Cubs get Haren and cash, give up 2 lower-level prospects. Not a major trade but a nice pickup.
http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/140109934/cubs-get-dan-haren-in-trade-with-marlins
http://m.cubs.mlb.com/news/article/140109934/cubs-get-dan-haren-in-trade-with-marlins
How is it not a good deal? Do you know anything about what we gave up?
No Cubs fan is delusional about what we are getting with Haren. He's a consistent #5 starter, an inning-eater, nothing more. But we didn't give up jack shit for him - neither prospect was even top 30 within our own organization.
No one thinks he's going to be some lights-out top of the rotation guy, but that doesn't make it a bad deal.
https://dawindycity.com/2015/09/14/chicago-cubs-need-to-end-the-dan-haren-project/
[h=1]Chicago Cubs Need To End The Dan Haren Project[/h] by Jordan Campbell <time datetime="2015-09-14 12:24 pm">10h ago</time> Follow @CampbellJordan_
While that is a great problem to have, the Cubs also have another problem when it comes to their starting rotation. Unfortunately, this problem is not a great one.
Dan Haren has not been the answer for the Cubs as a fifth starter.
Haren has struggled since being acquired by the Cubs on July 31. In 8 starts with the Cubs this season, Haren has an ERA of 5.31. Haren’s 5.60 FIP in his 8 starts with the Cubs also indicates that the veteran starting pitcher has been even worse than his ERA would indicate. That should be why it should come as no surprise that Haren has -0.3 WAR since being acquired by the Cubs.
A change needs to be made.
If this was the Cubs team from 2011, 2012, 2013, or 2014–there wouldn’t be a need to replace Haren in the rotation. But, this is 2015. The Cubs are not only fighting to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2008 season but the team has a decent chance at overtaking the Pittsburgh Pirates for the first Wild Card spot in the National League. From now until October 7, every game matters for the Cubs.
That would be why Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon, who has managed every game this season like it is Game 7 of the World Series, needs to remove Haren from the starting rotation.
In place of Haren in the starting rotation would be Clayton Richard. Richard is currently being utilized as a swing-man in the Cubs’ bullpen but he may provide the team with more value as a starting pitcher than Haren would. As a starting pitcher this season, Richard has an ERA of 3.00 to go along with a 3.27 FIP.
At this rate, the Cubs can ill-afford another start from Haren where he has command issues. Let Haren continue his retirement tour in the bullpen while the Cubs resolve their true rotation problem with Richard as a fifth starter.
</article>
[h=1]Chicago Cubs Need To End The Dan Haren Project[/h] by Jordan Campbell <time datetime="2015-09-14 12:24 pm">10h ago</time> Follow @CampbellJordan_
While that is a great problem to have, the Cubs also have another problem when it comes to their starting rotation. Unfortunately, this problem is not a great one.
Dan Haren has not been the answer for the Cubs as a fifth starter.
Haren has struggled since being acquired by the Cubs on July 31. In 8 starts with the Cubs this season, Haren has an ERA of 5.31. Haren’s 5.60 FIP in his 8 starts with the Cubs also indicates that the veteran starting pitcher has been even worse than his ERA would indicate. That should be why it should come as no surprise that Haren has -0.3 WAR since being acquired by the Cubs.
A change needs to be made.
If this was the Cubs team from 2011, 2012, 2013, or 2014–there wouldn’t be a need to replace Haren in the rotation. But, this is 2015. The Cubs are not only fighting to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2008 season but the team has a decent chance at overtaking the Pittsburgh Pirates for the first Wild Card spot in the National League. From now until October 7, every game matters for the Cubs.
That would be why Cubs’ manager Joe Maddon, who has managed every game this season like it is Game 7 of the World Series, needs to remove Haren from the starting rotation.
In place of Haren in the starting rotation would be Clayton Richard. Richard is currently being utilized as a swing-man in the Cubs’ bullpen but he may provide the team with more value as a starting pitcher than Haren would. As a starting pitcher this season, Richard has an ERA of 3.00 to go along with a 3.27 FIP.
At this rate, the Cubs can ill-afford another start from Haren where he has command issues. Let Haren continue his retirement tour in the bullpen while the Cubs resolve their true rotation problem with Richard as a fifth starter.
</article>
unbiased baseball fan here about the chicago cubs but i just don't undertstand 1 thing right now about starling castro. Why was he batting 5th last week and why is he still on the team? I mean i can remember thinking a few years ago i can't for the life of me understand why the cubs keep playing darwin barney and starlin castro. It didn't make any sense. barney is gone of course but what the hell are the cubs doing with starlin castro? Can he play defense like jimmy rollins? what am i missing here? please help me understand because if you don't have an explanation, all the cubs fans should be writing into the team management to question why in the world you're still keeping that idiot.
