Things did not go well for the Cubs during their recent trip to Colorado. They lost three-out-of-four games, including last night’s 11-5 shellacking, but that was just the icing on the “bad news” cake.
First, Carlos Zambrano was added to the DL with back spasm. Next, Aramis Ramirez “tweaked” the shoulder that landed him on the DL earlier in the year and was sent back to Chicago for an MRI. Then in last night’s game, newly acquired lefty Tom Gorzellany took a grounder off of his right foot that forced him out of the game.
The news about Gorzellany is probably the best for the Cubs. He had x-rays following the game and nothing was broken. Dr. Lou Piniella pronounced him fit to get in his regular throwing in a couple of days and said he expects Gorzellany to make his next start. We’ll see…
Zambrano had an MRI and it indicated that the bulging disc in the pitcher’s back is no worse now than it was in 2006. He is expected to return around August 21.
That leaves Ramirez. Without him earlier in the year, the Cubs went into a swoon and barely maintained a .500 winning pct. When he came back, the team seemed to get a second win. If he’s not able to continue to play, or if he plays at a reduced level – both very real possibilities – the Cubs are in big trouble. He is the glue that holds the team together, and he is the only guy that can be counted on to hit when everyone else is in a slump.
A lot is made of the Mets injury woes, but the Cubs are not too far behind in that category. Their ace has been on the shelf twice this year, Ramirez, their best hitter, has had a long stint on the DL and may be visiting it again, Geovany Soto spent several weeks rehabbing his shoulder, Ted Lilly had knee surgery while on the DL for shoulder soreness, plus a ton of other injuries both big and small. Injuries have been a constant problem for the team this year and it doesn’t look like things are going to be getting better any time soon.
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The Cubs have not been good on the road this year. They are 33-19 at home, but just 25-33 on the road. So the silver lining of the recent 4-6 road trip is that it’s over and the Cubs get to come home for six games against the State of Pennsylvania (three games with the Phillies followed by three games with the Pirates).
Rookie of the Year candidate J.A. Happ (8-2) gets the start in game one for Philadelphia against the Cubs Rich Harden (7-7). Wednesday should be interesting. Newly acquired veteran righthander Pedro Martinez (0-0) gets the nod for Philly. He’ll face Cubs rookie Jeff Samardzjia (1-1). On Thursday, Philadelphia’s other new pitcher will take the mound as Cliff Lee (9-9 for Cleveland) will take on Ryan Dempster (6-5).
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We learned yesterday that the White Sox were indeed the team that made the waiver claim on Alex Rios. According to Ken Fidlin of the Toronto Star, Blue Jays GM JP Ricciardi tried to get something in return for Rios, but was quickly told that there would not be any players coming back in return for the outfielder. Ricciardi did the right thing and just let the White Sox have Rios and his nearly $60 million contract.
I have to admit that I underestimated Ricciardi. I fully expected him to insist on getting something for Rios, but he didn’t. Considering the way he overplayed his hand in the pre-trade deadline Roy Halladay negotiations, I’m a little surprised that he relented on Rios.
Now the White Sox are stuck with one of the worst contracts in baseball. It’s not that Rios is bad, he’s just significantly overpaid. Plus, the White Sox already have a full outfield, so who is going to play where and when. That’s the same question that White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye would like answered. Dye has a mutual option in his contract for 2010 and the addition of Rios makes it less likely that the White Sox will exercise that option.
Even though the White Sox could jetison Dye, DH Jim Thome, and pitcher Jose Contreras when their contracts expire at the end of the year. they are still going to be on the hook for a lot of money in 2010. I’m afraid GM Kenny Williams has overreached on this one. Adding Jake Peavy’s contract to the payroll in July was a good move, but adding Rios is going to come back to haunt the Southsiders.
