Crawly's Mailbag

Thanks to all of you readers who keep posting comments.  I love hearing what all of you have to say.  Always feel free to comment on anything I write about or any questions you have by clicking on the "comments" after each of my posts. 

I thought I would respond to two readers questions/comments I have recieved recently.

First off,  dswedo asked me;

"We have an excelent young pitching staff and I think we should expose them to the rigors of a major league season and ditch Williams and Rusch what do you think?"

Good question dswedo.  I have really been impressed with Angel Guzman and Sean Marshall.  The way those two no-hit the A's for eight innings was amazing.  I have been waiting for Guzman to break into the majors for a long time, while Marshall has been a pleasant surprise.  Rich Hill on the other hand, has been a bit of a disappointment.  As far as ditching Rusch and Williams, I don't know if I would go that far.  As good as Guzman and Marshall have looked, this is Spring Training.  These pitchers have faced a lot of guys that will not be on a major league roster.  That no hitter against the A's was against a split squad.  In a major league game, these young pitchers will face the top hitters multiple times in a game. The more pitches and at-bats these hitters get against a pitcher, the harder it will be for Guzman and Marshall.  I have seen a lot of minor leaguers come up and have an amazing start or two, but once teams scout these guys, analyze film of their starts, and batters face them a few times, well that separates the men from the boys.  Guzman and Marshall would have to make adjustments the way the hitters will adjust to them.  Rusch and Williams have thrown in plenty of major league games.  Rusch can be valuable because he is a lefty,  the only experienced starter on the staff.  I am not a big fan of Rusch coming out of the bullpen.  If the Cubs plan on using Rusch out of the bullpen, then I would get rid of him.  If they plan on starting him, then I would keep him.  As far as Williams, he has some potential.  He may have his break out year this year.  If he doesn't do well as a starter, I would keep him in the bullpen.  Because of injuries to the walking wounded (Wood, Prior, Miller), Guzman or Marshall have a shot to earn a spot, or be waiting in the wings if Rusch or Williams falter.  The Cubs are fortunate that their schedule in April and early May is not that difficult.   The Cubs start out April with the Red, Cardinals, the Reds, Pittsburg, the Dodgers, the Cardinals, Florida and Milwaukee.  The Cubs start out early May against Pittsburg, the Dimondbacks, the Padres, the Giants, and the Padres again.  Other than St. Louis, who look weaker than the last few years, the Cubs should be beating these teams.  This will provide everone we have talked about, Rusch, Williams, Marshall, and Guzman, an opportunity to prove they belong.  Hopefully Wood will be back at the end of April, Prior or Miller come back in early-mid May, and the Cubs stay healthy before the schedule gets much tougher in Late May, June, July, and August.

Faithful reader sheichenberger disagees that with me that Jim Hendry should be pitching a Walker or Harriston and Rich Hill for Alfonso Soriano.  She writes;

" I have to disagree with you again, Crawly. Soriano is a ticking time bomb. His attitude stinks and I'll project that his contribution to the team would be less than stellar. I thought we were done with grossly egotistical players when we got rid of Sammy? Let's not revisit insubordination-ville."

She also writes

"I do not envy the Nats' position - trying to get rid of Alfonso will be like trying to give out an STD. No one will want him - especially after the stunts he's pulling."

Ouch, comparing Alfonso to an STD? That's rough.  Well, Sarah, again I have to disagree with you ;)  I don't think Soriano is an egotistical time bomb.  To the contrary, take a look at this article from Phil Rogers, baseball writer for the Trib.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/cs-060321rogers,1,826916.column?coll=cs-cubs-headlines

To sum up the article, Soriano has gone to two World Series and four all star games in seven seasons and never caused problems for managers Joe Torre or Buck Showalter. The only time he ever has balked at a request is when his team wanted him to change positions.  Is that such a horrible thing?  I am an ESL teacher in the northwest suburbs.  I like teaching ESL, I think I am good at it, it's what I like to do.  Now, if a school hired me and told me I had to teach math, I would not be happy, especially if they didn't ask me if I would be willing to do it.  The Soriano situation rests squarely on the shoulders of Nationals general manager Jim Bowden.  Who would trade two good outfielders, add 10 million dollars to your payroll without asking a player if he would be willing to switch positions.  I have seen Todd Walker play outfield, it was pretty embarassing.  Why would Soriano want to embarass himself during a contract year?  You feel his contributions would be less than steller?  The last time the Cubs had a second baseman who hit .290 with 40 homers and 100-plus RBIs, his name was Ryne Sandberg.  Soriano is a powerful hitter, fast, and an average defensive player who will look a lot better throwing to Derrek Lee.   He is on the last year of his contract, so look for him to have a monster season for somebody.  It's just a question of who he is going to have it for.  Would you rather have Walker, Harriston, or Perez at second or Soriano?  I think that should answer any doubts.  According to one of his former coaches, "Sorey's really a good kid, a good person.  He's never a problem. He works hard. This is his free-agent year coming up, and I think he's ready to have a big, big year."

Tying these two questions/comments together, the Cubs will have to make due with the pitchers we have until Wood/Prior/Miller come back. The schedule gives them this opportunity.  To help this situation, the Cubs need to add a big bat to help keep the pitching staff out of trouble.  This is where Soriano would come in handy. 

Thanks to those of you who posted comments and questions.  The rest of you feel free to jump in.