Clark & Addison Blog - CubHub.net

Jim Edmonds time in Cubbie pinstripes could be coming to a close sooner rather than later. He is batting just .125, going 3 for 24 (all singles) since joining the Cubs. The boos are getting louder and louder for him and it figures Lou is making plans now for Life After Edmonds. In yesterday’s pre-game, Lou said there is no timetable on Edmonds but as a manager he has to find playing time for Micah Hoffpauir to see what he has there as well. Quoth Lou: “Obviously, defensive play is important, and I recognize that, but we need for Jim to hit,”

Edmonds has played a few days in a row this week, and I would expect him to start against righties for the next couple days as well. But Edmonds would need to find his stroke - and quickly - if he hopes to stick with a team managed by a guy who seems determined to win NOW.  Lou has shown his impatience with low-producers this year. The organization will give Edmonds every chance to prove the Cardinals and Padres were wrong to give up on him.  But Edmonds is not doing himself any favors in making a case to disprove the widely held belief that he is done as a player.

Roster moves are coming soon with Daryl Ward coming off the DL. Will Hoffpauir (batting .400 for the Cubs) stick or Edmonds? Or maybe a pitching shuffle again? Hard to say, but Lou has definitely shown himself to be a ‘what have you done for me lately’ manager this year.  And that is a very good thing.

Making his major league debut pinch hitting on Sunday, Micah Hoffpauir was literally shaking in his shoes. In an interview following the game, he said he was trying hard to stop his back foot from shaking in the batters box. He struck out in this at bat, then drew a walk pinch hitting Tuesday in Houston. Wednesday was his first start and he went 2 for 4 with both hits being doubles. The guy had a great spring and could be among the rarest of the rare for the Cubs: a home-grown position player with the ability to be an everyday starter. 

Its still very early to tell, but Hoffpauir has shown signs of being able to drive the ball. Seems like the Cubs farm system can produce a lot of prospects and getting them to the big leagues is not a problem. They often arrive with a lot of hype, then sort of fizzle out. Maybe this happens with most clubs, but it just seems rare to me to have a non-pitcher come up and deliver right away. 

I wouldn’t anticipate him being with the big club for very long right now. Since he really doesn’t have a place to play I guess the brass wanted to give him a taste of the bigs, give D Lee a day off, and maybe come off the bench a few times before they send him back down. Then if there is an injury to a corner outfielder or first base, Hoffpauir will be better prepared to step up and give Hendry an option other than Matty Murton.

For now, Micah, enjoy the big leagues but don’t get too comfortable. You’re only here for a cup of coffee…

Well, it’s official - for better or worse.

I can appreciate its a low risk move from an organizational standpoint. Of the $8,000,000 he makes this season, St Louis is paying 2mil, and San Diego is paying 6mil, so the Cubs only have to pony up about 2/3 (prorated) of the league minumum for about $270,000.  Thats tip money - understood. And we didn’t have to give up any players to get him.  Fine.

Now the work begins. Not only is Edmonds trying to revive his career but he’s playing for his baseball life. This can be a strong motivator for a guy.  I’m sure whatever he’s got left, he will leave on the field. As a spot player, he is likely an upgrade over the Pie-Johnson combo in CF so far this year. If not, he will find himself unceremoniously cut without a second thought. So in a way, if he is on the team he is likely contributing. No problem.

But the real work is for Cub fans to find a way to accept him. For me, he was the face of the Cardinals for most of this century. I mean, Albert Pujols you just have to tip your cap to and say he’s a helluva player. But Jim Edmonds played a different role for them. I think Edmonds will have to really earn his (pin-)stripes as a Cub to be welcomed. And if the Cubs can actually win this year, some extra zing will come from Cardinal fans seeing “the greatest center fielder in Cardinals history” drinking champagne in the home clubhouse at Wrigley in October.

He’ll likely be in the starting lineup today. I hope Zambrano doesn’t drill him in the ear during pre-game warmups.

Is Sean Estes still in the major leagues?  Really?

With lefty Scott Eyre due to come off the DL tomorrow, someone will have to leave to make room. The team has been hugely patient with Felix Pie but maybe its best to let him go down for some work on the farm that is out of the spotlight of the big league club.  

There is no denying the guy catches everything hit in his area code - including a would be homer by Ken Griffey on Monday. But in 60 at-bats this year he has 22 K’s which cannot be tolerated. Like “Willy Mays Hayes” in the movie Major League, he should be pounding the ball in the dirt and running his way on base if he can’t hit a line drive.  He’s got a touch of Corey Patterson disease with his huge swing which for both guys is almost a comical approach to the plate considering their speed. 

Felix could be a very solid player, but until he learns how to make some contact at the plate and hit the cutoff man after his great fielding plays, I think we should show him some mercy and let him ripen a bit more down on the farm.

Its time to show him some mercy and send him down for seasoning.  Ronny Cedeno has been taking fylballs in center again (he worked on CF in spring training) and has certainly earned more playing time with his bat this seaon. So lets see some mix of Cedeno & Reed Johnson in center while Pie works on a few things in Iowa. That said, I’m not exactly looking forward to getting Scott Eyre back either…

With Alfonso Soriano blowing a tire last night at Wrigley, his enrollment on the 15-day DL was certain.  Instead of calling up left fielder Matt Murton, - surprise! - the Cubs recalled second baseman Eric Patterson.  Seems like the plan is to send DeRosa to Left for a couple weeks until Soriano can limp back to hit more solo home runs. I would think the fairly hot-hitting Mike Fontenot would fill in admirably at second with DeRosa in the OF.  But they call up Patterson instead?  Something is brewing methinks - why add a potential fourth option at second?  Could Mr Hendry have a deal in the works??  Seems like the future for Matt Murton in blue pinstripes is as uncertain as ever if he’s not called up under these circumstances.