Chicago Cubs expect to build a strong rotation with the arrival of Scott Baker and Matt Garza
This past week the Chicago Cubs were greeted with good news in that Matt Garza can now resume throwing after months of inactivity due to an elbow injury.
A news that that was awaited with both anticipation and nervousness. Anticipation because they wanted it all go well and the nervousness as Garza’s continued absence could prompt the team to look for other options
The Cubs have been weighing their options to add pitchers to rotation. They had only recently added free agent Scott Baker who also in the past has had injury issues. However, the Cubs president of baseball operations had his view to share about it.
Interestingly, in both the pitchers’ case, injuries have been common. There were initially some questions if signing a contract with Scott Baker was worth it given the history of the injuries.
Coming off Tommy John surgery, as the Cubs look at it, Scott Baker has the potential to reverse the tide.
"The reality is that it's not exactly a buyer's market for pitching right now so you have to take your risks," Epstein said. "Do you want to take a risk on the guy with bad makeup? Do you want to take the risk on the guy with bad command? Or do you want to take a risk on a guy you really believe in who's coming off Tommy John surgery at an appropriate value point? I think we are very comfortable placing our bet on Scott Baker."
Scott Baker brings with himself a credential that he can take pride in. When he was associated with the Minnesota Twins, he had .568 winning percentage which was fourth in the history of the Twins in minimum 100 appearances.
While Scott Baker will be an interesting addition to the Cubs’ rotation, that which comes as good news for the Cubs is Matt Garza’s return. That actually adds strength to a rotation that has struggled quite a bit in the past.
Now the Cubs are expecting that this pitcher gets ready before Spring Training. With Scott Baker also present there, most probably, it will be interesting how the combination works.
Before the Trade Deadline this year, the Cubs had traded a few of their veteran pitchers. That was meant to bring in the younger players and give them an opportunity as part of the building phase for the Cubs.
Baker and Garza, once they formally get their names listed for the rotation next year, will be of tremendous help and guidance for the younger pitchers. That is what actually goes to the Cubs advantage, one that they will like to thoroughly utilise.
A club that has not won a World Series championship for decades will have a solid combination to attack the rival defence in coming years.
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