A Dimm View of Baseball

Wrigley East

2008-12-03T04:19:00.000-08:00

The winter meetings start next week and the Cubs are going to be making noise. Whether they make any moves remains to be seen, but there is already noise.

I've been saying for the past couple weeks that the Cubs need to avoid "biting the apple" that is Jake Peavy. Now I am hearing about a 5 for 1 trade in the works. In it, Baltimore continues their quest to turn Camden Yards into Wrigley East.

The rumor, and yes it is only a rumor, plays like this: The Cubs send Felix Pie to Baltimore in return for a highly valued minor league pitcher. That pitcher is included with Sean Marshall, Jason Marquis and two other (likely minor leaguers) to San Diego for Peavy.

The biggest thing wrong with this is why would San Diego take on Jason Marquis. The idea is that the Cubs won't take Peavy without unloading Marquis, but San Diego wants to cut salary, so why would they take on someone who is only 2 million cheaper than Peavy?

I don't see it happening, but it's the winter meetings. They've got to talk about it. Especially since the White Sox are making some actual moves, bumping Javier Vasquez to the Atlanta Braves. There is some positive action from a team.

I wouldn't be surprised if the only thing that happens to the Cubs next week is that they sign Bobby Abreu to play right field. Even that is reaching. Although it is a strong possibility, that may not happen until January.

We'll keep watching.

Peavy Again

2008-11-30T15:58:00.001-08:00

Just when you believe you were done with this topic of conversation, it rears it's head again.

Lou Pinella publically states that the Chicago Cubs have plenty of starting pitching. Six solid, experienced starters. They include, Zambrano, Dempster, Lilly, Harden, Marquis and Marshall. We're happy with that group! We even have a couple more we could consider down the road (Samardija, Mathis, etc.).

Then, it comes up that the Baltimore Orioles want to partner with the Cubs on a three-way deal with the Padres. They want Pie and have a pitcher the Padres may want in return for Peavy.

Oh, happy day. We can finally acquire Peavy. I'm thrilled.

Isn't this going backwards? Aren't we giving up a left-handed hitting outfielder to acquire a seventh starting pitcher? Now if we were sending Marquis and Hoffpauir to Baltimore for a couple kids and tossing Fontenot and the kids to San Diego for Peavy, then my ears may perk up.

Otherwise, hush!

Baseball Fan in Winter

2008-11-26T04:15:00.000-08:00

It doesn't feel like winter yet. We haven't had any significant snow. Thanksgiving is tomorrow.

But I am a baseball fan. I'm bored.

This is a rough time of year for me, the baseball fan, because very little is happening. Even the hot stove talks are boring.

Last year it was Brian Roberts and Kosuke Fukedome all the time. This year, there was a little talk about Jake Peavy until the Cubs resigned Ryan Dempster and now there's nothing to talk about at all.

Oh, sure. Mark Teahan and Raul Ibanez. Woo. It's possible that neither of those will happen, and if they do, it could be March before they do occur.

Sooo... I'm bored. Bored, bored, bored. December 7th is the Rule 5 Draft. Yay. Can't wait.

Come on Spring!

Casey McGehee

2008-11-20T20:36:00.000-08:00

This is old news. It happened at the end of October and here it is, just a week before Thanksgiving. Yet, I didn't get a chance to sound off.

I'm disappointed the Cubs waived Casey McGehee.

There. I feel better now.

I like keeping an eye on the minor leagues and like seeing young players get a chance. I'm still rooting for Felix Pie, Michael Wuertz and Sean Marshall. I'm even rooting for Ronnie Cedeno, a little.

I really thought Casey McGehee had a shot at the roster this spring. He can hit. He can play third and first. If the Cubs were serious about sending DeRose to right field, then McGehee would have been a wise choice to back up Martinez.

Didn't happen. It was a long shot, but somewhere along the line Hendry decided that McGehee needed to go to make room for someone else.

Still, I'm rooting for McGehee, even though he is now with the hated Milwaukee Brewers. I still hope he does well, maybe well enough to be traded to an American League team, hmm?

What Now?

2008-11-19T20:38:00.000-08:00

The Cubs are pretty set. Yes, there are murmurs about right field and shortstop and the bullpen. This morning I wrote that it would be neat if the Cubs signed Randy Johnson.

Still, the Cubs are pretty set.

With Zambrano, Dempster, Lilly and Harden, they have a strong top four in their rotation. Any number of people can compete for #5, including Marquis, Marshall, Gaudin and Samardija.

With Marmol, Gregg, Cotts and Wuertz, the bullpen is strong. Those who can't make the rotation will have spots in the pen, especially Marshall, Gaudin and Samardija.

Despite what people say, the Cub infield is solid. Soto will be behind the dish with either Blanco or Koyie Hill backing things up. Henry Blanco will probably be the next to sign. Ramirez, Theriot, DeRosa and Lee are around the horn. Cedeno, Fontenot and Hoffpauir will back-up the infield. Don't forget that Koyie Hill also has infield experience.

Soriano and Fukadome will be in the outfield. Don't let anyone tell you that Kosuke will start the season in Iowa or on the bench. Won't happen. Now whether he's in center or right is the question. Either way, Felix Pie and Reed Johnson will be around to cover what isn't covered.

So that's the team. Twenty-five fellows who are capable of marching this team to the playoffs again. They did it once. Why change anything now?

If we're lucky, Wood will come to Hendry and insist that he get a one-year contract, to prove his durability. Then when Lilly and Marquis leave next year, they can give Wood their money.

If that would happen (long shot) Wuertz would likely be the odd man out. He's out of options, but will land on someone's roster.

Would we like another left hand bat? Sure, but at what cost? There's no one that HAS to go. You could put together an arguement that Pie and Cedeno have worn out their welcome. You can gripe about Marquis. Still, Pie is very young and Cedeno and Marquis have done what we've asked. Why trade what we know for what we don't know.

I don't see much more happening this winter. Let's see what tomorrow brings!

Ryan's Return

2008-11-19T04:20:00.001-08:00

"Thrilled" may be too strong a word, but I am very happy that Ryan Dempster is returning to the Cubs for 2009. If he can repeat his 2008 performance for the next couple of years, then I will use "thrilled" as a descriptor.

Now, we can set aside Jake Peavy for awhile and talk about fight field. Mark Teahan? Maybe. Milton Bradley? No! Raul Ibanez? Sounds like he'd rather stay in Seattle.

Not certain what the best course would be there. Maybe giving Felix Pie another shot? That may be the best solution.

Still, for now we relax. Hendry can let the world beat a path to his door. Randy Johnson? At the right price, he could still be considered for the fifth starting spot for a year. Might get him another ring and the Cubs into the Series. Brian Roberts? Stop it!

This is why winter is fun for baseball fans! Let's see what happens!

Where is baseball fan, Alex Dimm?

2008-11-18T04:24:00.000-08:00

I posted my return in the blog, "A Dimm View of Life". Now I am returning to this blog as well.

I still find it hard to believe that I wasn't blogging during the 2007 post season, the 2007/2008 off season and the entire 2008 season. I had so much to say.

Now here we are in the 2008/09 off season. Just a few random thoughts to share.

I don't really want Jake Peavy. Nothing against Peavy, but I worry that he will be another Prior, Harden and/or Wood. Someone whose arm we always have to worry about.

I like the idea of resigning Dempster to a four year contract and signing Randy Johnson to a one year deal. That would offer a rotation of Zambrano, Dempster, Lilly, Harden and Johnson, with Rich Hill and others waiting for their chance to get in the rotation. Johnson and Lilly will probably depart next year. There will be room for young stars to develop.

Fukadome will play center and play it well. Let's find a lefty bat for left field. I wish we would stop talking about monkeying with the infield. Theriot and DeRosa are fine. They aren't going to cost us games at Short and 2nd. Leave them alone.

I will miss Kerry Wood. I wanted him back. He may still return, but I doubt it. It reminds me of when Mark Grace left Chicago. I was thrilled he got a WS ring in Arizona, but I wish he had gotten one here. It could have happened, but things don't always go as planned.

Finally, let's stop bashing Jim Hendry. Hendry has done a great job as GM. He's got a great team of executives around him. He has made a few gaffes, but not many. No GM will be perfect. He has helped more than hurt so let's stop complaining and support what he's doing. Two champions in a row? Not bad.

Poor Play

2007-05-29T04:05:00.000-07:00

Before yesterday's game I wrote that the Cubs may have been too tired after the eleven inning debacle Sunday. Apparently, I was correct.

What bothers me most is that the Cubs were shut out by over-the-hill, right-hander Byung-Hyun Kim. He carried a 7.00+ ERA into the game and looked terrible in the first inning. Still, our boys were too tired to swing effectively, sqandering another decent starting pitching performance, this time by Sean Marshall.

What worries me is that by the time the Cubs start hitting effectively, the starting pitching will start to fall apart. People may get hurt, etc. Getting a team to run like a machine is hard. Keeping it running is even harder.

The Cubs face the weak Florida Marlins twice more this week. Can they turn things around?

Little League

2007-05-28T03:59:00.000-07:00

My father was never a baseball fan or a sports fan. He never missed an opportunity to put down my beloved Cubs. He didn't like Fergie Jenkins or Ron Santo. I admit he never made fun of my hero, Billy Williams. Then again, Billy was not as outspoken as Fergie or Ron.

My father often listened to WGN-AM in Chicago. That is where he picked up most of his information about what the fellows were doing. Maybe some of his friends talked about them as well.

When the Cubs were not playing well, he liked to say they were playing "little league". I do not know if he thought of that on his own or heard someone else say it, but it always made me angry. This was a professional sports team, not a little league team. Sure, they are going to make mistakes and lose sometimes, but why beat them up.

I was reminded of all of this late yesterday afternoon, watching the Cubs lose in the eleventh inning in Los Angeles. There were fine pitching performances lost (again) in that game. Rich Hill is back on track after a couple of rough outings. Michael Wuertz and Bobby Howry pitched okay after recent meltdowns.

Scott Eyre allowed a pinch-hit home run to future star Andre Ethier to tie the game at one. I could be upset about that but it pales in comparison to the later meltdown.

Angel Guzman had pitched two perfect innings. He allowed no hits are baserunners. The Cubs had squandered scoring opportunities again, but he was rolling along fine. Then he walks pinch-hitter Ramon Martinez to start the inning. Manager Lou Piniella could have pulled him there, but that is the sound of a back-seat driver. Piniella is trying to instill confidence in his young pitcher. He left him in to face pinch-hitter and back up infielder Wilson Betemit. Betemit walks. Ball four was no where near the strike zone.

After another terrible pitch to Rafael Furcal, Piniella finally lifts him for Carlos Marmol. Marmol comes in and intentionally walks Furcal to face former Cub Juan Pierre.

Three straight walks to load the bases and a weak hitter at the plate. Marmol hits Pierre with a pitch. The winning run scores. If that cannot be described as a little league inning, what can?

Do you blame Guzman for the walks? Do you blame Piniella for not pulling Guzman faster? Do you blame Marmol who has been effective, but wild in the times we have seen him pitch?

Maybe this is not going to be the great year for the Cubs we all hoped for when the pocket book was opened this winter. Maybe the bullpen is going to allow the season to drift away. Maybe Piniella is going to experiment away the season.

After a long, frustrating day yesterday, the Cubs return home for an afternoon game today. Do you think they will be tired? I will always love this team, but I am not expecting much today.

Rudy Seanez

2007-05-26T08:19:00.000-07:00

Rudy Seanez is a 38-year-old right handed pitcher who has somehow cobbled together a nearly twenty-year career between the major and minor leagues. He has pitched for nine different major league teams, including the San Diego Padres and three occasions.

In nineteen years in the big leagues he has gathered five official at-bats. He struck out five times. He earned one walk and scored one run while with the Atlanta Braves in 1999.

In nineteen years, he has pitched in 448 games. That is an average of less than twenty-four games per year. In that time he has a 32-23 record and a 4.14 ERA. His two best years were likely 1999 with the Braves where he won six and lost only one. He earned three saves in eight opportunities. He pitched in 56 games that year, only eclipsed by his other best year, 2005. That year he pitched in 57 games for the Padres, winning seven and losing only one.

This year he has been used by the Los Angeles Dodgers sparingly, but effectively. He has two wins against no losses and a 2.70 ERA.

Did I mention that he pitched for the Cubs in Iowa from August to October of 2003?

The reason I bring all this up is the Seanez got the win last night in the game with the Cubs. The “never-say-die” Cubs fought back from a 5-0 deficit to lead 8-5, only to allow Bob Howry, Wil Ohman and Angel Guzman to squander the lead. Howry faced three men and loaded the bases, Ohman allow one to score without gaining an out. Angel allowed all of his inherited runners to pass over home plate.

You could blame the usually fine starter Ted Lilly for digging the hole at the beginning. You cannot blame the offense for not doing their job. The loss rests squarely on the bullpen.

Early this month, I believed our pen to be solid. Today, I find it officially bankrupt of talent.

Maybe we can get Rudy Seanez?

Offensive Offense

2007-05-24T20:26:00.000-07:00

Baseball is my favorite sport. Unfortunately, there are very few times I get to watch an entire game from start to finish. Last night I came close, showing up to watch the Cubs and Padres in about the second inning.

Sean Marshall started for the first time this year. I was convinced the Cubs would pull out a victory, even when things looked bleak. Two out in the ninth and second baseman Mark DeRosa slams a triple. There is the tying run on third base. It was certain. The Cubs would tie the game and win in extra innings.

Of course, if you are reading this, you know it did not work out that way. It seems like the fiftieth time this year that the Cubs waste and outstanding pitching performance. Usually Ted Lilly is left with the no-decision or the loss. This time, it was young Sean Marshall.

Marshall’s excellent start last night allows us to stop worrying over the starting rotation. Carlos Zambrano, Lilly, Jason Marquis, Rich Hill and Marshall make up a find rotation. Unless someone gets hurt, leave them alone and think about the bullpen.

Better yet, think about the offense. The offense continues to squander prime scoring opportunities.

Some things I can excuse. Matt Murton got caught off second base on a hit and run. No problem. Aggressive play sometimes works against you.

The double play that Cesar Izturis hit into with two on and nobody out was a huge disappointment. I know we cannot send this guy to Iowa, nor can we simply release him from his contract, but couldn’t we package him up with Jones and send him away? Theriot could take over at short. We could bring Mike Fontenot back as a utility man (no, not Cedeno).

When General Manager Jim Hendry signed Mark DeRosa to play second base, I was confused. With guys like Izturis, Cedeno and Theriot, I did not understand why we needed this guy. Now, I get it. DeRosa provides some nice thump in the order. He makes a nice utility guy on this team.

Right now, the Cubs are tied at one in the sixth. I will head down and catch the rest of this one. Hopefully, we will see the reverse of last night and a little spark from the offense.

Sean Marshall

2007-05-23T19:16:00.000-07:00

Last night the Cubs offense ran into the buzz saw that was Jake Peavy. Tonight they meet the butter tub that is David Wells.

The good news is that they have a secret weapon: Sean Marshall.

Marshall was the great rookie wonder of 2006. Of course, like all the expectations of 2006, he crashed and burned by early September.

Now he is under the new leadership skills of Lou Piniella. He does not have Greg Maddux around for tutelage, but he can probably learn a few things from Ted Lilly.

Marshall looked great early in the year last year, but tired out under the strong arm of Dusty Baker. Piniella appears to have a better understanding of pitching and what true expectations should be.

I may not always agree with how Lou manages, but I cannot fault his knowledge of the game. Sending Neal Cotts to Iowa speaks volumes. So does moving Angel Guzman back to the bullpen.

Game two of an important west coast series is under way. Marshall and company are due. Is the butter tub up to the challenge?

Closer and closer

2007-05-22T19:02:00.000-07:00

Last night I complained a bit about Cubs Manager Lou Piniella. In the posting I stated that I did not feel he was acting like someone leading a team to the post season, but instead was acting like a mad scientist in his dugout laboratory.

Truthfully, I did not say it in those words. If you go back and look, you will be disappointed. Nevertheless, Mr. Piniella and his machinations are bothersome and it may not be long before they are tiresome.

Ryan Dempster has not pitched poorly as the Cubs closer. The Cubs have no one, besides Bob Howry and Scott Eyre, who have major league experience as a closer. Rocky Cherry and Clay Rapada have minor league experience, but neither are ready for this jump.

Why move an established closer to a fifth position starting role without a suitable replacement when you have several people chomping at the bit for a starting position? Sean Marshall is 3-0 in five minor league starts. Wade Miller is done with rehab. Neal Cotts… never mind.

Then it hit me. The Cubs are getting ready to trade for a new closer. Piniella may have let the cat out too soon by offering the starting job to Dempster, but that could be what is rolling around in the hearts and minds of the front office.

We know we have too many outfielders. Alfonzo Soriano and Cliff Floyd are untouchable and Felix Pie and Matt Murton should be. That leaves Jacque Jones and Angel Pagan.

Remember last week when Piniella stated that Pagan could be the starting centerfielder? Maybe it will not happen on this club, but somewhere else?

