Chicago White Sox

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.