It's D-Lee vs X-Man in Steel Cage Showdown!

The Cubs moved their Spring Training operations a half-mile north up Center Street to HoHoKam Park this morning.



Manager Lou Piniella doesn't like to play intrasquad games, so the team engaged in a two-hour work-out consisting of pick-off drills for the pitchers, baserunning and infield & outfield practice for the position players, and traditional pre-game type BP (coaches throwing soft-toss from in front of the mound).


The team was split in two for the pick-off and fielding drills, with the "A" Squad (Pitchers Justin Berg, Esmailin Caridad, Andrew Cashner, Ryan Dempster, John Gaub, John Grabow, Ted Lilly, Carlos Marmol, Sean Marshall, Carlos Silva, Randy Wells, and Carlos Zambrano, catchers Welington Castillo, Koyie Hill, and Geovany Soto, first-basemen Micah Hoffpauir and Derrek Lee, second-basemen Jeff Baker and Mike Fontenot, shortstops Andres Blanco and Ryan Theriot, third-basemen Aramias Ramirez and Chad Tracy, and outfielders Alfonso Soriano, Sam Fuld, Marlon Byrd, and Kosuke Fukudome) working on the main field in the stadium. (Still rehabbing from 2009 TJS, Xavier Nady is assigned to the "A" Squad, but he does not participate in fielding drills). Tom Gorzelanny and Jeff Samardzija are also assigned to Squad "A," but they did not participate in the pick-off drills with the other Squad "A" pitchers today, possibly because they were likely scheduled to throw a two-inning "sim" game in preparation for their first Cactus League outings this weekend (Samardzija and Gorzelanny are scheduled to start the split squad games on Sunday).  Angel Guzman is assigned to Squad "A," too, but he is rehabbing from both off-season knee surgery and a recent shoulder problem that has temporarily delayed his progress.  


After the pick-off, baserunning, and fielding drills were completed, the pitchers ran sprints in the outfield while the position players took BP. Each of the 31 position players took about 50 swings in the BP session, with six groups (five or six players in each group) hitting on the two HoHoKam Park fields (Dwight Patterson Field and the back field located northeast of the stadium).


The three groups consisting of the "A Squad" guys were (naturally) assigned to hit in the stadium (Dwight Patterson Field), and so the youngsters who were part of these groups at Fitch Park had the unexpected pleasure of hitting in the stadium, instead of on the back field that time has forgotten. As a result, Andres Blanco, Sam Fuld, Micah Hoffpauir, and Chad Tracy were sent over the back field to hit, while Starlin Castro, Brett Jackson, and Josh Vitters came over to Dwight Patterson Field from the back field, joining the "A" Team in the stadium. (Blanco, Hoffpauir, and Tracy hit in a group with Kevin Millar and Chris Robinson, while Fuld hits with Darwin Barney, Blake Lalli, Bobby Scales, and Brad Snyder).


The first group to hit in the stadium was the "Theriot Group" (Ryan Theriot, Jeff Baker, Koyie Hill, Josh Vitters, and Mike Fontenot). Although he didn't hit a HR, The Riot looked great, drilling line drives all over the yard, from foul line to foul line. Jeff Baker hit two bombs in his first ten swings, but then cooled-off in his later rounds and started to hit pop ups and grounders. K. Hill hit two home runs (one left-handed into the RF bullpen, and one right-handed over the LF fence) toward the end of the group's session. Vitters (who played at HoHoKam Park last Fall while a member of the AFL's Mesa Solar Sox) started slowly, but then caught fire in his last two rounds (that's when he knocked out his two dingers). Fontenot just looked sluggish at the plate from beginning to end, continuing his (so far) unimpressive Spring Training BP work.


