08-25-2010, 12:14 PM
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Zambrano: Bullpen move was 'too desperate'
August 25, 2010 10:29 AM | No Comments
By Paul Sullivan
WASHINGTON -- Before flying to Venezuela to deal with a family situation, Carlos Zambrano finally admitted his true feelings on being sent to the bullpen in April.
With four starts under his belt since his second return, Zambrano has a 2.25 earned-run average. His splitter, slider and fastball were all working for him Tuesday, and he's improved in every start.
Does he ever wonder if he'd be pitching like this had he stayed in the rotation from the outset?
"What do you think?" he replied. "The situation we were in, when they moved me to the bullpen, it was kind of weird. But at the same time, they needed somebody in the bullpen in the eighth inning. We were losing a lot of games in the seventh, eighth innings. I think from my perspective we get too desperate too soon. To make that decision, that's OK. But you know what? I'm trying to finish the season strong and trying to be consistent and prepare for this last month."
The Cubs were 5-9 at the time and John Grabow and Esmailin Caridad had failed as set-up men for Carlos Marmol. Sean Marshall eventually filled the role admirably, but not until the ill-fated experiment to move Zambrano.
At the time, Zambrano thought it was temporary, saying former manager Lou Piniella told him "when they find a guy and trade (for a) guy and get that guy here, I will be back to the rotation."
He played the good soldier, even while his handlers were criticizing the decision behind closed doors.
A trade never developed, and after five weeks, Zambrano was moved back into the rotation on June 4 in Houston. By that time the Cubs were 5 games under .500 and 6 ½ games out of first. Zambrano made only five starts before the infamous dugout blow-up at the Cell on June 25, leading to anger management therapy and a second demotion to the bullpen.
But were the Cubs "too desperate" in moving him so early in the season, as Zambrano believes? Piniella took the blame for the decision, though general manager Jim Hendry endorsed it and Piniella later said pitching coach Larry Rothschild felt it would bring back Zambrano's velocity.
It's all hindsight now, but would the Cubs have been better off leaving Zambrano in the rotation and finding another right-hander to share the set-up role with Marshall? Or would they have struggled anyways because the offense was never in gear in the first half?
These are questions that can never be answered. But at least we know how Zambrano feels.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Very impressed Sullivan managed to not Rip Z at all in this article.
August 25, 2010 10:29 AM | No Comments
By Paul Sullivan
WASHINGTON -- Before flying to Venezuela to deal with a family situation, Carlos Zambrano finally admitted his true feelings on being sent to the bullpen in April.
With four starts under his belt since his second return, Zambrano has a 2.25 earned-run average. His splitter, slider and fastball were all working for him Tuesday, and he's improved in every start.
Does he ever wonder if he'd be pitching like this had he stayed in the rotation from the outset?
"What do you think?" he replied. "The situation we were in, when they moved me to the bullpen, it was kind of weird. But at the same time, they needed somebody in the bullpen in the eighth inning. We were losing a lot of games in the seventh, eighth innings. I think from my perspective we get too desperate too soon. To make that decision, that's OK. But you know what? I'm trying to finish the season strong and trying to be consistent and prepare for this last month."
The Cubs were 5-9 at the time and John Grabow and Esmailin Caridad had failed as set-up men for Carlos Marmol. Sean Marshall eventually filled the role admirably, but not until the ill-fated experiment to move Zambrano.
At the time, Zambrano thought it was temporary, saying former manager Lou Piniella told him "when they find a guy and trade (for a) guy and get that guy here, I will be back to the rotation."
He played the good soldier, even while his handlers were criticizing the decision behind closed doors.
A trade never developed, and after five weeks, Zambrano was moved back into the rotation on June 4 in Houston. By that time the Cubs were 5 games under .500 and 6 ½ games out of first. Zambrano made only five starts before the infamous dugout blow-up at the Cell on June 25, leading to anger management therapy and a second demotion to the bullpen.
But were the Cubs "too desperate" in moving him so early in the season, as Zambrano believes? Piniella took the blame for the decision, though general manager Jim Hendry endorsed it and Piniella later said pitching coach Larry Rothschild felt it would bring back Zambrano's velocity.
It's all hindsight now, but would the Cubs have been better off leaving Zambrano in the rotation and finding another right-hander to share the set-up role with Marshall? Or would they have struggled anyways because the offense was never in gear in the first half?
These are questions that can never be answered. But at least we know how Zambrano feels.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Very impressed Sullivan managed to not Rip Z at all in this article.