Maybe a little package of Jones, Pagan and Michael Wuertz (Cotts isn’t tradeable) could be enough to lure a closer in the last year of his contract.

If it happens, and it could, remember you read about it here first!

Lou Piniella

2007-05-21T19:56:00.001-07:00

During the off-season the Cubs parted ways with the formerly beloved skipper Dusty Baker and began a search for a new manager. The administration wanted someone who could lead this new, expensive, version of the Cubs to the post-season.

Many fans wanted the newly available, former Cubs catcher, Joe Girardi, but the officials at Cub headquarters did not think he had the experience necessary to guide this team to victory. They wanted experience. They wanted someone who had already earned a ring as a player and a manager.

They went for Lou Piniella.

The Lou Piniella who guided the Cincinnati Reds to victory after George Steinbrenner tossed him from the beloved New York Yankees. The Lou Piniella who could not quite take a Seattle team all the way with players like Ken Griffey, Jr., Alex Rodriguez and Randy Johnson. The Lou Piniella who went to Tampa Bay to “finish off his managing career” near his home.

We thought the Tampa Bay experience did finish off his managing career. Apparently not.

Lou Piniella decided he needed one more shot with a real team. The Cubs showed him they were serious. The brought in a multi-million dollar outfielder and a couple of decent starting pitchers. They let him hand-pick his coaches, including allowing him to retain Larry Rothschild. You remember Larry Rothschild? The pitching coach who went through pitchers like water last year. That’s the guy.

During the offseason, General Manager Jim Hendry made it clear he wanted a winner in Chicago now. He spent the money because he wanted results.

Soooo, now what? The Cubs are just a couple games below .500. It is still May. There is no reason to panic.

So why is Piniella acting like he’s tossing in the towel? He does not have the injury problems that Baker had. Prior, Wood and Miller. So what?

Why is he talking about Dempster being a starter again? Why is he talking about Angel Guzman being a closer? Why is he saying that Angel Pagan could be the starting center fielder? Why did he keep Ronnie Cedeno in Chicago for so long?

While we are asking questions, why is Jacque Jones still in Chicago?

It feels like Piniella is experimenting. Maybe that’s okay. I would rather experiment in May than in August.

It is getting late for coy talk and goofy staff changes. He better find a winning formula and find it quick. If not, he may find his way back to Tampa before his contract runs out.

Cubs & Sox, Round Three

2007-05-20T20:07:00.001-07:00

This weekend’s Chicago cross-town rivalry had all the fun you would expect. The two teams battled and neither laid down during any of the three games.

The question of “who made the better deal” between the Cubs and the Sox when it came to last year’s Cotts/Aardsma trade became clear today. Neal Cotts pitched against his former teammates for the first time, giving up the big blow, a grand slam to catcher A.J. Pierzynski.

Aardsma fared no better for the second day in a row against his former teammates. This time, he gave up a three run banger to Aramis Ramirez. Luckily for Aardsman, the four runs he allowed today did not cause manager Ozzie Guillen to break a sweat. The game was already gone by then.

Still, you cannot blame the Cubs for doing their best to fight back. Ace pitcher Carlos Zambrano just dug to big a hold for the offense to climb out from.

The search for the best twenty-five men goes on today. Earlier this weekend, Cubs manager Lou Piniella hinted of a big announcement to be made Monday. Then he hinted that Angel Guzman would be returning to the bullpen, but not who would be filling the fifth spot in the rotation.

Possibilities include Carlos Marmol, who pitched two clean innings the last two days; Ryan Dempster, the closer; and Sean Marshall, last year’s rookie sensation. In my opinion, the obvious choice is Marshall. If Dempster goes back to the rotation who becomes the closer? There is no clear choice for that spot.

Marshall pitched will last year and is pitching well in Triple-A Iowa. He’s ready for a return to the show.

The other possibility for a big announcement is a trade of Jacque Jones. Rumors abound and if he can bring a quality bullpen arm to the club, the time is now. With Pagan, Murton and Floyd, the outfield no longer needs the free-swinging Jones.

Tomorrow is an off-day, but somehow I do not believe it will be without news. I know my ears will be open wide.

Cubs & Sox, Round Two

2007-05-20T07:59:00.000-07:00

Derrek Lee was the big star in game two of the first series of games between the cross-town rivals. Piniella said that Lee would not be available until Tuesday of next week. Then off the bench pops the secret weapon.

The question begs, which is more important to Chicago baseball teams and fans; The World Series or the Cross-town Series.

Yesterday was played like game seven of the World Series. The wounded star comes to the plate in a pressure situation and delivers the way you would expect him.

Pitching was not a strong point yesterday. Marquis kept the team in the game with both his arm and his bat. Michael Wuertz got to be a hero and erase some of the damage from the previous week.

We got an unimpressive peek at Carlos Marmol. Sure he set the side down in order, but pitches were flying everywhere.

The Sox have not looked great in this series, but they have not been mailing it in either. Joe Crede and Paul Konerko smacked home runs. There have been some great plays and some impressive pitching (at times).

The first two games have given fans everything they could hope for in a cross-town series. Today the Cubs go for the sweep. The Sox will not make it easy. It will be fun to watch.

Cubs & Sox, Round One

2007-05-19T13:23:00.000-07:00

What a great game yesterday. It was exactly what a Cubs/Sox game should be.

Each team threw their most consistent pitchers. The Sox came in with Mark Buehrle, who is no doubt their ace. The Cubs countered with Ted Lilly. Lilly has been the most consistent Cubs starter this year. Jason Marquis, who is pitching today, Carlos Zambrano, who is supposed to be the ace, and Rich Hill have all pitched well and had glimpses of brilliance, but each have had off days. Lilly has yet to have an off day.

There were home runs and great plays. There were miscues and poor choices. In the end, the Cubs wound up with a big six to three win.

Today should be a fun one again. Carlos Vasquez is starting for the Sox with Marquis going for the Cubs. I will be watching off and on, but I have no doubt that it will be something to see.

Tired Ballplayers

2007-05-09T20:38:00.001-07:00

Last night the fellows from the north side fought long and hard into the early hours of the day with reckless, and fruitless, abandon. After super-closer Ryan Dempster allowed the score to be tied in the top of the ninth, the two teams battled to a near standstill before a sacrifice fly in the top of the fifteenth carried the day.

Tonight, both teams must have been exhausted. The Cubs used only one pitcher, Jason Marquis. He threw a no-hit game into the sixth inning and finished with a three-hitter. It was the best performance by any pitcher yet this season. It is time for those who were upset about Marquis’ signing to eat a little crow.

The Pirates allowed eight hits, but only the first one hurt. Alfonzo Soriano led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run. It was the only run to be scored all evening and provided the Cubs with their sixteenth win of the season.

Derrek Lee got a base hit to extend his hitting streak. Michael Barrett rapped a couple of doubles on a night when there was no wind for help or hindrance. The most frustrated Cub in Wrigley Field had to be Jacque Jones who not only went 0 for 4 at bats, but left nine runners on base, including six in scoring position.

Until the Cubs move Jones later this year to clear a spot for Felix Pie, tonight’s line-up should be the one manager Lou Piniella sticks with for the remainder of the season. Cliff Floyd and Cesar Izturis will get their playing time, but this is the best lineup the Cubs have.

Of course, considering the fact they only scored one run on one swing that is not saying much. Still, the Cubs won. It makes a fan smile.

Close Wins and Losses

2007-05-08T20:23:00.000-07:00

Recently, the Cubs have been winning the close ones. It feels so good to be on a winning streak and winning by big margins and small margins. I love pulling out a “come from behind” win.

Losing a close game really brings you down. Tonight, Ryan Dempster blew his first save attempt of the year. It probably will not be his last, but maybe just one of the few in 2007.

The game is not over yet, although the momentum is slipping. We had Theriot on second base with nobody out and Matt Murton just hit into an inning ending double play. On to the eleventh inning.

Still, we cannot give up hope. There is still time for the Cubs to pull out a win. Rookie Rocky Cherry, the only pitcher not to pitch Sunday, is in the game. If he can knock down the Pirates, the Cubs could nail it down in the bottom half.

Then we can be all smiles again, right?

Angel Guzman and Daryle Ward

2007-05-07T04:38:00.000-07:00

It was a great weekend. The weather was a little cool in Illinois, but that’s expected in May. Lots of wind. The Cubs are over the .500 mark and the White Sox fought yesterday to stay at .500.

The biggest question of the weekend was whether Manager Lou Piniella and General Manager Jim Hendry were fools to expect Angel Guzman to start the game yesterday. The jury may still be out, but Guzman did not embarrass himself.

Two hits and two walks in five innings were good. Only one run was allowed. He gathered three strikeouts. He kept the Cubs in the game, leaving with a lead. Overall, everyone should be happy.

The bullpen tried to give the game away, and did manage to allow Guzman’s first victory as a Cub to disappear. After pitching a good sixth inning, Eyre walked a batter in the seventh. Michael Wuertz did the same and Bobby Howry allowed them to score, thanks to a single by Dimitri Young.

This month’s version of the 2007 Cubs had fire. They were not going to let this game slip away. A run in the ninth tied the score. Then Matt Murton doubled and scored on a short fly ball by Daryle Ward in the tenth.

The best part was the excitement by the team at the end of the game.

Let’s face it. The Washington Nationals are the worst team in the National League. The Cubs have won eight of the last nine games. If they had lost yesterday, it would have been no big deal, but these boys were playing as if it were the seventh game of the World Series.

I love a team that fights. The White Sox fought yesterday too and won in the tenth. It was a good weekend. Bring on the week!

Bullpen

2007-05-05T04:54:00.000-07:00

With six wins in their last seven games, the Cubs are on a roll. With two more games against the cellar-dwelling Washington Nationals, the team has a great shot at being an above-.500 team by Monday morning.

There are those who pointed at the bullpen for the team’s early failures. I wanted to take a moment and study the Cubs bullpen to see what can be done.

Ryan Dempster – Closer

Dempster has earned six saves in six save opportunities. The guy has returned to 2005 form after a lackluster 2006. His poor showing last year may have been attributed to a lack of interest since the Cubs hardly competed. This year he is carrying a 2.40 ERA and with seventeen strikeouts (in fifteen innings). Teams are hitting .140 against him. Manager Lou Piniella is not using him exclusively in the ninth inning, occasionally having him pitch in the eighth, and making him a more useful component of the bullpen. Dempster is our 2007 closer.

Bobby Howry – Set up man/Right hander

Two losses and a blown save opportunity show that Howry has had his off days. He has still been very effective in the seventh and eighth innings this year. He carries a 3.00 ERA and is getting the job done as a workhorse this spring. Howry is our righthanded set-up man.

Scott Eyre – Set up man/Left hander

One loss and two blown save opportunities sound even with Howry, but Eyre has had a tougher time. His ERA is a sky-high 12.27 although he has earned twelve strikeouts in seven and a third innings pitched. When he is on, Eyre is a fierce competitor. Piniella has learned to use a quick hook if necessary. Entering his eleventh year in the bigs, Eyre will settle down into the pitcher we expect. Eyre is our lefthanded set-up man.

Wil Ohman – Specialist/Left hander

That Ohman has only a single loss to his credit is surprising. Listening to fans, it seems that Ohman should have taken credit for most of the Cubs early losses. His ERA is 4.50, which is larger than you like, but not embarrassing. He has only allowed four runs and six hits in twelve outings. Hitters are only hitting .200 off of him. Piniella uses a quick hook on this one too, keeping him out of real trouble. He is no longer considered a long man, coming in to pitch to one or two left-handed hitters at a time. If he misses, he’s out in favor of Wuertz or Howry. Some fans are ready to let go, but he has not proven himself a goat just yet. Ohman is our lefthanded specialist.

Rocky Cherry – Specialist/Right hander

Rookie Rocky could be the closer of the future on this club. Piniella is bringing him along slowly, letting him finish blow-outs and facing a tough right-handed hitter or two. He earned a loss in his first appearance as a Cub, but has settled down and pitch well since, even earning his first win. Watch this fellow to stay in Cubbie blue for a long time. For now, Cherry is our righthanded specialist.

Neal Cotts – Long man/Left hander

People worried over Cotts during spring training. A long-shot for the fifth starter role, Cotts buried himself early. As a long man from the pen this year, he has allowed no earned runs, no unearned runs, and struck out eight in nine innings pitched. Piniella has used him carefully, but Cotts has delivered when called upon. Neal Cotts is our lefthanded long man.

Michael Wuertz – Long man/Right hander

There were those, including myself, who had doubts that Wuertz would make the team out of spring training. Keeping him with the team has been a good call. Along with Howry, Wuertz has been a workhorse, throwing fourteen and two-thirds innings this year in fourteen appearances. That means, he has appeared in over half of the games so far. His ERA is a barely perceptible 1.23. Opposing teams are only hitting .218 against him. If a starter blows up, Wuertz and Cotts are able to keep the Cubs in the game. Wuertz is our righthanded long man.

Angel Guzman gets a special mention having thrown especially well in four games. He impressed the team enough he is getting a shot at the fifth starting job. He has been planned for three starts this May, even though his three starts in Iowa were miserable. Time will tell if he has what it takes.

As it is, the Cubs have a strong bullpen. There will be bad days and melt-downs, but overall, this is a balanced, effective pen. This will be a fun season to watch.

Let's Win Two Today!

2007-05-02T19:07:00.001-07:00

What a day! What a couple days!

Last night, the Cubs got an assist from Mother Nature. The team was down 5 to 2 going into the seventh inning. The good guys rung up four runs in the top of the inning to take a one-run lead.

Then, after Bob Howry threw four pitches in the Pirate half of the seventh, the skies opened and the play ended.

Under the rules of previous years, the score would have reverted to what it was at the end of the sixth and the game would have been considered an official loss for the Cubs. In the off-season this past winter, the MLB officials made a rule change that would have allowed the game to end at that point and become official if the home team was ahead. In this case, the Cubs were in Pittsburgh, so the rule was to suspend the game to allow Pittsburgh a chance to complete the bottom of the seventh, and eventually the entire game.

I can’t believe I am saying this, but thanks to a rule change by the MLB, and thanks to Mother Nature, the Cubs one last night’s game today! Whew! Maybe the luck is changing in the Cubs favor!

There were a lot of other positive things that happened last night/this afternoon.

Alfonzo Soriano lead off the game last night with his first home run as a Cub.
Rocky Cherry earned his first win as a major league player.
Derrek Lee hit three doubles to extend his league leadership in that category.
Ryan Dempster earned his fifth save.
Jason Marquis picked up his fourth win of the season.
Soriano hit another solo home run in the second game today.
D-Lee raised his league leading batting average to .415.

The bad news is that former gold glove shortstop Cesar Izturis had an error in each of the two games.

This is a good team and it is only two games below the .500 mark. Thursday will be a day of rest. Then the northsiders take on the Washington Nationals. This could be the weekend the Cubs move ahead of the league.

On the south side of town, things are a little tougher. The Sox were shut out by the Mariners in Seattle and have lost four straight. The pitching performance by John Danks wasn’t too bad, but the offense is truly missing Jim Thome since he went on the disabled list. Hopefully his return will not take long.

The Palehose are just a game below .500. It they can beat the Angels twice in three tries this weekend, and handle the Twins the same way, they can be ready for a long, fun homestand, including a visit to Wrigley.

Let’s hope for two winning teams meeting on May 18th!

Derrick Lee

2007-04-30T21:13:00.001-07:00

Derrek Lee is amazing. When the Cubs picked him up from Florida before the 2004 season, I was less than excited. I was confused.

The Cubs had sent away Hee Sop Choi, who was to be the heir to Mark Grace. The Cubs refused to give Grace the career ending contract he so desired because we needed to free up first base for Hee Sop Choi. Grace had the last laugh earning a World Series ring as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

In 2004, Hendry sends Choi packing and brings over Derrek Lee. Lee had performed okay for the 2003 Series champion Florida Marlins, but was hardly considered the team leader. People like Ivan Rodriguez, Jeff Conine and Juan Pierre made that team swing. D-Lee hit just .208 in the series.

For the year, Lee hit just .271, but did have 31 home runs and 95 RBIs. Still, when you talked about the talent on the Marlins, there was more talk of Miguel Cabrera, Pierre and third baseman Mike Lowell. If Lee entered the conversation, it was as an afterthought.

Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry was smart. He knew this young man had potential he had not reached yet. Let the Marlins have Cabrera and Pierre; Hendry knew he had gold with Derrek Lee.

Less than two months after the Marlins won the Series in 2003, the Cubs sent Choi to Florida along with minor league pitcher Mike Nannini.

During the 2004 season, Lee improved marginally on his previous year, hitting one more home run, three more RBIs and a slightly better batting average.

Then in 2005 everything changed. D-Lee got off to a hot start in April and never looked back. He slammed a career high 46 homers and broke the 100 RBI mark for the first time since double-A ball. His strikeout total went down and his on-base percentage topped .400. Even though the northsiders had a poor year, Lee dragged the team along and gave fans reason to hope for a strong 2006.