The next group to hit (the "Derrek Lee Group") consisted of Derrek Lee, Xavier Nady, Geovany Soto, Brett Jackson, and Marlon Byrd. D-Lee and Nady had a knock-down, drag-out Home Run Derby, matching tater-for tater throughout their five rounds. Lee and Nady both finsihed with eight home runs a piece (eight being by far the most any player hit at Dwight Patterson Field today). It's too bad the N. L. doesn't employ the DH, because it sure would be nice to get Nady's power into the Cubs lineup behind D-Lee and Ramirez on Opening Day. But if he can't throw, he certainly can't play RF. D-Lee started out like a house afire, smashing out six of his eight home runs in his first 20 ABs. Nady was also hot from the outset, and he hit the highest and longest HR of the day (landing just to the CF side of the scoreboard in LF). Soto started very slowly, but then he began to drive the ball about 2/3 of the way through the group's session. He hit all three of his home runs toward the end, all three screaming line drives that cleared the LF fence. Cubs 2009 #1 draft pick Brett Jackson looked very bad, and didn't hit the ball well at all. He looks kind of messed-up at the plate, just like he did at Instructs last October. Marlon Byrd did not hit any homers, but I give him extra credit for rifling the first 30 pitches he saw to right field, at one point putting Mike Fontenot on a merry-go-round at 2nd base, spinning the little guy back & forth, first to his right, and then to his left, with balls lined just out of his reach in each direction, until he finally made an outstanding diving stop on a ball hit to his left (generating a nice hand from the Cubs fans in attendance). Byrd couldn't stop laughing. Manager Lou Piniella was watching the session closely from behind the batting cage, and I'm sure Byrd's bat magic was not lost on Lou. Don't be surprised if Byrd hits 2nd in the batting order at some point in 2010 (especially if Fukudome is benched against LHPs).


The final group of five to hit at Dwight Patterson Field this morning was the "Alfonso Soriano Group" (consisting of Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, Kosuke Fukudome, Starlin Castro, and Welington Castillo). Soriano had some impressive BP sessions at Fitch Park over the previous week or so, but he did not have a particularly good one today, crushing just one homer while mixing line drives with pop ups & grounders. A-Ram started VERY slowly, reaching & feeling for pitches in his first two rounds, before he finally started hammering the ball consistently toward the end, including three towering HRs over the LF fence. Fukudome hit line drives to all fields, but when he tried to elevate the ball toward the end of his last round, the result was several lazy fly balls, not home runs. He might be better off just hitting liners, and forget about hitting home runs. Somewhat surprsingly, Starlin Castro had a very poor session today, even swinging & missing a couple of times (which is hard to do with a coach throwing soft-toss). But Welington Castillo looked very good, blasting two home runs to LF while knocking three more off the fence. Like Byrd and Theriot, Castillo appeared to make a conscious effort to take outside pitches to right field, lining several balls the opposite way. He got some extra yips from the other guys in his group when he completed his final round.


The first Cubs Cactus League game of 2010 is tomorrow at HoHoKam Park versus the Oakland A's, as the Cubs get to renew acquaintance with old friends Jake Fox, Eric Patterson, Michael Wuertz, Jerry Blevins, and Josh Donaldson.

Tags: 
Cubs Spring Training
Submitted by Arizona Phil on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 2:49pm
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Comments

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 3:12pm

"Starlin Castro had a very poor session today, even swinging & missing a couple of times (which is hard to do with a coach throwing soft-toss)"

yeesh...i know it's just 1 day...i know...

i just hope he's not tired (muscle fatigued) after a full season in the minors and 2 fall/winter leagues. maybe it was just a long night or "one of those days"

even without the prospect of breaking with the team it seems he needs to be game ready through the 2010 season.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 6:58pm

wtf?

Fox News has a tie-in with MLB Network where they do "news breaks" for them...uh...

Granted, if the Fawx News break they just took wasn't well...cooked with that normal Fox slant...yeesh.

I wonder why this partnership exists. Maybe it has something to do with all the games Fox stations own broadcast rights to...or some sold/bid advertising thing to get more money out of MLB Network...i dunno.

