forget about that post Taguchi in and Gathright out.

The final spots on the Cubs roster is looking quite interesting now.I would say that Guzman,Hill,Patton, Gathright and Vizcaino will have the final spots on the Cubs roster.

My last 5 cuts would be: Hill, Gaudin, Vizcaino, Fox, and Stanton. I like the younger guys in the pen like Patton, Guzman, and Samardzija in place of Chad and Vizcaino. I want to keep Patton and Guzman in the organization so they have to make the team or else we'd lose them. We'll see what happens, it should be interesting!

So, we have 30 players right now:
Z
Dempster
Lilly
Marshall
Harden

Gregg
Marmol
Heilman
Cotts
***on bubble***
Vizcaino
Gaudin
Samardzija
Guzman
Fox
Patton
Stanton

Catchers: Soto, Hill, Bako
1B-Lee, Hoffpauir
2B-Fontentot, Miles
SS-Theriot
3B-ARAM
LF-Soriano
CF-Fukudome
RF-Bradley
OF-Gathright, Johnson

Save for catcher, the position players are locked up.

If it were me, I'd take Hill as my catcher.

For the pitchers, I'd cut Chad Fox (not because of stats 10 IP, 2.70 ERA...but because he's ALWAYS injured), Stanton (too old and ineffective 8 1/3 IP, 6.48 ERA), Samardzija (needs to develop effective 3rd pitch at Iowa--9 IP, 9.00 ERA...and has options), and finally, Gaudin (13 2/3 IP, 10.54 ERA---enough said)

I'd take Vizcaino (though I HATE this idea...but feel it's likely given the $4 million owed), Patton (10 2/3 IP, 12 K's, 0.84 ERA), and Guzman (solely based on potential and out of options...9 IP, 9 K's, 9.00 ERA)

You have to look at it from this standpoint...

Gregg, Marmol, and Heilman are locked in the 9th, 8th, and 7th inning roles, respectively. Cotts is the token lefty in the pen, and Vizcaino is the grizzled veteran like a Guthrie, Eyre, or Howry that's overpaid for what he gives you, but probably gets you an under 4 ERA if he doesn't face lefties (Cotts' job).

Follow me on this one...If one of a starters goes down, you have to have someone to step up into their role, which would've been Gaudin. So, from there, the logic goes: Gaudin vs Guzman, since none of the other candidates can start.

Gaudin: 6 games, 4 starts, 10.54 ERA, 13 2/3 IP, 20 hits, 17 runs, 16 earned, 4 hr allowed, 9 BB, 9 K's

Guzman: 8 games, 0 starts, 9.00 ERA, 9 IP, 10 hits, 9 runs, 9 earned, 2 hr allowed, 3 BB, 9 K's

Guzman beats Gaudin in every category, and ties in K's...

So...long-man goes to Guzman based on stats, potential, and out of options

Guzman also beats out Samardzija for long-man for the same exact reasons, only Samardzija has options

Patton beats out all other would-be candidates based on his performance.

The only way Guzman and/or Patton do not make the team is if they implode in the next week and/or Hendry makes a trade.

I just see no logical way Gaudin should make this team.

Jim:

I agree on everything that you said.
I'm willing to bet that Guzman gets hurt this year.

My last 5 cuts are Bako Gaudin Fox Stanton and Samardzija.

Bako will make the roster.

I agree with Waldo: my last five cuts would be the same as his. We'll see. Gaudin got crushed again today. Send him down--if he doesn't get traded or claimed on waivers. Hey, I think Gaudin is safe at $2 million per year. Nobody is going to grab him for that. He's Jon Lieber's replacement. The Cubs paid Lieber $3.75 million last year to ride the bench (if I have my facts straight).

Guzman is no longer a starter. He put those numbers up as a starter, before the impact of his injury. Guadin and The Shark are the only guys who could be starters from the "on the bubble" list. Because of this, Patton doesn't have a chance. Gaudin is in - despite under-performing.