Hooray!

by Al Yellon on Mar 3, 2008 5:32 PM CST in Chicago Cubs Recaps

Well, sort of. The Cubs broke a three-game losing streak today by beating the Mariners 6-5 on yet another coolish (65 degrees, says that boxscore) day in the Valley of the Sun, in front of a not-so-large crowd of 7,024 (about 3,000 short of capacity in Peoria).

As usual, there was good and bad today. Good:

Despite allowing two runs in two innings, I thought Jon Lieber looked good. Threw strikes, worked fast. Didn't appear to be at all affected by last year's injury.
Kosuke Fukudome has an absolute GUN in the outfield. Didn't throw out anyone, but held some runners and nearly doubled a runner off first after making a nice running stab of a ball near the wall.
Jake Fox and Micah Hoffpauir can both rake. Too bad there's no spot for either of them on the Cubs. One or both should really be traded, because they do have hitting talent that could help a major league team, particularly an AL team (Fox's best position appears to be DH).
Jeff Samardzija threw an efficient two innings, his first outing of the spring. Scott Eyre and Tim Lahey also threw well.

Bad:

Sean Marshall's line looks better than Lieber's (no runs), but he labored, walking three and only getting out of it with a slick double play.
Ronny Cedeno really does need to be sent back to Baserunning 101, doesn't he? Everyone in the ballpark knew he was running on that 2-2 pitch, and (sigh) he got picked off again. He had three hits, but so what?
Bob Howry looked bad. Got hit hard, and by Mariners who have little chance of making the major league roster.

We have, now, apparently seen all the starting pitcher candidates we're going to -- because tomorrow, Ryan Dempster, who started the first spring game last Thursday, will go against the Brewers at Mesa. Does this mean Sean Gallagher and Kevin Hart don't have a real shot at the rotation? By my count, that leaves seven starters for five slots: Dempster, Z, Ted Lilly, Rich Hill, Jason Marquis, Lieber and Marshall. We'll see who survives.

I watched most of the game on MLB.TV; the announcers are veterans Billy Sample, who did games for TBS for many years, and Harold Reynolds, formerly of ESPN. They were pretty good, although a bit too chatty at times. There was also a "sideline" reporter named Ed Randall, whose presence was utterly pointless, especially when he yakked during the action. Otherwise I thought MLB.TV did a decent job; their graphics seem major league quality and as long as you use the original video player, not the new "Silverlight" player, the video quality is good -- provided you have a fast enough connection.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't mention Carrie Muskat's mailbag today, in which she extolls the hitting prowess of Sam Fuld:

Fuld has a career .300 Minor League average, and was sizzling in the Arizona Fall League, batting .402 in 29 games. He led the AFL in hits, doubles, total bases, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Now, if he can carry his AFL stats into the big leagues, it'd be quite a story. At Double-A Tennessee, Fuld batted .290 with 23 doubles and 41 walks, and that might be more likely. Pie has more power, and is faster than Fuld.

So far, none of us have seen any of this translate to the major league level, and the "competition" between Fuld and Felix Pie for CF -- well, I don't think there IS any real competition. The only question now is, has Fuld's mediocre performance so far this spring played himself off of the roster entirely?

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OT: Vine Line needs some editing

This is not diary worthy but I finally got around to reading some of the Feb issue of Vine Line. In an article on Donnie Veal's difficulties following the death of both in parents and how he and his younger brother Devin tried to cope with their loss are the following two sentences

"With baseball as his catharsis, Veal has sought solace with his girlfriend, Stephanie. Devin has done the same"

I am not trying to make light of this terrible tragedy but does anybody check this stuff. Probably making too much of this but not a great idea to publish something that could shall we say be badly misinterpreted in such a delicate situation.

"It's the Cubbies. There's always a vibe. It's the greatest vibe in baseball." Greg Maddux on Cub fan's optimism even after the 06 debacle.

by jessica on Mar 3, 2008 5:48 PM CST reply actions

Maybe it's not a mistake

Perhaps Donnie and Devin are used to sharing.

Or perhaps this was Stephanie's not-so-subtle way of breaking the news to Donnie.

