Hello again, everybody. With the weather warming and the words whizzing and whirring, Spring Training is getting more and more interesting by the day. And I am not even referencing a single thing about an actual baseball game.
While the bigwigs war with words, actual baseball is an afterthought, but baseball is what is obviously most important in the end. So, with that said, let’s get down to said baseball and some egos while we go rambling on this fine NCAA Tournament Friday.
• Does Starlin Castro still play for the Cubs? I have honestly not heard his name in weeks. No better thing could be happening to Starlin right now. And he just added his second hit of the game, a triple. Not bad two extra basehits, but the play in the field was, let’s just say, less than good.
• Seriously, guys. Let’s just yap about everyone else, and leave Castro and Rizzo alone.
• When the biggest discussion of the spring is whether or not a rookie will or won’t appear in the first nine games of the season, then something is going on. Some have already started construction of Bryant’s wing in Cooperstown.
• I mean, the way people are talking, if this kid is not Mike Trout-good in two years, he will be an utter disappointment. How is that possible? How about we let the kid play for a few months. Then we can all have discussions.
• I don’t care about his stats. I don’t care that he is leading Spring Training in homers, I don’t care that he is working on his fielding. I don’t care about anyone of it. Kris Bryant should not start the year in the Bigs. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
• Speaking of this, everyone is saying and doing the right things. Theo is, Boras is, Bryant is. I will not take credit for this, so please see Barry Rozner’s column from this week in the Daily Herald. He could not have been more right.
• Theo is standing up for the Cubs, and Boras is doing what he was hired to do. Both might seem boorish to some and bright to others, but neither man is wrong.
• Speaking of right and/or correct, Neil made quite the astute point regarding the Bryant situation. It has so much attention that no one is talking about Baez’s Spring Training performance. He is hitting .100, which includes many a match-up against minor-leaguers.
• However, after Baez’s winter-ball performance, no one can say they are surprised. And let’s remember Mr. Baez as we are about to crown Mr. Bryant. Many were trying to anoint Baez not that long ago. And yes, there is a long way to go for both of them. There are hopefully many more chapters to be written.
• Remember last week when I predicted Wada would win the fifth spot as just another way to avoid choosing Travis Wood. And then I wrote if Wada gets hurt in the next 24 hours, ala Jacob Turner from the week prior, Travis Wood is clearly the fifth starter.
• Yea, Travis Wood is clearly the fifth starter.
• And speaking of that, I do not expect the Cubs to eat E-Jax’s salary. He should see some time in the bullpen as the long man and be the first one up after injury strikes the rotation.
• And NO, I will not predict E-Jax will win the final spot in the rotation due to the events of the past two weeks. I will not do that, it is not right. Not right at all …
• Szczur is my surprise of the spring thus far. I thought he was done. He has been my favorite prospect for awhile now. He is just the kind of player you root for, and the kind of human you aspire to be. I know spring stats don’t matter, and he could turn out to Mather or Boguesevic, but he is making a statement.
• And if we are talking about statements, Jorge Soler is putting everyone on notice. This man is going to be awesome. I am putting myself out there on this; Jorge Soler will be an All-Star baseball player. Book it.
• While it is only Spring Training, it was nice to win some games this week. It really was. Winning is never, ever a bad thing. Well … #winning.
• Now this directly from Best Pal Stats Inc, “When I see Allen Craig rumors, all I can think of is how terrible Aaron Miles was – don’t mess with Cards’ rejects.” Thank you, BPSI.
• I am really curious to see how Maddon reacts when he cannot handle a situation because it seems like he can handle every possible scenario with aplomb. He always says the right things. He is spot on in his delivery and emotions. He doesn’t appear to be fake or coached-up. My man-crush on Joe Maddon is starting to reach new levels. And for those who have read this site for years know there is one all-time man crush. Yes folks, I will admit …
• Joe Maddon is reaching Mark DeRosa territory very quickly. And yes, I called DeRo today to give him a heads up. I mean, I just wanted to be polite.
• I still do not think the Cubs will carry three catchers, and would be very surprised if they do, but Castillo is putting up a heck of a fight right now. And good for him.
In sixteen days the 2015 Major League Baseball season gets underway on Easter Sunday at Wrigley Field. 2015 is going to special. Not because it will happen, but because it will be the foundation of what needs to happen for it to happen.
If you don’t understand that statement, then you need another glass of Cubbie Kool-Aid.
And until next time …
Stay Classy Cubs Fans!!