see what happens when it's time for them to make their decision.  So as much as I want to be here in Chicago—I love it, I love the fans, I love the stadium—I also have a family to worry about. I think I can take my services elsewhere if that's the case and I can help another team, in that capacity as a starter. So, my value doesn't lie in the bullpen in my mind."

When Pinella was told about Marquis' comments, Pinella replied,;

"Well, if that's the case, he can go somewhere else.  Win a spot in the rotation, you don't have to worry about it. … I've got seven starters here for five spots. It's a little bit too early to start talking about what he wants to do or not do."

Lou then went on to talk about other aspects of today's game, but then became visibly upset about Marquis comments and went off on Marquis;

"You know, that galls me about Marquis, it really does," he said. "I'm not pleased with that comment. We've had a good camp, everybody's getting an opportunity. Go out and win a spot in the rotation. Nobody is going to stand in your way if you do it. That's the easy way out.  We've got seven guys here that are competing for spots in the rotation, and everyone is going to be given an equal chance. After the first start of spring training, saying if I'm not going to make the rotation I'd like to go somewhere else? He can go somewhere else right now if he wants. How's that?"

Lou then left the reporters and had a "animated" discussion with pitching coach Larry Rothchild, who has been one of Marquis' biggest supporters.  Pinella was right in saying that Marquis didn't have a right to shoot his mouth off after just one spring training spot.  Does he just want a starters' job handed to him?  This is going to put a strain on Marquis and Lou's relationship, and in the end, it will probaly meen the Cubs will ship Marquis out and eat a large portion of his contract.  You all remember how Lou got rid of the players he didn't like last year (Barrett, Izturis, etc.)  Hopefully this will fire up the rest of the team.  The Cubs play the Giants again, and this game will also be broadcast on Comcast Sports Net and WGN 720.  Left-hander Ted Lilly making his spring debut against the Giants' Matt Cain.  Last time we saw Lilly, he was throwing his glove in disgust.  After today's mess, lets hope for a better result

Go Cubs!