The Final Four...for the Cubs Bullpen

On Tuesday, Chicago Cubs' Manager Lou Piniella stated what most fans already knew: there were a couple veteran pitcher in jeopardy of losing their bullpen jobs to talented youngsters.

Chad Gaudin and Luis Vizcaino, both acquired in trades in the last 12 months, are on the bubble right now.

Gaudin, who came with Rich Harden in a trade deadline deal with Oakland last year, has struggled all spring. Vizcaino, who was acquired in what was widely regarded as a salary dump of starter Jason Marquis, has been less than impressive as well.

Pressuring the two veterans are Jeff Samardzija and David Patton.

Patton, maybe the biggest surprise of the spring, was selected by the Cubs in the Rule Five draft this year, meaning he either must be on the Cubs 25-man roster all year or he goes back to his original team.

Meanwhile, Samardzija lost out on his bid to be the team's fifth starter this season, but still has electric stuff and was effective out of the pen down the stretch in 2008.

Frankly, the no-brainer move of the four is Patton making the roster and Vizcaino receiving a pink slip. The assumption that Vizcaino was a March rental has been played out in the numbers this spring, and the pleasant surprise of Patton makes him expendable.

But the real head scratcher is what to do with Gaudin. Last year, he was a real cult favorite among many observers to maybe get in the mix for the fifth starter spot this year, or to be a solid inning-eater in middle relief. But he's had a poor camp and might find himself becoming expendable.

The choice between Gaudin and Samardzija will likely come down to the franchise drawing a line in the sand with Samardzija regarding his immediate future with the club: he'll either be sent to Iowa to continue his work as a starter, or Gaudin will be sent packing in favor of the young flame thrower being in the bullpen.

I would personally like to see Patton and Gaudin on the 25-man roster on opening day. Samardzija, just two years removed from being an All American receiver at Notre Dame, still shows a lot of promise as a starter, and he could eventually replace Harden if the Cubs opt to let the oft-injured starter go when his contract runs out after 2009.