Marquis wants traded if not in rotation
As Jason Marquis and Jon Lieber fight it out for who gets the last spot in the Cubs rotation, Marquis has issued a bit of an ultimatum to the Cubs organization: Start me or trade me.
I love Chicago. 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.
And of course, everyone knows that Lou Piniella would have something to say about Marquis’s statement. His response: You can go.
Well, if that’s the case, he can go somewhere else. Win a spot in the rotation, you don’t have to worry about it. I’ve got seven starters here for five spots, you know? It’s a little bit too early to start talking about what he wants to do or not do.
The Cubs have openly been interested in acquiring a center fielder, and Boston Red Sox scout Keith Champion was in attendance at Saturday’s game. With the injury to Curt Schilling and the Red Sox wanting to limit Clay Buchholz innings this year, this may be a good fit as the Red Sox would likely be open to trading Coco Crisp, who has made a similar statement in response to his position battle with Jacoby Ellsbury this spring.
Filed under: Chicago Cubs, Jason Marquis, Jon Leiber