(Source: Reuters)

To Simply, the Cubs bullpen appears to not be very good right now. With the injury to Angel Guzman, the Cubs face the potential of going into the season with just two true veterans in their bullpen, those being closer Carlos Marmol, and left handed reliever John Grabow.

But, that could soon change as the Cubs are desperate to add a right handed set-up man for the eighth inning. And the Cubs have inquired on Jason Frasor since learning of the news on Angel Guzman.

In a radio report from Bruce Levine yesterday, he reported that the Cubs are pushing to get either Frasor, or Luke Gregerson from the Padre’s. But Bruce brought up a good point, the Blue Jays may not want to just give up Frasor for nothing, and knowing the Cubs situation they may have a higher price for Frasor than originally thought.

Also, a report came out late last night from Ken Rosenthal, that said the Cubs are still monitoring free agent pitchers Pedro Martinez, and John Smoltz. But, sources iterated that it would be have to be “further down the line” before the Cubs would consider signing them.

Among in house options that the Cubs have to put in their bullpen, it is believed that left- hander James Russell, right- hander Casey Coleman, lefty John Guab, and righty Jeff Stevens are all in the mix for a bullpen spot.

(Source: AP Images)

In the past a couple of weeks, an idea has been gaining steam from the Chicago Tribune. And that idea is the thought of the Cubs possibly being interested in former Cubs closer Kerry Wood, who is being shopped by the Indians.  Before I get started, I want to stress that this is not a rumor, it is a mere thought of a writer, and as of now it is not known if the Cubs have any interest in Kerry Wood.

But nonetheless, should the Cubs be interested in re-acquiring Kerry Wood?

If I were Cubs management, I would not go after Kerry Wood. For a multitude of reasons, the first being, the way Kerry Wood left the Cubs after the 2008 season. While Jim Hendry told media that Kerry Wood was not willing to accept a reduced salary to stay with the Cubs, Kerry Wood said he would have been willing to accept a low based deal if it meant staying with the Cubs. So one could conclude that Jim Hendry really had no interest in bringing back Kerry Wood.

Another reason why Kerry Wood is not a fit with the Cubs, is because of his $10.5 million salary for this year. And with Cleveland not willing to eat any portion of that salary in a trade, it would be nearly impossible for the Cubs to fit that much money in their budget.

So if the Cubs do not acquire a veteran reliever, not named Kerry Wood, then the Cubs bullpen could ultimately be what takes the Cubs out of contention in 2010.  Because right  now, there is a chance that the Cubs could go into the season with their two set-up men in the bullpen being rookies in Andrew Cashner and Esmailin Caridad. And it would be wishful thinking to think that, that can be a successful tandem in the Cubs bullpen.

But, I don’t think that is going to be the case with the Cubs. As all signs point to the Cubs acquiring an inexpensive veteran reliever. And of course the popular names are Jason Frasor of Toronto, and Padre’s reliever Luke Gregerson. However, the injury to Angel Guzman may have hurt the Cubs chances of  getting either one of those pitchers, as it had been reported that both teams were interested Angel Guzman.

While it is only spring training, and their is nothing really to get worried about during these games, you still do not want get beat 15-3, like the Cubs did today.  It was doomed from the start as the Carlos Silva let up 3 runs in the first, and another 3 runs in the second. The Cubs offense was also non-existent throughout the game, as they really never were in the game.

Who Was Hot

• Ryan Theriot, and Kosuke Fukudome were just about the only offense the Cubs had today. As both men went 2-3 from the plate, with Kosuke driving in 2 runs.
• Carlos Marmol looked good in his one inning on the m0und, as he struck out two in the process.

Who Was Not

• Carlos Silva showed us all today, why many people consider him to be the worst pitcher in the majors. As he went two innings, giving up 6 runs on 7 hits, which two of those seven hits were home runs off the bat of Carlos Quentin. Silva definitely did not impress the Cubs today, and this may hurt his chances of getting a starting rotation spot.
• John Grabow went an inning and gave up 3 runs on 3 hits, one of which was a Home Run.

Injuries

• Backup Shortstop Andres Blanco was injured during today’s game, and will miss the next 7-10 days, suffering from a grade 2 sprained knee.

Next Up

• The Cubs will try for revenge against the Sox, as they take them on tomorrow at 3:05 PM.

The Cubs finally got back the MRI results on Angel Guzman’s right shoulder, and the news is not good at all. Angel Guzman has a significant ligament tear in the front and bottom part of his shoulder.

At the age of 28, Angel Guzman’s career could possibly be over,  as he could opt to have “career-threatening” surgery. In the past, it has shown that pitchers who try to come back from this type of surgery, rarely are successful  and usually try to avoid taking the surgery.

If Guzman opts against the surgery, then it would take about 2 months to even determine if he is capable of pitching again. It is believed that the injury to the right shoulder that ended Guzman’s season last year in September, is related to the one today. Guzman has not made up his mind on whether or not he wants to have the surgery.

Either way, it looks like Angel Guzman’s season is over.

Here is what General Manager Jim Hendry had to say about the troubling news…

“He’s had such a history of (injuries),” general manager Jim Hendry said. “It’s just a shame. Your heart goes out to him. At one time, this kid was as good a prospect as (Carlos Zambrano). It just seems like one thing after another.” CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Guzman was expected to be the Cubs primary set-up man in the bullpen this year, but in light of the injury that duty is now put upon the shoulders of Esmailin Caridad. The Cubs are still looking for a reliever, but as of right now nothing is imminent.