During the off-season between 2005 and 2006, Hendry failed to land top free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal. This would turn out to be a disappointment for more reasons than one.

I was watching the Cubs play Dodgers in the early part of the 2006 season. Ronnie Cedeno’s throw was poor and Lee had to maneuver to catch it. Furcal rammed into Lee at full speed, injuring his wrist. It put an end to D-Lee’s season, an end to the Cubs hopes for the year, and eventually an end to the managerial term of Dusty Baker.

Fans worried whether Lee would be able to return to his 2005 form, once he recovered. After watching injuries to people like Mark Prior and Kerry Wood, you could understand the concern. So far, he has shown the fans he is back and ready to rumble.

Tonight he gathered two hits to raise his average to .392, good for second place in the league behind Colorado outfielder Matt Holiday. One of the two hits was his league leading fourteenth double of the year.

Some people are worried that he only has one home run this year. I would rather see the .392 average and .468 on-base percentage right now. The Cubs need baserunners. Lee is providing that. He leads the Cubs in runs scored and total bases. The home runs will come when the weather warms.

The good guys took it hard again tonight. They wasted another good pitching performance by Rich Hill. Lee did what he could, but it takes all nine guys to win ball games. Maybe tomorrow they will all show up in Pittsburgh. I know one guy who will be there and will be ready.

Joshua Morgan Hancock

2007-04-29T19:11:00.001-07:00

Saturday afternoon he pitched well. He threw three innings giving up two hits (both singles) and a walk. He allowed on earned run in the seventh. The game was long gone before he hit the mound. Adam Wainwright had allowed six runs in a seven run fifth inning. The Cardinals were sunk after that.

Overall, Josh Hancock had a good outing. Unfortunately, it turned out to be his final one.

The twenty-nine year old was signed originally by the Boston Red Sox. After pitching in three games for Boston in 2002, he was sent to Philadelphia for Jeremy Giambi. In the year and a half he spent in the Phillies organization he appeared in a total of six major league games. During the 2004 season he was part of a four player deal that sent him to Cincinnati.

The Reds gave him a good shot. He earned five wins in nine starts during 2004. He spent most of 2005 on the disabled list. During September, in eleven games out of the pen he carried a 1.93 ERA. Still, the Reds released him in February of 2006. He no longer fit in their short or long range plans.

The St. Louis Cardinals signed him to a minor league contract three days after the Reds let him go. At spring training camp in Florida, he allowed only two runs in nine appearances for a 1.80 ERA. More impressive was that he struck out twelve while only walking one. He pitched well enough that spring to make the major league roster to stay.

2006 was a great year for Hancock, throwing in 62 games as a reliever. He finished with a 3-3 record and a 4.09 ERA. Not bad for a middle reliever. He appeared in three playoff games, but did not appear in any of the World Series games. There were no worries. He still had a long career ahead of him.

There was little doubt he would make the club in 2007. Saturday’s game marked his eighth appearance on the mound this year. He knew his role and continued to make the most of it.

Early this morning, it ended. Hancock’s Ford Explorer met a parked tow truck on the interstate shortly after midnight. Doctors theorize he died on impact. It was a two vehicle accident that left one person dead and harmed no one else.

Search the web. There are tons of remembrances that I will not re-quote here. Just remember the young man from Mississippi who patiently worked his way into the major leagues. As an old investment pitchman used to say, he did it the old-fashioned way. He earned it.

Make each pitch like it is your last pitch.
Take each swing like it is your last swing.
Enjoy each moment you spend on the field.
Make today the best day ever.

Joshua Morgan Hancock
1978 – 2007

Peace.

Carlos Zambrano

2007-04-29T05:54:00.000-07:00

It must be May. The Big Z is back. Carlos Zambrano threw seven good innings. He improved his own confidence and installed confidence in the team. Wil Ohman pitched a solid eighth and rookie Rocky Cherry threw a strong ninth to nail down the team’s tenth win of the year and bring their record even with last year’s World Series winner.

Today, maybe we can sweep and move ahead of the redbirds in the standings.

Forget about the long-standing rivalry. This weekend was a weekend where the team needed to decide if they were going to recover from a poor start or continue to drift along as a sub-.500 team. Even though they are still three games below the water line, they have a three game streak going. Rich Hill is on the mound tonight. I fully expect the streak to continue.

Manager Lou Piniella continues to impress me each day. He understands the game and knows how to motivate. He recognizes talent and is not afraid to make tough decisions. He is not even afraid to accept responsibility for making bad decisions.

This is going to be a fun year for Chicago. Can’t wait for the action tonight!

Improving

2007-04-28T07:54:00.000-07:00

There was a lot to be excited about during last night’s Cubs win against the arch-rival St. Louis Cardinals.

First, Jason Marquis, ex-Cardinal, pitched another great game and earned his second straight win against his former teammates. There was a lot of concern by Cubs fans when Marquis was signed, but things appear to be working out fine with the youngster. He was earned three wins in his first five starts with an ERA of 2.35. He is a different style of pitcher compared to Ted Lilly, Rich Hill and Carlos Zambrano, but that is good. Having a variety of styles in the starting rotation is as important as having a mix of righthanders and lefthanders. It keeps the other team from getting into a stride.

Another bit of excitement comes from the defensive play of Alfonzo Soriano. Soriano threw out Edmonds at the plate last night, which featured a good effort from Barrett as well. Edmonds is no longer as fleet as Ryan Theriot, but it was still fun to watch.

Soriano is still not hitting like the Soriano we expected, but he will. Just as D-Lee and Ramirez has awoken, so will Soriano.

Then there is Felix Pie who struck the first of what we hope will be many home runs. It came at a good time, increasing the lead from 2 to 1 to 4 to 1. He had a chance to be a hitting star in the ninth as he came to the plate with one out and Matt Murton on third. Instead of a single, deep fly ball or a squeeze play, Pie squibbed one back to the pitcher.
Just when it looked like another lost opportunity, Cesar Izturis (yes, he still plays for the Cubs) came up with the big single to score an insurance run in the top of the ninth.

That last run gave Ryan Dempster breathing room. He was able to shut down the Cardinals in the ninth, after bailing out Michael Wuertz and Neal Cotts who loaded the bases with one out in the eighth. Dempster picked up his fourth save this year, having gone ages without a save opportunity. Many worried about whether he could return to 2005 form. So far, he is working out fine.

The final note of hope comes from Thursday night as Angel Guzman made his second start for Iowa. He was shelled for five runs in three innings in his first outing. This type he made it two the fifth inning, only allowing two runs and gathering five K’s. The Cubs are committed to him starting on May 1st and he may be ready to do battle.

Speaking of the minors, last year’s rookie Sean Marshall pitched well in Daytona Wednesday and was promoted to Iowa. He has endured shoulder “fatigue” this spring. We may see him contribute to this Cubs season yet.

All that and the Cubs have another winning streak started. This afternoon Carlos Zambrano hopes to make it three.

The sun is bright this morning. Life is grand!

Rain Not on the White Sox

2007-04-26T19:38:00.000-07:00

The Sox were rained out and the northsiders had the day off. Not much baseball to be had today. After yesterday’s analysis of the Cub roster, we thought we would take a peek at how the Sox are doing at this point.

For all of the talent in the Cubs outfield, the White Sox seem to be lacking. Outfielder Scott Podsednik got off to a hot start before getting hurt again. The team went into last night’s game with Detroit with Darin Erstad in centerfield. It looked like an all sub outfield with Erstad in center and Rob Mackowiak and Pablo Ozuna in the corners. Ozuna, who appears on the Sox roster as a backup infielder, appears to have the left field job until Podsednik returns.

None of the Sox outfielders appear to be providing much punch in the lineup. Jermaine Dye is carrying a .209 average although he has powered three home runs so far this year.

Designated hitter Jim Thome is carrying the offense on his back with a .340 batting average and five home runs, both to lead the team. Paul Konerko is hitting a paltry .203 to start the year, but has a team leading fifteen RBIs.

Despite a poor offense, the team has earned eleven wins, thanks in part to some solid pitching performances. Bobby Jenks has nailed down eight saves and has a nice 3.09 ERA. Mark Buehle has a no-hitter among his two wins and a 2.59 ERA. Javier Vasquez has also picked up a couple wins.

Besides Jenks, the bullpen has been a nice bright spot. David Aardsma, Mike MacDougal, and Andrew Sisco have all contributed nicely.

The only questionable members of the pitching staff are Matt Thornton and rookie John Danks, who picked up his third loss last night. They may want to give either Heath Phillips a shot at Danks’ turn in the rotation and offer Ryan Bukvich Thornton’s seat in the pen. Both have gotten off to hot starts in Charlotte.

Altogether, it is hard to find fault in a team that is winning more than losing. The boys from the south side are just a game and a half back of the Indians. With 140 plus games left, lets buckle up and see how far Manager Ozzie Guillen can steer this bus.

Better News

2007-04-25T19:41:00.000-07:00

Several things have happened in the past couple of days that make me feel like maybe the fortunes of the Chicago Cubs are about to turn around from their sorry beginnings.

· Mark Prior is out for season.
· Ryan Theriot has been named the starting shortstop.
· Felix Pie was not sent back to AAA
· Alfonzo Soriano has been moved from center field to left field.
· Ted Lilly pitched well again
· Angel Guzman will likely pitch on May 1st.
· Lou Piniella has told the team to lighten up and have fun.

All of these are pieces of a puzzle coming together. The Cubs do not need to be distracted for another year with Mark Prior. The hope of his return has been an ongoing affair for years now. Let’s worry about Mark Prior next year. He will probably start out in AAA at that time anyway.

Ryan Theriot has proven he can consistently hit major league pitching. Let’s get him in there everyday. They still haven’t made the next obvious move of sending away Ronnie Cedeno in favor of Koyie Hill, but there is still time for that.

Felix Pie needs to play everyday. The Cubs do not need to have him lead off. Have Soriano lead and Theriot bat second. Pie can be a dangerous bat low in the lineup. He can win more games for the Cubs in the field than at the plate. Let Lee, Ramirez, Barrett and Soriano provide the bang. Pie can provide the glove they desperately need.

Soriano belongs in left. ‘Nuff said.

The pitching has been remarkably good. Scott Eyre may be coming out of his funk. Howry spins his wheels occasionally, but otherwise we can be happy with the staff Hendry has assembled. If Wade Miller can stay on the disabled list and Guzman can continue as a starter where he left off in the pen, there are clearer skies ahead.

Finally, Lou Piniella has taken off the ‘tough guy’ face and reminded the team that this is a boys game and should be played for fun. It is hard to win when you are trying not to lose. This team has played not to lose in the close games this year. I like the quote: “Relax and play. You're going to get a paycheck if you win or lose; your wife's going to love you; the dog's going to bark when you come home.

"Go out there and relax and play. I like the kids we have here. We've got a good group of men. We've got to get over the hump and get these games that are getting away from us."

I liked this team on opening day. I continue to like this team today. If they can hit as a team and continue to throw as they have, we are still going to have fun this summer.

Good and Bad News

2007-04-24T04:34:00.000-07:00

The past few days I have been preoccupied with events of a personal nature. Our family has adopted a ten-month old Lhasa Apso from a nearby shelter facility.

If you are considering getting a dog or cat for your home, please visit a local shelter. There are a number of wonderful animals available for adoption. Please let that be your first stop.

That said, the Cubs are not playing well. Okay, the Cubs stink. I hate to say it that way, but it needed to be said.

The team is losing two of every three games in the early going. It is not too late to fix the ship, but right now things are not going well.

It is hard to get excited about a 12 – 4 or 6 – 0 win when we lose the next two or three; especially the way we are losing those games.

Last night is a great example. There were several opportunities to push over a run to win the contest. I cannot be upset with rookie Rocky Cherry for giving up a home run to someone expected to hit home runs in those situations. Our home run hitters failed to respond in the same situation.

With Felix Pie perched at second with one out, eighteen million dollar Alfonzo Soriano failed to chip a base hit into right field that would have finished the game. Michael Barrett batted with a man on second and failed to deliver. Aramis Ramirez had a two run home run early in the game, but failed to deliver in the clutch.

I still like the Cubs roster. There are very few changes necessary, since replacing Wade Miller with Cherry. We will need another starting pitcher from Iowa. As I stated in a recent posting, I see the benefit of promoting Koyie Hill in place of Ronnie Cedeno. Maybe we could put Miller or (chronically injured) Mark Prior on the sixty day list to free a roster spot.

Any way you look at it, April has not been a good month, but the season is not over. The series with the new, improved Milwaukee Brewers has barely begun. Rich Hill is on the mound tonight. Let’s go Cubs!

L as in Lilly (Losing)

2007-04-20T20:37:00.001-07:00

Close to three weeks into the new season and newcomer Ted Lilly has become our hard luck starting pitcher. He has pitched more innings than any other Cub and has a 2.42 ERA. Still his record dropped to one win and two losses today.

It was not entirely the fault of his teammates that the Cubs fell again today. Lilly did make one bad pitch to Preston Wilson after walking Jim Edmonds providing the two to one score. Forget the fact that it was one of only four hits and one of only two walks he allowed. Lilly did give up the runs and is responsible for the loss.

Just ignore the fact the respected back-up catcher Henry Blanco forgot how to drop a bunt and what to do if it pops up. Forget that Ronnie Cedeno forgot how to steal second base (Rule Number One: Get there first; Rule Number Two: If you get there first, do not overrun the bag).

Manager Lou Piniella may have discovered why everyone was telling him that Cedeno needed to spend the year in Iowa. The young man has a couple home runs, but he has cost the team by not hitting his weight (.050 batting average) and making mental mistakes fielding and now a big base running mistake.

Sure, Ryan Theriot made a base running mistake recently, but Theriot is hitting .326, is sure afield, and scored the only Cub run today. Theriot is helping the Cubs attempt to win. Cedeno is only continuing to fertilize the fan’s animosity toward him that was planted last year with a mediocre rookie year.

The club has high hopes for Ronnie Cedeno. I do, too. The fellow needs a chance to develop. It is time to send him down to Iowa before he is scarred for life.

Rich Hill had a bad time when he first reached the big time. He was sent down and learned from the experience. Today he has three wins including an eight inning shutout performance.

Corey Patterson had a bad time when he first reached the big time. He never truly recovered. Now he is hitting .225 for Baltimore.

We want Cedeno to go away and return ready for the big time. He has the tools, but does not have the confidence. Piniella needs someone who he can use as he is using Cedeno, but someone with more confidence and an understanding of his role.

Two possibilities for the role reside in Iowa currently. Mike Fontenot has had a cup of coffee in the big leagues. No one expects him to develop into a star infielder. At age 26, he could use a shot at being a utility man. Koyie Hill has some major league experience. He can be a third string catcher as well as play some infield. Right now, in a limited role in Iowa, he is hitting .355 with a home run and eight RBIs. Either one could be a better role player than Cedeno has been to date.

In the meantime, we cannot blame Ted Lilly and waste what are good outings from most of our starting pitchers. We want the offense to put in more than an occasional appearance. Piniella has said that this team would not be a good small ball team, but we must not abandon small ball altogether. We want the Cubs to own a Cardinal team that is on its way down.

With former Card Jason Marquis on the mound, and a rested bullpen, we want tomorrow to be the Cubs day.

Rich Hill and Mark DeRosa

2007-04-19T21:09:00.001-07:00

Rich Hill did his best to copy Mark Buehrle’s performance last night, but could not quite match it. Still, he did put a “W” on the board for the Cubs. Lately, that is more that good enough. That is plenty.

Hill allowed just four hits and three walks over eight innings. He struck out seven and has an ERA of only 0.41. Not only that, but he is the proud owner of three of the Cubs six wins this month. Ryan Dempster came in and threw nine pitches for his third save. It was a proud night to be a Cubs fan.

On the offensive side, both Michael Barrett and Aramis Ramirez slammed solo home runs off Atlanta Pitcher Mark Redman. Later, Mark DeRosa doubled in Ryan Theriot for the Cubs final run scored.

Even though he is hitting just .244, you have to be happy with Mark DeRosa. He has gathered eleven RBIs and hit four home runs. He strikes out a lot, but does when he is not striking out, he is putting the ball in play. He has made an error this year, but his fielding percentage is better than all his infield counterparts, with the exception of Derrick Lee and Ronnie Cedeno. If memory serves correctly, the error DeRosa earned was because of a poor throw from Cedeno. If the call had gone to the correct infielder, DeRosa would be listed among the perfect fielders so far this season.

Even though the Cubs are off to a poor, if not miserable start this season, there are some bright spots. Rich Hill’s pitching has been bright. The bullpen efforts by Ryan Dempster, Neal Cotts, Michael Wuertz and Angel Guzman have been impressive. Derrick Lee and Ramirez return to form has been nice. Recent addition DeRosa, along with Cliff Floyd and Ryan Theriot, have shown that General Manager Jim Hendry does know what he is doing. Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis have been making Hendry look smart.

Now if just a few of the others can step it up a little, the team could put together a string of wins. Alfonzo Soriano could come back from his hamstring pull with some renewed confidence. Wil Ohman could lighten up and throw strikes. Carlos Zambrano could show the league that he really can pitch in April.

