Do You Agree With Andrew Cashner Becoming a Reliever?

[Jaypers]

Vote!

 

[hofmichael]

If the Cubs are going to put in as a reliever then it is probrobly the wrong move.They don't have the best track record with pitchers.
Mike

 

[jlecates]

On a temporary basis, sure, it's fine. Long-term, you are giving up a lot of potential value if you are limiting him to one inning stretches.

 

[Topnotchsy]

As I mentioned in another post, Johan Santana began his career as a reliever. If done right it can be a great way to bring a guy along slowly.

 

[gonzagacubs]

I voted no.

Honestly, I don't really see any reason to bring him up this year. Let him finish the year in AAA, and come into next spring training to compete for a spot in the rotation. It was just 2 years ago that he was closing games out for TCU. Let him continue to make progress starting games.

 

[coltsnsox07]

Because I have a black Sterling auto on ebay I say no!

 

[marterburn]

My take is this.

They want him in the bigs this year, because he's an impact arm. If they were going to give him a rotation spot, I think they would want to give it to him for good, none of this trial basis or fill-in basis stuff. That may be later this year, it may be next year.

Fact is they want him in Chicago soon, and there is nothing foreseeable that will allow him to take a rotation spot there in the manner they want to give him one.

 

[James52411]

He was a reliever in college, so he is certainly suited for it. However, I think it is a mistake if he can be a legit MLB starter.

 

[AmishDave]

I voted Yes because the Cubs have never screwed with anyone's progression ...

 

[t3dudek]

Honestly, I don't really see any reason to bring him up this year. Let him finish the year in AAA, and come into next spring training to compete for a spot in the rotation.

I would hope they would leave him an jackson down in AAA till aug or sept. Both of those guys could be great starters for the future.

This year is a waste for the cubs they need to shed some players from there roster. they right now have a 6 man rotation with Zambrano coming back into it. They could easily trade 1 or 2 of those starters for some prospects sitting in AA or AAA or maybe some relief help.

The Cubs are the only team dumb enough in my opinion that take a player that is the AAA (PCL) player of the week who i must add has a under .90 era in AAA an throw him into the bullpen. WTF is wrong with this team. Just think what we would all be thinking if the nationals where doing this with strasburg because they both had around the same stats. This kid is a stud an the cubs will ruin him like the yanks ruined Jaba. I know some players go ot the pen to the rotation an have great careers but those are few an far between.

They also could try an shop around a player like Soriano around the trade deadline when they are out of it. This team has some good up an coming outfielders so why not try an get some prospects for a aging star who could help out a contender

Lastly the cubs have a pitcher in the minors that was a relief pitcher for the last few years that they turned into a starter named Thomas Diamond. He should be sent back to the bull pen where he played for the last few years. He has put up good stats this year but he isnt gonna be a starter in the MLB so just get it out of the way now an throw him in the pen.

 

[guzman4cy]

The answers for this poll are very skewed because people are prospecting in Andrew Cashner. As a Cubs fan, this is the best move for the team right now. They currently have a 5 man rotation without Carlos Zambrano factored in. They have:

Ryan Dempster: 3-4, 3.31 era
Carlos Silva: 7-0, 3.12 era
Ted Lilly: 1-4, 3.63 era
Tom Gorzelanny: 2-5, 3.66 era
Randy Wells: 3-3, 4.79 era (was 3.99 era before last games horrid start)
and then Carlos Zambrano

Zambrano clearly hasnt worked in the bullpen so eventually he will come back to join the rotation. That makes a current 5 man rotation with Zambrano replacing whoever is faltering when it comes time for him to join the rotation. The Cubs arent bringng in Cashner as a permanent bullpen arm, but for this year, its how he can help the team the most. Aside from Jeff Stevens, who has only pitched in a handful of games this year, the Cubs have only 3 other relievers with eras under 6! The team has had lots of trouble scoring this year with the lack of production from Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez, and without any big bats coming up though the system, they seem to be trying to fix their problems by reducing the amount of runs they allow. Theyr're only 6 games out of 1st and for the past 2 weeks have been playing pretty good ball posting a 9-4 record.

Bringing up Cashner as a bullpen arm this early in the season isn't an attempt to convert him or alter his career path. Its to fill the teams immediate need. The Cubs knew they needed bullpen help when they made a big effort to land Matt Capps in the offseason. Not only did they fail in picking up Capps, but they also lost Angel Guzman (their set up man) before the season began. If Cashner can come up and play a prominent bullpen role, then this team can right the ship.

 

[Jaypers]

Just got word he'll be called up tomorrow, to pitch out of the pen.

 

[Exposfan]

Where is the option for, who cares, he pitches for the Cubs. I'd vote for that.

 

[soccerman034]

Starter.

 

[bigredmachine]

For those of you including me who are prospecting him. If he comes up and throws a few scoreless innings in relief his cards will still go up. Maybe not as much as a starter. The Cubs suck so bad that anyone who can help them win will be very popular.

 

[cgilmo]

Because I have a black Sterling auto on ebay I say no!

i have a snipe on it

 

[braden]

Earl Weaver would vote 'yes'.

 

[cgilmo]

Aaaaaaaaand i won the black refractor

not bad, $92

 

[Mudcatsfan]

Your question pre-supposes this is a permanent thing.

Many teams ease their star pitchers into the bigs as relievers to give them confidence facing and beating big league hitters in small sample sizes.

Johan Santana did this, Phil Hughes is a very recent example of how it can work. Joba is an example where it didn't.

 

[cubfan131]

Cashner as just called up so we'll see how he does. I think in the short term it is a good move as the Cubs bullpen is awful but I hope they don't leave him there long term.