-edit-
ah...broadway systems manages MLB Network's advertising streams...which got off the ground thanks to Fox News and CBS Sports. no conspiracy, but i imagine broadway wanted to butter their bread on both sides.

-edit2-
http://www.multichannel.com/article/449637-ML...

...the thing is...that update i just saw was not business or a market wrapup...it was a political attack followed by "news" on a sportscar coming out soon.

-edit3-
sean casey, harold reynolds, and a few others from the MLB Network were on Fox and Friends this morning. hell of a cross promotion. odd bedfellows.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 7:27pm

From the always highly recommended Baseball America Prospect Handbook,
BA's top 30 for the Cubs:
Castro
B Jackson: He has enough natural power that he doesn't have to chase pitches out of the zone or swing for the fences to produce home runs
Vitters: Vitters makes contact almost too easily, as he rarely walks and gives away at-bats by putting balls in play he should let go.
Cashner: His 81-85 MPH slider breaks like a power curveball.
J Jackson: He has long arm action, but he's so athletic that he repeates his high three-quarters delivery easily.
H Lee: He's a gifted hitter who stays inside the ball and sprays line drives all over the field.
Watkins: He has an unorthodox stance with high elbows, but whips his bat through the zone and makes contact quite easily.
Carpenter: He's a diligent worker with a frame built for innings.
Flaherty: Formerly a dead-pull hitter, he started drivings balls the other way, giving him solid power to all fields.
LeMahieu: He could develop more power as he fills out and starts to turn on pitches...
Burke: On the 20-80 scale his arm strength is 70 and his accuracy is 80, allowing him to rack up 43 assists in 478 games in the outfield.
Rhee: During instructional league, Rhee showed he's on the verge of regaining his feel and stuff.
Dolis: He also has a changeup with some fade, but at times throws the pitch too hard.
Gaub: The deception in his three-quarters delivery makes him that much tougher to hit.
Archer: He has an easy delivery without any flaws, yet he has consistent trouble throwing strikes.
McNutt: McNutt's fastball has reached as high as 96 and features late riding action.
Colvin: He first injured his elbow in instructional league after his pro debut.
Barney: Barney's approach noticeably improved as he stopped trying to pull everything and hit more hard liners and grounders than easy flyouts.
Antigua: His changeup is his best present offering, ranking ahead of an 89-92 mph fastball and his slider.
Parker: Parker needs more consistency with his pitches as his fastball can get true and his slider can get flat.
Raley: The question is if Raley's feel for pitching can overcome his lack of a plus pitch against advanced hitters.
Cardidad: Chicago envisioned him as a reliever all along, but started him in the minors to give him innings to work on his secondary pitches.
Fuld: He has below-average arm strength but compensates with a quick release and good accuracy.
Mateo: At his bets he sits in the mid 90's and tops out at 98 MPH with his fastball
Coleman: He shuts down the running game, leading SL pitching qualifiers by giving up just three steals (in eight tries).
Chirinos: His ability to handle the bat and his patient approach are nothing new, but now he's showing some solid pop as well.
Castillo: He also let his body get soft in 2009, costing him some agility behind the plate.
Cales: Cales backs down from no one and aggressively challenges hitters.
Lake: He has the size, quick hands and snap in the swing to hit for more power than infielders, but he also has a lot of holes in his stroke and approach.
Adduci: Though he has less than average arm strength, he recorded 14 assists in 2009 because he charges the ball well, has a quick release and makes accurate throws.
Parker:

Submitted by Cubnut
on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 8:51pm

Thanks, Neal.

"...let his body get soft in 2009, costing him some agility behind the plate."

Sounds like another catcher in the organization we all know and love.

Submitted by Stevens
on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 11:22pm

And Castillo's best quality is his defense, right? Not good news.

Submitted by Charlie
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 12:02am

AZ Phil's always saying he's raw defensively and that his glove (or at least his blocking abilities) are going to have to catch up to his bat, but that his bat will likely get him to the big leagues. I apologize if I'm inaccurately paraphrasing, but that's my recollection. A young guy letting himself get pudgy when he's trying to make the majors is never really good news, though.

