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08:11 AM ET 09.12 | Worried, again, that the Cubs don't have the arms to compete for the playoffs in 2012? Not enough quality starting pitching in-house and not enough on the winter market to make up that difference? Maybe. But the Cubs believe they might have a secret weapon lurking in the bullpen shadows to bolster their biggest problem area. Jeff Samardzija. The right-hander has followed a good first half with a much-improved second half that has prompted internal discussions about his potential ability to start. Even on a Sunday night in which he allowed an inherited, tying run to score in the eighth on his two-out throwing error, he came back to pitch out of a jam in the ninth to send the game to extra innings.

Jeff Samardzija, Getty Images

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September 12, 2011 10:51 AM ET

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They are going to need to sign another Matt Garza for this rotation. Three spots filled with 2 glaring vacancies

Flea Biscuit

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September 12, 2011 02:06 PM ET

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i think this cubs are really mocking themselves, GM less. managerless. and to add more trouble to the team pitchersless!!

alacran

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September 14, 2011 01:25 AM ET

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A rotation of Garza, Randy Wells, Samardzija, Casey Coleman and Insert 5th Starter Here....watch out NL Central...you should be very afraid...

Sigh...

Cubs In 1908

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September 14, 2011 01:53 PM ET

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We need much help in the rotation. LaHair has looked great since coming up from Des Moines though. Jettison Pena and give LaHair the shot at first. It will be an interesting offseason as a new gm and manger are sure to arrive. After that its anyones guess...

NUFC

Des Moines, IA

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September 14, 2011 03:37 PM ET

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QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 01:53 PM ET 09.14 by NUFC

We need much help in the rotation. LaHair has looked great since coming up from Des Moines though. Jettison Pena and give LaHair the shot at first. It will be an interesting offseason as a new gm and manger are sure to arrive. After that its anyones guess...

My only problem with LaHair is he is 28 and a career minor leaguer...he had to be down on the farm that long for a reason...he is a liability defensively and that is one thing the Cubs have struggled with...The Cubs have given up 64 unearned runs this year and are last in MLB in errors and fielding %