LATEST TEAM INFO: 44-58, Fifth in National League Central.
Too little. Too late. That is the difference Bruce Kimm has made.
The Chicago Cubs’ last half-gasp was the 9-4 record in Kimm’s first 13 games, including the season’s only other four-game win streak. But that was followed by a four-game losing streak before Kerry Wood’s first win after three no-decisions July 28th to drop to 10-8 in the Kimm regime.
But more pressing items are on the minds of the Cubs’ brass than the second half of the season, such as getting as much as possible from trading the team’s only tradable asset – Tom Gordon – who is pitching lately like he doesn’t want to leave (and he doesn’t), and the health of Jon Lieber.
Rotation:
The tendinitis that was discovered in April in the elbow of Jon Lieber (0-2, 6.35, 1.53) remains an issue that will overshadow the second half as the Cubs decide whether to exercise his $6.5 million contract option after the season and bring him back for 2003 or consider trading him during the off-season.
Lieber has been dealing with the pain since spring training. He missed an April start because of tendinitis and, after Bruce Kimm was told shortly after he took over as manager July 6 that Lieber's elbow was tender, Lieber was given extra rest after the All-Star break. He doesn't appear to have the same sharpness as a year ago. He admitted his chief concern was the poor command of his fastball and not being able to locate it well to complement his slider. That could have resulted from a mechanical flaw brought on by the tendinitis.
While his walk totals are as low as ever with only 12 in 134 innings, and the team is usually in position to win the games he starts, there is this nagging concern that Lieber, 32, isn't the same dominant pitcher he was before the tendinitis. Asked if he would consider offseason surgery, Lieber was adamant in not taking a major step in that direction. He vows that the elbow won't put him on the shelf early. The Cubs must decide if Lieber is simply going through elbow problems that he can overcome or if he is gradually slipping and a prime candidate to be traded while he still has lots of value.
I’m definitely separated from the situation, but the Cubs are loaded with starters with Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Matt Clement, Carlos Zambrano and eventually Juan Cruz, and Jason Bere, who’s nearly ready to return from the DL. And that doesn't even count anyone else that the Cubs might acquire via free agency or a trade. So why not shut him down now? The tendinitis won’t just disappear, and it makes more sense to lose $2 million of use the rest of this year, than keep putting him out there and risk the benefits of the $6.5 million option next year.
Youngsters Zambrano (1-1, 2.84 ERA, 0.95 WHIP), Prior (2-1, 1.71, 0.90) and Clement (2-1, 4.26, 1.26) have each pitched tremendously since the break, despite having little support from the bullpen.
With five walks in his four starts since the All-Star break, Wood is in a rare streak of control that hasn't lasted long in his major-league career. Perhaps this is a sign that Wood's frequently erratic command has been conquered due to hard work on his mechanics since just before the break. After three no decisions, Wood (1-0, 3.21, 1.07) finally broke into the win column July 27th with a strong win at St Louis.
Bullpen:
Hard to believe, but, yes, there were wacky-crazy teams out there that wanted some of the junk in the Cubs bullpen. Really! And both Jeff Fassero and Tom Gordon had headlines in the Chicago papers stating that they want to stay in Chicago. Isn’t that nice? Hey, I’ll drive these guys out-of-town myself if that will bring some new guys in.
But Gordon (0-0, 2 H, 5.40, 2.60) doesn't seem to be the hot commodity he was a week ago, just days before Wednesday's trade deadline.
The Cubs are not getting as much action for Gordon as they had hoped. The Anaheim Angels seem to have dropped out of the discussions. The San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers still might decide to take a run at Gordon before the 11th hour, and the Cubs still could end up with a couple of prospects in a Gordon deal. But the Cubs might stand pat, as well.
Fassero has pitched well of late (2-1, 2 H, 3.00, 3.00), but due to his team-high 5.75 ERA, isn't expected to be dealt anywhere. The market for him has been basically nonexistent.
The rest of the relievers (Antonio Alfonseca (0-0, 2 SV, 1 BS, 4.50, 1.33), Joe Borowski (0-0, 1 BS, 1.00, 1.00) and Kyle Farnsworth (1-1, 1 SV, 1 H, 6.00, 1.67) have pitched decently.
Juan Cruz (0-0, 1 H, 0.00, 0.75) isn't likely to return to the rotation this season, though the young right-hander might become a starter again in the future. "I like Cruz in the bullpen at this stage of his career,'' Kimm told the Sun-Times. "There's something to be said for letting guys get their feet on the ground in the bullpen. Baltimore did it for years. Cruz has a rubber arm. He didn't pitch for me [last season], but I'd like him to get comfortable in the major leagues. I feel comfortable bringing him in in the eighth to get to the closer. He's going to be a real good pitcher. Sometimes you have pitchers who are good enough to be starters or closers. You have to go on the success they're having. They'll end up where they should be down the road.''
Infield:
Mark Bellhorn (.327, 6 2B, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 1.039 OPS) has been the steadiest player this season, and is in the top three in several team hitting categories, despite having only 60% as many at-bats.
And Bill Mueller (.250, 2 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, .711 OPS), Fred McGriff (.314, 2 2B, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 1.033) and Alex Gonzalez (.250, 4 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, .766 OPS) have performed well.
Todd Hundley received his chance to be the every-day catcher when Joe Girardi was put on the DL July 17th with a left posterior rib cage strain, and Mike Mahoney was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to back up Hundley. He has managed the heat, but not the bat (.200, 2 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, .629 OPS).
