Steve Stone's Mailbag: Peavy's Struggles, Colvin

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Thursday, April 29, 2010
9:02 PM

Steve Stone dives into his mailbag to answer some of your questions about Carlos Zambrano in the bullpen, Jake Peavy's struggles and more!

Question from Joaquin - Houston, TX: What do you think of the Cubs moving Carlos Zambrano to the bullpen? How long do you think will he be there?

Steve Stone: I think Carlos will be in the bullpen until he goes completely crazy and then he will go have a meeting with Lou and either be taken out of the bullpen or taken out of town. I don't think you pay 18 million to a guy to be a setup man. I think his ego will only allow him to be there so long. I understand there are some rumblings at this point and I understand why they made the move. They want someone in the 8th inning that can strike the occasional hitter out. I think the Cubs know that when you are the opening day starter and you view yourself as the ace of the staff, moving to a setup man is a demotion. I remember a couple of political candidates putting lipstick on a pig and you can call that job anything you want to call it, and certainly is essential to the ball club. I think Carlos cares about what happens to him so don't be surprised to hear he is going back to the starting rotation or you hear a big explosion over Addison Street.

Question from David - Chicago, IL: Do you think Tyler Colvin will be a starting outfielder in the near future?

Stone: It will be very difficult for them to make him that though he has shown he has a lot of talent. But because Jim Hendry has signed Xavier Nady and they owe this year and next year to the tune of 28 million to Kosuke Fukudome. They also have another 4 years and 5 month obligation to their fine left fielder, Alfonso Soriano and Marlon Byrd is a really solid center fielder who happens to be hitting the ball very well. So, unless Colvin can play second base, I don't see him playing everyday.
Question from Amie - Westmont, IL: I worry that the White Sox are relying on the home run too much, do you think that is an issue?

Stone: I don't think a team plans to just rely on a home run, in fact this is a team that has a lot more speed than recent White Sox teams. That being said, Gordon Beckham who can run hasn't been getting on and finally missed a ball game last night after going through a protracted slump. You have Juan Pierre hitting .115. If you aren't getting on base, you look like you are a team relying on home runs. Ozzie would love to use the running game but to use it, you have to have your runners get on base. That has not been the case for the Sox consistently to this point. If that doesn't turn around, they will have some problems. Though there are some guys who can hit home runs, I don't believe in the long haul, they can win or contend for the Wild Card simply with the long ball.

Question from Drake - West Chicago, IL: What's been going on with Jake Peavy? He doesn't seem like the pitcher we saw last fall in a Sox uniform.

Stone: One thing you have to understand, when Jake Peavy started his three games and won all three, he had rested almost the entire season and he was facing some guys who have played the entire season. The advantage went to him and he threw well. Spring training he did not start or finish well. In his five starts, it hasn't been pretty. One thing Jake did do that gives hope that after a disastrous first inning, he turned around and held that team into the 7th inning. Most pitchers would not have been capable of doing that. Do they need Jake to turn it on to become the Peavy of Old? Yes they do. Jake just has to make a couple of adjustments to his game. He has always been a fly ball pitcher and always in the National League. In the American League they probably have better hitters across the board and he is playing in the ball park where fly balls end up as souvenirs. The adjustment is going to have to be made by Jake. If he doesn't make that adjustment, it could be a long year for the Sox.

Question from Tommy - Glen Ellyn: Is Steven Strasburg the real deal? And when do you think we will see him in the majors?

Stone: Steven is indeed the real deal having watched him in the Fall League. There is no doubt he could start right now. Most teams are hesitant to bring a player up and start the clock running on arbitration and free agency. Look for about the middle of May which will allow Washington to control his rights for a year longer for arbitration and a year longer for free agency and miraculously he will have enough experience to come to the Majors. This is something most teams do, in fact you may remain Evan Longoria did not start his rookie season in the Majors for the Rays. It wasn't until toward the end of April when he signed his 7-year contract taking him out of his arbitration years and one free agent year where he burst on the scene becoming Rookie of the Year. They did not want to start the clock on his service time. It worked out pretty well for Tampa Bay as they have one of the most destructive 3rd basemen in the game, this year Longoria is hitting .325 and usually plays a golden glove caliber 3rd though this year he has made four errors. If the Rays wanted to give him away for those quick four errors, I'm sure the White Sox would take him but I don't think he is going anywhere soon.

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