Just as I started my last post on the start of the season for the Cubs, I am going to start off by saying it is still early. That being said, the Cubs are off to a horrible start and it will be very difficult to fix it.
Starting off the bullpen has been awful. Jeff Samardijia needs to be sent to the minors or released so he can go play wide receiver for the Bears. He can't can't anyone out on a consistent basis and can't seem to throw stikes. The same goes for Grabow who is supposed to be the veteran presence. Marshall has probably been over used because since his good start, he has not pitched as well. Russell has pitched well and has been a bright spot. Marmol has pitched very well. Even though he blew a save on Sunday, he made the Astros earn their runs. They had to hit their way on. I don't like the strategy of pitching him for more than one inning and in non save situations. He will get tired and wont be as effective for the save situations.
The Cubs have to figure out what to do with Soriano. He is an awful outfielder and is only getting worse. Maybe they can put him on waivers in August and someone can claim him like the Sox did to Rios last year. I want the guy traded or released as soon as possible. Another player I want to go is Fukudome. He is a good right fielder but is too inconsistent at the plate. If they can get rid of him and his contract. The Cubs would be in better shape next off season.
The rest of the offense will hopefully come around. Ramirez who is awful right now can not be this bad all year. I really feel that Tyler Colvin needs to get a fair shot playing somewhere on a consistent basis. If that will not happen he needs to be sent to the minor leagues to get regular at bats. I would rather see him play for Soriano or Fukudome.
Pinella may not be a great media interview but he know how to manage a game. I am sure he will be able to figure something out and get Hendry to call up the right players from the minor leagues. Jim Hendry has done well getting rid of mistakes but has a hard time judging pitching talent. I am not calling for his firing yet. He needs to fix this team and fast otherwise that will change.
As for the help that they have coming in the Minor leagues, I think they need to call up Starlin Castro as soon as possible. He needs to start at shortstop moving Theriot to second base. That will help the infield defense quite a bit. I was not overly impressed with Andrew Cashner and some of the other pitchers in the minors during Spring Training. That being said I many of them are now pitching well and should be considered for call ups in order to shore up the bullpen. If they can throw stikes and get people out that would go along way to what is wrong with this team.