But yes, it would seem you have reason the believe they need a better copy editor.

by WittyUserName on Mar 3, 2008 6:10 PM CST up reply actions

Ryan Theriot...

Has looked real well so far. He went 2 for 3 today and is batting .500 so far in spring training.

by chicub127 on Mar 3, 2008 5:49 PM CST reply actions

Geez, Al -

"has Fuld's mediocre performance so far this spring played himself off of the roster entirely?"

Excellent point.

"I know its early" but if Cotts cannot get anyone out, he and Fuld will be spending time together again in the minors.

And, I see the potential there, but to me, Pie STILL needs plently of work. Imo, we still have a big hole in CF. Let Pie stay on the bench, and dump MArquis = er - trade for Coco Crisp and give Pie some starts against righties.

I really do not think he is a player on a "championship" team - yet.

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Mar 3, 2008 6:23 PM CST reply actions

This just in...

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 3, 2008 6:37 PM CST up reply actions

LOL!!

Well - a little extreme there.

Still young with bad habits that need breaking...

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Mar 3, 2008 6:51 PM CST up reply actions

Fuld or Pie

Only one of them were going to make the roster. Hendry has said this a few times this offseason I don't understand why people think Fuld will be on the bench. But it's to early in spring training to say who won the CF spot. The Cubs will either add a RH CF to platoon with Pie, or use Cedeno in CF against LH pitchers.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 3, 2008 9:53 PM CST up reply actions

Lieber.....

Wouldn't it be something if this guy can give us a big contribution this year? I know this is really a stretch, but I sometimes think of him as a poor man's Greg Maddux. I just love guys that throw strikes and work quickly.

Hey Lou, we're long overdue.

by deadcatbounce on Mar 3, 2008 6:28 PM CST reply actions

He IS the poor man's Maddux

Chubbier, a little less hair and driving an insane monster truck
but definately a Maddux lite.

Works for me.

"It's the Cubbies. There's always a vibe. It's the greatest vibe in baseball." Greg Maddux on Cub fan's optimism even after the 06 debacle.

by jessica on Mar 3, 2008 6:32 PM CST up reply actions

i like the fact that Lieber did well

reminds me of what we used to love about him 'back in the day' : the fact that you can go for a beer and come back to find the inning's over and Lieber struck out the side. I just hope he's got the same durability he used to.

by petrie on Mar 3, 2008 7:20 PM CST up reply actions

Yes he is....

I think Jon Lieber is going to do quite well in 2008. And I think Ryan Dempster is going to surprise the bejeezus out of people too.

by MDBNIU on Mar 3, 2008 9:34 PM CST up reply actions

yeah... but in a good way?

n/t

by petrie on Mar 3, 2008 10:04 PM CST up reply actions

Hmmm...

If he can be a poor man's Greg Maddux, and not a homeless man's Greg Maddux (as I feared when the Cubs signed him), I'll take it!

by SuperContext on Mar 4, 2008 8:57 AM CST up reply actions

Oh - BTW brothers

and sisters -

Dave Caplan on his Comcast cable show (taped, I'm sure), now stated the following:

Roberts deal is indeed hot - latest he knows is the Cubs could get Roberts and George Sherril, Orioles want Pie, Marshall, Cedeno

Also - CoCo Crisp, as we have been hearing, indeed has been bandied about to go to the Blue People - he has been in touch with his scout sources on the above.

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Mar 3, 2008 6:32 PM CST reply actions

That's insane.

Why would the Cubs make a deal like that?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 3, 2008 7:07 PM CST up reply actions

because of Tyler Colvin

the faster he progresses, the more pressure of Pie. because of the contracts of Sori and Fukudome, we don't have room for both. dunno if I'd trade him from Brian Roberts alone, but the stats-heads seem to like Sherril a lot.

by petrie on Mar 3, 2008 7:17 PM CST up reply actions

Seems a little strong

It's a win now trade.

Adding Crisp means Pie is expendable for now, and counting on Colvin for the future. Adding Pie to the Orioles trade lets you keep Gallagher.

The Orioles want one of the Cubs most major-league ready prospects with a high upside. That may be a choice between Gallagher and Pie.

Personally, I'm higher on Gallagher for this year and beyond. But I wouldn't give up either for Roberts.

