Chicago Cubs Manager Lou Piniella officially named Sean Marshall the team's fifth starter, and I'm a big fan of the move.
Looking back over the past few years, the National League Central has had issues against lefties almost across the board. Andy Pettite had success in Houston, CC Sabathia was a beast last year while being rented by the Brewers, and the Cubs' Ted Lilly has had stellar success while with the team.
The Cubs have longed for a rotation that had two left handers in it for longer than Piniella's tenure, and thought they were on to something a few years ago when Rich Hill had what was then thought to be a breakout season.
But Hill has had issues, both physical and mental, and the Cubs have been right back in the same searching mindset since.
I have always liked Marshall, even over Hill when the debate began over which was the better choice for the fifth starter a few years ago, in fact. He has a bigger physical presence on the mound and has the smooth, even temper that it takes to pitch in Chicago.
His willingness to move to the bullpen for the sake of being on the big league roster didn't go unnoticed, either.
His pitch selection is key to this move as well. He isn't going to blow anyone away with his fastball, but places it well and mixes it into his repetiore effectively. He isn't going to blow the ball by many people based purely on his stuff, but the mix of pitches he throws, and when he throws them, is what makes it work for him.
If you read the last paragraph and thought it sounded similar to the description Cub fans received regarding the acquisition of Lilly a few years ago, you wouldn' be far off; Marshall's arsenal isn't that different from the 17-game winner.
Which is another reason I like this move. Lilly has two years left on his contract and, at $12 million per season, he might become attractive trade bait over the next two seasons.
If Marshall can be worked into the same role in the Cubs rotation, he could provide the same niche on the staff that Lilly does at a considerably lower cost.
The final reason I like this deal is two-fold: it commits to Marshall as the man, giving him the confidence to do his job, and it also allows guys like Jeff Samardzija and Aaron Heilman to stay fresh in the bullpen as middle men waiting for the unavoidable day when Piniella needs someone to pick up two or three starts for an ailing Rich Harden.
Overall, I give this choice a hearty two thumbs up. Between choosing Marshall and Mike Fontenot for starting roles, the Cubs are not only committing to the right players for 2009, but showing that their maligned farm system has enough depth of quality to not force GM Jim Hendry to continually replenish the major league roster with expensive free agents.
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