I believe that he is the first player to have 2 tommy john surgerys and play. I wonder how much its for.
If he were a pitcher he'd be done for sure. I don't know what a TJ surgery does to a hitter but that's what he's needed for if he can produce like he had in 2007 and 2008.
Eh, they could have done worse I guess.
I'm still skeptical of how this team as it stands right now without a couple bold trades or signings is going to make the playoffs. Even if Soto and Soriano rebound from a bad season, Lee and A-Ram stay healthy, Byrd hits as well as he did last year, and the pitching can stay healthy there are still a ton of "ifs" that need to happen without a hitch to even think about the playoffs. The roster is starting to age, if they don't make a deep run this year its about time to blow it up and start a youth movement I think.
I remember that Luis Gonzalaz had Tommy John at some point, but I don't remember how better or worse he was coming off of it.
Isn't pitching always the main concern anyway. That's what helps you win those 1-0 or 2-2-0 ballgames. Pitching has always been the struggle. We don't have a clear Ace and our #2 can't keep his anger under control long enough to be effective all year.
pitching has been the least of the cubs concerns the past several seasons. if you look at the stats, the cubs have had one of the best starting rotations in baseball for the better part of the past decade. their bullpen needs the improvement. if their offense works like it did in 2008, we'll easily be on the way to the playoffs. the cards have lost a lot of what got them there last season, so i think it will be a cubby year.
Finally someone who agrees with me that pitching wasn't the problem last year, it was hitting.
And as for the Cards, they didn't really lose anything. They got Holliday back, they'll always have Pujols, and as far as I know, they have Carpenter and Wainwright back. They will be a very good team again this year.
I remember that Luis Gonzalaz had Tommy John at some point, but I don't remember how better or worse he was coming off of it.