Free the upper deck!

by cubzfan on Mar 3, 2008 7:20 PM CST up reply actions

Does Colvin Play Center?

I thought he was a corner outfielder. Could he realistically be projected to play center?

Jacque Jones is gone and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Mar 3, 2008 7:30 PM CST up reply actions

kinda' sorta' maybe...

he's listed as a RF/CF prospect in most of the 'top 100 lists'. he's not nearly as good in the outfield as Pie, but he's not a disaster either.

by petrie on Mar 3, 2008 7:32 PM CST up reply actions

He played center all last year

FWIW

Free the upper deck!

by cubzfan on Mar 3, 2008 9:19 PM CST up reply actions

Not that I'm endorsing this idea...

...or saying I particularly believe Dave Kaplan, but the reason the Cubs would do this is if they were convinced that Pie needed more time to adjust to major-league pitching than they think they have for this season. So they deal Pie to Baltimore, which has all the time in the world to put up with this growing pains. Then they get rid of Marquis (who they don't want) for Crisp, which would reasonably solidify the center field position - he'll never be an All-Star but he'd probably be adequate. And that gives Lou Piniella the lefty speed he craves.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Mar 3, 2008 7:20 PM CST up reply actions

I could live with Coco for a year or two

dunno if he can be had for just Marquis, though. the Sox are pitching heavy and don't really really need another starter, so it would all depend on what the Sox would be asking for.

by petrie on Mar 3, 2008 7:22 PM CST up reply actions

On paper the Red Sox have...

...pretty good pitching depth, but in reality they're a bit thin - guys like Bucholtz are very impressive, but the Red Sox have a fanatical devotion to pitch counts, which limits the innings any of the young guys can give you.

The Red Sox are rumored to view Marquis as an insurance policy on their rotation if Schilling can't pitch. And purportedly they've offered Crisp to the Cubs; they're trying to deal him because of the emergency of Ellsbury.

Again, I do not know how true any of this is. But taking Kaplan at face value, that's the reasoning I see behind it for Cubs management.

NOTE: I never said I agreed with that reasoning. I'm just answering the question of why the Cubs would consider it.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Mar 3, 2008 7:26 PM CST up reply actions

i guess

the money left on either contract is about the same, and I suppose you could argue they it's better spent on pitching than a fourth outfielder. I also wonder if the Cubs might have a reliever or two to offer if they get Sherril in the deal. does someone like Wuertz or Howry then become expendable?

by petrie on Mar 3, 2008 7:30 PM CST up reply actions

Wuertz Maybe...

...but never Howry.

Jacque Jones is gone and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Mar 3, 2008 7:32 PM CST up reply actions

Money being even...

...is much more of a concern in the NBA than MLB. The Cubs, Os and Red Sox all have money and are willing to spend; I don't think money is the biggest issue in either of those "deals."

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Mar 3, 2008 7:34 PM CST up reply actions

"...the emergency of Ellsbury"

I love it. Sounds like something Yogi Berra would say on one of those AFLAC commercials. ;-)

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Mar 3, 2008 7:56 PM CST up reply actions

So McPhail says he made an offer

and Hendry turned it down and they both can say they negotiated. It made more sense for the O's to want Marshall
Gallagher and Cedeno which I think is too much but more realistic than asking for Pie who is simply not available.

However I am happy they have no interest in Murton.

"It's the Cubbies. There's always a vibe. It's the greatest vibe in baseball." Greg Maddux on Cub fan's optimism even after the 06 debacle.

by jessica on Mar 3, 2008 7:24 PM CST up reply actions

Angelos is the unknown factor, though

time and again he's proven he likes flashy players and doesn't care much for the pitching aspect of things. Pie's got the 'wow' factor in the outfield, and Gallagher nor Marshall can hit 99 on the gun.

also, there's more rumors floating out there that the O's also wanna dump Jay Payton on us, which might mean the money aspect is also slowing things down a bit.

by petrie on Mar 3, 2008 7:28 PM CST up reply actions

You really think...

...Marshall, Gallagher and Cedeno is too much for Roberts?

Cedeno is nothing to write home about, Marshall may never be a reliable starter and Gallagher is the only guy that has solid potential (although not proven).

