05-07-2010, 02:01 PM
halfway decent analysis from Sullivan-
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->CINCINNATI -- About the same time the stock market was dropping by nearly 1,000 points on Thursday afternoon, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry was in discussions with his closest advisors about the possibility of promoting Starlin Castro.
Like the market, the Cubs were in the midst of a stunning free-fall in Pittsburgh that eventually resulted in an 11-1 loss and three-game sweep by the Pirates. Hendry decided to pull the trigger, resulting in this morning's news that Castro will be in a Cubs uniform for tonight's game at Great American Ball Park.
The Castro move leads to many new questions about the immediate future of the Cubs. Hendry was unavailable for comment on Friday, so we can only speculate for now.
Photo: Starlin Castro will immediately upgrade the Cubs' defense. (Phil Velasquez/Tribune)
Why was the move made now?
Though it makes sense that the Cubs need an offensive infusion, the promotion of Castro primarily was made for defensive purposes. Castro has a better arm and range than shortstop Ryan Theriot, whose defense has been subpar at best during the first five weeks.
Can Theriot move to second base without any playing time there this year?
The Cubs believe Theriot has spent enough time at second in his career that moving back over will be like riding a bike. But the decision not to play him at second at all during spring training will draw some criticism.
Are the Cubs too right-handed?
Kosuke Fukudome and Mike Fontenot were the only two left-handed hitters in the regular lineup, and with Theriot moving to second, Fukudome is the last lefty standing. But a Cubs' source said this is not expected to be a problem. "No one complains that the Cardinals are too right-handed, do they?" he said. Fontenot will be the primary left-handed hitter off the bench, taking the spot of Chad Tracy, who was 1-for-11 pinch-hitting.
Do the Cubs have too many second basemen?
This is a question that has been asked since the days of Neifi Perez, Todd Walker, Jerry Hairston and Freddie Bynum. They now have three in Theriot, Fontenot and Jeff Baker, who will serve as Aramis Ramirez's primary back-up at third now that Tracy is gone.
Is this a harbinger of future moves?
There's not a whole lot the Cubs can do with the starting lineup, but sources said Andrew Cashner, who was promoted to Triple-A Iowa, may be headed to the Cubs' rotation soon. That would mean Randy Wells or Tom Gorzelanny is on the spot. At the very least, the Cubs hope it lights a fire under Wells, who appears too comfortable in his second season in the rotation.
Can Castro turn things around for the Cubs?
If he plays the way he did in spring training, Castro will be a huge addition to the team. But he's still only a 20-year-old rookie, so everyone will have to be a little patient. As manager Lou Piniella said Thursday, everyone in the clubhouse can "look in the mirror" after the terrible series in Pittsburgh. At the very least, Castro should bring some energy to a dead clubhouse.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->CINCINNATI -- About the same time the stock market was dropping by nearly 1,000 points on Thursday afternoon, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry was in discussions with his closest advisors about the possibility of promoting Starlin Castro.
Like the market, the Cubs were in the midst of a stunning free-fall in Pittsburgh that eventually resulted in an 11-1 loss and three-game sweep by the Pirates. Hendry decided to pull the trigger, resulting in this morning's news that Castro will be in a Cubs uniform for tonight's game at Great American Ball Park.
The Castro move leads to many new questions about the immediate future of the Cubs. Hendry was unavailable for comment on Friday, so we can only speculate for now.
Photo: Starlin Castro will immediately upgrade the Cubs' defense. (Phil Velasquez/Tribune)
Why was the move made now?
Though it makes sense that the Cubs need an offensive infusion, the promotion of Castro primarily was made for defensive purposes. Castro has a better arm and range than shortstop Ryan Theriot, whose defense has been subpar at best during the first five weeks.
Can Theriot move to second base without any playing time there this year?
The Cubs believe Theriot has spent enough time at second in his career that moving back over will be like riding a bike. But the decision not to play him at second at all during spring training will draw some criticism.
Are the Cubs too right-handed?
Kosuke Fukudome and Mike Fontenot were the only two left-handed hitters in the regular lineup, and with Theriot moving to second, Fukudome is the last lefty standing. But a Cubs' source said this is not expected to be a problem. "No one complains that the Cardinals are too right-handed, do they?" he said. Fontenot will be the primary left-handed hitter off the bench, taking the spot of Chad Tracy, who was 1-for-11 pinch-hitting.
Do the Cubs have too many second basemen?
This is a question that has been asked since the days of Neifi Perez, Todd Walker, Jerry Hairston and Freddie Bynum. They now have three in Theriot, Fontenot and Jeff Baker, who will serve as Aramis Ramirez's primary back-up at third now that Tracy is gone.
Is this a harbinger of future moves?
There's not a whole lot the Cubs can do with the starting lineup, but sources said Andrew Cashner, who was promoted to Triple-A Iowa, may be headed to the Cubs' rotation soon. That would mean Randy Wells or Tom Gorzelanny is on the spot. At the very least, the Cubs hope it lights a fire under Wells, who appears too comfortable in his second season in the rotation.
Can Castro turn things around for the Cubs?
If he plays the way he did in spring training, Castro will be a huge addition to the team. But he's still only a 20-year-old rookie, so everyone will have to be a little patient. As manager Lou Piniella said Thursday, everyone in the clubhouse can "look in the mirror" after the terrible series in Pittsburgh. At the very least, Castro should bring some energy to a dead clubhouse.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->