Post by Fish Troll on Apr 30, 2007 22:05:46 GMT -5
Notes: Piniella handling outfield jam
Moving on after tragedy; Guzman penciled in for Sunday start
By Chris Adamski / Special to MLB.com
PITTSBURGH -- Lou Piniella feels like he gets asked about his stable of outfielders and how to distribute playing time amongst them every day. And that feeling isn't too far from the truth.
So the Cubs manager had a little fun when the inquiry came again Monday.
"If I played a set lineup every day, I'm going to have a steady group of people coming in here not very happy," Piniella laughed, referring to those players who are not starting coming into his office. "So do I keep you [reporters] all unhappy by making you guess? Or do I get the players unhappy by making them come in here?"
The obvious answer followed.
"We'll keep you guys guessing a little bit."
The Cubs have six outfielders on the roster, five of whom have had between 39 and 81 at-bats. Cliff Floyd, Jacque Jones and Alfonso Soriano have long been established starters in the Majors. Matt Murton had 455 at-bats last season, and rookie Felix Pie, 22, has impressed with his defense in center and appears to have a bright future. And that's not even mentioning Daryle Ward, who's been limited to 10 at-bats this season.
What's a manager trying to fill out his lineup card each day and get his guys playing time to do?
"I don't really have an answer for that for you," Piniella said. "I really don't. We're just going to continue to play different lineups and get everyone some playing time.
"It's hard rotating them all. We're doing the best we can. I don't think it's a bad situation, but I, myself, would like to get a more consistent lineup, truthfully."
Piniella hinted that he might be working on a solution to the so-called problem of having too many good players and not enough at-bats to go around -- but he won't divulge what his plan is.
"I don't need to share them every day with everybody," a jovial Piniella quipped. "If you want to know the truth, I think I know what I'm doing with this. You all ask me every day, and I don't have the answers every day. What can I do? What can I do? It's no fun for me either, believe me."
Moving on: A day after being in St. Louis when Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock tragically died in an auto accident, the Cubs were forced to play a game. Sunday night's game in St. Louis was postponed, and Piniella said the Cubs had to move on.
"That's a tragedy -- no doubt about it," Piniella said before Monday's game. "It's hard to let loose, but we've got to go out and play a ballgame. And I think once we get on the field and start pregame work, we'll be able to concentrate on the game at hand."
Piniella said he spoke with Cardinals manager Tony La Russa on Sunday evening. La Russa had called Hancock's family to give them the awful news.
"I hope I never have to make a phone call like that," Piniella said. "That would be something I'd totally regret.
"I told [La Russa] I'm sorry it happened and that I really felt bad for him and his players and the organization, and I just told him to be strong."
Guzman to join rotation: Piniella said he was leaning towards starting right-hander Angel Guzman on Sunday. Guzman was scheduled to make his first start of the season Tuesday in Pittsburgh, but Sunday's postponement in St. Louis allowed the Cubs to continue to go with four starters and keep Guzman with Triple-A Iowa, where he will make his scheduled start Tuesday.
"That way, we'll split our left-handers, and he can pitch at home where he's more comfortable as opposed to pitching on the road in Philadelphia and New York," Piniella said. "After all these kids get five starts, we can give them a day or two extra. That's good early in the season to keep them strong."
No long man: Piniella paused to ponder the question when asked who the Cubs' long reliever would be if the bullpen needs to be called upon early in a game.
"I don't think we have that guy," he finally relented.
But that doesn't mean the Cubs are in trouble if a starter gets injured or is ineffective during the first couple innings of a game. The Cubs have had such good starting pitching this season -- they have 14 quality starts in 23 games -- that the bullpen is well-rested. Plenty of Cubs can throw at least two innings.
"We're in good shape," Piniella said.
Central-ly speaking: This series against Pittsburgh represents the last in a stretch of 24 out of 28 scheduled games against National League Central opponents to begin the season (two were postponed).
The Pirates come to Chicago next week, but that marks the only three divisional games the Cubs will play between Wednesday and June 4 -- a span of 33 days. Piniella said he understands the importance of divisional contests.
"If you're winning within your division, you'll be picking up ground on half the division, at least," Piniella said. "If you win with consistency within the division, you get yourself in a real nice position."
Coming up: The Cubs and Pirates play the middle contest of a three-game set in Pittsburgh on Tuesday at 6:05 p.m. CT. Lefty Ted Lilly (2-2, 2.18) goes for Chicago against the Pirates' Tony Armas (0-2, 11.57).