Submitted by Arizona Phil
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 4:09am

Submitted by Charlie on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 12:02am.
AZ Phil's always saying he's raw defensively and that his glove (or at least his blocking abilities) are going to have to catch up to his bat, but that his bat will likely get him to the big leagues. I apologize if I'm inaccurately paraphrasing, but that's my recollection. A young guy letting himself get pudgy when he's trying to make the majors is never really good news, though.

======================================

CHARLIE: That's correct.

Welington Castillo is the best-throwing catcher in the Cubs organization (44% CS in 2009), but his receiving skills still need work. (He did cut his passed balls in half & also reduced his errors this past season, however). One of his problems pre-2009 was that he liked to try and pick runners off base a lot, resulting in some unnecessary throwing errors, and he also had a problem with Catcher's Interference errors. But he seems to be getting that stuff straightened out.

Prior to 2009, Castillo's bat was always ahead of his glove, which was mostly just projection. He hit .271 with 11 HR at Peoria in 2007, and then followed that with a 287 BA and 337 OBP at Daytona & Tennessee combined in 2008. He was the last cut from Iowa at the end of Minor League Camp last March, but struggled the first-half at AA Tennessee in 2009 (hitting just .174), before catching fire and hitting 319/357/519 with 11 HR post-ASB.

He's only 22 (he turns 23 next month), so the Cubs need to be patient with him and give him a chance to smooth out the rough edges.

Submitted by Stevens
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 10:01am

Thanks as always, AZP.

Submitted by chuck
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 10:31am

Thanks much for the info from the Prospect Handbook.
Hadn't bothered buying it but had interest.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 11:23am

I'm going to ST this evening, bought it for some reading pleasure on the plane, and it's a good reference, especially early in ST when you see a lot of kids come up.

I should also add that those are by no means the complete write ups on the players, just a sentence I thought was most interesting or informative for TCR readers - each player has a two or three paragraph write up discussing almost all aspects of their game.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 7:34pm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/03/chuc...

Brad Penny then drove his car naked but unfortunately rammed his car into the back of flatbed truck.

It's a hard life to be a Cardinal pitcher.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 7:42pm

Chuck Liddell Naked

that should bring in the Google traffic

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 7:46pm

"hey brad...mind if me and my girl get nude and use your exercise room?"

"sure dawg."

"got a video camera?"

"beside the towels, dude."

Submitted by Sweet Lou
on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 8:41pm

That's just plain weird...

Submitted by Cubnut
on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 8:45pm

Some really impressive editorial work with the pixillation over the moving naughty bits. Especially with the gal using the step machine.

That's Oscar-worthy work there.

Submitted by Sweet Lou
on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 9:45pm

Here's an interesting take from Joe Posnanski regarding Alfonso Soriano. Posnanski looked at the types of pitches various hitters see during the course of a season and noticed that only Ryan Howard sees a lower percentage of fastballs.

I want to show you something kind of interesting about Soriano. Take a look at the percentage of fastballs he has faced vs. his OPS+.

2002: 54.4% fastballs — 129 OPS+
2003: 57% fastballs — 126 OPS+
2004: 52.4% fastballs — 100 OPS+
2005: 47.9% fastballs — 109 OPS+
2006: 54.1% fastballs — 135 OPS+
2007: 54% fastballs — 122 OPS+
2008: 53.2% fastballs — 119 OPS+
2009: 46% fastballs — 84 OPS+

It’s not a perfect rhythm — and there are so many other things involved such as healthy and league and so on — but generally speaking when you throw Pedro (Alfonso) Soriano fastballs, he peppers you. He can’t hit a curveball. He REALLY can’t hit a slider. And his plate discipline is as dreadful as ever so you can throw him those curveballs and sliders on three-ball counts. He might not see a fastball until July.

http://joeposnanski.com/JoeBlog/2010/03/03/fu...

