Big Z to the 'pen?

I'm going to defer to Lou on this one. Honestly, Z or Dempster has the best pure stuff in our rotation. Dempster has been the 'go-to guy' for the last few years, along with Lilly. I don't think that Gorzellany, Wells, or Silva can throw 98 to put away a batter. For that reason, I think this is a good move. However, as is always the case with Z, this could prove to be a psychological problem. Z has said that he's on a mission to be more focused this year, and for my money, he's proven that so far. He has had a chance to melt down in a couple of different situations, yet the water coolers are still safe. For that reason, I'm buying his "new and improved Big Z" talk. I think he can remove all doubt with a good spell in the bullpen. I think (and forgive my eternal Cubs optimism here) that he will do well there, but I worry about a couple of things.

1). Everybody in the NL has seen his stuff. Sure, he's probably going to be throwing four-seamers at 96 - 98 rather than his trademark sinker. But you have to think about how many NL batters are familiar with his splitter and his slider.

2). Will his mind hold up? I think he's out to prove he's not a hothead this year. This move to the 'pen can prove it. Can he put up and shut up, like Demp did? Or will this be a distraction? Again, like I said above, Z has sounded and pitched differently this year. You add a guy of his calibre to the bullpen and I think it can't hurt. I don't think it's permanent, I think that Gorzellany will be there at some point to replace him. But I applaud his professionalism, and I hope he proves to be the salve in the wound so that we can win some damn games!

Still, I'm shocked at this move. Z would be the last one I would have expected to be moved. I hope this doesn't indicate some ideas of a trade, because I think Z is one of the best pitchers in the NL. He needs to figure out a way to pitch, and a way to succeed, and I believe the bullpen may be a good place to do that.