Ryan Theriot: Leadoff Hitter
Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella confirmed yesterday that there would be no leadoff platoon this year, and announced that Ryan Theriot would be the leadoff hitter.
Theriot batted .283 in 42 games in the leadoff spot last season when he took over for Alfonso Soriano, who was dropped to sixth. The Cubs, who used six leadoff men last season, began camp wanting to look at both Theriot and Fukudome there.
“I’m just glad he has the confidence in me to stick me up there,” Theriot said after Monday’s 5-2 loss to the Rockies. “I feel comfortable at the top of the order — one, two. One’s good, two’s good. Honestly, just as long as I’m in the lineup. I cannot get [Piniella] to let me hit fourth or fifth. I’m working on that, so we’ll see.” cubs.com.
Even though Kosuke Fukudome hits much better against righties than Theriot, and even though the case for a leadoff platoon has never been stronger, I can’t say I’m terribly angry about this decision. Having Theriot in the one-hole allows him to be the best kind of hitter he can be - i.e., a guy that works counts and tries to get on base. Theriot struggled when Piniella told him to start swinging hard. Presumably, as the permanent lead0ff hitter, Theriot will understand his role.
Further, the only real difference between the number one and number two hitters is a tiny amount of extra at bats over the course of the season. Fukudome’s goal will still generally be to get on base and see pitches.
ShareGod’s Wrath Watch: Derrek Lee Still Has Foot Issues
Last Wednesday, Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee fouled a ball off his foot, and was pulled early from a Spring Training game. No one was terribly concerned - and I don’t want to induce PANIC, I’m not terribly concerned yet either - but Lee hasn’t seen game action since.
Manager Lou Piniella reiterated yesterday that the injury wasn’t serious, calling it “just a bone bruise.” Piniella said that Lee will not be taking Monday’s trip to Tucson to play the Rockies - though many players try to figure out ways to avoid the two-plus hour bus trip, so the fact that Lee is not going is not any additional reason for concern.
The Cubs expect Lee to get back into game action by mid-week.
ShareWatch More Chicago Cubs Spring Training Games
That headline feels like it should be followed with “or else.” But no, I don’t intend it to be threatening. That’s just your insecurity talking.
The MLB Network is going to air a crap ton of Spring games this year, so in addition to the handful of games on WGN, you’ll be able to catch a few more Chicago Cubs Spring Training games on TV.
The full list is available at that link, but the Cubs games include March 19 against the White Sox, March 22 against the Indians, March 23 against the Royals, March 26 against the A’s, March 28 against the Mariners, and April 1 against the Rockies.
ShareSomeone’s Gonna Bat Leadoff, But Lou Piniella Doesn’t Know Who
Most of the Chicago Cubs’ lineup this year is set. We know that Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez will hit three and four. We know that Marlon Byrd and Alfonso Soriano will hit five and six. We know that Geovany Soto and the second baseman will hit seven and eight.
But one spot yet undecided is at the top of the order. Who’s going to lead off?
Kosuke Fukudome and Ryan Theriot say they want the job, which manager Lou Piniella said he likes to hear, but he’s not sure which will get the job — or whether it will be a combination of the two.
”I haven’t thought about it all that much, to be honest,” Piniella said. ”We’ll see what happens here in the spring with it. We’ll just use one one day and use one the next, and we’ll see. It depends how they’re swinging the bat, depends on who the [opposing] pitcher is — there’ll be some variable.
”But we’d like to stay constant, too. We’ll come up with something.” CHICAGO SUN-TIMES.
Haven’t thought about it much? Really, Lou? I mean, I get the deflection technique, but isn’t it, like, your job to think about things like that? Aren’t you being paid (an insane) $4 million per season to think about things like that?
Now that I’ve got that out of my system, I’ll say: I continue to hope that Piniella will seriously consider a leadoff platoon. Kosuke Fukudome hits righties so much better than Ryan Theriot. Ryan Theriot hits lefties so much better than Kosuke Fukudome. Look, I get wanting consistency of role, but in this case, the splits are so stark and clear that I struggle coming up with reasons to do anything other than a flip/flop of Fukudome and Theriot based on who is on the mound.
ShareWhew: Jose Contreras Ain’t a Cub
Some folks around the Cublogoverse are pretty excited that Jose Contreras has not landed on the Chicago Cubs. I was fairly ambivalent about the prospect of landing Contreras, thinking that he would get a minor league deal and an invite to Spring Training. Apparently he actually got a big league deal.
Jose Contreras has signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, a source confirmed for ESPNDeportes.com’s Enrique Rojas.
The Chicago Cubs expressed interest in Contreras and the pitcher was expected to sign with either the Cubs or the St. Louis Cardinals before striking a deal with Philadelphia. ESPN.
Contreras was dominant out of the pen in limited duty for the Rockies last year, so it’s possible this will work out for the Phillies. For the Cubs part, I’d hazard a guess that the failure to offer a guaranteed, big league deal is the reason Contreras is a Phillie today and not a Cub. And that’s just fine.