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 9:31am

"He can’t hit a curveball. He REALLY can’t hit a slider. And his plate discipline is as dreadful as ever so you can throw him those curveballs and sliders on three-ball counts"

In other news the sky is blue.

Got a plane to catch.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 10:13pm

Attn: Jonathan R aka Bradley 4 Prez;

TCR league 2 is looking for you. You're the only one not yet signed up. Get signed up soon or you're going to forfeit your spot.

Thanks,
TCR2

Submitted by Ryno
on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 10:25pm

Hey man, are we keeping those 1-year guys? SJS & you are giving different information and I want to start planning my draft.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 10:56pm

I just put the topic up, let's decide it quickly with an up-or-down vote.

Submitted by Ryno
on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 10:22pm

Would it be "reactionary" of me to suggest the Cubs burn an option on Starlin Castro and option him to minor league spring training before he costs the team any more wins on the projected standings?

Submitted by Ryno
on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 10:25pm

But no, seriously, good to hear Theriot is swinging the bat well. Maybe he can make up for C-, D+ defense with a 300 batting average. I would totally endorse that.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 12:26am

Castro's not on the 40 man roster. He's in camp as a non-roster invitee. So it's not an option situation.

Submitted by Ryno
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 10:06am

I guess it was a poorly-played joke.

Submitted by artskoe
on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 10:34pm

"...It's too bad the National League doesn't have the DH..."

Huh?

No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no n o no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no !

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 11:07pm

only a couple more days until the first televised cubs ST games...woo.

btw...

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/schedule/broa...

Submitted by Charlie
on Wed, 03/03/2010 - 11:20pm

I'm just excited to look up a box score tomorrow. Psyched, in fact.

Watching Carlos Silva on Saturday? I expect that will be sheer bliss.

Submitted by MikeC
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 8:31am

Was Watching ESPN this morning and they said the Cubs have a crazy easy schedule to start the year. Out of their first 38 games only 6 are against teams that were over .500 last year.

If they only play .500 ball to start the year, that doesn't bode well for the rest of the season. If the team is serious about winning they need to come out of those first 38 games at least 10 games over .500.

I just found it interesting.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 9:31am

Unfotunately they have to play 162 games

Submitted by Stevens
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 10:04am

Interesting, yes. If the Cubs start off well, it will be interesting to see how fans-turned-owners react to the first pennant race they can financially affect.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 10:09am

"it will be interesting to see how fans-turned-owners react to the first pennant race they can financially affect."

Probably won't, because there is no money.
At least that's what has been said.

Submitted by Stevens
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 10:23am

I've also heard them say they may stretch the budget come the trade deadline if the team is in contention.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 10:59am

~fingers crossed~

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 12:40pm

If Dick Durbin was half the Senator he thinks he is he'd have found a way to get stimulus money to the Cubs.

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 10:23am

In other words, they play in the NL Central.

Submitted by Mike Vail
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 12:40pm

I'm not a big fan but was the "Mike & Mike" preview of the Cubs any good? I only got to hear the Pirates's preview. poor buggers.

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 10:22am

“There are some jobs to be won here,” Piniella said. “I think as many as five jobs can be won here.”

Piniella needs to fill two bullpen slots, two bench roles and two starting rotation slots

Isn't that 6 jobs ?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 11:03am

Loser of #3 gets #1?

Submitted by Charlie
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 11:50am

Via Rotoworld:

"Two years ago, I played, and I was good," said Bradley. "I go to Chicago, not good. I’ve been good my whole career. So, obviously, it was something with Chicago, not me."

I wish the reporter would've immediately brought up his .892 home and .646 road OPS in 2009. I don't really want to see Bradley picked on (even if he deserves it at times), but I hate to see people get away with making absolutely no sense at all.

Submitted by MikeC
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:04pm

He is a dick wherever he goes and never takes responsibility for his own actions. If you want to act like a complete dick, don't be shocked if everyone treats you like a complete dick.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 1:01pm

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100...

actually sounds like a cool alternative to skyboxes and allegedly much cheaper...