Being down is easy. Cubs’ fans have spent most of the past one hundred years down on the team from north end. This team is well built. In a few short weeks, we will see a rotation of Zambrano, Lilly, Marquis, Hill and Guzman. Miller will make a good long man in the pen. Howry and Eyre will be back to form. Soriano and Lee will be leading the attack. The defense will be improved. The baserunning will be improved (Thanks to coach Bobby Dernier).

There are high hopes for this organization. Maybe I am just feeling the effects of a Cubs shut out of Chipper, Andruw and company, but I still think things can come together this year. Bring on the Cardinals!

Mark Buehrle Returns with a Vengence

2007-04-19T04:30:00.000-07:00

The Cubs continue to fall, while the Sox continue to rise.

Last night, after a first inning home run by Mark DeRosa, the Cubs played catch-up. Carlos Zambrano had another off-night allowing four runs in the Braves half of the first. The north-siders chipped away until they took a 6-5 lead in the top of the seventh.

Then last year’s bullpen star, Scott Eyre, stepped in and allowed three to drop the game into Atlanta’s pocket. Eyre is still struggling in the early going, as is Zambrano.

The offense did their job, scoring six last night. They were hitting as a team as there were no exceptional individual efforts, but almost everyone participated at one time or another. If we can get the offense and pitching working on the same day, we could have more games like the 12 to 4 win Monday and fewer losses like Wednesday.

Meanwhile, in Chicago, Mark Buehrle threw a no-hitter. If you remember, a couple weeks ago he took a ball off his arm and I suggested he may be on and off the disabled list, just like Mark Prior.

Instead, Buehrle faced twenty-seven Texas Rangers last night, walking only one, and provided a true major league highlight. Jermaine Dye and Jim Thome provided the power for a six nothing win.

My favorite moment was when Buehrle walked former Sox and Cub star Sammy Sosa and then picked him off first. That was more fun that Jermaine Dye’s grand slam.

If no one has figured out yet that Mark Buehrle is a stud, they are not paying attention. If Buehrle can throw the Sox into another World Series, he will be the most widely beloved Sox pitcher of all time. Wilbur Wood, step aside, Buehrle has taken his game to another level. Great job!!

Felix Pie and Angel Guzman

2007-04-17T20:01:00.000-07:00

Felix Pie had a good first day. He had a couple chances to win the game for the home team, but couldn’t make it happen. He did get a hit (a double) and an RBI. He also saved the game in the tenth inning with a killer throw.

It was not enough to tip the game into the hands of the Cubs as they saw it slip away in fourteen innings. After watching people have great outings from the bullpen who we fretted about all winter, including Michael Wuertz, Neal Cotts and Ryan Dempster, and a couple who we have worried about since opening day, including Scott Eyre and Bobby Howry, the game was left to Wil Ohman to finish. He did finish the game in his one inning of work, but it was not what we expected.

Ohman allowed one run to keep his 2007 ERA at 9.00. It was enough for the Padres to gain a split for the short, two game series at Wrigley.

The Cubs remain three games below .500. Come September, if we are in a race, we are going to look back at this game and a couple others this past week and wish we had pulled them out.

In the meantime, we look to Atlanta for the next three days.

In order to make room for Pie, we had to jettison someone. Instead of letting Ronnie Cedeno pack his bags, the Cubs sent Angel Guzman.

This is not a huge surprise. Guzman has pitched very well out of the pen over the past two weeks. The Cubs believe he could be a dynamite starting pitcher. If he spends the next two or three weeks pitching regularly for Iowa as a starter, he may be ready to return about the time Wade Miller is ready to be released. Miller did not have a bad outing today, but Guzman is the future, and it may be ready to go.

Pie may not be leaving Chicago anytime soon, either. If he makes the most of the time Soriano spends in the trainers’ room, it may be Jacque Jones, of the three swings and your gone variety, who may be sent away. The Cubs cannot afford to have Soriano hurt. He may be safer playing in left or right, while Pie is tailor-made for Wrigley’s center field.

There may be some major decisions made in the next few weeks. Lets hope they are made while the Cubs mark some W’s on the board.

Jackie Robinson

2007-04-16T18:53:00.000-07:00

Even though both Chicago teams lost on Sunday, it was still a great day. Three years ago, Major League Baseball declared that each April 15th would be Jackie Robinson day.

This year, different players on each team asked to wear the retired number of Robinson. Six Cubs wore the number while five Sox also took a turn. The Dodgers, for whom Robinson played, had all of their team where number 42.

Robinson was 28 years old when he broke in with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Over ten years, he played in nearly 1,400 games, batting .311 and hitting 137 home runs. The stats are not incredible, but very, very good. Robinson retired after being traded to the dreaded Giants. Seems he was more loyal to the Dodgers than they were to him.

What I did not know about Robinson was that, during his career, he played every position except the battery positions, although he only played shortstop once. He spent the most time at second base, where he finished with a nice .983 fielding percentage.

To compare, former Cincinnati star and Hall of Famer Joe Morgan had a .981 fielding percentage after playing three times as many games at second base in twice as many years. Rogers Hornsby, Hall of Fame player who spent most of his career at second finished with .965. Hall of Famer Rod Carew split his career between second and first base, and finished at .973.

Oh yeah, Ryne Sandberg finished with .989 at second base. He played for the Cubs for a few years and entered the Hall awhile back. He was pretty good, but he did not have to battle the demons Jackie Robinson did.

Crossing to color barrier could not have been easy. He endured insult upon aggravation. Players and fans alike showed disrespect and in some cases, hatred. Jackie Robinson was a special man. He handled the entire ten years and more with class and dignity.

It is amazing that this year’s wonderful celebration had to be shadowed by the horrible comments made by an eccentric old man who has 1940s values in a 21st century world.

Jackie Robinson had a career that was relatively short and, although he put up good numbers, were hardly overwhelming. Still, he accomplished so much in such a short time.

I hope someday we forget about Jackie Robinson. I hope that the relationship between all people is such that we do not have to celebrate those who helped prove that we are all one people.

Until that day, I will look forward to April 15th. Nice play, Jackie. Nice play.

Pitching is the Name of the Game

2007-04-15T19:44:00.000-07:00

Both the Chicago baseball clubs were on the short end of pitching performances today. Ted Lilly for the Cubs and Jose Contreras for the Sox offered excellent performances from the mound, but received no support from those paid to knock in the runs.

It is hard to complain when the other team gets good pitching as well. Kyle Lohse and C.C. Sabathia had excellent outings for Cincinnati and Cleveland respectively.

Now, both teams are back to fighting back to .500. The Sox are closer to the goal, since they are just a game back. The Cubs are back to being three games down.

Down on the farm, first baseman Micah Hoffpauir is trying to prove he belongs in the major leagues. He hit a grand slam Saturday and has rung up seventeen RBIs this season to lead the Pacific Coast League. He is hitting .432 for the year and has only struck out four times in thirty seven at-bats.

Unfortunately for Hoffpauir, Derrick Lee stands between him and a potential big paycheck. My bet is that he is traded, or included in a trade, sometime between now and opening day 2008. Someone is going to want this young man.

Carlos Marmol is trying to be the next Rich Hill, striking out ten Saturday. After two outings he has sixteen strikeouts, two walks and a 1.93 ERA. Les Walrond and Ryan O’Malley have also pitched well in their two starts, but Marmol is the most likely to make the jump if needed.

From the pen, Rocky Cherry gained the first save of the year for the 6 and 4 Iowa Cubs. Cherry had a great spring and people are watching his performance very closely.

Felix Pie is also making some noise, with a .414 batting average. He is not getting the power numbers of Hoffpauir, but he is getting on base and scoring runs. That is what a team needs!

Tomorrow, the Sox have a day off while the Cubs entertain San Diego with a night game. Jason Marquis is pitching and Aramis Ramirez should be back from his wrist injury. Go Cubs!

Finally

2007-04-14T16:39:00.001-07:00

It was so sudden. One minute it looked like the Cubs were getting back on the winning track. The next minute I saw 2006 flash before my eyes. 2005 too.

It was so down after Carlos Zambrano, Wil Ohman and the Cubs offense lost Friday that I could not come up with anything worth writing. Wil Ohman came out and agreed that he blew it. Zambrano admitted he let a single dropped ball in the outfield get to him. Soriano proved that he is not Willie Mays. Derrick Lee showed that he cannot be counted upon to win every game this year. Cliff Floyd either.

Today, however, is a new day. That is the beauty of baseball. As the song goes, “..riding high in April, shot down in May..” We should not get ahead of ourselves. I do not want to start talking about May just yet.

Today, Rich Hill pitched a great game. It was not perfect. He walked his first batters of the year. Yet, he did strikeout five and picked off Ryan Freel. As of today, Hill is our stopper. He is the guy we can count on to not allow a long losing streak.

Derrick Lee came up with a great three run, two-out double in the seventh to tell the world that this game was ours. Ryan Theriot continues to play well. Soriano is getting into the swing of things.

The sun is a little brighter. The air is a little warmer.

The Cubs are still two games under .500. Sunday, Jackie Robinson Day, Ted Lilly will be facing Kyle Lohse. If the team brings their bats back tomorrow, it will be another great day.

Snow Day!

2007-04-11T17:34:00.000-07:00

Today the Cubs were snowed out. Tomorrow is an off day. So the happy North Side team will have two more days as a losing team with a record of 3 and 5.

So what do you do on a snow day? You do something else! If you cannot go outside and play, you find another source of enjoyment. Let’s talk a few minutes about blogs.

DON’T STOP READING YET!! I don’t mean just any blogs. Let’s talk about baseball blogs. There are some good ones out there.

The thing you have to be careful about when reading blogs is that some people have no creativity when it comes to language. I know how to curse. I have heard the words and know what they mean. Somehow, I just do not need to curse to get my point across. I find very little satisfaction in using curse words or listening to curse words.

You will read curse words in many blogs, including those I mention here. Some are downright not “family friendly”, so be careful about mentioning them to your children.

That said, there are two that I truly enjoy outright. There are a couple more that I mildly enjoy. One of my favorites is called the “Cub Reporter”. I can always get good information from http://mvn.com/mlb-cubs/. The site is part of the “Most Valuable Network” system which sponsors for all the other major league teams, as well as football, basketball, and other sports.

What won me over is the attention to the detail of the game. They explain the Rule Five Draft. Arizona Phil and Rob G. do a great job of keeping us informed of, not only the major league team, but what is happening with the minor league teams. Rarely do they get the facts wrong. They are the first blog I peek at when it comes to Cubs baseball.

Although I look at the Cub Reporter first, I spend more time at CubbieJulie’s blog, “A League of her Own”. http://www.inaleagueofherown.com is a new blog, but it already is a favorite of mine. Plain and simple, CubbieJulie is a better writer than I am. She makes me laugh as hard as Erma Bombeck ever did. She also gets the game. She understands what is happening on the field and in the clubhouse. And where does she find some of those pictures???

This is one of the more ribald sites. I found this blog after reading CubbieJulie on another blog. Those that managed the other blog felt that CubbieJulie and her friends were straying off topic too much. Unfortunately for her former home, the new blog is more interesting and more fun. I no longer bother with the old site and feel no need to mention it here.

Two more worth mentioning are http://cubs.scout.com/ which goes by the title “Inside the Ivy”. It has some information, but you have to subscribe to read most of the articles. I found some good information there before stumbling across the Cub Reporter.

Finally, there is “Goat Riders of the Apocalypse”. http://www.goatriders.org is another site that is high on humor and can get a little rough, but it is worth checking out.

There are literally a hundred other Cub blogs out there. I didn’t want to do just a Cub blog, which is why it is a “Dimm View of Baseball”. Still, it is too obvious that I love the Cubs and cannot wait to get another “W” on the board. Come on Friday!!

Sox Win!

2007-04-10T19:24:00.000-07:00

The Cubs did not look good this afternoon. Angel Guzman looked good for three innings. The offense slept until the ninth inning and Cesar Izturis earned three errors.

Well, the White Sox are looking better. Late last night, the Sox knocked out Oakland. Jose Contreras looked much better allowing only one run in six innings. Jim Thome gathered three hits including a solo shot in the fourth for one of two RBIs.

Scott Posednik also homered and doubled last night. Remember how people worried about Posednik all winter? His .467 batting average and second stolen base is making Kenny Williams look like a genius for the move he did not make.

The South Side Sluggers have fought their way to a .500 record. The North Side Bruins were there a couple days ago, before returning the Wrigley. Seems the sold weather in Chicago failed to benefit both sides of town.

Hopefully, the temperatures will rise, along with the won/loss records.

Opening Day at Wrigley Field

2007-04-09T19:52:00.001-07:00

It continues to be cold in Chicago and the Cubs have not figured out how to warm up. Ted Lilly made his second start as a Cub and his first at Wrigley Field. The fans were out in force hoping to have some fun. Instead, there was not much to cheer about on this season starter.

Lilly did not pitch badly, giving up three runs in six innings. It was enough to keep the home town boys in the game and they battled back to tie. Then Bobby Howry came along in the eighth.

Last year, Bobby Howry and Scott Eyre made the bullpen look good. I know this is the first week of April and the guys are veterans, but so far this season, both are making us wish Roberto Novoa were around.

Today, Howry gave up a two run homer to Adam Everett which made the final score 5 to 3.

Now I do not mind if Carlos Lee goes yard and ruins the game for you. The Astros are paying him a lot of money to do just that. Adam Everett, on the other hand, is supposed to make great plays at shortstop. He is not the guy to beat your team with a two-run dinger.

So the Cubs have not found a groove yet. Maybe that groove is still coming. The team is only one game under .500 and has 155 games left to play. Mark Prior will be pitching in a game at Mesa on Wednesday. There is still hope left, isn’t there?

Wade Miller and Ronnie Cedeno

2007-04-08T16:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I explained how the Cubs were in the midst of several streaks including their first two-game winning streak of 2007. Tomorrow they have a chance to get that streak again.

Today, Wade Miller, who had an 11-1 record against Milwaukee before today and a 6-0 record in Miller Park, was struck down after giving up four in the second and two more in the fifth. It was hardly the kind of start we were hoping for, but the kind we expected.

Luckily, Lilly will be going tomorrow for the home opener against the Houston Astros. As much as we would like to pick on Wade Miller, another villain appeared this afternoon: Ronnie Cedeno.

With one out in the sixth and two on, a ground ball was hit to Cedeno. Instead of throwing straight to DeRosa for the force, he threw wide in hopes of starting a double play. Instead, DeRosa was pulled from the bag and no one was called out.

The next inning, Cedeno led off making the first out in the inning. Eight batters and four runs later, Cedeno had a chance to punch a base hit and bat in another run or two to further the Cubs cause. Instead he hit a high pop fly to left to end the inning. For the day, our former starting shortstop was 0 for 4 and DeRosa was called for the error.

For just a bit, we had Milwaukee in a tailspin. When looking at the big picture, Miller should have never dug the hole and Cedeno should not have been allowed to disturb the momentum.

Wonder how Mark Prior and Eric Patterson are doing?

Meanwhile, on the south side, rookie John Danks had a good start, but had the misfortune of facing Carlos Santana for the Minnesota Twins. Santana struck out nine and allowed only one hit. Not a good day for Chicago baseball fans. Maybe tomorrow will be better.

Streaking...the Cubs Way!

2007-04-07T15:58:00.000-07:00

The Cubs have their first winning streak of the year after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers this afternoon, 6 to 3.

Carlos Zambrano ended his streak of games pitched in the month of April without a win.

Ryan Dempster has begun a streak of consecutive saves.

Aramis Ramirez has had a hit in every game this year. Then again, so have Alfonzo Soriano, Derrick Lee, Mark DeRosa and Cesar Itzturis. Ramirez has as batting average of .455. DeRosa is carrying .412. Soriano is at the other end at .217

The Cubs have a 3 and 2 record. Tomorrow they have a chance at the first sweep of the season. Ted Lilly is on the mound. It is Easter Sunday. If the temperature would go up another thirty degrees, tomorrow could be a fantastic day!

By the way, the Sox just shut down the Twins three zip. Javier Vasquez had a great day, as did shortsop Juan Uribe. The Sox are even with the league again, so tomorrow could be a great day for the south side as well!

Rich Hill

2007-04-06T19:39:00.001-07:00

Finally it feels like baseball season. Monday was the official opening day, but I had not had a chance to see any baseball until tonight. It was worth the wait.

The Cub offense went to work early, marking six runs in the opening frame against the Milwaukee Brewers. Then Rich Hill went to work. He had five perfect innings before a home run in the sixth by right fielder Corey Hart broke things up a little. Hill finished with seven good innings, giving up only one hit.

Last year, Hill had his struggles early in the season. He was on the mound for the famous Cubs/Sox game where catchers Michael Barrett and A.J. Pierzynski squared off. After some ill-thought comments to the media, Dusty Baker sent the young man back to Iowa.