Outfield:
There’s not much to say about the outfielders. The Cub trio have hit poorly since the break. Moises Alou (.174, 1 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, .501 OPS) looked like he was coming around before the break, but he’s back to his old self. Sammy Sosa (.208, 1 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, .707 OPS) swears that he doesn’t need a day off, that there is no problem despite hitting nearly 100 points below his season average of a month ago. Sosa has gone from hitting .315 on June 27th to .293 on July 27th (.222 average in July).
Corey Patterson usually hit leadoff under Don Baylor, but he often did not play against left-handed pitchers. Baylor said he didn't want to risk Patterson losing his rhythm and confidence if he struggled against left-handers. Bruce Kimm, who managed Patterson during his demotions to Triple-A Iowa, moved Patterson to the No.6 spot in the order and intends to keep him there and in center field, no matter the opposing pitcher. But, I don’t think it’s working out to well (.148, 1 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .383 OPS).
Hitting coach Jeff Pentland told the Tribune about Patterson: "I give him his space. I try to keep what I do with him real simple because he's very talented. A lot of times young people don't realize how talented they are until they see the production. He hears everything: 'You're swinging at too many high pitches. You're pulling the ball too much.' All the standard phrases you hear in baseball. I've told him: 'I know you know you're swinging at too many high pitches so I won't say much to you about it. I know you're catching it from everywhere else.' We'll work that out. I've never had a young guy who didn't swing at high pitches. It's something you learn over time.
"He's really hard on himself," Pentland continued. "He's quiet, so you don't hear much, but I think he goes home a lot and breaks down every at-bat. I tell him, 'Keep your mind clear.' People tend to put too much stuff in his head. You get here because you have good talent and as you get experience, your thinking gets better. Leave the thinking to me and [manager] Bruce [Kimm] and you just go out and play."
INJURIES:
Girardi went on the disabled list for the first time since 1994, sidelined by a strained rib cage muscle.
Bere who had been slated to return to the rotation this week, reaggravated his strained right groin while pitching in the bullpen. Bere had been scheduled to make a rehabilitation start last weekend at Double-A West Tennessee, but those plans had to be scrapped.
Hopefully, some of the Cardinals’ pitching luck hasn’t moved north.
Right-hander Scott Chiasson, who excelled in the big leagues late last season, will need reconstructive surgery. Chiasson would be the fourth Cubs pitcher to undergo the operation since Jan. 1, following left-handers Will Ohman and Phil Norton and former first-round pick Ben Christensen. Cubs officials were surprised with the severity of the injury because Chiasson hit 95 m.p.h in his last outing at Double-A West Tennessee.
Chiasson, acquired in the 2001 deal that sent third baseman Eric Hinske to Oakland, breezed through the Cubs' system last season, notching 34 saves. He posted a 2.70 ERA in six September games for the Cubs. But he struggled this year, giving up nine runs in 3 2/3 innings at Chicago and going 1-4 with a 7.94 ERA at Triple-A Iowa before being demoted to West Tennessee.
Christensen underwent surgery July 14 with no complications and a good prognosis to return to pitching next season. The surgery was the second in as many years for the 24-year-old Christensen. Last season, he appeared in only three games at West Tennessee before requiring right-shoulder surgery in May. But Cubs officials said doctors didn't believe the two conditions were related.
LOCAL PERSPECTIVE:
There had been a lot of talk about Gordon, Fassero, McGriff and even Lieber being the topic of trades. And about the run the Cubs were on after Kimm was placed as manager. But all that talk is all but gone. If there is any trade of significance before Wednesday, it will only be for Gordon for a couple of prospects.
ON THE FARM:
Highly regarded left-handed prospect Steve Smyth, who is pitching at Class AAA Iowa, could be with the Cubs before the end of next week. If the Cubs deal Gordon by the trade deadline, Smyth will be considered to take Gordon's place in the bullpen. Smyth began the year at West Tennessee. Earlier this season, the Cubs were unsure if they wanted Smyth, 24, to come to the majors in a relief role. A starter at Iowa, Smyth underwent surgery last August for a strained left shoulder. But it is thought that Smyth would be fine if the Cubs only needed to use him out of the bullpen.
Lost in the shuffle, Triple-A Iowa first baseman Julio Zuleta was named PCL Player of the Month after hitting 14 homers in June. He also drove in 26 runs and hit .306. Despite that, Zuleta has little chance of getting recalled because of McGriff and the promise of Hee Seop Choi.
Class AAA Iowa:
Choi (1B) – In addition to continuing to pound the ball (20 2B, 22 HR, 74 RBI, 76 RS, 195 TB), Choi has improved his batting average from the low .270s in May to an impressive .303.
Bobby Hill (2B) – Continues steady improvement (.280, 13 2B, 4 3B, 5 HR, 24 RBI, 57 RS, 19 SB).
Chris Gissell (SP) – One of the Cubs better starting prospects in Triple-A, Gissell has had moderate success this season (8-6, 5.28 ERA, 1.41 WHIP).
Class AA West Tennessee:
Jackson Melian (OF) – A right-fielder who the Cubs received from Milwaukee in the Robert Machado trade, Melian was hitting .223 with 6 HR and 24 RBI at the time of the trade. With the Diamond Jaxx, he is hitting .331 with 10 2B, 4 HR, 17 RBI and 7 SB in 40 games.
Matt Bruback (SP) – Has continued to be the best pitcher for the Jaxx (7-4, 3.10, 1.16)
QUICK VIEW:
HOT:
Clement, Prior, Wood, Zambrano, Bellhorn
NOT:
Alou, Patterson, Sosa, Lieber, Farnsworth, Hundley
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
