Demote Castro and Rizzo? Come On Now and Other Bullets

Apr 22, 2013

dale sveum head scratcher I’m going to Cincinnati on Wednesday to take in the Reds/Cubs game with my father-in-law, a Reds fan. It’s a Samardzija/Latos matchup, so that part should be good.

Scott Feldman sums up the costly error he made yesterday on a comebacker from Jean Segura, which preceded Ryan Braun’s homer. “It’s the most routine play of all-time,” Feldman said, per CSN. “It’s the most basic play you can make. You do it hundreds of times in spring training each year. It’s like a Little League play. It’s terrible.” The ball had a ton of spin off of Segura’s bat, and it wasn’t a total gimme, but, yes, it’s a play that, with focus, you should make every time. In this instance, it could have cost the Cubs the game. It was the second game in a row that a pitcher error led to unearned runs.

Speaking of the errors, here’s a rare moment of candor from a baseball player. Anthony Rizzo on the poor defensive play, per Carrie Muskat: “We keep shooting ourselves in the foot and that’s something we can’t do – I don’t think we’re good enough to be doing that. We need to play good baseball.” You won’t hear too many players conceding that, on a talent basis, their team isn’t really up to snuff. Rizzo is, of course, right: this team doesn’t not have nearly enough pure talent to overcome mistakes. Unfortunately mistakes are common to every team, which is why the teams with the best records tend to also be the teams with the most talent. I guarantee I could play some fundamentally/mentally-sound baseball. I also guarantee I would hit .000/.000/.000 with a billion physical errors.

You may have now read about comments Cubs manager Dale Sveum made yesterday, purportedly threatening to demote Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo to AAA if they keep making mental mistakes. Obviously I wasn’t there, but, having watched video of Sveum’s interview, I simply did not hear his comments the same way as some other writers. I heard Sveum asked a question about players like Rizzo and Castro, and I heard Sveum use that question as a springboard to speak generically about players not being invincible, and about them having to perform or they can work it out at AAA. Sveum didn’t exclude Rizzo or Castro from the AAA comment … but why would he? He was making a broader point. What was he supposed to say? “These guys need to know that they will produce, or they’ll be sent to the minors. Well, except Castro and Rizzo. They’re locked in no matter how poorly they perform. But the rest of the guys … grr! Watch out!”

Nowhere did I hear Sveum legitimately or credibly threaten that Rizzo or Castro, specifically, could be demoted any time soon. (Bruce Miles didn’t hear it, either.) To suggest such a thing would be insane for logistical and production reasons, and, although Sveum was undoubtedly speaking from a place of frustration, he didn’t go that far. That all said, the portion of the video that I saw didn’t include the entirety of Sveum’s comments, and it’s possible he spoke in a way that could be interpreted a variety of ways. But from the video I’ve seen and the written accounts, it is, at worst, gray. And, when it’s gray as to whether Sveum actually suggested demoting guys like Castro and Rizzo, I’m going to err on the side of “no freaking way he meant that in a serious, practical, and immediate way.”

(More on Rizzo, in particular, coming later.)

Len Kasper with some high praise for Alfonso Soriano.

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Chicago Cubs

Dansby Swanson with a First Inning Three-Run Homer

For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Welcome Back to Iowa, Brennen Davis: Rocket Homer in His First Game Post-Rehab

What a road it's been - continues to be - for Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. The former top prospect was on a rocket ship to Triple-A in 2021, and then mostly lost the last two years to various injuries....

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

CRAAAAAP: Cody Bellinger to the Injured List (UPDATES)

So much for all those words of optimism and negative X-rays. After colliding with the outfield wall last night, Cody Bellinger fractured his rib (Update: It's actually TWO fractured right ribs) and will hit the injured list today. Chicago Cubs...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Lineup: What is it, June 2023?

CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs took Game 1 against the Houston Astros in convincing fashion last night. So tonight, they'll go for the quick series win against Spencer Arrighetti at Wrigley Field (it'd be a good idea to win...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Bellinger Optimistic Post-Injury, Busch’s Defense, Almonte Stock Rising, Tauchman Slugging, and Other Cubs Bullets

Ed. Note: Since this article was published, a CT scan revealed a rib fracture for Cody Bellinger, who is now on the Injured List. You can find all the details of that news in our most recent article right here....