The young man did not pout like outfielder Corey Patterson the year before. He went to work to show Baker, Jim Hendry and anyone watching that he did not belong in AAA any longer. When he returned, he put together a great final stretch. It was such an impressive second half for Hill that no one doubted that he had a spot in the starting rotation this year. The only question was whether he would be considered number two, three or four.

Number four is going to be good for Hill as well. Lower expectations will reap great benefits. Hill watched as Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis put on good shows this week. Tonight he showed the league what he learned.

Angel Guzman, another youngster with high expectations, closed out the game. He allowed a couple runs, but it is hard to concentrate with an eight run lead.

Tomorrow, Carlos Zambrano gets another go. Expect to see a sharper Z than we saw Monday.

The Sox were frozen out in Chicago today. Management decided it was too cold for baseball, and they were right. It is funny that it was not too cold just an hour north.

As for me, if the pitching keeps going like they have started, it is going to be a fun season.

Mark Buehrle

2007-04-05T19:52:00.001-07:00

Today at work, I have my Nokia E62 and Jeff, who has a nearby cubicle nearby has his Nokia E62. We are both trying to follow the game in the seventh and eighth innings. Jason Marquis has finished six good innings. DeRosa punched a home run. Ramirez has had another three hit day. Life is good.

Then, as we are staring at our phones, the team melts down. A wild pitch is thrown. A passed ball is allowed. Walks are issued. Soon the Cubs go from 2-1 leaders to 5-2 losers. I will not look at my phone for the rest of the year.

That said, let’s talk a minutes about winners. The Sox edged the Indians today for their second win of the season. It was a hard fought game that they can be proud of, unlike the northsiders.

One bad thing happened on the south side today. Mark Buehrle took a beaner off of his arm. Now we have seen this before. Remember a couple years back when Mark Prior had the same thing happen? Shut down Buehrle for the rest of the 2007 and likely 2008 as well.

It is too bad. Buehrle came up with the Sox shortly after Kerry Wood bought out all of the Chicago good will. He is three wins away from 100 major league wins. Wood is still 29 games away from that mark, even with a two year head start. Buehrle has won nineteen games once and sixteen games three times. Wood has a personal high of fourteen wins in one season.

For my money, Buehrle is the money pitcher in Chicago with Carlos Zambrano a close second. Will Buehrle every command the kind of money Z will be getting soon? Not on the south side of town.

The one thing Buehrle has earned that no other Cub has earned wearing a Cub uniform, and may never earn if they play as they did today, is a World Series ring. Mark Buehrle is a winner. Heal up fast, buddy. The Sox are going to need you.

Winning Day

2007-04-04T20:32:00.000-07:00

Opening day came two days late for the Cubbies, as they tipped over the Cincinnati Reds in their city tonight 4 to 1. Ted Lilly had a great debut, throwing seven innings, striking out nine and only giving up three hits. Bobby Howry and Ryan Dempster did exactly as expected from the bullpen, claiming the eighth and ninth innings easily.

The team is zero in two attempts in the stolen base department. Derrick Lee was caught Monday. Ronnie Cedeno tried to nab one in the ninth tonight, only to be shot down. Maybe Manager Lou Piniella was right when he said that “small ball” would not be the Cubs game this year.

The big star tonight was another import, Mark DeRosa. With the Cubs up 2 to 1, he picked up a RBI single with the bases full, bringing in two. Aramis Ramirez looked good too, slapping three singles and scoring twice. The Cubs do not have to hit home runs every day to win. They just need to hit as a team.

Back in Chicago, the Sox took it on the chin again. Jon Garland did not look as bad as Jose Contrares on Monday, but he did allow five runs, walked four, and gave up seven hits in five plus innings of work. The pen didn’t look much better, with only former Cub David Aardsma shutting down the Indians the final two innings.

With a three-run clout in the first, Jim Thome was the hitting star in Chicago tonight. Tadahito Iguchi also slapped a two-run shot in the fourth, but it was not enough to cover the pitching mistakes.

The Cubs wrap things up in Cincinnati tomorrow afternoon before heading to Milwaukee for the weekend. The Sox will try to snag one game from Cleveland before hosting Minnesota Friday.

The blood is starting to warm up after a cold day in Illinois. Nothing works better against thirty degree temps like a Cub win!

Opening Day Blues

2007-04-02T21:27:00.000-07:00

Neither side of “my kind of town” fared well on the opening day of the 2007 season. The northsiders were in Cincinnati being hamstrung by Reds starter Aaron Harang. The southsiders, on the other hand, got some offense in Chicago, but their pitching laid an egg as Jose Contreras allowed eight runs while only getting three Indians out.

Let’s talk about the Sox first. They cannot be too upset about the team’s performance. Contreras gave up five in the first inning. They came back with two in their half, thanks to newcomer Darin Erstad’s two run dinger. Then Contreras and Nick Masset gave up six more in the next two innings. The Sox punched back a little, scoring five runs on ten hits for the day, including a solo shot by Paul Konerko.

Some days, five runs on ten hits would be plenty. The Reds scored five runs on eight hits for their win. But for the Sox, it was not even close.

The Cubs were let down by an atypical poor performance from their ace, Carlos Zambrano. The man who is hoping to become the richest, or second richest, man on the team allowed two home runs and five walks. This is why he wanted to have the contract settled by opening day. He was just too nervous about how much he was going to earn!

Cub hitters were stymied with eight singles and six strikeouts, including three by left fielder Matt Murton. To add more insult, Derrick Lee was thrown out stealing second. At least they were error-free today.

The prediction of 162 wins this year goes down the tubes on day one. With opening day jitters under the belt, day two should be a whole new ballgame.

Chicago White Sox

2007-03-29T21:03:00.000-07:00

Here is something you will not see much in these pages.

It is not a bad thing. It is just not my favorite thing.

Still, I did say I would write about teams other than the Cubs when I began this blog. Of course, I was thinking about the Univerity of Illinois baseball team, the Peoria Chiefs, the Iowa Cubs, etc.

My son and I were playing catch tonight (See the “Spring” entry in the “Dimm View of Life”) and he reminded me he prefers the Sox to the Cubs since they win World Series’. I gritted my teeth, but I realized that I should put something on paper about the Sox.

Looking at the team, there has not been wholesale changes since winning the Series in 2005. Names like Joe Crede and Paul Konerko, Mark Buehrle and Jon Garland and more still litter U.S. Cellular Field.

There are some new names this year, including Darin Erstad and Rob Mackowiak. There is some strong power on this team. Whether this team can compete or not is going to appear on the rubber.

Jose Contreras may be considered the ace of the staff on the south side, but that does not bode well for the club. In fact, all of the starting pitchers had spring ERAs over 5.00. Time to panic? Not really. There should be some concern.

The bullpen is not looking all that great either. Bobby Jenks as closer, Mike McDougal and David Aardsma are all people the Sox are counting on for success in the late innings. Each had lukewarm showings in the Cactus league. Only Matt Thornton giving up only one earned run and one walk in nine innings pitched.

The late bloomer, who came to the the Sox from Seattle last year, turns thirty this September. If the rest of the pen shows signs of strain, they may be leaning more and more on this young man to keep the ship afloat.

Overall, we wish the Sox a good season. Not a better season than the Cubs, but a good year nonetheless. See you in May!

Final Decisions

2007-03-28T19:03:00.000-07:00

With three games left in the Cactus League exhibition season, the worst the Cubs could do is wind up a .500 team. Currently, they earned fifteen wins with twelve losses and two ties, including today’s 4 to 4 score against the Colorado Rockies.

The big news is that Mark Prior threw three good innings, giving up three unearned runs on two hits and two walks. He also earned three strikeouts.

The bigger news is that he is starting the year in Iowa. Don’t bet on him staying long. If he stays healthy, Prior will be back with the big club before you know it.

A surprise for me was that General Manager Jim Hendry didn’t send anyone packing during the final week. Last year, Todd Wellemeyer and John Koronka both disappeared in the final days of spring. I was convinced someone on the club would leave the franchise, such as Angel Pagan or Jacque Jones.

Another surprise was the injury to Juan Mateo. I couldn’t understand why he was still on the roster. Then today I hear that Mateo, Buck Coats and Kerry Wood would be starting the year on the DL. Considering how we finished last year, it all clicked into place.

So barring any freak last moment injuries, the twenty-five man roster is set. The Cubs are ready for opening day. The A-Team is ready. The fans are expecting a 100 win season from Soriano, Lee, Zambrano and Associates. It is going to happen! World Series, here we come!!!

Ronnie Cedeno

2007-03-27T20:44:00.001-07:00

When I was a kid growing up, the Houston Astros had a rookie outfielder who was expected to be a huge star in the major leagues. In fact, he was a huge star, but never quite reached superstar status.

Cedeno played seventeen years in the bigs, including twelve in Houston. The Astros, during the seventies and eighties, played in the celebrated Astrodome. It was a wonder of architecture, but a curse for would be power-hitting outfielders. Some big guys were able to make it work, such as Bob Watson and Jim Wynn, and Cedeno did hit 199 home runs. We can only imagine how many he could have hit playing in Atlanta or for the Cubs in Chicago.

Cesar Cedeno was from the Dominican Republic. Ronnie Cedeno is no relation. He is from Carabobo, Venezuela. It was just a year or more ago that Ronnie Cedeno was a celebrated addition to the Chicago Cubs infield.

Just as Cesar Cedeno wowed the home crowd in Houston close to forty years ago, everyone was rooting for Ronnie Cedeno. We wanted the farm system, which had only produced Corey Patterson in recent years in terms of hitters, to produce someone who had all-star quality. Cedeno was going to play some awesome shortstop and provide some offensive punch as well.

By the end of 2006, fans had tired of Ronnie. One blog has nicknamed him “E-6”. Some put the blame for the futility of the 2006 season on Cedeno’s arm. It was a poor throw from short to first that allowed the Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal to slam into star first baseman Derrick Lee, break his wrist, and have the team lose a cornerstone of the offense for the year.

Some even blame Cedeno for costing Dusty Baker his job. I am not certain I can go that far.

With the trade for another Cesar, shortstop Cesar Izturis, Cedeno was converted to second base and was expected to spend a year in Iowa. From potential star to potential has-been in a little more than a year seemed to be the direction for the young man.

A good season of winter ball and a fine spring, with tutoring from star former shortstop Alan Trammel, has breathed new life into Cedeno. Like Theriot before him, Cedeno was promised a spot on the roster and seems to have used that news to turn into a superman.

Hitting .315 with three home runs this spring, including a walk-off three-run bomb today, Ronnie is reminding fans why they liked him a year ago. He still strikes out some, but his number of walks is up this spring.

Baseball is a funny game. Like the old Sinatra song, “riding high in April; shot down in May” could still apply. In the meantime, let us remember that he is just twenty-four and has a lot of baseball in him. He could be the next Dave Rosello, Shawon Dunston, or Ernie Banks. He may be the next Cesar Cedeno of the infield variety. We are the lucky ones who get to watch and see what happens. I am hoping the sky is the limit for this young man. The clock starts again Monday.

Non-Roster Invitiees

2007-03-26T19:06:00.000-07:00

Eighteen men were invited to Mesa Arizona this winter for a shot at the twenty-five man roster come April 2nd. As of today, all eighteen were sent away.

Most years there is one, or maybe two, who play so hard and show so much enthusiasm that the manager cannot afford not to include them on opening day. Some of these fellows came close to making that happen.

Jake Fox hit .462 with two home runs, but only gathered thirteen at-bats. It was going to be hard for a catcher to beat out Henry Blanco, even with Blanco hitting a meager .156. Blanco had the experience to show that he can help this team. If either major league catcher gets hurt this season, Fox will likely get the first call.

Koyie Hill, another catcher in camp, hit only .200, but stayed longer than Fox because he could play infield. If he excels in AAA ball, he may turn up again in Chicago.

Tomas Perez hit .310 and was considered as having a good shot at the roster, but Ronnie Cedeno’s two home runs and improved fielding effort sent him packing.

From the mound, Les Walrond got the best look, toiling nine innings in nine appearances and only allowing two earned runs. The Cubs have a lot of good arms, but Walrond’s southpaw could be seen in Wrigley before the season is out.

Others were invited just for the opportunity. No one expected 22-year-old Adam Harben to win a spot. 21-year-old Tyler Colvin and Eric Patterson, turning 24 in April, still need seasoning before getting to the big dance. Others like 26-year-old outfielder Chris Walker and Ryan O’Malley, turning 27 in April, may be seeing their chances slipping away.

Coming to Arizona as a non-roster invitee is not easy. I hope every one of them make it to the bigs sometime soon and stick for awhile.

With the last three non-rosters being cut this afternoon, Felix Pie being sent to Iowa and Kerry Wood all be expected to start the season on the disabled list, there are still thirty left in camp. Three pitchers will be sent away. The likely suspects are Juan Mateo, Rocky Cherry and Angel Guzman, but do not be surprised if Mark Prior joins Wood on the DL. Mateo is a pretty sure bet to start the year in Iowa, but manager Lou Piniella will have a hard time choosing between Guzman and Cherry, if Prior goes.

That is assuming there are no trades between today and opening day.

With catching duties set, there are two fielders that will also need to be sent away. The good money is on Buck Coats and Angel Pagan. Either one, along with Jacque Jones, may be being offered as trade bait. What the Cubs are looking for in return is anyone’s guess.

I feel like Jeff Probst at the start of an episode of Survivor. “Thirty players. Five games. One week. Who will be the ‘Opening Day 2007 Cubs’”? (Queue the music!)

Ted Lilly

2007-03-25T16:29:00.001-07:00

The pitching is catching up to the hitting as we get closer to opening day. That’s because teams are sending the poor pitchers away and throwing the hot pitchers every day. Luckily for Cub fans Ted Lilly is among the hot pitchers.

When the Chicago Cub brass announced the signing of Lilly this winter, I was not thrilled. I was not upset, but I wanted the Cubs to chase down a Barry Zito, not a mediocre former phenom. We already have those in Kerry Wood and Mark Prior (and now Marquis).

Lilly has not embarrassed anyone so far this spring. Throwing six shutout innings and giving up only four hits and one walk, Ted has lowered his ERA to a nice 2.75 for the Cactus League.

Wood, who recently wondered aloud what everyone was so concerned about regarding his recent performances, allowed three runs in a single inning of work. Of course, if he were Bob Howry, we would not notice. Considering how little he has pitched in recent years, we care a lot.

Even though the Cubs took it on the chin today, we still can keep our fingers crossed, if not be solidly confident of a great season ahead. Starting pitching is coming together. The bullpen does not look too bad. The hitting, despite today’s troubles, could be nice. If the team could now avoid committing painful errors, we will be ready to fly.

Lilly, who has traveled from Montreal to New York and several other stops, has been touted as a future star by many general managers. Jim Hendry knows Lilly will not climb aboard and be Greg Maddux or Tom Glavine, but if he can deliver twelve to fifteen wins, the fans will be delirious.

So far this spring, it looks like Ted Lilly may be just what the doctor ordered.

One Week Left

2007-03-24T20:14:00.000-07:00

The Cubs have seven games left. They are two games over 500. They can lose four games and still have a winning Cactus League season. Hopefully, they can do better than that.

There are still a few decisions to be made. After Wade Miller outdueled Barry Zito this afternoon, Manager Lou Piniella was tripping over himself not to declare Miller the fifth starter in the rotation.

There are still 35 men left in camp. That’s ten over the limit, including three non-roster players. If the Cubs decide they want to keep one of the non-rosters (unlikely) they would have to boot someone from the forty man roster.

More likely, the Cubs are considering trade options. There are several teams who have injuries going into the last week of spring who need someone to help. The Cubs could be saying goodbye to Jacque Jones, Angel Pagan, Ronnie Cedeno or one or two of their stable of young pitchers.

You may be surprised by my mention of Cedeno, but think about it. The Cubs have announced that he has made the opening day roster. Coach Alan Trammell is boasting about his ability in the media. Whenever I would hear Jack Brickhouse, Harry Carey or other Cub announcers boasting about a young player, it was days before that player was traded. Cedeno could be the next one to follow the pattern. So could Angel Guzman, but he is less likely, considering the trouble with starting pitching last year.

The number of men in camp is decreasing. They days to opening day are doing the same. Who will remain in Cubbie blue and who will be wearing other colors. We will know on Monday, April 2nd, when the Cubs open in Cincinnati. I love this time of year!!

Prior Prior and prior Wood

2007-03-23T20:22:00.000-07:00

In two days they have gone from the trash heap to their previous status as stars. I wonder how long before they are sent to the trash again.

Mark Prior was written off. I wrote two weeks ago that he should start the year in Iowa. After pitching four solid innings yesterday, he says he is ready to pitch in the starting rotation.

Really?

Indulge me for a moment while I write something for an audience of one.

Mark! It was one appearance! In spring training! Don’t start writing your Cooperstown speech just yet.

Looking at their separate spring training experience, Wade Miller has the upper hand on the fifth spot in the rotation. The only thing that could give Prior an edge is his paycheck. The Cubs organization will be spending a lot of money for someone to throw AAA ball.

