OT: Cubs to sign Carlos Villenueva

[dagger]

Also signing Edwin Jackson. 4 yrs/$52m

Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeymanCBS
E-Jax $52M, 4-yr deal 1st reported by @CSNMooney #cubs

[Randle McMurphy]

Happ fills the role he had. There was little reason for him to come back and he didn't.

[9er_4life]

Happ fills the role he had. There was little reason for him to come back and he didn't.

I have serious doubts about Happ's ability to fill that role. I agree with it in principle, and hopefully he'll just suck it up and his new pitching coach can teach him how to prepare for either role (since he did it so often himself). I would've preferred having Villa instead of Happ simply because he's proven he can work as the long man, or spot starter, and do it effectively. (Ogando's done the same thing for Texas, another reason I really like him).

I don't think there are that many guys in MLB that do both jobs well. Starters are creatures of habit, they're not the most flexible bunch. And relievers (like Lincoln and Rogers) are often guys that fail as starters, I really don't want to see them pressed into emergency duty. That being said, I think with more depth in the 'pen and in Buffalo this year, it won't be as big a deal as it was last year. But can you imagine where we would've been if we didn't have Villa last year? (I know, I know, several games out of the playoffs, yadda yadda), but for a good chunk of the season he was our only reliable starter.

I wish him well - though wouldn't it be ironic if he starts less with the Cubs this year than he did with us? It could happen.

[flatjacket1]

I have serious doubts about Happ's ability to fill that role.

I think he can. Top 90 in IP as a starter, top 90 in ERA, top 90 in FIP in 2013. If you did a fantasy draft of the rotation, Happ would likely be somebodies #3/4 starter.

Happ might be the most underrated player on the team. We gave up an arm and a leg for him, then he came over and had the best half year that hes had in a long while.

I also think he would be willing to be the 6th man on a contending team. Don't forget, we are like the Yankees now. We can sit regulars on the bench now.

[rarefind]

This fit is much better for him, at least he has a shot. Staying here in Toronto would have left him no opportunity to start barring any injury. Would assume due to durability concerns he would have been pegged behind Happ at a kick at the can. With the Cubs he will have a chance to at least break camp as a member of the rotation - no way in hell was that happening here.

Can't fault a guy for wanting that chance to start, good for him. Not certain he will be able to put it all together for an entire season. Mind you, with the Cubs; unless he gets hurt they may just very well leave him in there unless a complete meltdown occurs.

[Raptor_Guy]

Did anyone else find it funny that the Brewers traded us Lawrie and Villanueva for Marcum then CV pitched almost as well as Marcum last season anyway?

Kinda sucks to be the Brewers, you trade Lawrie,Escobar and Ordozzi for 2 pitchers you no longer have and Prince Fielder leaves to the Tigers.

[RyderMike]

Did anyone else find it funny that the Brewers traded us Lawrie and Villanueva for Marcum then CV pitched almost as well as Marcum last season anyway?

Technically those were two separate transactions, although only three days apart with Villanueva being acquired for cash, but I see your point. We won those transactions hands down