Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals Preview, Tuesday 7/5, 6:05 CT: The Ramon Ortiz Era Begins

RF-Fukudome / SS-Castro / LF-Soriano / 3B-Ramirez / 1B-Pena / CF-Byrd / 2B-Barney / P (maybe swap Rammy and Pena in the order)

I have to wonder if using Fukudome’s great OBP and Castro’s speed on the basepads that would force pitchers to throw less off speed pitches to Soriano. And if they do throw off speed stuff, they would be able to see where the catcher is setting up and maybe swipe a bag with ease when the catcher has to smoother the ball on the ground.

but think Pena’s higher OPS is worth the three spot. Pena and Soto have nearly identical career OBP.

The Cubs were throwing away games when they gave a young guy like Russell starts too.

You hit the nail on the head when you said there is depth that is not ready to pitch at the MLB level. Yes, the Cubs cut Silva, but they pretty much had no choice once he reacted the way he did. It’s not really Quade’s fault if he doesn’t have someone ready to start a game.

Hendry really should have gotten on his phone and instead of picking up other teams’ rejects, he should have tried to get us at the least a #4 or #5 starter.

Sure, most of the players didn’t pan out 100%, but they did get real good value when they traded him.

White Sox famously did so in their White Flag trade with the Giants.

Yankees and Red Sox haven’t had to take this route, because they’ve been successful almost every year, draft and IFA really, really well to replenish their farm system, and don’t ever need to shed payroll, since they’re willing to spend their way out of their mistakes. They’re not worried about superstars leaving for nothing, because they’ll get draft picks for them and can buy someone else if they don’t have a replacement ready.

The Cubs aren’t on their level. They should be, but they’re not. Until they are, they need a general manager who can make the most of these situations and Hendry hasn’t done that, though he’s had his chances.

I sure hope they’re all ready by next year and still producing, but it’s still not enough. It’s a good start though. Who knows how much further along they’d be if they hadn’t signed Marlon Byrd? We might even have a rightfielder and/or a player to take a lot of time from Soriano, so he might stay healthier. I do give them credit for Jackson and Castro, but they deserve their share of the blame for not having more.