Under a winning manager, who knows how to use his roster and put his players in a position to succeed.

Sam would be a useful player on any team’s roster, but the Chicago Cubs did not see it that way for the better part of the last 3 years.

Really nothing at all new there. A few notes, Hendry DID do Fuld a favor, but please keep in mind Fuld was out of options and left handed, he had virtually no chance to make the team and thus Hendry threw him into the Garza trade to a team that had wanted him. He had paid his dues with the Cubs and it was more than time for him to move on.

Yes he is a “bench” player or more like a super bench player. When Tampa needed him to start after the Manny debacle, he came through, now he starts a few times a week and perhaps less with the Jennings call up. He has actually been hitting decently of late after the black hole of May. The thing that should upset Cub fans is that Fuld is has way above average speed and knows how to use it, is a very patient batter (oddly not so much since he has been in Tampa) who until this year had drawn more walks than than Ks at every level he played in which is very rare, and is superb defensively. Those are the top three areas in which the Cubs fail miserably. In many ways Fuld should have been the PERFECT bench player for the Cubs who desperately need pinch runners, defensive replacements and someone who can start for injured or resting players. However the Cubs could never find a place for him, some of that was bad timing (his injuries, the Cubs lack of injuries in 2010, Colvin’s break out Spring) but much of it was bad planning and most of all the fact that the Cubs organization simply does not value speed, defense and plate patience.

I am very, very happy for Fuld and really enjoy watching the Rays play, but it is frustrating to see them execute everything the Cubs don’t.

Here is a fun article on how the Rays are winning on DEFENSE. Imagine that.
http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/article1180929.ece