Chris Adamski is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Moving on after tragedy; Guzman penciled in for Sunday start
By Chris Adamski / Special to MLB.com
PITTSBURGH -- Lou Piniella feels like he gets asked about his stable of outfielders and how to distribute playing time amongst them every day. And that feeling isn't too far from the truth.
So the Cubs manager had a little fun when the inquiry came again Monday.
"If I played a set lineup every day, I'm going to have a steady group of people coming in here not very happy," Piniella laughed, referring to those players who are not starting coming into his office. "So do I keep you [reporters] all unhappy by making you guess? Or do I get the players unhappy by making them come in here?"
The obvious answer followed.
"We'll keep you guys guessing a little bit."
The Cubs have six outfielders on the roster, five of whom have had between 39 and 81 at-bats. Cliff Floyd, Jacque Jones and Alfonso Soriano have long been established starters in the Majors. Matt Murton had 455 at-bats last season, and rookie Felix Pie, 22, has impressed with his defense in center and appears to have a bright future. And that's not even mentioning Daryle Ward, who's been limited to 10 at-bats this season.
What's a manager trying to fill out his lineup card each day and get his guys playing time to do?
"I don't really have an answer for that for you," Piniella said. "I really don't. We're just going to continue to play different lineups and get everyone some playing time.
"It's hard rotating them all. We're doing the best we can. I don't think it's a bad situation, but I, myself, would like to get a more consistent lineup, truthfully."
Piniella hinted that he might be working on a solution to the so-called problem of having too many good players and not enough at-bats to go around -- but he won't divulge what his plan is.
"I don't need to share them every day with everybody," a jovial Piniella quipped. "If you want to know the truth, I think I know what I'm doing with this. You all ask me every day, and I don't have the answers every day. What can I do? What can I do? It's no fun for me either, believe me."
Moving on: A day after being in St. Louis when Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock tragically died in an auto accident, the Cubs were forced to play a game. Sunday night's game in St. Louis was postponed, and Piniella said the Cubs had to move on.
"That's a tragedy -- no doubt about it," Piniella said before Monday's game. "It's hard to let loose, but we've got to go out and play a ballgame. And I think once we get on the field and start pregame work, we'll be able to concentrate on the game at hand."
Piniella said he spoke with Cardinals manager Tony La Russa on Sunday evening. La Russa had called Hancock's family to give them the awful news.
"I hope I never have to make a phone call like that," Piniella said. "That would be something I'd totally regret.
"I told [La Russa] I'm sorry it happened and that I really felt bad for him and his players and the organization, and I just told him to be strong."
Guzman to join rotation: Piniella said he was leaning towards starting right-hander Angel Guzman on Sunday. Guzman was scheduled to make his first start of the season Tuesday in Pittsburgh, but Sunday's postponement in St. Louis allowed the Cubs to continue to go with four starters and keep Guzman with Triple-A Iowa, where he will make his scheduled start Tuesday.
"That way, we'll split our left-handers, and he can pitch at home where he's more comfortable as opposed to pitching on the road in Philadelphia and New York," Piniella said. "After all these kids get five starts, we can give them a day or two extra. That's good early in the season to keep them strong."
No long man: Piniella paused to ponder the question when asked who the Cubs' long reliever would be if the bullpen needs to be called upon early in a game.
"I don't think we have that guy," he finally relented.
But that doesn't mean the Cubs are in trouble if a starter gets injured or is ineffective during the first couple innings of a game. The Cubs have had such good starting pitching this season -- they have 14 quality starts in 23 games -- that the bullpen is well-rested. Plenty of Cubs can throw at least two innings.
"We're in good shape," Piniella said.
Central-ly speaking: This series against Pittsburgh represents the last in a stretch of 24 out of 28 scheduled games against National League Central opponents to begin the season (two were postponed).
The Pirates come to Chicago next week, but that marks the only three divisional games the Cubs will play between Wednesday and June 4 -- a span of 33 days. Piniella said he understands the importance of divisional contests.
"If you're winning within your division, you'll be picking up ground on half the division, at least," Piniella said. "If you win with consistency within the division, you get yourself in a real nice position."
Coming up: The Cubs and Pirates play the middle contest of a three-game set in Pittsburgh on Tuesday at 6:05 p.m. CT. Lefty Ted Lilly (2-2, 2.18) goes for Chicago against the Pirates' Tony Armas (0-2, 11.57).
Chris Adamski is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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