Still, the Cubs may have a better chance at winning with Miller. Miller has experience and has shown this spring that he can keep the Cubs in games. Carlos Zambrano may be the flash that people will love to watch. He may be the strikeout king and an intimidating force with which to be reckoned. Miller will allow three or four runs a game but will allow the team to stay close. That’s what a fifth starter is supposed to do.

Rarely do teams have five starting pitchers who could be aces. If they do, they are people coming back from injury or rookies starting out. With Zambrano, Lilly, Marquis, Hill and Prior or Miller, you have such a situation. Zambrano and Hill are both considered young. Marquis, Prior and Miller are all overcoming injury. Lilly is a former phenom who has talent, but has never emerged as a staff ace. All six men have potential. Time will tell who will emerge to lead the Cubs to victory and who will break our hearts.

I am still rooting for Prior to return to his 2003 form. It could still happen.

Then there is Kerry Wood. He is famous for striking out twenty Houston Astros in 1998. He is also the guy who fell out of the hot tub. He could have been a strong staff ace, but something took him down. I still want to blame Pitching Coach Larry Rothschild, but Dusty Baker may have had more to do with it.

Wood is now trying to resurrect his career from the bullpen. He could still be a star, someday taking over for Dempster as the Cubs closer. He could be the Mariano Rivera of the 2007 Cubs.

For now, let us see if he can pitch two days, back to back. We have yet to see that happen.

Both men are saying they are ready to start the season in Cub uniforms this April. Both may need more time. Manager Lou Piniella will make the final decision with the help of Rothschild.

At my son’s only visit to Wrigley, we watched Wood mow down the Florida Marlins back in 2003. We both want to see Kerry be the leader once again.

As we enter the final week of training, we have our eyes focused on each of these former phenoms. Like the phoenix, each one could soar once again. I hope they can while they still wear the Cubbie blue.

Roberto Novoa

2007-03-22T17:53:00.000-07:00

Dominican Republic-born Roberto Novoa must understand diplomacy. In Carrie Muskat’s article for the Cubs website, she refers to Novoa has having been “slowed down by tightness in his shoulder” in explaining why he was sent down to Iowa this morning.

I give her points for also mentioning the five walks and two hits in two and a third innings.

Novoa was lateral compensation for another fellow with a lot of promise, but who delivered little. Kyle Farnsworth was sent to Detroit in 2005 in a deal which netted the Cubs third baseman Scott Moore, Novoa and outfielder Bo Flowers. Flowers spent a year in Peoria before hitting the road. Moore shows promise, but a couple errors early in spring training sent him back to Iowa.

Novoa has spent most of the past two years with the big club. The biggest problem with the 27-year-old is his composure in tough situations. In one game during 2006, he walked in the winning run which ended the game. This week he started an inning by walking three men in a row. Scott Eyre inherited the runners and set the next three down without allowing any to score. That is why Eyre is starting the year in the Cubs bullpen and Novoa will likely never see the inside of Wrigley Field again.

People like to say that some of the Cubs former players are thriving outside Wrigley. They like to point at Farnsworth. If you look closely, however, Farny had six saves last year and six losses. The 31-year-old righthander finished with a 4.36 ERA. No one is ready to nominate him for the Hall of Fame just yet.

Novoa has easily replaced Farnsworth in our bullpen, filling the role of someone who ought to burst into his own at anytime, but in the meantime, can only get people out when the game is not on the line.

On one hand, I wish the young man the best. He still has plenty of time to make a name for himself. Today was step one in the process of parting with the young hard-thrower. Like Jerome Williams before him, we wish him well.

Daryle Ward

2007-03-22T03:56:00.001-07:00

Earlier this month I raised the possibility that Daryle Ward may retire this spring. Last year Marquis Grissom, a great player in his prime, was brought to spring training but retired during the last week, opening a spot for youngster Angel Pagan.

The truth is, Daryle Ward is not going to be retiring. He will be turning 32 this June and showed yesterday that he has a lot of baseball left in him. Whether he will play more than a year in Chicago is another question for another day.

Despite a .216 average for the spring, Ward’s spot on the roster is secure. Piniella and his staff know what Ward can do. He started in the Houston outfield in 2002 hitting twelve home runs and knocking in 72 RBIs. He is a career .262 hitter that will not steal any bases and will strike out a lot.

In other words, he is a good left-handed stick off the bench. Last year, for the Washington Nationals, he played in 78 games, but only started 14 in the field. He gathered most of his 104 at bats coming off the bench.

Any player wanting innings does not have to worry about Ward. Any manager wanting a serious left hand pinch hitter will be pleased. You need a guy like Ward around to play “fill-in” and who can do some serious damage from time to time.

Look at yesterday. The Cubs trailed most of the game until Ward showed up. In the seventh inning, he hit a tie-breaking, two-out single. In the ninth inning, he came up with the bases jammed and slammed everyone home. Final score: Texas 7, Cubs 11. Thank you, Daryle.

During the season, these moments will be few, but may be memorable. With an outfield full of hungry youngsters (Matt Murton, Felix Pie, Buck Coats, Ryan Theriot, Pagan), and more on the way, I questioned why General Manager Jim Hendry would pick up an older outfielder/first baseman for this club. After watching Ward play, I may have discovered what he was thinking.

Snip, snip

2007-03-20T22:30:00.001-07:00

The Cubs made some easy choices during the roster moves today, trimming one roster and five non-roster from camp.

Geovanny Soto was the lone roster move, being sent back to Iowa this spring. Soto was not expected to make the roster, unless Blanco and/or Barrett were not ready to go. Both see solid, making Soto unnecessary at this point.

The biggest name among the non-rosters was Jake Fox, who made a name for himself this spring by asking Manager Lou Piniella for playing time. That made a great impression on Piniella, and on the media. His hitting impressed the rest of us. We may see him again this year.

First baseman Micah Hoffpauir, third baseman/catcher Casey McGehee and pitchers Ryan O’Malley and Carmen Pignatiello were cut after uneven spring performances. Hoffpauir has no place to play with Derrick Lee around. McGehee has no place to start with Ramirez under contract, but could make a decent sub in the near future. O’Malley has only so much time left and Pignatiello needs more seasoning. None of these cuts were a big surprise.

The pitching staff appears to be set. Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis, Rich Hill and Wade Miller will be the starting five. I know what you are thinking. I did not believe Miller would be the number five of choice at this point, and it is not sealed in stone yet. Still, he has yet to embarrass himself this spring. His past experience tells Piniella that he is worth the gamble.

In the pen, it looks like Ryan Dempster will close. Scott Eyre and Bob Howry will be set up men, despite uneven spring performances. They will likely be fine once the season starts. Kerry Wood and Wil Ohman will be next in line, unless Wood heads again to the DL. Michael Wuertz has been told he has a spot and Piniella has been mumbling that Angel Guzman has won a spot as a long man and spot starter. That would leave Neal Cotts without a job. Is that possible? Where does Piniella favorite Rocky Cherry and the generally despised Roberto Novoa fit in the mix? We will know for certain in about ten days.

The fielders have all been sorted out, with the exception of the twenty-fifth man. Piniella is still pondering whether to go with another weak-hitting back-up infielder or another outfield bat. It is still possible that General Manager Jim Hendry may pull the trigger on a deal that will solve the problem.

March is growing shorter. It is time for those names written in pencil to make big impressions if they have not yet. Marquis goes tomorrow. Hopefully, he can bag five innings. We need another win to stay ahead of the league. Let’s make it happen!

Ryan Theriot

2007-03-19T19:46:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I moaned and groaned about how the Chicago Cubs had lost and dropped below the .500 mark in terms of wins and losses. Today, the team split their resources for the final time this spring and knocked out both the Milwaukee Brewers on the road and the Seattle Mariners at home in Mesa.

I also complained that the Cubs only had three base runners yesterday on two hits and a walk. On Monday the two squads scored a combined twenty-seven runs on thirty-five hits.

That is why I love baseball. You never know what the next day will bring.

I also love consistency, and one thing that has been consistent throughout the spring has been the play of utility man Ryan Theriot. Of course, if he keeps hitting like he did today, it may be second baseman Theriot. Or it may be right fielder Theriot.

Today, he gathered four hits, three RBIs and scored twice. Among the four hits were a double and a triple. Of course, the headlines will go to Derrick Lee, who had similar numbers, but had a double and three singles. Or you could boast about Michael Barrett, who had four RBIs thanks to two home runs.

Alfonzo Soriano and Aramis Ramirez each had two hits including a home run. Cliff Floyd also had a pair of singles and scored twice.

These are just the guys playing in the Seattle game. Felix Pie can boast about three hits, including a triple in the Milwaukee game. Jacque Jones clobbered a three run homer in that game as well.

Still, you have to be excited about Theriot. He has hit .391 in the cactus league and played nearly every day. He has failed to coast since hearing he made the club. Something tells me he wants to start. It just does not matter where.

He can play anywhere in the infield and either corner outfield spot. If asked he could probably catch in the bullpen, serve hot dogs in the bleachers and water down the infield between innings.

If the Cubs do have an exceptional year and make it into the playoffs, forget Soriano and Lee. Listen for Theriot to be mentioned as an MVP for this club. Unlike some of the other rookie position players to come along in recent years, this man is not expecting anything to be handed to him. He has worked hard for the roster spot. It will be fun to see he can do next.

Spring

2007-03-18T21:03:00.001-07:00

You can tell me once and you can tell me over a hundred times. Spring training does not mean anything. It is just practice for the real season.

Many teams over the years had losing records in spring training and went on to dominate and win the World Series.

Still, I hate it that the Cubs have a losing record. I want them to win, even if it is spring training.

Carlos Zambrano did not have a terrible outing, but did give up four runs in less than six innings. The most embarrassing thing today was that the Cub hitters only generated two hits. It was not the kind of day that gets you excited about opening day.

Speaking of which, we are only a couple weeks away. We still have forty-four men in camp. Hopefully another slash is due. The fight for the three remaining spots is heating up. Fire is being felt under the toes of people like Kerry Wood and Neal Cotts who were virtually guaranteed spots on the roster. They better get things moving or they will start the year on the DL or worse.

Daryle Ward is another who better start showing what he can do. He may go the way of Marquis Grissom, who retired on the last days of spring training last year, giving his seat to Angel Pagan. This may be Pagan’s only way of making the club again this year.

It was a disappointing day at the end of a disappointing week. The Cubs have a losing record going into a split squad day tomorrow. If the Cubs could nab them both, the sun will reappear again. I am hoping, but not holding my breath.

Derrick Lee

2007-03-17T19:09:00.002-07:00

You have to root for a guy like Derrick Lee. Despite last year’s freak accident, he never gets hurt. He works hard. He takes pride in what he does. He does not spend his free time bragging.

Even when beset by personal issues, like his daughter’s blindness, he finds a way to take a poor situation and turn it into a blessing. Late last year, Lee’s three-year old daughter was diagnosed with Lebers Congenital Amaurosis or LCA. The condition is an inherited form of blindness that is usually apparent shortly after birth.

Lee joined up with Boston Celtics CEO Wyc Grousbeck to form Project 3000. The organization has been formed to find people afflicted with the disease and find a way to eradicate it in the U.S. and abroad.

Lee has found two players to join him in the “Swinging for Sight” campaign this year. Michael Barrett has pledged $50,000 and will donate another $10,000 per home run. If he hits thirty dingers this year, that could amount to $350,000 total. Ryan Dempster has also pledged $50,000 and another $1,000 per save this year.

Lee took several weeks away from baseball at the end of the season last year, especially since it was clear the team was not headed for the post-season. So far this spring, he has not shown any signs of rust, hitting .471 in the Cactus League and smacking a three-run home run in the first inning and a double later on today.

Of course, he was the only one hitting today, and the pitching was a little weak. The Cubs wound up on the poorer end of an 8 to 3 score against the Padres. Neal Cotts continues to strike fear in the hearts of Cub fans, giving up a two run homer in the eighth and carrying a 9.00 ERA into the season. The comment, “he’s working on something” is not going to hold water for much longer. Fans, and hopefully Piniella, want to see Cotts get people out.

No word yet on the second round of cuts, but they should be coming up early next week. Most of the non-rosters should be sent down, with the exception of Tomas Perez, who is still contending for the 25th spot.

Tomorrow, the mighty Carlos Zambrano goes up against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Maybe somebody will join Lee on the “hit parade”.

Youngsters

2007-03-17T19:09:00.001-07:00

When talking about the last spots available on the 25-man roster this spring, names like Mark Prior, Wade Miller and Neal Cotts were easily mentioned for the fifth spot in the rotation. As of late, Angel Guzman’s name was also being brought up as a contender.

That opportunity may have taken a step backward today as Guzman, getting his first starting assignment of the spring, allowed five runs in three and a third innings. The White Sox did not pulverize the young man. He only allowed one walk and one extra base hit. The Sox simply hit as a team, gaining baserunner after baserunner.

Guzman has a lot of talent and could be the next Carlos Zambrano. He may have to spend a part of the year in Iowa before securing a spot for the long run.

There is only one place left in the bullpen and a lot of names are in the hat. Roberto Novoa and Michael Wuertz are used to being easily penciled in, but both had been hurt until today. Both had good one inning outings. Yet Rocky Cherry, who was bounced for a game ending run the other day, still has a good chance at being the chosen one. He finished a rough fifth inning started by non-roster Ryan O’Malley. O’Malley left three on with one out. Cherry got the last two out, allowing only one of the three runners to score. Then he knocked the Sox down in the sixth to finish his time on the mound.

So as it stands, Miller is the front runner for the fifth spot in the rotation, while Cherry could wind up the thirteenth man on the staff.

Hitting-wise, besides Matt Murton’s solo home run in the second, the most excitement the Cubs stirred was a three run double by non-roster Casey McGehee in the top of the ninth which briefly tied the game. McGehee has the kind of flexability that Manager Lou Piniella likes, being able to catch and play first and third. Still, mighty Casey is only hitting .222 this spring. The final roster spot could go to either infielder Tomas Perez or outfielders Felix Pie and Buck Coats. Perez and Pie are both hitting over .300 while Coats is swatting a nice .406.

It is always fun to watch the youngsters battle for their ground. There are still two weeks and three weekends left. A lot can still happen.

Alfonzo Soriano

2007-03-17T19:08:00.000-07:00

Despite the efforts of Felix Pie to be noticed by Manager Lou Piniella, Alfonzo Soriano will be the Cubs new centerfielder. This is not a surprise; just a confirmation.

Soriano has the largest contract the Cubs have ever offered any player. Hendry’s original idea was to dump Jones and use Soriano in right field. Then Juan Pierre left Chicago. Since Pie is still a year away from starting, Soriano became the man.

Still, Piniella and Hendry were careful not to christen him too early. If he had flopped in spring training, there would still be time for plan B. Fortunately for everyone but Pie, Soriano has been decent defensively, and everything you could ask for offensively. Hitting .333, the young man was three for three today including a triple, a stolen base and two runs scored. It is just what you want from a leadoff man.

Pie, hitting .364, stealing bases and throwing out runners at the plate, will get his chance. Maybe it will be later this year, if the Cubs are out of the running by July. Maybe they will send Jones elsewhere and turn centerfield over to Pie in an effort to prepare for the 2008 season. If the Cubs are in the running, maybe they will just wait until spring.

Either way, Pie and Soriano will play together in the Cubs outfield soon. With Murton in left, we may be seeing an outfield trio that will play together for many years to come. It just is not going to happen in the early going of 2007.

Wade Miller

2007-03-13T16:40:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot of complaining about Wade Miller among Cubs fans this spring. It seems that many would prefer Mark Prior as the number five man in the rotation than Miller. The only reason I can figure the preference is that Prior came out of the Cubs farm system and Miller didn’t.

I admit it. I prefer Prior. He is still young and smart. If he can return to the form he held a short time ago, he could return to being the number one or number two man in the rotation.

In fact, two short weeks ago I handed the rotation spot to Prior and recommended to Hendry that Miller be sent to another needy team. Lucky for me Hendry ignores my emails.

Today I am telling Hendry to send Prior to Iowa to work himself back into shape and let Miller have the spot. Miller hasn’t looked terrible yet this spring, but he has yet to shut another team down. After three outings, he has a 4.00 ERA, including the two runs allowed today. Still, he is picking up, striking out five and nine for the Cactus League.

What people fail to remember is that Wade Miller was the Mark Prior of the Houston Astros a short time ago. In 2001, Miller won sixteen games and won forty-five from 2001 to 2003. Up until his injury, he was improving as a pitcher.

The question now is whether he will regain the arm strength that made him a feared pitcher just a short time ago. It is the same with Prior. It the two of them can come together, maybe Marquis will become the odd man out.

The problem with the Cubs rotation is that they have one too many projects and one two few trusted veterans to fall back on. Carlos Zambrano is considered the horse, but Ted Lilly is untested in this league. Marquis, Miller and Prior are projects and Rich Hill and Angel Guzman are still virtual rookies.

If Lilly proves to be worth the money the Cubs are paying, and just one of the projects and one of the rookies turn to gold, the Cubs will have a great season. As it is, there are still too many questions about the pitching.