I think you may be surprised when this deal actually goes down.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Mar 3, 2008 9:59 PM CST up reply actions

Man...

I LOVE the idea of a trade for Roberts, and even I think that's too much. That's what...10 cost-controlled years of respectable starting pitching, plus secondary starting prospects for 2 years of what likely is a somewhat declining Roberts? Pass.

I would hope that talks would be expanded to include Sherrill or Jamie Walker if these are the Cubs players being discussed.

by Damen Jackson on Mar 3, 2008 11:18 PM CST up reply actions

Do you think

it's a cinch the O's will get 10 years of "cost controlled" starting pitching from Marshall and Gallagher?

Gallagher has value, but I am not sure Marshall carries that much weight - same goes for Cedeno.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Mar 4, 2008 9:37 AM CST up reply actions

Well...

I'm no sure either can survive in the AL East. That said, a lock..no. But most people are in agreement that these are both serviceable major-league pitchers, with upside. And in a market where Carlos Silva get 12 million a year, Brian Roberts alone just isn't a fair deal for them both plus prospects.

by Damen Jackson on Mar 4, 2008 10:04 AM CST up reply actions

That is what I meant

Cedeno plus ONE of them and perhaps another young pitcher
Ok. I might even be Ok if that other pitcher were Veal but
to me Marshall as already proved he is serviceable and might
get good, Gallagher seems pretty close so I don't want to trade
both for Roberts unless DeRo is literally down or something drastic.

"It's the Cubbies. There's always a vibe. It's the greatest vibe in baseball." Greg Maddux on Cub fan's optimism even after the 06 debacle.

by jessica on Mar 4, 2008 12:17 PM CST up reply actions

News on Piniella

I heard on CSN tonight that Piniella would consider a Cubs extension beyond 2009!

IIRC, when he was signed, he said 3 years then he's retiring.

I think this is great, but he'd probably want Hendry there.

Jacque Jones is gone and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Mar 3, 2008 6:46 PM CST reply actions

SI Source...

...http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/specials/spring_training/2008/03/03/bc.bbn.cubs.p iniella.ap/

Jacque Jones is gone and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Mar 3, 2008 7:00 PM CST up reply actions

Silverlight

Once you've installed Silverlight, are you forced to uninstall it to view a game with the old viewer?

"You know what? You want a job? Go out and earn one." Sweet Lou

by Kyle Turney on Mar 3, 2008 6:55 PM CST reply actions

No...

... I checked earlier today, and in the upper right hand corner, it gave me the option to view it with the old viewer...

Jacque Jones is gone and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Mar 3, 2008 6:59 PM CST up reply actions

Just wonderin'

Should we read anything into the fact that NRI Luis Figueroa started at 2B and 40-man Mike Fontenot came in later? Usually, the 40-man guys get to start games and the scrubs clean up. Doesn't bode well for Mike. (Well, that and he can't play anywhere other than 2B.)

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Mar 3, 2008 7:05 PM CST reply actions

I don't think so.

Remember, Lou already knows what Fontenot can do. He probably doesn't know much about Figueroa, and starting him is a way to find out.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 3, 2008 7:47 PM CST up reply actions

Anyone know much about

Andres Blanco?

Cwyers?

Al?

Seems like a nice little player.

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Mar 3, 2008 7:53 PM CST reply actions

All I know...

... is what I see here. He'll be 24 next month, so maybe has some upside, but his career OBA in the minor leagues is .304. He's played some OF this spring, but is mostly an infielder. Seems like a younger Neifi to me.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 3, 2008 7:56 PM CST up reply actions

adding on here to the RFI's

Any chance JD Closser makes this team as the backup C?

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Mar 3, 2008 7:56 PM CST up reply actions

No, unless...

... Henry Blanco is physically unable. Blanco's on the 2nd year of a guaranteed contract, and is seen as a mentor to Soto.

Closser, assuming he has a good spring, will likely start at Iowa and be the backup to the backup. He was once a pretty good prospect for the Rockies and is only 28 years old. He's a switch hitter; maybe he could have a decent career as a backup once Henry Blanco retires.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 3, 2008 7:59 PM CST up reply actions

Thanks, Al.

