Cubs To Sign Carlos Villanueva

[rockbottom2010]

Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeymanCBS
Cubs agree with villanueva

[Bob Loblaw]

ill reserve judgement till i know how much and for how long but he will be missed in toronto

[rockbottom2010]

ill reserve judgement till i know how much and for how long but he will be missed in toronto

he did good for the jays...he deserves whatever he ends up getting

[LanceUpperCut]

he did good for the jays...he deserves whatever he ends up getting

Unless it's to much.

[Jays Claw]

Good bullpen arm, decent starter.

The reason why AA didn't want CV back was because he demanded a SP role, which AA wasn't comfortable offering. Though despite the sample size being small, he was somewhat decent ~ (92.0 IP, 4.50 ERA, 3.97 xFIP & .331 wOBA)

[SFrush90]

he did good for the jays...he deserves whatever he ends up getting

He wasn't that good with the Jays.

[koreancabbage]

He was bad with the Jays.

are you just saying that cuz you're lookin at stats? he was a great bullpen arm you can have spot start games in case of injuries.

[ty_smitty21]

I don't think Villanueva is a front end starter... but he's a good gamble for the Cubs to take. He figured things out a little bit last year. He had a 2 month stretch as a starter that featured a 3.35 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 79 innings... in the AL East. That's more than just a few good starts.

It will be interesting to see what happens with our rotation. If we sign Jackson, maybe Garza will be shopped. Or maybe Theo wants Wood to start in AAA and isn't convinced Baker will be ready by April.

[dtmagnet]

Good signing for the Cubs.

[Moe Bigsley]

I like him as the back end part of a rotation (especially in the NL). Last year - K/9 at a 8.8 with a 4.16 ERA...still waiting until I hear the $$/yrs, but could be another sneaky snag by the Cubs

[SFrush90]

are you just saying that cuz you're lookin at stats? he was a great bullpen arm you can have spot start games in case of injuries.

He was decent as a starter, but crappy as a reliever.

[heusy_79]

As long as the Cubs didn't give him too much term or $$...this is a solid signing. CV is a steady, versatile pitcher who can solidify the back-end of the rotation, or fill the long-relief/swingman role. I think the improvement of his breaking ball has allowed him to take a step forward as a starter.

[Toxeryll]

He was decent as a starter, but crappy as a reliever.

I like him as a swingman who can spot start. He always seemed to get tired towards the end of the season so I think he's suited in the pen.

[Halladay]

He was decent as a starter, but crappy as a reliever.

Other way around. He was a better reliever which is why I could completely understand why the Jays wouldn't give him a starters salary and guarantee him a spot. His starting numbers across the board stated he was mediocre in that role. As the long man, he was very successful and that's exactly the role he should be in. The guy just doesn't have enough starts to show he can do it over a full season.

[SFrush90]

Other way around. He was a better reliever which is why I could completely understand why the Jays wouldn't give him a starters salary and guarantee him a spot. His starting numbers across the board stated he was mediocre in that role. As the long man, he was very successful and that's exactly the role he should be in. The guy just doesn't have enough starts to show he can do it over a full season.

You may be right, but his stats this past season say otherwise. Not saying you're wrong and I'm right, but just because I haven't seen him pitch this year stats are the best thing I have to judge him.