Sunday musings: Lee and Fukudome
Neither Derrek Lee nor Kosuke Fukudome are in today's lineup. Lee took treatment for the upper-back and neck spasms that forced him out of yesterday's game early.
"I'm going to make it," Lee said, joking about staying alive. "Today is just a precautionary thing."
Lee did say that the problem is related to the bulging disc that cropped up early last season in Philly and that he had some spasms with it yesterday, when he took "an awkward swing." He said it affects the left side of his neck and his upper back. "It's something that doesn't ever go away, but it's not something that's daily," he said.
Daryle Ward plays first and bats fourth today, with Aramis Ramirez batting third.
As for Fukudome, he and Lou huddled in the video room for most of the morning, and neither was in a mood to talk about it. In fact, Lou asked for another day off from his pregame media sesssion. Fukudome told Japanese reporters that he might talk after the game.
For the homestand, Fukudome is 1-for-13. In August, he's 9-for-62 (.145) and his OBP is a sickly .236. Since the all-star break, he's 23-for-109 (.211) with a .296 OBP, .303 slugging percentage. That adds up to an OPS of .599. That's not exactly good.
Today's lineup:
Soriano, LF
Theriot, SS
Ramirez, 3B
Ward, 1B
DeRosa, RF
Edmonds, CF
Soto, C
Fontenot, 2B
Harden, P
The Cubs also need to get Edmonds going. He's 0-for-15 over his last six games.
..I don't know what Angel Hernandez saw, but wow, that last pitch was off the plate. I'll take it.
I'm not sure whether to think he is overrated, or if might take a season to adjust to the U.S. and big league ball over here. If there isn't improvement by next year then I would tend to believe the Japanese media.
And it could just be he is just a good to above average player, and not one that is bordering on being a star.
It's always good to let things play out awhile before jumping to conclusions. Fukudome no doubt needs to make adjustments. He seems to be a bright enough guy who understands that. His overall game, especially his defense, is pretty good, so let's see how it plays out.
I think time has run out for Fukudome. IF Fontenot can hit and play D, and as long as DeRosa doesn't implode in RF, I think Lou has had enough of Fukudome.
I have never seen a Major League player swing and have his back facing the pitcher and pull off on every single pitch. This is a complete over-haul that is needed, and I can't see a short term fix being the key.
This is really going to haunt the Cubs for the next few years.
...The Cubs are in big trouble because this guy is here for four years. I'd go with what you suggest: Fontenot at second and DeRosa in right. Several member of the Japanese media termed Fukudome "overrated" in spring training. Maybe they knew something.