Not to Worry, Move Along Now

Trying to digest the latest spring training and trade rumors does not provide much short-term hope for Cubs fans.  Probably not all that much long-term promise either, more along the lines of tempered hope at best.

Basically, the rotation seems to be in a shambles if we are to judge by spring training results.  Arrietta is still hurt.  MacDonald went down yesterday and is likely through.  He had shoulder problems last year with the Pirates and, to be honest, it looks like he has had the same issues all through this spring except that this time they were more acute.  Hammel isn't exactly turning heads, but he is probably this year's version of Maholm or Feldman.

The rotation now seems to be Wood, Samardzija, Jackson, and who knows.  Plus they seem to be thinking about trading Samardzija again, a subject we have discussed before and concluded makes no sense whatsoever.

Aside from the bullpen and known quantities mentioned above, the most promising performances have come from two finesse pitchers, Hendricks and Rusin.  For some reason, the Cubs seem intent on recruiting hard throwers and downplaying the future of everyone else.  For my money, Rusin should start the season in the rotation and Hendricks should go to AAA with a possible call-up as things progress, i.e., when they finally trade Hammel or give up on him.

As for the rest of the plan, we are assured by those in the know that Bryant is a sure-fire star in the making who could be ready this year, but will be allowed to languish another season in the minors because the Cubs plan calls for losing big for at least another year and they are too cheap to risk a promotion that would accelerate his free agency clock.  The same goes for Baez.  Olt looks good so far and I would not be surprised to see him come North as the starting third baseman.

Castro is still limping along.  Castro was hurt in spring training last year as well, again the hamstring, which makes you wonder whether this guy works out in the off-season at all or whether the Cubs are too dumb not to restrain his largely unsuccessful base-stealing efforts to later in the spring.  In any case, should he not be ready for opening day, this presents another serious problem for the team.  Ought they to bring Baez along.  I rather doubt this will happen, but it is an interesting thought nonetheless.

Looking down the road, the Cubs seem to have nothing but infielders, particularly shortstops and third basemen, on the horizon.  Clearly someone is going to have to change positions or be traded, possibly both.  Personally I would trade Castro if he returns to his previous batting form and go with Baez at short, hang onto Barney even if he hits .260, and move Bryant to right field if Olt continues to hit.  The real problem they will have even in this scenario is the complete lack of left-handed hitting.  In their best case visions if all their most promising prospects pan out, they have only one left-handed batter in their future plans.