Three wins in four games against a rival Brewer team has me quite please with Cubs baseball over the weekend.
The excitement continues tomorrow when a few reinforcements come back from the DL, which means some of the current guys will find themselves on the outside looking in.
Aramis Ramirez, Reed Johnson, and Angel Guzman are all set to return on Monday, which leads to a rather fun prediction opportunity as to who stays and who goes. In order to make an informed decision, and not one solely based on emotions, we need to take a look at what flexibility Lou and Jim have in making their decisions.
What Are The Options?
Option 1 – Play the remaining time with 11 pitchers, which means 2 current members of the staff need to leave town with one position player.
Option 2 – Continue with the 12 man staff, which is a favorite of Lou despite the fact that he rarely uses the 12th man on a consistent basis, which requires 1 pitcher and two position players to move.
What’s the Plan?
For me, I’m going to go with the first option, which means I need to get rid of two pitchers. Jeff Samardzija is the first one I choose, simply because I think he’s still developing and because he has option years remaining. Let him continue to work hard to get back here. The second player I dump, which I know the Cubs won’t do, is David Patton. It’s clear he’s not high on Lou’s list and is only on this roster because of the requirements for Rule 5. That being the case, essentially Lou has been playing with an 11 man staff already because he doesn’t trust Patton. By not offering Patton back to Colorado, you leave Lou with a 10 man staff plus Patton for the next week or so, which could give the man a breakdown. Let’s cut ties with Patton or at the very least take our chances that perhaps no one will want him. Instead, a more likely scenario is for Kevin Hart
to go.
From a position player standpoint, the moves become a little more difficult because the players that are not helping the team at this time aren’t able to be shipped out. One move to make means it comes down to who is available to move to AAA. Andres Blanco is a logical choice as someone who would be a likely candidate to be sent down, except for the fact that he’s out of options, which means he’d have to clear waivers. Jeff Baker Hancock dvdrip is also out of waivers, so he’s out. That leaves Jake Fox, Micah Hoffpauir, Sam Fuld, and Mike Fontenot, though Fontenot would have to clear optional waivers to be demoted. Seeing that he would likely be claimed, it narrows the list down to three. I can’t see Hoffpauir getting sent down because he’s proven to be a valuable part of this team with a left power bat off the bench and the ability to play both corner OF spots respectably as well as backing up Lee. That leaves Fox and Fuld, both who have played well for this club and have sparked the offense with their time in the lineup. I can’t see how Fox has anything more to prove in AAA and has shown the ability to be the kind of power bat this team needs. Fuld, while a fun story and a great guy to watch seems to be the odd man out here unless Soriano goes on the DL to rest his knee.
Conclusion?
If it were up to me, Samardzija, Patton and Fuld go, but I think it will end up being Hart instead of Patton. What’s your prediction?
Monday Scouting Report Eyes Wide Shut full
Jair Jurjens – After routinely encountering bad luck in June, Jurrjens opened July by seeing his no-hit bid against the Phillies end with a two-out single in the seventh. That lone hit didn’t prevent Jurrjens from winning for the first time during a four-start span that has been highlighted with a 2.45 ERA. When the 23-year-old right-hander aggressively attacks the zone early in the count, he has found routine success. He has limited opponents to a .240 batting average, but left-handed hitters are batting .296 against Jurrjens. This will be his first career start against the Cubs. (MLB.com)
The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past film
A good control pitcher. Uses several fastballs well, and a curve that is more of a cutter. Keeps the ball around the plate and knows how to get people out. Has a slight build that makes him a bit of a wear-and-tear risk. Solid middle-of-rotation control pitcher. (TSN.ca)
Last Start – Win (7 IP, H, ER, 4 BB, 6 K) – Box Score
Randy Wells – Wells won his third game of the season and career by tossing seven innings in a 4-1 win against the Pirates on July 1. He gave up just one run and has surrendered just five runs in his last three starts, winning all three. Wells has faced the Braves once this season, giving up two runs (one earned) in seven innings to get a no-decision. In four home starts this year, Wells is 1-2 with a 3.09 ERA. (MLB.com)
Last Start Body Heat release – Win (7 IP, 6 H, ER, BB, 4 K) – Box Score
If it were my call I’d send Hart and Samardzija down (both have options) and do something with Baker. Why do we need another second baseman anyway? Fontenot and Blanco can play first. What I think the Cubs will do – send down Samardzija, Fox and Fuld. Bye bye hot hitters!
Fontenot and Blanco can play second, excuse me.
I don’t suppose we can send Soriano to AAA. OK, OK. Then DL him. Yes, Fuld is probably not really ready for prime time, but given his start…
He leads off for two games, plays great, and the offense clicks and his reward is to be sat down and watch the offense struggle to get, what?, two runs.
At least Fukudome figured it out today.
Geez, by the time Soriano’s contract is up, will Fuld still be around?
Oh well, at least most of the recent games have been fun. And wins, too!!!!!!
I really hope that they go with 11 pitchers. I think Lou might actually do it this time.
Also, because of timing, Zambrano won’t get a start in the St Louis series. Look for Z out of the bullpen next weekend.
I also hope that this would be possible, but as you already pointed out, it really leaves them with just 10 pitchers, as Lou doesn’t use Patton.
FWIW, I remember reading a few weeks back that it is Lou that really likes Patton, and doesn’t want to let him go.
That confuses me because then why doesn’t he use him?
Because it’s Lou. He fixated on Marmol, and Heilman.
Couldn’t tell you. It confused me too.
Lou can’t figure it out, either. Maybe his favorite movie is Patton.