RE: optioning Atkins before season starts

I think the club wants to keep him under team control longer? It has something to do with how service time is calculated.

If there will be a shortage of RHP reliever by the end of May, GM Hendry will call up Atkins, and it wouldn't be a full season, to the advantage of Chicago Cubs.

Thanks guys...it was fun...Cubs win and I gotta go...

Erin Go Bragh!!!!

I know it's just Spring Training, but this is ridiculous. Lou is not happy.

Parker just hurt his stock ... lost his command and walked the bases loaded after the long foul ball.

Nice pickoff move by Cashner.

It doesn't look like we are going to get another ss prospect:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/03/hechevarria-close-to-signing-with-blue-jays.html

Very good at bat by Castro ...

Agreed on Castro...he has a really "sweet swing".

Nice to see Hoffy's bat start to come

alive in the last few days.

Suzy, result aside I liked his at bat. Everything I read about him before this year indicated he was not patient at the plate. I have seen the opposite from him this spring.

One thing to keep an eye on with Castro, of his four extra base hits ... two to left (double and home run), two to right center (double and triple).

Neil, this is the first time I've really watched him...critically...Castro appeqars very polished at the plare...unlike Pie that hacked away.

Suzy, I watched as many of his BP sessions last week. One of the things I noticed was good power from left center to right center. He seemed to be able to hit the ball with authority to both fields.

There goes a hit to right ...

Cashner looked really good! He could make our bullpen now...but i rather them continue developing him as a starter...

Tracy hasn't helped himself with 2 weak flyouts today.

Nice throw by Soto.

Grabow is having another rough outing.

It's always a good thing when the brass has a difficult time in deciding who makes the team and who doesn't. At least it is when they're deciding who will help more than the other, rather than who will hurt the team less than the other.

From what I've seen, not that I wish him bad things, but it sure would be nice if Soriano had a career ending injury. Do they have to pay the full salary if that happens. Just asking. Like I said, I'm not THAT mean where I would wish bad things on someone. (OK maybe I am mean)

Yes they would have to pay him. Insurance may kick in but Major League contracts, for the most part, are guaranteed.

Thanks for the laugh John...I roared when I saw your last line.

Soriano is moving his head when he swings...not good...At least he layed off the first low and away.

Was that 'Little Babe Ruth'?

Yep,the Little Babe has come back...he needs a job.

Thanks, Neil, that is along the lines I just ranted above.

Millar is a defensive liability in the OF, not really what you want on the bench.

If Tracy doesn't make the team, then what...Fontenot is again the 3B backup? Wow. Maybe they figure Fontenot be better on the hot-corner this year with Millar "keeping him loose", cuz we all know how well that worked last year...

In the mix ...

http://muskat.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/03/314_building_the_bench.html

Muskat better start proofreading her blogs. Or maybe she was talking about Kevin's brother, Kieth.

If Millar could hit bombs like that with any consistancy this season...then I'd take him.

Man...you can hear Ronnie Woo Woo all over the place on WGN....Maybe we should sic himj on the White Sox.

I was just going to post something on Wickers. He was a funny distraction for us bleacher bums during the 80s, but now he's just annoying. I know he's not rich, how does he get around to all these spring games? Maybe he has a corporate sponsor. Like the Chicago White Sox.

He can clear the room when he walks in too. The man needs to shower more. I was sitting in Sluggo's in Mesa a couple years ago after a game when he walked in. You could smell him across the room. And I can't believe all those people that actually buy him a beer.

When I saw and smelled him, I assumed by his hygiene that he lived on the street, and pan handled for the 4$ bucks (back in the day) to get in.

Yep, that's him.

Gary...you know...I was wondering that myself. A dentist donated his teeth...Who knows about the travel...and I agree...I've spent a ton of time in the bleachers...and he used to be fun...BUT...if he's right next to you wooing away...it can actually give you a headache.

Millar with a nice two-run shot.

Hey Patrick S. you think might have jumped the gun on Wells and his no runs during ST. All you so called baseball managers its SPRING TRAINING. You can't measure much until the end of spring ball.

HA!!! Millar hits one out. He's the total offense today.

I haven't seen a team that runs the bases as well as the Angels do year in and year out. I wish that we could get Scioscia to come over one day and teach the Cubs how to run the bases aggressively.

Could someone please teach Mike Fontenot how to slide?

I know Nady just flied out ... but seeing him in a Cubs' uniform after so many years of him killing the ball against the Cubs makes me happy.

