A big-time college lefty, Zastryzny immediately becomes one of the best arms in the Cubs' system.
Jeff Baker
Piniella: No Plans to Platoon at Second Base
One of the few open competitions on the Chicago Cubs this Spring is at second base. Incumbent, nominal starter Mike Fontenot had a terrible season last year after tearing it up in 2008. Mid-season, the Cubs acquired versatile back-up type Jeff Baker, who went on to hit .300 with the Cubs. So who’s the starter [...]
Spring Training Bench Battle: Piniella Confirms There Are Just Two Open Spots
We’ve speculated for a few weeks now that when Spring Training rolled around, there were really only going to be two spots available to be won on the Chicago Cubs’ five-man bench, after Koyie Hill, Xavier Nady, and one of Mike Fontenot and Jeff Baker claimed the first three. And now, manager Lou Piniella has [...]
Lou Piniella Hoping Mike Fontenot Can Backup Shortstop
With far more options to join the Chicago Cubs bench this year than there are spots, the team will have to make many difficult choices in filling out its 25-man roster. Manager Lou Piniella is hoping that Mike Fontenot can back up shortstop, making some of those choices just a little bit easier. “Either you’re [...]
Piniella Has No Plans to Use Starlin Castro as a Backup
When it comes to prospects, the Chicago Cubs have not always shown an appropriately level of restraint in promoting them to the bigs, only to have them sit on the bench. So, it is with some trepidation that we’ve watched shortstop Starlin Castro rocket through the system. But good news: manager Lou Piniella says he [...]
Might the Cubs Not Use a Platoon at Second Base?
We’ve long been assuming that the Chicago Cubs would go with some kind of platoon at second base this year, using Mike Fontenot primarily against righties and Jeff Baker primarily against lefties. But when asked about his second basemen, manager Lou Piniella did not mention the possibility of using both. Piniella was asked how he’ll [...]
Spring Training Participants
Here’s a helpful recap of the players participating in Spring Training with the Chicago Cubs this year – pitchers and catchers report this week. Thanks to Bruce Miles for putting this together. Pitchers: Mitch Atkins, Justin Berg, Esmailin Caridad, Ryan Dempster, Rafael Dolis, John Gaub, Tom Gorzelanny, John Grabow, Jeff Gray, Angel Guzman, Ted Lilly, Carlos [...]
So, Why Didn’t the Cubs Consider Felipe Lopez?
The Chicago Cubs are done making any major moves this offseason, and therefore, are apparently going to head into the 2010 season with a Mike Fontenot/Jeff Baker platoon at second base (unless Starlin Castro absolutely destroys Spring Training, claiming the shortstop job, and bumping Ryan Theriot over to second). I’m not going to gripe about [...]
Welcome to the Lead-Off Debate, Redux
For three years, the Chicago Cubs batting order has been a particularly contentious source of debate, with the placement of outfielder Alfonso Soriano dominating the discussion. He came to the team as a leadoff hitter – in name, anyway – but his performance has dictated that it simply isn’t for him anymore (if it ever [...]
