OT: Cubs to sign Carlos Villenueva

rarefind · Post #1 » by **rarefind** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 12:29 am

The Chicago Cubs have agreed to terms with free-agent pitcher Carlos Villanueva, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Terms of the deal are not yet available.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/eye-on-baseball/21425430/cubs-agree-to-terms-with-free-agent-pitcher-carlos-villanueva

JMH · Post #2 » by **JMH** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 12:53 am

Wonder what the terms are? and if he'll get a chance to start.

Would have liked him in the long relief option with Happ but I guess we don't have much place for him close to the rotation.

Ado05 · Post #3 » by **Ado05** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 1:06 am

After the Dickey deal, there was no need for him.

Michael Bradley · Post #4 » by **Michael Bradley** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 1:59 am

With Dickey, Morrow, Buehrle, Johnson, Romero, and Happ in front of him, the writing was on the wall.

James_Raptors · Post #5 » by **James_Raptors** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 2:31 am

Michael Bradley wrote:With Dickey, Morrow, Buehrle, Johnson, Romero, and Happ in front of him, the writing was on the wall.

Yup, unless we grabbed him for the bullpen.
I know he was looking to start though and I assume the Cubs are giving him that chance.

satyr9 · Post #6 » by **satyr9** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 2:40 am

I hope this works for him, but I don't think this is a guaranteed starters job, even signing with the Cubs. He will compete with Baker, Feldman, and I assume Vizcaino for the two spots behind Sammy, Garza, and Wood (well Garza may not make it to opening day, at least he probably shouldn't given what SPs are fetching right now).

JRG · Post #7 » by **JRG** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 3:57 am

I wanted him back here at the start of the off season but after seeing whats gone on with this team I can definitely understand that there is just no point in bringing him back right now.

Loved him when he was here so I wish him all the best unfortunately hes going to the lowly cubs.

TreyTone · Post #8 » by **TreyTone** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 7:58 am

I think C.V is a better fit here than Happ.
It's too bad, I really wish he would've signed here. He is better suited for the swing man role.
Happ's numbers in the bullpen aren't that great. I remember when he was traded here he was unhappy he was thrown in the bullpen.

http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/sports ... g-rotation

He'll obviously get his chance to start at some point due to injury.

engageTHEmasses · Post #9 » by **engageTHEmasses** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 8:00 am

anyone who's said "so long, won't miss ya" -- you're a fool.

CV is EXACTLY what we needed-- long relief and spot/injury starter... with our rotation (obv. especially morrow and johnson) CV is what we needed to feel safe...

GET OGANDO... damn.

TheMainEvent · Post #10 » by **TheMainEvent** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 1:46 pm

I would've much preferred Villanueva over Happ for that long-relief/spot-starter role, but with a very solid starting rotation, I guess Villanueva had no intention of returning. He really seems to want that chance at starting. Too bad.

wtcantfw · Post #11 » by **wtcantfw** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 2:36 pm

oakleys_a_pimp wrote:anyone who's said "so long, won't miss ya" -- you're a fool.

CV is EXACTLY what we needed-- long relief and spot/injury starter... with our rotation (obv. especially morrow and johnson) CV is what we needed to feel safe...

GET OGANDO... damn.

Did you even read any of the posts in this thread?

LBJSeizedMyID · Post #12 » by **LBJSeizedMyID** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 2:47 pm

satyr9 wrote:I hope this works for him, but I don't think this is a guaranteed starters job, even signing with the Cubs. He will compete with Baker, Feldman, and I assume Vizcaino for the two spots behind Sammy, Garza, and Wood (well Garza may not make it to opening day, at least he probably shouldn't given what SPs are fetching right now).

True, but it's probably the best place out of the teams that have shown interest where he can get the most amount of starts, considering the competition.

Lateral Quicks · Post #13 » by **Lateral Quicks** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 3:08 pm

You can't blame Villanueva for wanting to start. The money is significantly better.

On balance, he was a valuable player for the team, especially out of the bullpen. We can only hope Happ is capable of doing as good a job.

flatjacket1 · Post #14 » by **flatjacket1** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 4:30 pm

oakleys_a_pimp wrote:anyone who's said "so long, won't miss ya" -- you're a fool.

CV is EXACTLY what we needed-- long relief and spot/injury starter... with our rotation (obv. especially morrow and johnson) CV is what we needed to feel safe...

GET OGANDO... damn.

I don't think he's as good as you think... And we are already full in the pen. Unless we get a high quality arm, no point paying for something you already have.

satyr9 · Post #15 » by **satyr9** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 5:39 pm

And the Cubs appear to be about to sign EJax, so to me it looks like he's been signed to be exactly what he was for TOR; a long reliever with starter potential from injuries.

JRG · Post #16 » by **JRG** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 5:50 pm

satyr9 wrote:And the Cubs appear to be about to sign EJax, so to me it looks like he's been signed to be exactly what he was for TOR; a long reliever with starter potential from injuries.

Which would be extremely unfortunate. But you thing he would of done hi due dilligence and inquired about starting before agreeing to a deal with any team.

LBJSeizedMyID · Post #17 » by **LBJSeizedMyID** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 5:59 pm

Doesn't mean that to me necessarily. I see it as the Cubs might be ready to move Garza or he'll be competing with Feldman and Wood for that last spot.

engageTHEmasses · Post #18 » by **engageTHEmasses** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 8:04 pm

tarheel06 wrote:Did you even read any of the posts in this thread?

yes i did, thanks. but regardless whether he wanted to start, and whether we have some guys in front of him, the role he played was pretty important. i do think we need another arm. i REALLY like Delabar and Rogers in the 'pen, but they aren't those stretch guys that are gonna spot-start. and it's been brought up that, as nice as Happ is for depth, he's not a big fan (nor overly effective) just picking up stray starts.

with Johnson and Morrow showing they can break down over a season, Buerhle getting older, and our horrible luck last year, i think it makes sense to take on an arm like CV, Ogando, etc. and i put Happ below those two in terms of impact and effectiveness in that role.

so, while i get he wants to start, and while I get we have guys in front of him... i still at least wish we could've brought him back somehow.

but glad to admit in retrospect that ''you're a fool'' was too strong. no need for us to pull a raps board and rip each other simply because we disagree. the jays board is for hope and happiness lol cheers, bro.

engageTHEmasses · Post #19 » by **engageTHEmasses** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 8:10 pm

flatjacket1 wrote:I don't think he's as good as you think... And we are already full in the pen. Unless we get a high quality arm, no point paying for something you already have.

i agree in principle, but-- now, mind you, i LOVE our 'pen-- i don't think we DO have that quite yet. i mean, we have Happ, and that's great... and i know down the road we're gonna get some young kids back/up and they might fill that role too... but on a club like this, with injury concerns in the rotation and expectations to go deep in the Fall, i think a guy like CV is one of your more valuable pieces... the guy that holds the fort mid-season when injuries/fatigue/etc. hit so we're fresh down the stretch... and, as much as i like him, i've just been a little iffy on Happ's ability to perform that role and be happy about it. i mean, CV left for greener pastures and Happ's made noise in the past about not getting to start... so i was just hoping for more depth in terms of start-ability... but we'll be fine i'm sure.

LBJSeizedMyID · Post #20 » by **LBJSeizedMyID** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 8:11 pm

Actually Rogers had shown the ability to start while with Colorado. Yes his numbers weren't all that great when starting but think some of it was caused by injuries. Either him or Lincoln can handle long man relief or the role Carlos V played last year.