For the balance of Aramis Ramirez’s absence, it appears Mike Fontenot will be the Chicago Cubs’ primary third baseman.
“I think what you’re seeing is the way we’ll go,” manager Lou Piniella said of Saturday’s lineup, with Fontenot at third and Bobby Scales at second. Scales had been given a chance to try third as well. “Fontenot is honestly our best option there. When we get Aaron Miles back [from the disabled list] it will help the situation too. But we feel very comfortable with Fontenot at third, and we can use Scales and [Andres] Blanco at second.” CHICAGO SUN-TIMES.
Fontenot’s bat – ice cold in late April through most of May – has started to come around, and frankly, he’s looked pretty serviceable at third. So this appears to be the right decision.
Of course, it leaves a gaping offensive hole at second base, but that’s beside the point, I suppose. That tends to happen when your best hitter goes down for several months.