Could there be a surprise?
TUCSON, Ariz. _ Kind of a messy game today as the Cubs fell 10-6 to the Rox, with Randy Wells giving up 5 of the 6 runs Colorado scored in the bottom of the eighth.
Reed Johnson got hit by a pitch on the right hand, but he came up with a pair of outfield assists as he played the whole game in right field. Johnson had his hand wrapped in ice on the way out; the Cubs said it was precautionary. Speaking of the outfield, could So Taguchi make the team as a nonroster guy ahead of Joey Gathright? We'll see. Lou talked up Taguchi yesterday, saying he "gives you a professional at-bat." Gathright today rainbowed a throw home from left field.
Fukudome walked twice, but he was 0-for-3, making him 1-for-7 on the spring. In his second at-bat, he popped out on a 3-0 pitch. Let's see where this goes.
Micah Hoffpauir was 2-for-5 with a homer, a double and 3 RBI. There's no question about his status: He's on the team. Talking with outfield coach Mike Quade today, he said Hoffpauir can be serviceable in the outfield. More in Sunday's paper about the outfield.
Aaron Miles was 3-for-5, and he appears to be on track. Talking with Cubs people, they seem happy with the backup infield situation. I don't expect a trade. The Cubs feel Fontenot and Miles can handle third base if Ramirez needs a day.
David Patton did not get into today's game. Maybe the Rule 5 kid will pitch tomorrow. Kevin Hart came in to bail out Wells.
Bruce,
I know the Cubs are committed to Fukudome, but does his contract allow him to be sent to the minors if the Cubs feel he needs to work on something and feel he's become a detriment to the major league line-up?
Bruce -- Couldn't the Cubs cut Gathright by March 31 and pay him 20% of the 800 grand?
But if they opt for Taguchi, who's old and not very good, he gets his full 900 grand, right? If they cut him, I believe he gets 0, cuz it was a minor-lg deal.
How about cutting both and getting either an extra OF or IF via the waiver wire?
Some guys get guaranteed money written into the deal; I'd have to ask about Gathright. Taguchi is on a minor-league deal, so he's guaranteed nothing. It's easier said than done getting somebody else. Reed Johnson was out there last year, and the Cubs pounced. They'll look, but I don't know how much quality is out there. Lou seems to like Taguchi, and they have spots open on the 40-man.
bruce, whatever happened to rex grossman? do u think he'll find work in the NFL?
thanks, art
Bruce,
Any word on more of the minor league releases? Every year at this time teams begin releasing their disappointments from drafts pasts. It's a shame that this money essentially has been thrown out the window.
Thanks.
The ex-Notre Dame pitcher is gone. I'm trying to get a full list. Pawalek is still in the organization, though.
http://chicagocubsonline.com/archives/2009/03/cubs_pawelek.php
http://muskat.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/03/329_quick_hits.html
This website says that Pawelek has also been released. What should I believe?!?!?!?!
When I wrote this, he was still in the organization. They released him the next day.
I was just wondering about that myself the other day. Gathright might have been okay to keep around in the days of 10 man pitching staffs, but I think benches these days are a little too short to keep such a light bat. Not that Taguchi's exactly Manny Mota either, but he still has about an 80 point career slugging percentage edge over Gathright...