Individuals and businesses that purchase season tickets also will have access to the club on non-game days.

Season tickets to the PNC Club of Chicago are available in sets of two, four and six tickets. Tickets can be renewed annually, and club season-ticket holders have an opportunity to purchase additional tickets for select Cubs games. Membership includes parking for every home game.

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:42pm

So if I'm interpreting this correctly, you're saying TCR is going to buy a package of season tickets to the PNC Club to entertain commenters?

What a great idea, Rob!

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:48pm

helluva an idea

I smell a donation drive. :)

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 1:56pm

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/3/3/13337...

Starlin Castro vs Alcides Escobar
Which SS would you rather own in a dynasty fantasy league

Well castro has more offensive potential though it will take him longer to find it due to his youth. Both can stay at SS, although Castro has some competition in the Cubs system and if Lee hits at higher levels, Castro may end up at 2B.

Escobar has a higher floor but a lower ceiling. Better glove at this point, although Castro is no slouch.

there's more on Castro, Lee and Bristow as well

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:15pm

Just today I was trying to think of just an offensive comp for who we'd like Lee to be (no power, high K, high walk guy with good but not elite speed) - I couldn't think of a single guy.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:17pm

thought Lee had elite speed?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:45pm

70? I was thinking of Lofton who I was probably an 80.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:10pm

woohoo

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:12pm

or is everyone listening?

Submitted by Jace
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:13pm

How would we listen? I mean, without paying for MLB service...
Updates, please!

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:14pm

it's on WGN, I've got it on XM, I assume everyone is as fanatic as me

I'll give updates at the half innings.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:13pm

makes the first defensive play of the game in the bottom of 1st, chopper by Riot

Cahill pitching

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:15pm

on 1-2 pitch to left center

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:17pm

chopper to 3b - theriot
grounder to 2b - fukudome
HR Lee
K Ramirez

Submitted by Jace
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:20pm

Awesome. Thanks!

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:18pm

signs with Mets

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:22pm

broken bat grounder to 3b - Fox
K - Gross
bouncer to 3b - Rosales

4 ground outs, 2 K's for Wells

Submitted by Jace
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:25pm

Nice start for Wells. He's probably done after 2, right?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:29pm

single up the middle - Byrd
double to left center - Colvin (2nd/3rd)
sac fly to warning track, Colvin thrown out at 3b on close call by R. Davis - Fontenot
K looking - Soto

2-0 Cubs

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:31pm

never ends

http://vineline.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/03/...

Submitted by Ryno
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:43pm

Nice article. It's like AZ Phil-lite.

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:47pm

"-- Rookie Starlin Castro looked good during live BP, raking several John Grabow offerings into left field. Line drives, not flyballs, mind you."

linedrives by a righty off a lefty throwing BP. yawn.

see you in 2011 even though we'll see him in 2010...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:36pm

S. Marshall in

Popped up to 3b, foul territory - Powell
BB Pennington
K on check swing and wild pitch (man on 2nd)- Carson phitting for Cahill
Popout to RF - Davis

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:47pm

C. Bowers in

BB - S. Marshall
K swinging - Theriot [Castro seen making slash gesture over throat in dugout :) ]
2b to center over Gross's head, apparently misplayed - Fukudome (2nd/3rd)
K - Lee (Clutch!)
Flyout to RF - Ramirez

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 2:53pm

I believe Tracy is in @ 3b

groundout to 2b - Barton
groundout to SS, low throw saved by Lee - Sweeney
chopper to SS - Fox

you know what happening through 4

Submitted by sbwilliams
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 3:00pm

Hmm... Byrd hitting well. 2 for 2 and homerun

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 3:03pm

Mortensen in to pitch for A's

HR to CF on a high fastball- Byrd
double over RF's head - Colvin
BB - Fontenot (1st/2nd)
single to LF on 1-2 count, Fontenot out at 3b and gets hurt sliding, limps off, doesn't seem serious - Soto
6-4-3 DP - LaHair Phitting for Marshall