First Cuts of Spring

2007-03-12T20:10:00.000-07:00

Fourteen who would be Cubs were sent away this afternoon following the Cubs 10 to 5 shelling of the Giants.

Carlos Zambrano had a good day with four sound innings and two extra base hits. The good guys scored six in the first inning and coasted from there, getting good pitching efforts from Wil Ohman, Carmen Pignatiello, Bob Howry (despite a two run homer) and Jeff Samardzija, who was among the cuts.

Zambrano was the hitting star and the Cubs hit as a team today, racking up twelve hits and coaxing five walks. Proves the theory that if you get enough baserunners, your bound to score some runs.

The first round of cuts rarely have any surprises. Four were roster moves, with Samardzija being sent to Daytona’s single A club. First baseman Brian Dopriak was sent to Double-A Tennessee, while infielder Scott Moore and pitcher Clay Rapada were sent to Triple-A Iowa.

A lot was expected of Moore and Rapada, but neither could boast of their spring as Samardzija can. Moore committed two fielding errors in five innings and failed to get a hit. Rapada allowed five runs in three innings of work. Both will need to have big years in Iowa to be invited back to Mesa next year.

Ten of eighteen non-rosters invited to camp were sent to “minor-league” camp. Some will end up in Triple-A Iowa while others will hope to catch on with another club. Still others in the past have retired, not making the big club and not wanting to spend another year in the minors.

Infielders Mike Kinkade, who was putting together a nice spring, was sent down along with Eric Patterson. Outfielders Tyler Colvin and Chris Walker were also sent away. Colvin, like Samardzija, has a lot of promise, but is very young. He will likely start at Daytona this year, while the others will likely wind up in Iowa.

Among the non-roster pitchers were Sean Gallagher and Adam Harben who hold a lot of promise. Jason Anderson is older, but a sentimental favorite, having pitched at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. Hopefully, he will pitch in Iowa and be brought up during the year if injuries take a toll. Still, he has enough experience that another club could scoop him up.

Ben Howard, John Webb and Randy Wells were also sent down today. None of these embarrassed themselves this spring, yet they failed to turn heads.

Forty-four players remain in camp. Nineteen will be sent away, either via trade, disabled list or demotion. Some, like Juan Mateo and Geovanny Soto are foregone conclusions. Others, like Buck Coats and Angel Guzman are fighting for their place. Others, like Roberto Novoa and Angel Pagan, have had a taste of the big leagues and are fighting to show they deserve to remain.

Each of these youngsters still has three weeks to prove their worth. The next round will likely come next Monday or Tuesday. In the meantime, Wade Miller will try to improve his chance at being the fifth man in the rotation tomorrow as the Cubs take on the A’s in Scottsdale. Another dramatic saga continues…

Kerry Wood

2007-03-11T19:49:00.001-07:00

Since coming up with the Cubs in 1998, Kerry Wood has always been sitting on the cusp of stardom. He won thirteen games in twenty-six starts that year. Since then, his best year was 2003 when he won fourteen games and struck out 266.

The past three years, Wood has just been a name on the roster. If you look at his record, he seemed to alternate between pitching well and pitching poorly from start to start.

Now Wood has been given new life, beginning a career in the bullpen. He could stretch his career another ten years working as a set-up man or as a closer. Still, he appears to be haunted by old images.

It has only been three appearances, but the old pattern has remained: one good, one poor, one good. If the next outing is a poor one, we know what 2007 is going to bring: Dr. Wood and Mr. Hyde.

It was another good day in Mesa as nearly everyone pitched well. Jason Marquis had another decent start, giving up one run in four innings. Wood pitched well, as did Ryan Dempster, Rocky Cherry and non-roster Les Walrond. Only Sean Gallagher stumbled, giving up two runs on three hits in one inning of relief.

Cherry picked up his third save of the spring. He is still a dark horse for the last spot on the roster, but he certainly is turning heads. At this pace, Dempster should be watching his back.

Catcher Jake Fox is not about to unseat either Michael Barrett or Henry Blanco, but he has hit home runs in each of the last two games. Today’s was a three run shot that effectively won the game for Chicago.

Another nice surprise was Matt Murton throwing out a runner at home. Maybe Murton has been getting tips from Pie and wants to show that Cliff Floyd is not the starting left fielder on this team after all. No one doubts Murton’s bat (hitting .304 for the spring), but he will definitely turn away any naysayer by showing that he can win games with his glove.

My prediction that Prior would be sent down with the first cut (delayed from tonight until tomorrow) was shot down, but Piniella is sending him to a minor league camp for his next start. Do not be surprised if Wade Miller or Angel Guzman start the season in the rotation and Prior starts in Iowa. Eventually, Prior will be back, but it is becoming more and more likely that he will not be ready by April.

Carlos Zambrano will start and Jeff Samardzija will pitch tomorrow. Floyd will be in left. It will be a fun day against the Giants, culminating in the first cuts of spring. This is what makes spring training exciting!

Mark Prior

2007-03-10T15:44:00.001-08:00

Do not be surprised tomorrow night by an announcement that Mark Prior will be starting the season in Iowa. His first two spring performances have indicated that Prior may need a little more time to get back into shape.

Today Prior threw two innings, getting out of the fourth without any damage, but giving up four runs in the fifth. Overall, Prior allowed three walks and four hits, including a solo homer by Kansas City centerfielder David DeJesus, who is not considered a long ball threat.

Piniella has shown that he likes to make decisions early. He has already told Ryan Theriot that he is headed to Cincinnati in April. He also told Rich Hill that he has earned a rotation spot. Prior will likely be told early not to expect to start the season in the Cub rotation, especially when Wade Miller is pitching like a fifth starter and Neal Cotts has not been a total embarrassment.

Prior on the other hand ended, the day with an 18.90 ERA. The sad part is, that is an improvement. He started the day with an ERA over 20.00.

So, if we consider that Piniella has stated he wants twelve pitchers on the roster, we are likely looking at Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly (who pitched okay today), Jason Marquis, Hill and Miller in the rotation. In the bullpen, expect to see Ryan Dempster, Scott Eyre, Bobby Howry, Kerry Wood, Neal Cotts, Wil Ohman and one more right hander. The hot prospects for that spot include Rocky Cherry, Angel Guzman (who also pitched okay today), Roberto Novoa, Michael Wuertz and non-roster invitees Jason Anderson and Ryan O’Malley. Each of these either has experience (Novoa and Wuertz) or is having a good spring (Cherry and Guzman).

Despite Piniella’s wanting to make decisions early, this choice may take us right up to the loading of the plane.

There are fewer decisions on the field to be made. The big question is whether Floyd will start the year on the disabled list. If so, Pagan will make the team. If not, it is still hard to say who will be player number twenty-five.

Split Squads, Split Scores

2007-03-09T17:26:00.001-08:00

I’ve been giving my posts some thought today and it seems silly for me to describe the game in blow-by-blow fashion. There are far better places to gain descriptions of the action, and by people who were truly able to see the game!

That said, this was the first split squad day where the Cubs played two games, facing San Diego at the Ho-Ho-Kam park in Mesa and the Texas Rangers in Surprise, Arizona. The northsiders won at home and dropped the game in Texas.

Lots of young players you likely have not heard of play in the split squad games. Names like Val Pascucci and Matt Camp appear in the box score. Unearned runs were the name of the game with Texas. The Cubs allowed seven unearned runs while dropping the game 11-9. Neal Cotts allowed four of the unearned runs, helping his ERA, but not necessarily making anyone smile.

Rich Hill continues to cement his position in the starting rotation by striking out three during three innings and allowing a single run on four hits and the Cubs knocked off the Padres for the second day in a row, 10 to 8. On the flip side, non-roster John Webb cemented his return to Iowa giving up three runs on four hits in just one third of an inning.

The word is that between ten and fifteen will be cut after the game on Sunday. Add Webb to the list of six or seven I offered in my last post.

Buck Coats, Tomas Perez and Felix Pie seem to be doing everything they can to make the club. Coats and Perez each had three hits as did non-roster Tyler Colvin and Cedeno.

The hitting star today was Aramis Ramirez who drove in four runs with a double and a home run. Matt Murton also homered as did non-roster Koyie Hill and Colvin.

Looking back, it was a pretty good day in Arizona. The picture will look clearer regarding what to expect this April come Sunday. The Cubs take on the Brewers tomorrow as players vie to impress one more time.

Where did he come from?

2007-03-08T16:46:00.001-08:00

Every game the Cubs have played this spring has had high and low spots. Today was no difference as the northsiders landed their fourth win in a row, downing the Padres 8 to 6. The win gives them a record of 4 wins 3 losses and one tie during the Cactus League season. It makes you smile, but does not allow you to relax.

Especially when there are some concerns this early in the spring, like “who will be your fifth starter”, and “is Lou kidding when he says he will only bring one back-up infielder with him to Cincinnati?”

Except when Kerry Wood was rocked in the fourth inning, the pitching was pretty good. Not having watched the game, and not finding a detailed write-up, it is baffling but somehow Wood gave up a grand slam to back-up outfielder Terrmel Sledge with only two men on base.

From what I can tell, Wood allowed a basehit to Geoff Blum. Then he struck third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff with a pitch. After a couple strikeouts, someone else reached, but I have no idea how. Wood only gave up two hits. It looks like Blum had one and the grand slam was the other. According to the stats, he didn’t give up a walk and there were no errors recorded today.

Since I didn’t get to watch the game and there isn’t a detailed accounting that I could find, we will suffice to say that somehow the bases were loaded for Sledge who then unloaded them. If there is one shining light regarding Wood’s inning, it is that he struck out the side. Then again, Padre hitters struck out eleven times today, so maybe that isn’t such a feat after all.

What people will be talking about is that Wade Miller had another decent outing, if not a spectacular one. He threw three innings, striking out two, giving up six hits, two walks and one run which was a solo shot by Geoff Blum in the second.

What people should be talking about was that non-roster Jason Anderson threw two impressive innings, Carmen Pignatiello, ticketed for Iowa, pitched a perfect seventh inning and Rocky Cherry picked up his second save throwing a perfect ninth.

What we are seeing is that the pitchers we expect to do well are struggling while some of the pitchers we expect to return to minor league camp quickly making the most of their mound appearances. Go figure.

Felix Pie is trying to show Lou Piniella that he belongs with the big club. Two hits and two RBIs today and he threw out Kouzmanoff trying to score. So far Pie is hitting a nice .421 for the spring.

Three's a Charm, but not Charming

2007-03-07T18:31:00.000-08:00

The Chicago Cubs have fifty-eight players in camp. Most have played in at least one game this spring. A couple, such as Cliff Floyd and Michael Wuertz, have been sidelined with injuries.

As we near the tenth of March, it may be time to start thinking about paring down the roster, huh Lou?

The bats were broken out today against starter Joe Kennedy, who gave up five runs on eight hits in just two innings. When it was all over, the Cubs barely walked away with a 9 to 8 win over the Oakland A’s.

The Cubs marked up four of the five pitchers the A’s threw at them today. The lone exception was non-roster Connor Robertson. The 25-year-old came into the game with one out and two on and struck out the two men he faced. Ahhh, spring. We may never here of him again, but he will remember today.

The sorry pitching news for the Cubs include Carlos Zambrano who was the master of threes. He gave up three hits, three walks and struck out three in three innings. The good news was that he only allowed two runs.

Scott Eyre could not finish the inning he started, allowing two runs on three hits. Non-roster Randy Wells, a Belleville, Illinois native, came in with the bases loaded and got the strikeout to retire the side. Ahhh, spring.

Super prospect Jeff Samardzija gave up his first run of the spring, but otherwise looked good during his two innings.

The worst inning for the Cubs was the seventh, when Roberto Novoa picked up where he left off last year by getting one strikeout while loading the bases. Then rookie Clay Rapada (remember the cuts I mentioned earlier) allowed them to score before ending the inning.

Alfonzo Soriano led things off with his first home run in a Cub uniform. That started a four run outburst as Matt Murton doubled and Aramis Ramirez tripled and Michael Barrett doubled during the inning. Jacque Jones drove in three runs with three singles and scored another.

The best news of the day was that there were no errors in the field. That is something we want to see continue.

Overall, it was a good day, but we hope the pitching picks up soon. Wade Miller will start tomorrow and Kerry Wood will get some mound time against Greg Maddux and the Padres in Peoria, Arizona. If the northsiders can gather one more in, they can be ahead of the league.

Marquis de Victory

2007-03-06T19:20:00.000-08:00

Occasionally, I visit other blogs. In recent months, I have heard nothing positive about Jason Marquis. One blog likes to refer to him as ‘He who must not be named’. I admit that is pretty funny.

Yet, I had a suspicion that the scoffing Cardinal fans and pained Cub fans would be pleasantly surprised by the still young man. So far this spring, I have been proven right.

Marquis became the first pitcher to stretch to three innings this spring, facing thirteen batters, giving up two hits and a walk while striking out two and allowing no runs. His ERA has dropped to under 2.00. It is early, but unlike Mark Prior’s recent showing, this is nice to see.

The team did well today, marching to their second win in a row, defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 3 to 2. It was nice to see Ryan Dempster strike out two while giving up one hit. Non-roster left-hander Les Walrond, who turned thirty, last November, picked up the win, shutting down the Brewers in the top of the ninth. Left-handed hitting first baseman Micah Hoffpauir launched the game-winning homer off of Luther Hackman with one out in the bottom half of the ninth.

There are several non-roster players making some noise in the early spring. Carmen Pignatiello and Les Walrond have both pitched well. Hoffpauir and Mike Kinkade have each launched home runs. Eric Patterson singled, doubled and stole a base for a productive day today. None have any real hope of making the roster on opening day, but they are all certainly getting noticed by Manager Lou Piniella.

Jacque Jones was also a hitting star, with a first inning single driving in Patterson and Derrick Lee to stake the Cubs to a 2-0 lead. The Brewers fought back, gaining an unearned run against Angel Guzman and an earned one against future star Sean Gallagher.

No pitcher meltdowns today, unless you count Gallagher, who walked two and gave up a hit in his one inning of work. The only other sour note was another round of poor fielding. Four error, including one each by superstars Alfonzo Soriano and Aramis Ramierz and two by future second baseman Patterson. Piniella has already complained about sloppy fielding this spring and I am sure today’s action did not make him relax.

Still, winning relaxes players and managers. The Cubs are one game away from .500. Zambrano and Samardzija are hitting the rubber tomorrow against the A’s. Here is hoping to get even with the league.

A Winning Day

2007-03-05T22:30:00.000-08:00

The sun shone brightly in Peoria, Arizona as the Chicago Cubs gathered their first win of the Cactus League season. There was much cheering and shouting as the Northsiders edged the Mariners from Seattle 6 to 5.

Before discussing the game, I have to mention my excitement about Lou Piniella. I was a strong defender of Dusty Baker during his four years in Chicago. I loved the idea of his coming to Chicago. I was thrilled when he led the team to the playoffs in 2003. I was confused when the team went south the next three years.

Now I get it. Baker was not a bad manager, but he did have a couple of fatal flaws. First, he is a weak pitching manager. That was complained about a lot during his tenure and I always blamed Rothschild.

Second, he always defended his team. He even defended players (Barry Bonds) who were not on the team.

Baker was always considered a players manager and I never understood how much it affected him as a manager until now. Listening to Lou Piniella, I get it.

Listen to these comments. On March 4th, Paul Sullivan quoted Piniella saying, “I’ve only been here four days, but I don’t like what I see.”

On March 3rd, Paul Sullivan quoted Piniella saying, “I'm not blunt," Piniella said. "I'm truthful. I was expecting more [from Cotts].”

From the same article, “What can I say if a guy struggles? I don’t make excuses.”

Baker made a lot of excuses. He rarely called a player, or the team, out. From Baker, there was always a reason why the team did not win that somehow made it seem like it was not the team’s fault.

Not Piniella. On March 4th, Carrie Muskat quoted Piniella, “Our pitchers aren't pitching well, and our hitters aren't hitting very well. Outside of that, we're OK." He also said, “It'd be nice to win a ballgame once in a while.”

Strong words from a strong man. In today’s Chicago Sun-Times, Gordon Whittenmyer quoted Piniella, “'We walked people [Sunday], and right after walks come the big flies. The ball carries well in Arizona, but it seems like it's only carrying for the other side right now.''

It is refreshing to hear our manager tell the truth. He is unhappy with certain players. He is unhappy with team play. He wants to win. You cannot help to feel this man is not going to put up with the normal Cub mediocrity.

This team may just win something.

Today had high and low points, but more high points. For example, the Cubs got good pitching performances from Kerry Wood, minor leaguer Rocky Cherry and especially Ted Lilly. Lilly faced six men in two innings, giving up a single hit. Wood gave gave up no hits and struck out one.

Mark Prior, on the other hand, had a rough day. Four hits, two walks and three runs in an inning and a third. Not a great way to start the spring.

Still, we are hoping that he has the bad outing out of the way and will build from there. Right now, Wade Miller has an edge on the fifth starter position, based on the first two outings from the two men, but, there is a lot of spring to go.