Kevin Millar with a nice double.

Today's game is on MLB Audio. But it's the LAA feed, not Pat and Ron.

Do they have a monkey in Tempe?

Atkins had an ERA of 6.68 last year at AAA Iowa. I think that speaks well enough why Atkins will stay in Iowa until he can improve upon that number greatly.

Shane/Suzy,

You're right. I went to your link, Suzy, and I see, I see. Thanks for posting, both of you.

Frankly I'm sick of the Cubs wasting playing time on Millar. DUMP HIM NOW. Where's Synder or Colvin or Hoffpauir or somebody besides Grandpa Millar?

Atkins got cut with a 0.00 ERA. That's what he had at the end of last year with us, too. 0.00 ERA. I haven't seen his stuff, but the Cubs think little enough of it, although he gets people out.

Agreed 100%.

Millar is using up space in spring training. Why wouldn't they want to see LaHair playing every opportunity? So bad.

jc, from what I have heard/read they really like Millar. Many of the vets are pulling for him to make the team.

I understand Millar is a very likable guy.

I don't really care about that. This roster is not built to carry a guy on the bench because he's and "idiot" (I am so sick of that) and can keep guys "loose". They NEED a HITTER and preferably a LH hitter and one that can play a defensive position preferably the OF. They do not need older, weaker, funnier version of Daryl Ward.

If Millar makes the team and Colvin goes down after tearing the cover off the ball, well, that is just plain dumb.

jc 3-6-3 I think it's Tracy/Millar.

I'm in agreement with you.

It never hurts to have a guy on the team who has a little dirt under his fingernails. Besides, he's an idiot. He keeps the other guys loose.

I have to believe Millar would have to beat out Tracy to make the team. I don't see anyway that Millar and Tracy can both make the team. Lahair has to be already headed to AAA and not thought of as anything more than a mid-season back-up.

Rip...I include Atkins player page from baseball reference.

I have not seen him pitch...but I don't understand why he is on the 40 man roster

if he does not make drastic improvement early.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=atkins001mit

Diamond, Caridad, Wells and Dempster, have yet to give up a run, Gaub has been pretty good. Here's the Link http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/stats/sortable_player_stats.jsp?c_id=chc

Interesting I was looking at the stats and Parisi (who has been looked at in more of a relief role, has given up 2 hits (1 a hr) 1bb for a 1.80 ERA in 5 innings.

Just saw the lineup from Muskat:

RF Fukudome

2B Fontenot

DH Nady

1B Millar

CF Byrd

LF Soriano

3B Tracy

C Soto

SS Barney

Note: Jeff Baker was originally starting at second but he's going to make the trip to Tucson on Monday, so Mike Fontenot will start Sunday instead.

This'll be my first time seeing Barney and Tracy...and Millar in a Cubs uni for that matter.

Also, if I'm not mistaken, Pinero's last game against us was a complete game shutout...so, I think we're due

Mario, thank you for posting the lineup.

Good memory on Pineiro as well.

Very optimistic about the Cubs future outfield, with Jackson playing well and Fuld playing typical outstanding defense. And with Colvin hitting the heck outta the ball, I'm beginning to regret the Byrd signing. There would be no reason to "think twice" if it wasn't such a logjam in the field this year...

Colvin should be starting LF, Soriano should be 4th or 5th outfielder, grossly exorbitant contract or not.

Fuko's hitting coach returns:

http://muskat.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/03/314_fukudomes_hitting_coach_re.html

Suzy, Fukudome's hitting coach is supposed to be around more this year. He and Rudy are going to work together a lot from the way I understand it.

Cubs announced first round of cuts this morning. No surprises. I updated the game preview, check out the list.

Neil,can the Cubs remove Patton fromthe 40man roster if they need the spot?

Suzy, they would have to put Patton on waivers in order to remove him from the 40-man roster. With what they went through last year trying to keep him, I do not see that happening.

For the Cubs not to lose Patton, he would have to clear waivers then they could re-sign him to a minor league contract.

Neil...I understand that thinking...so does that apply to anyone on the 40 man roster...they have to put them through wauvers to take them off?

Yes, it does.

No surprises, but I thought, well hoped they would give Vitters an extended look, especially with Ramirez out at the moment. But I guess we will see more of Baker, and Tracy. Baker really needs to turn it up A NOTCH OR TWO! He's off to a slow start.