Saturday 3.1.08

Not a great outing. The Cubs lost to the Angels 6-2.

• Wood gave up 4 hits and 3 runs in one inning of work. A 3-run homer to Torii Hunter capped a flat performance.
• Marquis started and went 2 innings. He gave up 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk while looking off target throughout.
• Howry gave up a run and two hits in one inning on the mound.

Nothing much happened at the plate from any projected players, however, Murton went 3 for 3.

I watched the game on Comcast SportsNet and, though the game was less than stellar, it was good to see some of the new faces in action. Soto looked impressive behind the plate, throwing out Figgins in the first and blocking some tough balls.

My warm fuzzy was burst reading a Sportsline recap:

"I love Chicago. I definitely want to stay here. I signed here for a reason. But I also signed to be a starter," Marquis said. "I think that's where I help the team the most. We'll see what happens when it's time for them to make their decision. I can take my services elsewhere, if that's the case. I can help another team in that capacity as a starter. My value doesn't lie in the bullpen, in my mind."

Told about Marquis' comment, fiery Cubs manager Lou Piniella bristled.

"Well, if that's the case, he can go somewhere else. How's that?" Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "Win a spot in the rotation, you don't have to worry about it. I said we had seven starters here for five spots. It's a little bit too early to start talking about what he wants to do or not do."

This is similar to what Lieber went through last year in Philly. On the one hand, I can understand Marquis' feelings here. On the other, it isn't the kind of thing that needs to be aired in public. Let's face it, if Marquis doesn't crack the starting lineup, he really isn't going to fit in a crowded bullpen picture either. Additionally, take the fact that demanding a trade does nothing toward helping the Cubs get equal value for a player that is not a top half of the rotation player (and has a decent contract). Not a good start to the season for Marquis no matter how you look at it. In contrast, Lieber has already stated he would do whatever is asked of him.