ShareJeff Baker Wants to Punch Mike Fontenot’s Heart
Last year, Mike Fontenot was anointed the Chicago Cubs’ starting second baseman out of Spring Training following a 2008 season where he was dominant at the plate in a part-time role.
He struggled.
The Cubs responded to his struggles (and Aramis Ramirez’s injury and Aaron Miles’ totally unpredictable sucking) by acquiring second baseman Jeff Baker from the Colorado Rockies. All Baker did was hit .305 with an .810 OPS in his time with the Cubs. And now, understandably, he wants to be the Cubs’ starting second baseman.
“Guys who you’re competing with for the same spot, you’re still good friends and [the competition] doesn’t change anything,” Baker said. “As long as Mike and I have the same mindset that it’s about what’s best for the team and about what’s best for the team that day, I don’t think anything will change. We’re both professional players and we both want to win.” …
“It’s one of those things, coming over here was a fresh start and an opportunity for me,” Baker said of the Cubs. “The one thing I’ve noticed about the Cubs is if you play well, you’ll get the opportunity to play. I’m going to try to take advantage of it and I’m going to go out there and go 100 percent. It’s not going to be from a lack of effort or lack of preparation.”
This offseason, he started hitting earlier than usual. Baker has been working out at George Mason University, which is near his home in Dumfries, Va.
“There’s no one there in December,” he said of the school, located in Fairfax, Va. “I started going a couple times a week and I’ve been going every day in January.”
He’ll be in the Cubs’ camp in Mesa, Ariz., when pitchers and catchers report Feb. 17.
“For me, taking ground balls off a gym floor is good,” Baker said, “but it’s definitely nice being out on the grass and I like the warm weather, too.”
He did not take the attitude that he’ll be a backup on the Cubs.
“I always prepare like I’m going to be a starter,” Baker said. “I believe I can play every day in the big leagues and I can be productive and help a team win. It doesn’t really change how I go about my business or my offseason.
“The opportunity to start doesn’t come along too often,” he said. “I’ve been fighting for one my whole career. If I get that opportunity in Spring Training, it’s something I’m going to try to grab hold of tight and not let go.” cubs.com.
For now, the Cubs expect to platoon the two second basemen, which may be the best move for all involved. Baker can pick up some extra at bats by spelling Aramis Ramirez at third or Derrek Lee at first, and Mike Fontenot can sit against lefties.
ShareMatt Holliday Got Paid - So is it a Good Deal for the Cards? The Cubs?
Two weeks ago, it looked like the St. Louis Cardinals were going to lose Mark DeRosa, Joel Pineiro, John Smoltz, and Matt Holliday this offseason. Things were looking up for the rest of the National League Central.
And then yesterday, the Cardinals re-signed Matt Holliday to a seven year, $120 million deal. Humbug.
Setting aside considerations about the deal, itself, this is undoubtedly very, very good for the 2010 St. Louis Cardinals, and very, very bad for the 2010 Chicago Cubs. Holliday’s stats may have been inflated by his time in Colorado, but he’s a great hitter regardless. And he’s generally considered a good defensive outfielder - one attempted groin catch notwithstanding. Pairing him with Albert Pujols makes the Cardinals’ lineup solid without even considering what the other six positional players look like.
That all said, there’s much more to this deal than merely “Cardinals retain good hitter.” The deal must be considered, and Holliday’s performance and age must be considered. And indeed they are considered, after the jump.
ShareJim Hendry Hearts Relievers: Cubs Are Looking at Jose Contreras
Jim Hendry’s never-ending quest to add a “veteran” “right-handed” arm to the bullpen has turned toward the lower cost end of the spectrum, which is a good thing.
Hendry — whether via trade or free agency — wants to add a veteran bullpen pitcher. Former White Sox right-hander Jose Contreras has been a part of Cubs talks with agent Jaime Torres.
Contreras would bring a certain amount of protection for the team, considering the unknown status and availability of rehabbing left-hander Ted Lilly, who underwent shoulder surgery in November. He may not be at full strength until mid or late April. And that’s where Contreras comes in.
After the Sox shipped Contreras to Colorado in late August, he had solid numbers — 1.59 ERA in 17 innings pitched — in helping the Rockies reach the playoffs. Listed at age 39, his real age is could be anywhere from 40-45, nonetheless the Cubs are looking at him as protection for Lilly, and also to push the No. 4 and No. 5 spots in the iffy bottom of the rotation. ESPN Chicago.
Contreras would likely not net a large contract - he’d get a one-year deal for minimal cost, or perhaps even just a minor league deal and Spring Training invite. Either way, the risk to the Cubs is small, and the upside is solid. Even though he was bad enough with the White Sox last year to get dumped, he was still better than Carlos Silva. Before that, he was simply good in his time with the White Sox. In a swing role, he could be valuable to the Cubs.
Then again, so could Sean Marshall, Tom Gorzelanny, Mike Parisi, and the list goes on - with the lesson being: don’t spend much money to add a player like this.
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