4-0 Cubs, grabbing lunch, may miss top of 5th

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 3:13pm

What I missed*

Parisi in, Fuld in CF, Chirino at C, Blanco at 2b

Castro picks up a routine grounder up the middle, nice scoop by Lee apparently - Gross
HR Rosales
Powell makes an out apparently

Pennington is up and it's 4-1 when I walk back in room, believe he BB's and advances on wild pitch
Lee makes nice play, 3-1 GO = phitter for Mortensen

4-1

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 3:23pm

RHP John Malone pitching

Castro up
takes outside
FB high
FB high
takes a strike
Flyball out to right on 3-1

Santo relays story of when he was 20 being told he'd break camp with team if he had big game vs. Dodgers and then Cubs made a trade and he didn't make club until June. I'm guessing 10% of that story is accurate.

INF single to the hole at short - Fukudome
line drives single to RF, throw to 3b, Fuku safe easily...Lee rounds 1b too far, but Fox throws ball away trying to catch Lee and Fuku scores - Lee (man on 2b)
weak grounder to 2b - Tracy (Lee to 3b)
popup to 3b - Fuld

5-1 Cubs

Submitted by John Beasley
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 3:33pm

"I'm guessing 10% of that story is accurate."

Yes, there is a team called the Dodgers.

Thanks for the play-by-play, by the way.

Submitted by DavidP
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 3:39pm

The trade Santo refers to was the one where Zimmer came to the Cubs. The third base position was no longer open for Santo.

They brought him up a couple of months later, and he stayd for good.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 3:43pm

so it was accurate? I'll be damned

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 3:27pm

mets are killing the cards...2 runs score on a 30ft. popup that no one caught...bases get re-loaded...grand slam by THE ike davis (who?).

STL down by 7...10-17.

thnx all for the cubs/a's updates, btw.

Submitted by Dusty Baylor
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 3:51pm

Ike Davis is actually former Cub and Yankee pitcher Ron Davis. He's the Mets 1B of the future apparently.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 3:29pm

Parisi still in

grounder to SS, Castro "fires it to first" - Davis
K - Barton
K swinging - Buck phitting for Sweeney

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 3:36pm

Yesterday Lou said the Cubs had a problem with their outfield (no doubt after looking at Soriano and Nady) and needed to find another OF'er during ST who could hit and play good defense.

Colvin is sure looking like that guy today.

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 3:40pm

national broadcast schedule (all teams), including spring (no WGN, CSN, FSN, etc)

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/broadcas...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 3:41pm

ex-Cub Jerry Blevins in

HR on 3-1 pitch to right-center - Colvin (helluva day, please don't trade him)
line drive to LF on hanging curve - Blanco
some type of flyout - Chirinos
Blanco CS by Powell, ex-Cub Epat playing 2b
single to LF - Millar

Castro
takes a ball
takes ball inside
takes ball inside
takes a strike
line drive to 2b

6-1 Cubs

Submitted by John Beasley
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 5:00pm

Didn't you just advocate trading Colvin for Jason Frasor like 3-4 days ago?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 5:02pm

yeah, I was mocking myself, but I made the trade comment before I read about his offseason 'roids cycle.

I'm all for keeping him now.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 5:13pm

If he rakes this spring, I'm more likely to think about trading him now, actually, while his value is high.

Unless he was injecting those roids into his eyes, his plate discipline is still likely to be exposed by high-level pitching. And now he's blocked at the MLB level in this organization until at least 2012.

Let some other GM fall in love with his new muscles and give the Cubs too much for Colvin's services.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 5:24pm

The Colvin of the last 3 year sis someone I can do without in the organization, but if he reaches a new performance level, which certainly isn't impossible for a 24-year old, then I'm all for keeping him. If he's suddenly a 30 HR guy ( a big if), and can play CF (another big if, but not as crucial) then the plate discipline is less of a problem. And he'll walk a bit more by virtue of his alleged new found power.

right now I assume he doesn't get you much better than a reliever. If he's the key to the Adrian Gonzalez package, then go ahead and trade him.