I'm kind of assuming Blanco may not play again, given the seriousness of his neck injury, so the competition would be between Hill and Closser, not Blanco and Closser.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Mar 3, 2008 8:01 PM CST up reply actions

I really like Kevin Hart

He's young, played well in the season last year, but unfortunately got a little rocked in the postseason. I think he has great stuff; what's the possibility of him being in the 'pen?

"We are going to light up the SB Nation server farm like a Christmas tree." - cwyers

by NittanyCub on Mar 3, 2008 8:33 PM CST reply actions

He's got a shot, I'd think...

... but it's a numbers game out there, too. We'll see.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 3, 2008 8:43 PM CST up reply actions

Jake Fox

I realize young guys often struggle in the role, but I think he could have value as a pinch hitter. Outside of Ward, we don't have much pop. It'd be nice to have a RH option who could go deep.

by JDay on Mar 3, 2008 8:45 PM CST reply actions

Problem is...

... with only 5 bench position players (since Lou seems insistent on carrying 12 pitchers), you really can't carry two guys like that who can't do much more than pinch-hit.

Ward can play the OF and 1B, a little. Fox is a poor man's Ward in the field. To have both of them would really be shorting your bench.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Mar 3, 2008 8:54 PM CST up reply actions

Ouch.

In the dictionary under "blessing with faint praise," it says see this:

Fox is a poor man's Ward in the field

not that I don't agree....

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Mar 3, 2008 8:59 PM CST up reply actions

I don't think you can count on Ward...

...to stay healthy the whole season, though. So Fox has a chance to make the team if Ward ends up on the DL. Heck, Ward's not healthy right now.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Mar 3, 2008 9:44 PM CST up reply actions

Jake Fox

Unfortunately Jake Fox is destined to toil in the minor leagues for eternity I think. "Maybe" he can transmogrify himself into a Craig Wilson type. If I were him I would be spending every waking hour learning how to play a serviceable left field and right field. As well as a passable in a pinch 3rd base. He's got to show the league his versatility. His problem right now is that he isn't good enough with the glove anywhere.

by MDBNIU on Mar 3, 2008 9:48 PM CST up reply actions

Eh.

He can't hit well enough to play a corner spot full time; he's got light-tower power and little else.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Mar 3, 2008 9:53 PM CST up reply actions

Where can he play defensively?

Don't think a team that plans to carry 11 or even 12 pitchers can afford to have two "hitters only'' who really don't have positions they field, and field well....Ward is one (OK as sub 1B but Lee rarely takes a day off) and Fox looks like another.

I think he'd be great throw-in to trade to Balt or somebody if Cubs ever pull trigger on another deal...can DH, play a corner OF *(blocked there on Cubs) and maybe a little 1B.

by writerinwrigley on Mar 3, 2008 8:53 PM CST reply actions

Good points

I don't see him going anywhere as a DH, though. There aren't many openings and several vets are still waiting by the phone.

by JDay on Mar 3, 2008 8:58 PM CST reply actions

Harvey and Dopriak

...have they gotten any ST AB's yet? Completely off radar as prospects now? No one seems to mention them....all those wasted years/drafts inclu. Montanez, the pitcher who hit a guy on deck, the pitcher who hit a bird (Ryu?) etc. etc.

That's why I wouldn't mind trading a Colvin or Ceda or the like but the Cubs might be more reluctant since they have had such poor track record of developing ML players...

by writerinwrigley on Mar 3, 2008 9:25 PM CST reply actions

You can safely say

Dopirak and Harvey are no longer real prospects. I don't think either was even invited to major league spring training. (They're both in minor league ST, as far as I know.) Harvey is still young enough that he's maybe got a 1% chance of putting something together and making the majors. Dopirak is much less than that.

Ryu obviously wasn't a wasted draft pick as he was an international signing. And since he actually made the major leagues, he's considered a "hit" or a success.

When draft time comes around, I'm going to write an article defending the Luis Montanez pick. While Montanez was a terrible player, that was one godawful draft for almost every team.

It's a girl! Born 1-18-08. 2246 PST. 8lbs. 1 oz.

by Josh Timmers on Mar 4, 2008 4:47 AM CST up reply actions