CUBS - 7/11/02

LATEST TEAM INFO: 35-51, Fifth in National League Central.

Don Baylor – GONE. But is it too late?

One would expect that the Chicago Cubs, on their way to a 66-96 finish, will play better for new manager Bruce Kimm than they did for Baylor – only because it would be hard to play worse. If the Cubs don’t improve, it would be the fourth year of 94-plus losses in the last six. With a rotation of Kerry Wood, Jon Lieber, Mark Prior and Matt Clement, that is somewhat unlikely. Somewhat.

Kimm is going to try to get the most out of that talent in a different way than Baylor. People were amazed by the different energy level in the dugout with Kimm in charge. Reliever Jeff Fassero was the first to point out that this boost in spirit could translate into more victories, as long as the execution follows the attitude change.

It's important to realize that this isn't the first time new GM Jim Hendry has hired Kimm to manage. When he was named farm director in 1995, Hendry made Kimm one of his first managerial hires. Kimm impressed Hendry with his work ethic.

Actually, in some respects, Kimm manages in the style that Hendry would if he had the job. Hendry managed at Creighton University and in the low minors, but he believes in the hit-and-run, in not giving up outs with sacrifice bunts early in the game and in holding players accountable by not being afraid to light them up once in a while.

Kimm won't always go by the book. He will take a chance based on that day and how the situation appears to him. Some managers are routine or repetitive. Kimm is more reactionary.

Baylor often sat back in the dugout and observed. The TV camera caught him taking off his cap, rubbing his head. That camera seldom showed him animated, and fans translated that into him not being involved, which wasn't true.

But Kimm clearly exudes a different personality for the camera. He is on the top step of the dugout with a leg perched inches from the field. He looks ready to charge out at a moment's notice to fight or argue. He looks wrapped up in the game. He even claps with joy now and then, with an exuberance that is extremely refreshing.

Those that still have faith in the Cubbies, who are 12.5 games behind division-leading St. Louis, can grasp at this glimmer of hope -- last season, the Cubs were 62-43 at the July 31 trade deadline and St. Louis was 8 1/2 games back at 53-51. St. Louis went 40-18 to finish the season. The Cubs went 26-31 down the stretch, a difference of 13.5 games. So, you never know.

Rotation:

Carlos Zambrano has made the most of his promotion to the rotation, following Jason Bere’s injury. Over the last two weeks, Zambrano posted a 1-1 record in three appearances with a 1.49 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP.

Jon Lieber (0-2, 4.05 ERA, 1.25 WHIP), Mark Prior (0-1, 3.98 ERA, 1.16 WHIP), and Matt Clement (1-2, 5.47 ERA, 1.44 WHIP) all struggled and need a nice little run to get back on track.

After analyzing some tapes from the 1998 season, Kerry Wood pitched like his old self again in his final start before the break. Wood, who couldn't protect an 8-0 lead in his previous start against the White Sox, overpowered the Florida Marlins on July 3rd in a 6-2 victory. He gave up three hits in six innings, winning for just the second time in his last six starts. That helped lower his two-week stats (1-0, 6.49 ERA, 1.62), but he raised another stat. Wood surpassed his career high by hitting his 11th and 12th batters. The last Cub to hit more than 12 in a season was Maddux, who plunked 14 in 1992. Good company.

Bullpen:

Bullpen still stinks, last in the league in ERA.

Antonio Alfonseca (1 save, 3.60 ERA, 1.00 WHIP) has done his best with his few meaningful appearances. Joe Borowski (0-1, 3.33 ERA, 1.11 WHIP) continues to hold his own in middle relief.

Kyle Farnsworth (0-1, 9.00 ERA, 2.29 WHIP), Juan Cruz (0-1, 7.88 ERA, 1.50 WHIP) and Jeff Fassero (1-0, 8.82 ERA, 2.35 WHIP), however, have been a mess. Farnsworth has not given the bullpen the big boost that was expected when he returned from the DL, and Cruz still does not look comfortable in the pen. And Fassero – same song, next verse.