Not to worried about being blocked, guys get hurt and he has 3 option years left. Soriano to 1b, Lee leaving and an open outfield spot is a real possibility imo, as is Fukudome getting traded after this season.

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 5:37pm

i wouldn't worry too much about colvin in CF, myself. kevin goldstein (espn) kicked up a stink about it early, but it seems he's capable at this point.

some projections have some...well, fucking stupid (CHONE) projections for his D. and total zone (edit: for a guy at this point in his career) can suck a dick.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 6:12pm

Soriano to 1B...

Will that little hop he does when he's making a catch be a problem? What if he can't find the bag when he comes down?

Submitted by The E-Man
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 3:42pm

ROB G: Thanks for the PBP!

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 3:48pm

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers...

16. Jim Hendry

"It's tempting to overreact to a lousy 2009 and to heavily count bad contracts doled out to players such as Alfonso Soriano and Milton Bradley against Hendry, but the truth is that he built a consistently successful team that had every chance to win a World Series at its peak and just didn't, through no real fault of his. The Cubs are now likely in for a hangover as the core of that team ages, but given the team's history he was right to go for it all."

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 3:54pm

those are some odd rankings, but everyone thinks that about every list

A. MacPhail - 12th (high imo)
Jocketty - 14th (just for Reds? or Cards time is included)
T. Reagins - 15th (low imo)
B. Smith - 22nd (low)

Submitted by crunch
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 4:06pm

cashman #3 is a pile of shi...

theo should probably be #1...glad they realized what a stellar job Z-man has done in SEA snagging #5.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 3:53pm

Pat & Ron talking about god knows what, but don't know pitcher or who is up...mother effers

3-2 count on someone by some LHP, then HBP

mystery uncovered, JR mathes pitching, Smith(?) on 1b

lots of excitement announcing Silva pitching on Sat
K - Corey Brown
Hit to center, Fuld makes a bad throw to 3b, runner advances to 2b - EPat (2nd/3rd)
Sac Fly to left-center, runner advances to 3b as well - ex-Cub J. Donaldson phitting for Powell (man on 3b)
HBP or walk, I missed it - Pennington (1st/3rd)
6-4 FC - A. Cardenis (sp?)

6-2 Cubs

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 4:04pm

No idea who is pitching, possibly still Blevins

Long HR to RF - B. Snyder
Deep Flyout to RF - Hoffpauir
line drive single to center - Tracy
2-run HR to RF - Fuld (take that Colvin)
grounder to SS - Colvin
Flyout to LF - Blanco

9-2 Cubs, LHP B. Kilby did the pitching

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 4:53pm

Another CLASSIC comment by Santo after, if I recall, the Snyder HR.

Ron: Home Run! Yea! ..........Was that to right?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 4:13pm

these innings are getting too long, might be the last of the updates..

Mathes still in

shallow fly to Blanco - M. Taylor
Deep HR to left center - C. Carter
chopper to 1b, flips to Mathes - Buck
K swinging - McPherson phitting

9-3 Cubs

Submitted by The E-Man
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 4:13pm

Gents - is there FREE MLB for iPhone during ST? IIRC there was last year...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 4:27pm

site froze briefly on me...

J. Souza pitching

K - Chirino
K looking - Scales
triple to right center, "running hard the whole way" - Castro
makes an out somehow - B. Snyder

Caridad in

Flyout to LF - C. Brown
grounder to SS - EPat
popped up to SS - J. Donaldson

9-3, Cubs win!!!!

Submitted by artskoe
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 7:02pm

Lots and lots of ground outs from the A's today - good sign - GM (Greg Maddux) Factor?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 03/04/2010 - 8:09pm

3 groundball pitchers in Wells, Marshall and Parisi

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