First Star: Marlon Byrd (.176 WPA)
Second Star: Carlos Marmol (.147 WPA)
Third Star: Sean Marshall (.138 WPA)
- Lou takes my advice – I’ve been beating my drum, yelling at the top of my lung and have even considered taking out a message plane just to get Lou to move Geovany Soto and Alfonso Soriano up in the order while they continue to hit the baseball. Today he did it. Then again, there was no Ryan Theriot or Aramis Ramirez in the lineup today, which gave him Fontenot and Baker to slot behind the hot hitters. Still, it’s a start and whaddya know? We actually won a friggin’ game. While neither Soto or Sori drove in a run, their presence in the lineup in the middle was a welcome change in my opinion. Until Ramirez shows he’s out of his funk, he’s got to hit lower than those two. Lee seems to be coming around, posting two more hits today. We probably won’t see this lineup on Friday against the Pirates, but we should.
- What to do with Mike Fontenot – Since being supplanted by Starlin Castro in the lineup, Mini Mike has had a pinch hit grand slam and a two-run double. There have been a lot of people who have labeled Fontenot a role player, who is not capable of being an everyday guy. So far, in that role this year he had played well. Now, for the foreseeable future, his role will be a backup. Is he worth more to the team as a trade chip than as a backup middle infielder? Ideally, I’d like to see Jeff Baker moved to help shore up other areas on the team, but if Fontenot has enough value to someone to get the job done on the trade market, Jim Hendry needs to consider moving him in favor of Baker as the backup.
- Batman Returns – I typically have a few tweets directed my way whenever I mention Carlos Silva using the nickname “Batman”. They’re usually always very similar in nature, simply asking why I call him that. Well, I’ll tell you. One of my favorite scenes in all the Batman movies comes in the first one. Batman is kicking butt and taking names and holds a guy over the side of a building as if he’s going to drop him. Scared out of his mind, and probably a little amazed at what has transpired, he asks “Who are you?” to which Batman pulls him close and replies “I’m Batman”. We were all told by scouts that Carlos Silva for Milton Bradley was a deal to simply change scenery for both players. It was basically a lose lose for both teams and neither guy figured to make a positive impact for the new team. Lou himself even called Silva a hard worker and a hard eater. Cue the beginning of the season and we’re seeing a guy in Carlos Silva who has far exceeded my expectations as a back of the rotation guy and has far out performed his trademate, Milton Bradley. After just a few starts this season, I continually found myself asking “Who are you” and each time I pictured him staring back at me and telling me he’s Batman. The nickname stuck in my mind so that’s what he will be called. Another nice outing from Carlos today and had it not been for an appearance by Sean Marshall, it could have been an all Carlos day on the mound.
Minor League Minute
The Tennessee Smokies, Class AA minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, have announced the addition of RHP Alberto Cabrera to the team’s active roster Wednesday. In a related roster move, RHP Marco Carrillo has been sent to the High-A Daytona Cubs. Both moves are immediate, with Cabrera being available for tonight’s game with the Carolina Mudcats.
In addition, RHP Mike Parisi was moved to the disabled list retroactive to Tuesday, May 11.
Cabrera joins the Smokies for the first time in his career. He began the season in Daytona, going 2-2 with a 3.73 ERA in six starts. The Las Matas De Farfan, Dominican Republic native was signed by the Chicago Cubs as a non-drafted free agent in 2005.
Carrillo was 3-0 with a 5.00 ERA in 9 appearances for Tennessee this season, striking out 16 in only 18 innings of work. He was initially assigned to Daytona with the arrival of Mike Parisi on Monday, but was activated by Tennessee for Tuesday’s game as Parisi was sent to the disabled list.
Parisi’s only start for the Smokies was this Monday, and lasted only 2.2 innings. He was 0-3 with an 8.50 ERA in five starts for Triple-A Iowa this year before arriving to Tennessee.
In Other News
Found this series of pictures on a blog called Hyperbole and a Half and it made me chuckle. It’s entitled Unintentionally suggestive grocery store purchases