Tom Gordon (three appearances, 0.00 ERA, 3.18 WHIP) has looked understandably rusty, but he has not allowed a hit in his last 2.2 IP.

Infield:

The Cubs' .240 batting average is second worst in baseball to Cleveland's .238.

What’s wrong with this picture: Mark Bellhorn (.412 BA, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 11 RS), Delino Deshields (.250 BA, 1 HR, 4 RBI) and Chris Stynes (.158 BA, 1 HR, 2 RBI)? Hopefully, Kimm will stick with Bellhorn at second until Bobby Hill returns from the minors and keep DeShields and Stynes out of the position.

Bill Mueller’s bat (.357 BA, 0 HR, 7 RBI) is really coming around now, and looks to be the player the Cubs thought they got last season. But, STILL, the Scott Rolen rumors persist. And add Adrian Beltre’s name to the mix. The Cubs just need to ignore the pressure and stick with Mueller.

Fred McGriff (.265 BA, 4 HR, 7 RBI) has cooled off a bit, but the Cubs’ RBI leader, with the day’s off from the break, hopefully will get back into gear. And, the Cubs hope that the slump that Alex Gonzalez is temporary (.170 BA, 1 HR, 3 RBI).

Todd Hundley can only get so many chances. But the Cubs catcher is staring another one in the face.

Maybe he can develop a better relationship with Kimm that was missing when Baylor ran the club. The Cubs still have a huge investment in Hundley, who is in the second year of a four-year, $23.5 million deal. Management had urged Baylor to play Hundley more to see exactly what the team has. Playing him sporadically made no sense after making that financial commitment to Hundley. But Baylor preferred Joe Girardi as his catcher, believing his pitchers did, too.

Kimm isn't going to ignore Girardi (.313 BA, 0 HR, 2 RBI the last two weeks), but maybe Hundley (.150 BA, 1 HR, 2 RBI) will get the consistent chance that he has been seeking since 2001. Kimm insisted he is entering this situation with an open mind and has no preconceived notions of what certain players did or didn't do for Baylor.

Outfield:

Moises Alou (.354 BA, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 12 RS) was one player that definitely hated to see the All-Star break arrive as he is playing the best ball of the season. But Sammy Sosa (.283 BA, 2 HR, 9 RBI) and Corey Patterson (.220 BA, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 5 RS) are really struggling (for them). Patterson is having so much trouble that Kimm will bat Patterson in the sixth spot instead of leadoff.

INJURIES:

Jason Bere is eligible to come off the disabled list Friday when the Cubs resume play after the All-Star break. But Kimm doesn't have Bere in the Cubs' weekend rotation for the Florida Marlins series and admitted that it's uncertain when Bere will pitch.

Patterson sat out the last two game before the break because of a bruised left foot. After almost a week off, Patterson should be ready to go Friday.

LOCAL PERSPECTIVE:

Here's a look at the top five issues on Hendry’s plate:

Will he dump payroll?

Hendry says he is under no obligation to trim the Cubs' $76 million payroll as the July 31 trading deadline approaches. He also is a realist. But there wouldn’t be any eleventh-hour trades just to dump money, and any trade would be with the goal of improving the team for next year.

These are the players most likely to be traded before the July 31 deadline. All are eligible for free agency after the season.

Gordon: Even the Braves and Yankees could use a veteran of Gordon's stature. Going back to Aug. 20, 1997, when the Red Sox made him a closer, Gordon has saved 95 games in 104 chances, including his 27-for-31 mark last year. The $1 million remaining on Gordon's salary makes him affordable, and although he has shown some rust since returning from a muscle tear near his right shoulder, he has pitched 2 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run.

Bere: At 1-9 with a 5.18 ERA, Bere would seem to be what a contending team wouldn't want in its rotation. But those numbers are deceiving. Bere has posted a 3.06 ERA over his last six starts, and if he returns strong from a groin injury, he could be moved to open a spot in the rotation for Cruz or Zambrano. Maybe Bere could return to his hometown of Boston. Red Sox fifth starter Rolando Arrojo is on the DL with right shoulder tendinitis.

Fassero: A strong run could convince teams the 39-year-old Fassero is not out of gas (which he really is). Fassero's 6.37 ERA is second highest among National League relievers but he has thrown 2 1/3 hitless innings in his last two appearances.

McGriff: This one is a reach. McGriff has a full no-trade clause, and you remember how long it took him to leave dreadful Tampa Bay for Chicago. McGriff probably would go to Atlanta, where Braves fans cheered him last weekend, but only if the Cubs agreed to eat some of his remaining $2.5 million salary.

Will Kimm’s interim title become permanent?

Andy MacPhail helped Hendry decide to hire Kimm, but retaining him is all Hendry's decision. He would retain Kimm beyond 2002 if he proves he's up to the job. Hendry has told Kimm that he won't contact or interview anybody else for the position for the rest of the season..

When will Bobby Hill return? And any other minor leaguers?

Hendry acknowledged that prospects Hee-Seop Choi, Steve Smyth and Hill all could be promoted to the Cubs before the September call-ups. He said that the Cubs wouldn't bring up Choi unless McGriff tweaked his hamstring or something or if they think Choi could help the team even if he wasn't playing every day – it all depends on how the team is playing by the end of July.

Hill is the Cubs' long-term answer at the top of the lineup, but second baseman Bellhorn is producing right now. Kimm feels like Hill and Choi are getting closer, that they are not quite ready to bring up yet. Smyth, though, could be a guy that gets called up in the near future. Smyth was recently called up from Class AA West Tenn. The Cubs have been in need of a dependable left-handed starter for a while now. Cruz and Zambrano each made some positive impressions when they were promoted late last season. That could happen again with Smyth.

How about a left-handed reliever?

The Cubs' only left-hander, Fassero, has allowed left-handed hitters to bat a pitiful .352 against him. Hendry signed lefty Travis Miller to a minor-league contract last week and hopes to promote him soon. Recent

What about the catching situation?

There's not much Hendry can do about improving Todd Hundley's .189 batting average. The Cubs are on the hook for him for two more seasons and they wouldn't consider releasing him until next year. The team does not have great catching prospects in the minors.

One way to improve the pitching staff – pick up the pace.

Sometimes the answer is too simple and obvious. Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild would like to see his pitchers take a cue from Lieber. Pitchers such as Lieber, Greg Maddux, Mark Buehrle and Tom Glavine have experienced great success with their purposeful pace and resolve. It’s just a matter of a pitcher's trusting himself to gain confidence to work quicker.

"Power pitchers [working slower] I can understand a little bit," Rothschild said. "But guys who need to change speeds and stuff, they need to stay right on top of the hitters. And that's what works for them. It's trust in your stuff a little bit. And also knowing you are not giving the hitter time for an adjustment. If you do those things, they are more likely to miss pitches. Obviously your defense plays behind you better. The [home plate] umpire tends to be more with you. The rhythm of the game is a lot different."

Dave Bialas, who served as Cubs manager Jim Riggleman's bullpen coach in 1995-99, takes the place of third-base coach Gene Glynn, who was well-regarded but might have been hurt by his link to Don Baylor.

The Cubs are going to have to find a position for David Kelton. His throwing problems at third base have made him a question mark there. But after moving to first base, Kelton has hits in 15 of his last 16 games for West Tenn. He is tied for second in the Southern League with 47 RBI and is tied for the league lead with 33 extra-base hits. With Choi ticketed for a long career at first in Chicago, finding a place where Kelton's defense won't be a problem has to be high on the team's priority list.

QUICK VIEW:

HOT:

Zambrano, Bellhorn, Mueller, Alou

NOT:

The bullpen, Patterson, Gonzalez, Hundley