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Outfield Prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong Coming Up

With Cody Bellinger headed to the Injured List with a rib fracture, the Cubs are in need of another outfielder: center field prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong is coming back up to the big leagues for the second time. https://twitter.com/670TheScore/status/1783217891195625709 Crow-Armstrong, 22,...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Is Mike Tauchman the Best Player in Baseball? An Exploration

Hey, we're just having some early-season fun. So allow me to present the 'Mike Tauchman Is Clearly Better Than' list. As of this moment, Mike Tauchman has ... ... a higher wRC+ (151) than Pete Alonso, Fernando Tatis Jr., and...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 24, 2024: Kevin Alcántara Cannot Miss Right Now

Name a player hotter than Kevin Alcántara right now. Go ahead, I'll wait. (He's already raking again today. Literally as I type this.) More on Alcántara's big day and the Smokies home run parade last night in today's Cubs Farm...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Oof: Blake Snell to the Injured List Just Three Horrible Starts into His Giants Career

Just three starts into his San Francisco Giants career, Blake Snell is heading to the injured list with a left-adductor strain. Oof. You hate to even say it — and who really knows if this was related — but early...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

It’s Gotten Impossible to Not Comment on the White Sox Making Futility History

In 1997, I was a miserable Chicago Cubs fan. I mean, that was true a lot of the time, but I mean it in a very specific way that year: the Cubs had started the season 0-14. They had literally...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Mariners vs. Rangers: Live Stream or on TV

The Seattle Mariners (12-11), with Luis Castillo on the hill, visit the Texas Rangers (12-12) who will counter with Andrew Heaney, at 2:35 PM ET on Thursday.Find out how to watch the Seattle-Texas matchup below.When is Mariners vs. Rangers and...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

How to Watch

Padres vs. Rockies: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Thursday at 3:10 PM ET, Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres (13-13) face Ryan McMahon and the Colorado Rockies (6-18) at Coors Field.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

NFL

2024 Las Vegas Raiders Big Board: Potential First-Round Fits Including Tackle & Cornerback

The desert heat is rising in Las Vegas, and so are the expectations for the Raiders. The 2024 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching, and the Silver and Black hold the 13th overall pick. Will they prioritize shoring up the offensive...

Brian Twining

Apr 24, 2024

How to Watch

Twins vs. White Sox: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Minnesota Twins (9-13), led by Ryan Jeffers and going for a series sweep, host Gavin Sheets and the Chicago White Sox (3-20) at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday.Keep reading to see how to watch the Minnesota-Chicago matchup in the...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

How to Watch

Astros vs. Cubs: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Thursday, looking for a series sweep, Michael Busch and the Chicago Cubs (14-9) play the Houston Astros (7-17), with first pitch scheduled for 2:20 PM ET at Wrigley Field.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Royals vs. Blue Jays: Live Stream or on TV

Cole Ragans will take the mound for the Kansas City Royals (14-10) when they host starting pitcher Jose Berrios and the Toronto Blue Jays (13-11) in a rubber match on Thursday, with first pitch at 2:10 PM ET.Find out how...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

How to Watch

Yankees vs. Athletics: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

Juan Soto and the New York Yankees (16-8) host Abraham Toro and the Oakland Athletics (9-15) on Thursday in a rubber match, with first pitch at 7:05 PM ET.Find out how to watch the New York-Oakland matchup below.When is Yankees...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Dansby Swanson with a First Inning Three-Run Homer

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

How to Watch

Phillies vs. Reds: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

Alec Bohm and the Philadelphia Phillies (15-9) visit Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds (13-10) on Thursday in a rubber match, with first pitch at 1:10 PM ET.Keep reading to find out all the details on how to...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

How to Watch

Brewers vs. Pirates: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Milwaukee Brewers (14-8), led by William Contreras, visit Connor Joe and the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-11) at 12:35 PM ET on Thursday.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch Milwaukee take on Pittsburgh live.When is Brewers...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Demote Castro and Rizzo? Come On Now and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular