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Marquis: Start me or trade me
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Jason Marquis wants to be a starter in Chicago, but he'd just as soon move on if he's sent to the bullpen this spring.
Marquis, who is fighting for a rotation spot with Jon Lieber, allowed two runs on three hits in two innings against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. Afterward, Marquis spoke his mind for the first time in public about his uncertain status on the team, letting it be known he's not willing to be moved to the bullpen at this stage of his career.
"I love Chicago," Marquis said. "I definitely want to stay here. This is the place I want to be. I signed here for a reason. But I also signed as a starter, and I think that's where I help the team the most. Obviously we'll see what happens when it's time for [the Cubs] to make their decision.
"So as much as I want to be here in Chicago -- I love it, I love the fans, I love the stadium -- I also have a family to worry about, too. I think I can take my services elsewhere if that's the case and I can help another team, in that capacity as a starter.
"So, my value doesn't lie in the bullpen in my mind."
Manager Lou Piniella has never said Marquis would go to the bullpen if he didn't make the rotation, but the Cubs would have no other option if they couldn't trade him.
Marquis is due $16.25 million for the '08 and '09 seasons in his three-year, $21 million deal. Boston scout Keith Champion was at Saturday's game and it's known that the Cubs are interested in Red Sox centerfielder Coco Crisp, who is due $11 million in '08 and '09, including a $500,000 buyout of his '09 option.
Asked when was the last time he had to fight for a spot in the rotation, Marquis said: "I don't look at it that way. Like I've said all along, I'm out there battling the hitters, trying to get better day by day, and if they don't want me here in the rotation here in Chicago, we'll go from there. So, we'll see what happens."
Marquis was then asked if he'd specifically ask for a trade if he lost out to Lieber and Ryan Dempster, who appears to have the No. 3 spot sewn up.
"We'll cross that path when it comes, obviously," he said. "I've got to take the ball whenever they give it to me and get guys out."
Marquis, 29, said the last time he was in the bullpen was when he was 21 or 22.
"But that was just getting my feet wet, just getting adjusted to the big leagues," he said. "That's what it came down to to get me ready to start in the big leagues."
Marquis' tone was much different than in past interviews, perhaps stemming from a perceived lack of support from Cubs management. Addressing his tendency to slide in the second halves of seasons, Marquis said he's spoken to pitching coach Larry Rothschild and has been working to correct the problems.
"Obviously, I take the criticism from the people who have been through it and know what I need to work on," he said. "I take it in stride and I feel like if I need to get better, I'll work at it. But yeah, we've had some good conversations and we've taken steps in the right direction to fix the problems that they felt was necessary."
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Jason Marquis wants to be a starter in Chicago, but he'd just as soon move on if he's sent to the bullpen this spring.
Marquis, who is fighting for a rotation spot with Jon Lieber, allowed two runs on three hits in two innings against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. Afterward, Marquis spoke his mind for the first time in public about his uncertain status on the team, letting it be known he's not willing to be moved to the bullpen at this stage of his career.
"I love Chicago," Marquis said. "I definitely want to stay here. This is the place I want to be. I signed here for a reason. But I also signed as a starter, and I think that's where I help the team the most. Obviously we'll see what happens when it's time for [the Cubs] to make their decision.
"So as much as I want to be here in Chicago -- I love it, I love the fans, I love the stadium -- I also have a family to worry about, too. I think I can take my services elsewhere if that's the case and I can help another team, in that capacity as a starter.
"So, my value doesn't lie in the bullpen in my mind."
Manager Lou Piniella has never said Marquis would go to the bullpen if he didn't make the rotation, but the Cubs would have no other option if they couldn't trade him.
Marquis is due $16.25 million for the '08 and '09 seasons in his three-year, $21 million deal. Boston scout Keith Champion was at Saturday's game and it's known that the Cubs are interested in Red Sox centerfielder Coco Crisp, who is due $11 million in '08 and '09, including a $500,000 buyout of his '09 option.
Asked when was the last time he had to fight for a spot in the rotation, Marquis said: "I don't look at it that way. Like I've said all along, I'm out there battling the hitters, trying to get better day by day, and if they don't want me here in the rotation here in Chicago, we'll go from there. So, we'll see what happens."
Marquis was then asked if he'd specifically ask for a trade if he lost out to Lieber and Ryan Dempster, who appears to have the No. 3 spot sewn up.
"We'll cross that path when it comes, obviously," he said. "I've got to take the ball whenever they give it to me and get guys out."
Marquis, 29, said the last time he was in the bullpen was when he was 21 or 22.
"But that was just getting my feet wet, just getting adjusted to the big leagues," he said. "That's what it came down to to get me ready to start in the big leagues."
Marquis' tone was much different than in past interviews, perhaps stemming from a perceived lack of support from Cubs management. Addressing his tendency to slide in the second halves of seasons, Marquis said he's spoken to pitching coach Larry Rothschild and has been working to correct the problems.
"Obviously, I take the criticism from the people who have been through it and know what I need to work on," he said. "I take it in stride and I feel like if I need to get better, I'll work at it. But yeah, we've had some good conversations and we've taken steps in the right direction to fix the problems that they felt was necessary."
Fucking huge bag of douche. How long til he's gone? I'll give it a week. Two tops.
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