Spring Training Battlewatch: the Bench is Complete

By Brett on March 31, 2009

Well, it appears that the Chicago Cubs bench is set: Koyie Hill, Joey Gathright, Reed Johnson, Aaron Miles, and Micah Hoffpauir.

No one has shook Micah Hoffpauir’s hand yet to tell him he’s made the Opening Day roster, but Piniella did say the position players are set. That means Hoffpauir is in. “I thought I was doing what I had to do,” said Hoffpauir, who was tied for the ML lead this spring with 22 RBIs. “As far as sweating it out, no. I have no control over that. They’ll make their decision on performance. That’s the end of it.” Muskat Ramblings.

If Lou hadn’t explicitly said the bench was complete, I wouldn’t have believed it, despite the fact that only five “extra” positional players remain in the big league camp.

Aaron Miles is the sole middle infielder/third base backup on the bench. This leaves me deeply, deeply uncomfortable with the constitution of this bench. Lou has, himself, repeatedly expressed concern over this arrangement, and for this reason, I believe that this will not be the bench for long.

Someone – a Jeff Keppinger type – will come along, and Jim Hendry will pounce. Then the decision will be who goes: Micah Hoffpauir or Joey Gathright. Here’s prayin’ that Gathright doesn’t wow Hendry and Piniella at the last minute by jumping the team bus.

Dougy D When I had VineLine, I think in the early 2000's, I thought that It would provide me with some sort of inside info that would be worth the subscription. I... – Feb 12, 2:51 AM
curt in my opinion L.L. and the john henry arent entitled to bumpkus as per douschebag rules of which they are high ranking members, this entire compensation issue is just absurd,... – Feb 12, 1:52 AM
Mike F I think the whole situation is patently absurd. He is not a can't miss prospect, he can miss. And he's old by any standard for a prospect. While Brett is... – Feb 12, 12:59 AM
Pat I'm not so sure. I'm pretty sure the consensus was that Jose Contreras was several years older than reported. – Feb 12, 12:32 AM
Brady He has faced only "High A", however I don’t think that means he won’t be able to keep up with MLB pitching. Take his outings in the WBC for example.... – Feb 12, 12:26 AM
Brady Second, and it isnt Cuba that is notorious for false ages and names. That is the DR so I dont think there is reason to fear. – Feb 12, 12:15 AM
Brady I keep telling myself that I need to read all the comments before replying, but I just cant resist the urge to reply to some things. I essentially said this... – Feb 12, 12:14 AM
Brady I think where he goes may have a great impact on how well he plays. For example if he goes to Miami, I see him as struggling to succeed due... – Feb 12, 12:04 AM
Brady Maybe it was to inform them that at 6/40 they were not going to get him and though he may want to play there, will go somewhere else. Trying to... – Feb 11, 11:57 PM
Ben Peoria Cubs Fan Illinois has a 5% state income tax. On a 6 yr 45million contract it is 375k per year. If cubs offer 5 million more over 6 years the net is... – Feb 11, 11:29 PM

Spring Training Battlewatch: the Bench is Complete

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