The Daily CCO: Javier Baez is Thinking Too Much and Other Cubs News and Notes

The Cubs slipped to 0-5-1 on the spring with Monday’s 6-3 loss to the Padres and the noise got louder about the team’s winless record in the Cactus League. Entirely too much is being made about a team that has used mainly minor leaguers up for the day from the sixth inning on. As Joe Maddon said Sunday this is a process that is going to take patience.

Prior to Monday’s game against the Padres, Joe Maddon addressed Javier Baez’s three-strikeout performance from the day before. Maddon took responsibility for Baez’s struggles this spring and pointed out that Javier Baez is thinking too much.

Maddon said, “He’s getting a lot of information from all of us, and I think at some point, sometimes it’s our fault. I just want to leave him alone and let him play.” But Maddon is not concerned about his second baseman.

Javier Baez is “definitely a very, very strong candidate” to be the Cubs’ starting second baseman according to Maddon. But nothing has been decided.

Baez told the beat writers that he’s “not putting undue pressure on himself” while pointing out he’s working on a lot of things.

Maddon stressed the importance of being patient with the young players. And he thinks Baez will start making the right adjustments soon that produce results.

This is exactly what Javier Baez did not need to happen this spring. As predicted, Baez has struggled and not shown any improvement over the first handful of games and the media is all over him and the story.

Joe Maddon’s Post-Game Tweet

Joe Maddon tweeted the following after Monday’s game: “Physical mistakes are part of the game, mental mistakes have no part in the game … we shall get better here!”

Edwin Jackson

Edwin Jackson had another rough outing Monday and was hit rather hard. A lot was made at the time about him tossing a 1-2-3 first inning, but it required a sensational catch from Dexter Fowler in left center to get Jackson out of the opening frame unscathed.

Jackson admitted, again, he only worries about what he can control. And he can’t control whether he’s with the Cubs beyond Spring Training or not. Jackson did not help his cause of staying with the Cubs with Monday’s poor performance. Jackson is competing with Travis Wood, Jacob Turner, Felix Doubront and Tsuyoshi Wada for the fifth spot in the rotation.

According to the Sun-Times, Jackson’s “name has come up in trade speculation this spring.” It’s hard to think a team would be willing to give the Cubs anything in return for Jackson no matter how much of the $22 million he’s owed over the next two seasons is included in a deal.

Edwin Jackson told the Sun-Times that of course he would like to start but he’s not going to throw a temper tantrum if he doesn’t. Jackson thinks if he throws like he knows can that he’s capable of “being just as good as anyone in the game.”

Daniel Bard

RHP Daniel Bard completed a simulated game Sunday and created quite the buzz. Rick Sutcliffe and Peter Gammons are very excited about Bard’s performance Sunday. He was sitting in the 94-96 range “with a great slider.” Gammons spoke with Chris Bosio and Ted Lilly about Bard and both were “very enthused.” And of the 28 pitches he threw, Bosio thinks 24 were for strikes.

Bard said afterwards that was the best he felt “in a long time” and pointed out that was the first time he threw with a batter in the box since last year. And Bard’s performance in Cubs’ camp even made headlines in Boston.

According to Carrie Muskat, Bard is pushing Chris Bosio hard to get in to a game. But Bard understands he has to be patient and to this point the Cubs “conservative approach seems to be working well.”

Tsuyoshi Wada

According to multiple reports Monday, Tsuyoshi Wada is dealing with a groin issue. Wada did not appear comfortable on the mound in Sunday’s game and was focused on his legs. Reports Monday indicated this is a different injury than the hamstring tightness that slowed him early in camp.

Wada could lose time with the latest injury and will probably have his next appearance pushed back.

News, Notes and Rumors

• The Cubs are ready for the world, according to Bob Nightengale.

• According to Carrie Muskat, Jorge Soler is fine. Joe Maddon explained to the beat writers that Soler has been limited early in the spring games on purpose. As the team said when camp began, Soler’s playing time would be built up throughout the Cactus League schedule. The Cubs are trying to ensure he does not have any issues with his legs when the games count.

• Phil Coke threw a bullpen Monday. The Cubs have not provided a timetable on when he will appear in a Cactus League game according to Carrie Muskat.

• Rick Sutcliffe told Jesse Rogers that Kyle Schwarber will be a Major League catcher. Sutcliffe explained “there’s no one in camp that cares more about helping his pitcher get deep into a game than Kyle Schwarber.”

• And speaking of catchers, Bruce Levine reported Miguel Montero is happy for the fresh start with the Cubs.

• Shawn Camp has officially retired from baseball. Camp pitched for the Cubs during the 2012-13 seasons and was 3-6 in 80 appearances for Dale Sveum in 2012 with a 3.59 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. Camp was 29-33 in 541 appearances over his 11-year career with a 4.41 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 4.23 FIP.

• Chris Coghlan is happy to be reunited with hitting coach John Mallee.

• Athlon Sports polled ten experts from around baseball and them to rank the ballparks in the National League … and Gordon Wittenmyer was included in the voting. Wrigley Field finished fourth behind AT & T Park (Giants), PNC Park (Pirates) and Dodger Stadium.

• Cliff Lee told the Philadelphia Inquirer that if he has to have Tommy John surgery he could decide to call it a career.

• Jon Lester answered a few questions from Twitter for ESPN Chicago.

• From Christopher Kamka: Javier Baez swiped the only base off Mark Buehrle in the 202 innings he pitched last season.

And last, but not least, Baseball America’s Ben Badler spoke the truth: Every team’s fan base (and front office) overrates their own prospects. When your farm system is thin, it’s magnified.

This Day In Cubstory

1983 – Donnie Murphy, born

1947 – Darcy Fast, born

1944 – Joe Campbell, born

1939 – Bill Heath, born

1873 – Gene DeMontreville, born

1862 – Dad Lytle, born