Angel Pagan, playing right field today, threw out the speedy Willie Bloomquist at third base for an outfield assist. If he can hit a little this spring and continue with his speed and defense, he just may play himself into the starting lineup.

Felix Pie may have something to say about that, however. The rookie had three singles, scored two runs and batted in another.

The big stick today was wielded from an unlikely source. Non-roster invitee Mike Kinkade, playing first today and giving Derrick Lee a day off, put up Derrick Lee numbers. A single, a walk and a two-run home run help lift the team offensively. He gathered three RBIs altogether, sharing the “Star of the Day” title with Kerry Wood.

Tomorrow (or should I say today, since I’m late putting this together), the Cubs take on Milwaukee in Mesa. Let’s see if Jason Marquis can keep the magic going another day.

Winless After Four

2007-03-04T16:04:00.001-08:00

Pitching was the name of the game in Arizona again today. The White Sox had plenty. The Cubs had very little as the Sox routed the northsiders 13 to 2.

Former Cub farmhand Jon Garland, who has won eighteen games for the White Sox twice in recent years, went three scoreless innings today. Rich Hill, projected to sit in the number four slot of the Cubs rotation, gave up a solo home run to slugger Paul Konerko. Otherwise, it was a good outing, facing only seven hitters in two innings and striking out three. On a scale of one to five, Hill rated a solid four today.

With the exception of Scott Eyre and Clay Rapada, the rest of the Cub pitching rated a zero. Triple A pitcher Juan Mateo gave up four runs on two hits and two walks, serving up home runs to Jermaine Dye and Rob Mackowiak. Wil Ohman, after giving up a single and hitting a batter, served up a three-run homer to non-roster Gustavo Molina.

Overall, Cub pitching allowed eighteen Sox baserunners with thirteen hits, three walks and two hit batsmen. Not a good day in Mesa.

At the plate, the Cubs fared a little better, but not much. Derrick Lee knocked a solo homer in the fourth. Alfonzo Soriano gathered three hits in three at-bats including two doubles. As a team, the Cubs haven’t put it together for nine innings yet. Not a time to worry just yet. If they still are playing this bad going into the last week of March, then we can pull out the panic buttons. For now, it is just clean fun.

Tomorrow, the Cubs travel to Peoria, Arizona to face the Mariners. Mark Prior, Ted Lilly and Kerry Wood are scheduled to throw. If there was pressure today on the Cubs to get their first win of the spring, it is magnified even more tomorrow.

No Win, No Loss

2007-03-03T15:56:00.000-08:00

The Cubs did not lose in their third spring outing. They did not win either.

The Oakland A’s and Chicago Cubs battled to a five-five tie today. There are several bright spots to remember during the days when sitting under the beating sun August.

We got our first glimpse of Jeff Samardzija. He looked good in one inning. No strikeouts but no hits or walks either. Ryan Dempster had a K and a walk, but gave up no hits either. Rocky Cherry, who looked good earlier this week, gave up both a hit and a walk, but still struck out the side.

What everyone wants to know is how did Wade Miller look? Wade Miller is the starting pitcher the Cubs have no room for, if everyone is healthy. Miller did not embarrass himself in his first outing of the spring. On the good side, he struck out two. On the poor side, he gave up a single run on a double by non-roster invitee Travis Buck.

On sadder notes, Ryan O’Malley and Carlos Marmol each gave up a pair of runs. If either wants a shot at the opening day roster (fat chance), they need to impress each time they toe the rubber.

Today was baserunning drills at Phoenix Memorial Stadium. All eyes were agog as Felix Pie grabbed two bases, while Jacque Jones, Angel Pagan and Michael Barrett (yes, the catcher Michael Barrett), each found one. No one was thrown out today by the A’s backstops. In the tenth inning, the A’s returned the favor as another non-roster invitee, Kevin Melillo, took second from Iowa batterymates Les Walrond and Geovany Sota.

Ronny Cedeno had two hits today, including a first inning solo homer. Michael Barrett contributed an inside-the-park shot if his own in the sixth, also picking up a double for the day. Ryan Theriot tripled and scored while Jacque Jones, Buck Coats and non-roster Tomas Perez each contributed a RBI.

Overall, the Cubs did enough hitting to bring their first win to the board, but inexperienced pitching let it slip by, but only enough for a tie. It is not great news, but it is still spring.

Now the pressure is on. The Cubs really want their first spring win and they are facing their arch-nemesis Chicago White Sox. Rich Hill will start against former Cub farmhand Jon Garland. It will be the first of many spring games on television tomorrow, so be certain to tune in and see.

Second Loss of the Spring

2007-03-02T19:33:00.000-08:00

The Cubs may have fallen to the Angels in the second battle of the spring season, but there was more to cheer about for the northsiders.

Carlos Zambrano underlined why he is entitled to a big payday this month by tossing two strong innings, giving up only a single hit and striking out four. Bobby Howry pitched a hitless third inning. Newcomer Sean Gallagher threw two solid innings, only allowing two hits and Wil Ohman picked up an “x” in the ninth.

Sounds like a great pitching day for the Cubs, right?

What you are missing are the details of the middle three innings. Neal Cotts made his debut in a Cub uniform on the mound by giving up three runs on four hits, including a two run double to catcher Jose Molina.

Those with good memories will remember that Molina was a 14th round draft pick of the Cubs back in 1993. The Cubs let him go after the 2000 season and he was picked up by the Angels organization in January 2001. Since then he has been a solid backup catcher for the Angels.

The Angels weren’t done with Cub pitching as they teed off against Clay Rapada. Expected to start the season in Iowa, Rapada served up three home run balls. Former Cub Gary Mathews, Jr., Vladimir Guerrero and Chone Figgins each went long, totaling five quick talleys. Angel Guzman came in to finish up the fifth for Rapada and gave up a triple to Tommy Murphy who later scored.

The Cubs were not without some fireworks of their own. Matt Murton went three for three including a solo home run in the second and driving in four runs for the day. Eric Patterson launched a two run homer in the eighth to pull the Cubs within three, but that was there the fun ended.

The final score for the day left the Cubs short, nine runs to six.

Tomorrow, we get look at the projected sixth man in a five man starting rotation for the Cubs, Wade Miller.

First Spring Training Game of 2007

2007-03-01T15:43:00.000-08:00

Thank goodness the season does not start today!

The Cubs took one hard on the chin during the first day of spring training as the team lost to the Giants 9 to 2.

Starter Jason Marquis did not embarrass himself, but did give up a run on three hits during his two innings. Of the day’s pitchers, only Rocky Cherry (destined for Triple A this year) scored a strikeout.

San Francisco pitchers, including Barry Zito (I said we should have gone after him.), non-roster David Cortez and Russ Ortiz handcuffed the Cubs through six innings before the Cubs scored in each of the seventh and eighth innings.

Geovany Soto (also destined for Triple A) was the hitting star today, launching a two-out triple which scored Jake Fox. who had a pinch single just before. Minor leaguer Brian Dopriak drove in Ryan Theriot (hey! A major leaguer!) in the eighth with a base hit.

Other than those brief moments, there was not much to be excited about today other than the return of the game. The guys are not really competing yet. Sure, they want to win a few in Arizona, but with nineteen players in and out of the lineup and eight pitchers on the mound, it is tough to get momentum.

Of course, the Giants had the same situation, sending nineteen players and six pitchers out there, so the Cubs don’t get off too easy.

Tomorrow, Carlos Zambrano will face off against the Brewers. Hopefully the bats will be ready by then.

Tomorrow

2007-02-28T18:24:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow is the first of March. It is also the first spring training game for the Chicago Cubs.

I do not mean to place any significance on the game. It means nothing. It does not count. In many ways, it is just for fun.

In other ways, it is serious business. Piniella has already shown us what we expect to be the opening day lineup: Soriano – CF; Murton – LF; Lee – 1B; Ramirez – 3B; Barrett – C; Jones – RF; DeRosa – 2B; Itzturis – SS; Marquis – SP

Outside of the starting pitcher, this is what you can reasonably expect to see opening day, barring injury or last minute trade. Piniella has even stated what I did yesterday. He agreed his starting five would be Zambrano, Lilly, Marquis, Hill and Prior.

Okay, okay. Truthfully, he said the top four would be all but Prior, but you know if Prior is at all healthy this spring, that he will be number five. The Cubs are paying him too much to sit in the pen or toss in Triple A. Everyone in the country wants Prior in that rotation come the first of April.

Piniella is smart not to commit. Still, you can hear the wheels turning from here. Carrie Muskat quoted Piniella as saying, “He’s really done everything that everybody else has done. He’s right on schedule.”

That does not sound like someone who is going to send the big guy back to Triple A. That sounds like someone who wants to admit that Prior is number five, but is smart enough to hold back in case Jake Fox lines one off Prior’s groin.

There is so much to be excited about regarding the Cubs, I am even excited about the coaching staff. Gerald Perry has a great track record as a hitting coach from Seattle and Oakland. Mike Quade knows the young kids from Triple A and will be a huge asset.

If we could have found a new pitching coach, I would be in heaven. Rothschild has not shown much over the past few years. Nor has the training staff, including Dr. Adams and Mark O’Neal.

Still, I am no doctor, trainer or pitching coach. Rothschild is respected, even though the pitchers have fallen down in recent years. Surely Piniella would have found someone else if he believed Rothschild could not do the job.

Tomorrow, the expected starting lineup will hit the dirt running. Of course, they will only play for a couple innings, but it will be fun knowing a real game is in the making.

I will be at work, but when the clock strikes two, I will say a silent prayer for the team in Mesa. All we want is to see a good effort. Or maybe a strikeout by Marquis and a home run by Derrick Lee. Then we will feel much better.

Pitchers

2007-02-27T18:36:00.000-08:00

In the last post, we talked about how Cubs Manager Lou Pinella has stated he would like to take thirteen fielders and twelve pitchers to Cincinnati for opening day. I discussed the many potential options that may happen in the next month that could help the roster fall into place.

Now, what about the pitching staff? Surprisingly enough, this is a simpler puzzle, provided everyone is healthy. That isn’t something we can always assume. Last year, we couldn’t even consider having everyone healthy.

If all the moons align, I expect the starting rotation to consist of Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis, Mark Prior and Rich Hill, but not necessarily in that order. Barring injury or a complete breakdown, these will be the five pitchers who will carry the Cubs to the World Series, maybe.

Zambrano said recently that if he can win 18-20 games and the other four can win 10-13 games each, there is no reason the Cubs can’t get to the World Series. I have to agree. The tough part is getting him the 18-20 wins and the other four to be healthy long enough to register 10 – 13 wins.

The bullpen should be a harder field to sort out, but it really is not that tough. Ryan Dempster will start the season as the closer. He may also end the season as the closer. He has the stuff and the mindset. Now if we can keep him interested.

Scott Eyre and Bobby Howry will be the primary setup men. Kerry Wood will get his chances. That leaves specialist Wil Ohman, long man Neal Cotts and a number of choices for the final spot.

The final spot could fall to whoever does not stink this spring. Likely candidates include Wade Miller, Michael Wuertz and Roberto Novoa. Longshot candidates include Sean Marshall, Jeff Samardzija, Ryan O’Malley or any of the other non-roster invitees.

Truthfully, the only non-rosters who have any chance to make the club are back-up middle infielders Tomas Perez and Bobby Hill. People will talk about the non-roster pitching candidates, but outside of Ryan O’Malley, I do not think any have a real chance.

The only other longshot for the roster would be if the Cubs traded someone and gained an experienced arm. It would take Jacque Jones and/or Michael Wuertz and or a prospect to land anyone this March, which is not out-of-the-question.

What is out-of-the-question is believing that Roberto Novoa or Wade Miller will bring the Cubs anything worthwhile in return. They may land an iffy Class A prospect, but that’s about all we can expect.

So Thursday is the big day. Let the games begin!!

On the Field in the Spring

2007-02-26T16:26:00.000-08:00

We are now just three days (two days and twenty hours) from the first spring training game. As I said before, I know it does not matter, but I still am giddy.

Spring training is fun because you get to see and hear about people you hope you won’t think about until spring next year. People like Eric Patterson and Donald Veal. These two, and others, are the future of the Cubs. March is fun to think about the future of the Cubs. Once April hits, it is all about what is happening now.

That is not to say I do not look in on the minor league teams. My son and I took a couple trips to Peoria last year. We saw Ryan Norwood poke one out. We got a signature from Jody. Life is good in the minors!

Yet, as a Cub fan, I want the Cubs to go all the way. This is not the time for Patterson and Veal. This is the time of Soriano and Zambrano. This is the time for men. This is the time for the horses to run the race and cross the finish line first.

So when I think about the Cubs, I am looking realistically about who will be on the roster on opening day. Pinella has already said he wants thirteen fielders and twelve pitchers. That said, who will these likely be?

Catching is easy. There will only be two: Michael Barrett and Henry Blanco. If someone gets hurt, Geovany Soto is waiting in the wings. It may not be the absolute best catching team, but I would say they rank in the top five among the thirty teams in the majors.

The outfield is a little harder to sort. It all hinges on whether Alfonzo Soriano can play center field. If he can, everything starts to work out. If he can’t, General Manager Jim Hendry has some explaining to do.

The plan will be to have Matt Murton play most of the games in left, Soriano play everyday in center and Jacque Jones play everyday in right. Cliff Floyd will get plenty of time in left as well, getting into sixty to eighty games.

The question is, who will be considered the fifth outfielder? Of thirteen fielders, I expect there will be five outfielders, six infielders and two catchers. The Cubs signed Daryle Ward as a backup. Will he be considered the fifth outfielder or a sixth infielder, backing up Derrick Lee at first and helping a little in the outfield? Ryan Theriot and Mark DeRosa have been mentioned as outfield help. Maybe Ward will be the fifth outfielder and Tomas Perez or Bobby Hill will be a sixth infielder? Is there any room for Angel Pagan?

There are a lot of question marks in that last sentence, but I have to toss one more in the mix. Will Jacque Jones be traded? That would leave room for Angel Pagan, but only if he becomes a center field option and Soriano heads over to right. Or does DeRosa goes to center or right field and Theriot start at second?

Oops! One more question. What if the Cubs trade Jones for a bonafide centerfielder? Back to Iowa for Pagan?

Lots of outfield questions, and a couple of infield questions as well. Ramirez, Itzuris, DeRosa and Lee seem like a solid starting infield. Theriot seems to be the main back-up, along with Ward covering Lee. Still, I cannot see the team going to Cincinnati without a second infielder. Maybe Jones will be sent away for a new back-up.

It sounds like I want Jacque Jones to leave town, but really I don’t. He is just a logical choice for a last minute trade.

For a set thirteen, there seems to be a few questions to be answered in the next four weeks. Tonight, let me know what you think. Tomorrow, let’s look at the pitching.

Spring

2007-02-25T05:51:00.001-08:00

January and February are always my toughest months. It is crazy.

Car trouble always hits during January and February. Illness usually hits during those months. Most family crises happen during the early part of the year.

Maybe it is because there is no baseball.

Somehow I can last through October because of the post season and November and December due to the hot stove. Lots of baseball happens during those months. January is a barren desert with an occasional oasis. February is similar, except the handful of stories about who is arriving in Arizona and Florida.

During January and February I have nowhere to hide. There are no fresh statistics in which I can hide my head. Even the winter leagues dry up after the first of the year. After the hot stove this year, the Cub roster is pretty much set.

Oh sure, the writers can talk about the crowded outfield and speculate about the pitching. There may be a surprise as there was last year when Marquis Grissom retired during the last week of spring, leaving a spot for Angel Pagan. There may be a last minute trade or two, like when we sent John Koronka to Texas last year. Still, those things generally happen in March. Barring a spring time injury (don’t say Wood or Prior), the Cubs pretty much have their twenty-five ready to go.

As I write this, according to www.bleedcubbieblue.com, there are four days, six hours and fifty minutes before the first spring training game. For one, I am holding my breath and waiting to hear the sound of the first pitch, and listening for the umpire to shout “play ball”.

Of course, spring training games are not real baseball. It is thirty-six days, five hours and now fifty-two minutes before the first pitch of real baseball. But March brings us closer to reality. I can live with spring training games until real baseball rolls around. I have made it through the past one hundred plus days since seeing the Cardinals pummel the Tigers. Four days are nothing.

That is four days, six hours and forty-three minutes. And counting.

Welcome

2007-02-22T19:44:00.000-08:00

This is a new blog from Alexander Dimm. This one I call “A Dimm View of Baseball”.

If you have read any of “A Dimm View of Life”, you already know that I have been a lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, but this blog will not necessarily be only about the Chicago Cubs.

I will likely write about all clubs throughout the course of the season. You will hear about my son and I taking occasional trips to Peoria, Illinois to see the Chiefs, or to other ballparks. We may also take in a college game or two.

It is February and the teams are all gathering in Arizona and Florida, preparing for the new season. This is always an exciting time.

There will be websites and podcasts to share, wins and losses to discuss, trades to bicker about, etc.

You may learn more from other blogs, but you will not have more fun! This is strictly a fan’s view of baseball. It is going to be a long summer. Let’s sit back and enjoy!!