Carlos Silva no longer has the inside track on a rotation spot this year. That much is clear after a second consecutive abysmal Spring performance yesterday. What remains unclear is whether the portly starter, who paired a dominant first half with an ineffective and injury-filled second half in 2010, can put it together in the remaining few weeks of Spring to claim one of the two open rotation spots.
But Silva isn’t particularly eager to talk about that, even though it’s on the tip of everyone else’s tongue.
Asked if he believed his spot in the starting rotation was in jeopardy, Silva took umbrage to the line of questioning.
“You always come in here . . . man, you need new questions,’’ he told the reporter. “That’s the only question you always ask. Next question, please.’’
Silva did calm down a bit, but he made it very clear that the pressure to perform is bigger than usual this spring — and that pressure might be winning.
“To be honest with you guys, I’m always worrying,’’ Silva said. “Is that going to ruin me? I mean, last time I didn’t even talk to my own son. Like right now, I was sitting here for a long time, let it go and [when my son] comes in with a big smile, treat him like my son. Forget this game for a little bit.
“Just keep working and try to get better. Mentally, for me, I’m going to be fine. I feel great. Man, I feel strong. But look at that one inning. You have that type of inning, and it’s like, ugh . . . that’s what people see.’’ Chicago Sun-Times.
Well, gee willackers, Mr. Silva. I’m sorry that we focus on just one bad inning. In the future, we’ll ignore one disastrous inning per game if that will make you feel better. It’ll make your stats look great, too!
First, let’s dispense with the pleasantries, Carlos: I’m not particularly interested in coddling a guy who’s being paid millions of dollars this year, regardless of his role. The poor me schtick is even less effective on a guy who’s been terrible for two and a half of the last three years. Newsflash, Carlos, this isn’t you struggling through a few bad innings, and people judging you harshly for it. This is just you. This is how you pitch. You are performing as you perform.
Second, you better get used to folks asking you about the rotation. Of course that’s the only question people want to ask! You’re in a competition for one of two precious spots, not just on the roster, but in the Cubs’ rotation; and, if you land in the rotation, it means that one of the Cubs’ best pitchers over the last two years (Randy Wells) or the Cubs’ top young pitcher (Andrew Cashner) will not make the rotation. So, yes, people are very interested in the rotation competition, and are particularly interested in seeing just what it is that you bring to the table.
For what little time you have left with the Cubs, you should probably get used to it.