Most of you know that my nature and my approach tends to be optimistic regarding the Cubs.
But not about Cesar Izturis. He has had one major league season that was even adequate -- 2004, when he hit .288/.330/.381 and scored 90 runs, with 32 doubles and 25 SB, for a Dodgers team that won 93 games and made the playoffs.
That performance got him a 2005 All-Star selection. But since the end of 2004 his career has been trending down, with multiple injuries, including another one after his trade last year to the Cubs which shut him down after he played a forgettable 22 games in a Cub uniform, going .233/.282/.260. His career line of .259/.295/.336 is Neifiesque (Actually, Neifi's is better: .268/.298/.376). And I saw, in those 22 games, very little evidence of the supposedly spectacular defense which would make him worth carrying despite his bat.
Nevertheless, the Cubs really have no other options, because Ronny Cedeno is, well, simply not a major league player. So, Izturis is going to play, unless he gets hurt.
Here's my pessimistic projection (for Izturis, let's add SB to the other categories):
AB 599
R 62
H 148
2B 27
3B 4
HR 4
RBI 43
BB 30
SO 70
SB 8
Line .247/.297/.325
I'd like nothing better than to be wrong about this and have Izturis put up a season like he did in 2004. But I won't hold my breath waiting.
Reminder, whoever is tallying up totals, please email me Derrek Lee's sometime today. Thanks.
Cesar Izturis' career stats at baseball-reference.com
Image Photoshopped by BCB reader madtown