Bruce Miles

Whether it's right or wrong, it's like this on every team in baseball and in many industries: Young workers (or baseball players) have to prove themselves, and experienced hands get the benefit of the doubt. On top of it, the front office signed Neifi to a guaranteed two-year deal. You're right about every team in baseball. Except, of course, for the Oakland A's. Sure has hurt their chances this year. The A's haven't played a game yet. We'll see what their chances are. The Cubs will have two young players, almost rookies, in their starting lineup: Cedeno and Murton. They'll also start a rookie on ESPN Sunday night baseball: Sean Marshall. They also used more young players in spring training than I've seen in nine years of traveling with the team. Let's see how it plays out. Oh, and I picked the A's to win their division. I don't want to be Mr. Moneyball (because I think it can be taken too far), but I just don't understand why baseball is attached to this line of thinking when a team like the A's has proven for nearly 10 years that shrewd use of young players and refusing to overpay for mediocre veterans is not only a successful long-term strategy, but also can work in the short-term (thus insuring the job security so many GMs cite as the reason they stick with mediocre veterans). If I'm running a business and a competitor is doing as well as I am, but doing it more efficiently and with lower costs, I'm going to steal his idea. Why don't GMs get this? Is "traditional values" that powerful of a restraint? Good and valid points. You're seeing change, but it's not easy to get an ocean liner to do a U-turn. It's going to take time. This kind of thinking is so new in baseball, but even "scouts-oriented" teams are studying this new way of thinking.

Whether it's right or wrong, it's like this on every team in baseball and in many industries: Young workers (or baseball players) have to prove themselves, and experienced hands get the benefit of the doubt. On top of it, the front office signed Neifi to a guaranteed two-year deal. You're right about every team in baseball. Except, of course, for the Oakland A's. Sure has hurt their chances this year. The A's haven't played a game yet. We'll see what their chances are. The Cubs will have two young players, almost rookies, in their starting lineup: Cedeno and Murton. They'll also start a rookie on ESPN Sunday night baseball: Sean Marshall. They also used more young players in spring training than I've seen in nine years of traveling with the team. Let's see how it plays out. Oh, and I picked the A's to win their division.

Whether it's right or wrong, it's like this on every team in baseball and in many industries: Young workers (or baseball players) have to prove themselves, and experienced hands get the benefit of the doubt. On top of it, the front office signed Neifi to a guaranteed two-year deal.

I'm reading this thread in the Phoenix airport. Time to relax: Ronny Cedeno will be the opening-day shortstop and will be given every opportunity to keep the job. Period. How many reporters did you see making a big deal of this? This is one of Dusty's rambles that morphed from a discussion about a "platoon" at second base. While there is legit concern given Dusty's history, it's no time to panic. Ronny will get his chance. He's got to relax and just play, which is what I think he'll do. Heading home and then on to Cincy Sunday.

Counsell, SS Hudson, 2B Gonzalez, LF Clark, 1B Green, RF Estrada, C Byrnes, CF Easley, 3B Hernandez, P

So that means they're going to keep Zambrano on normal rest and pitch him Saturday? Can't say I'd mind seeing Z pitch. Yes, Zambrano goes Saturday as they keep him on normal rest.

Marshall is now slated for the Sunday night game at home against the Cardinals.

Cubs go this way, and you might like it: Pierre, CF Walker, 2B Lee, 1B Ramirez, 3B Jones, RF Barrett, C Murton, LF Cedeno, SS Williams, P

Is this a split squad for the Angels today, Bruce? Thanks for all of the info. Any talk on the waiver wire, i.e., what type of player Hendry is on the lookout for? (And Bruce has left the building before I could submit my post ... my stupid job obligations. They just don't pay me enough to keep me from distracting myself with reading and yammering about Cubs baseball.) It's not a split squad for the Angels, but I do believe some have broken camp already for a split squad tomorrow at San Francisco. I don't see any major moves. The Cubs feel someone like Bynum might even make the A's. What about the rumor we've heard of Kielty? I haven't heard it in Cubs camp.

Is this a split squad for the Angels today, Bruce? Thanks for all of the info. Any talk on the waiver wire, i.e., what type of player Hendry is on the lookout for? (And Bruce has left the building before I could submit my post ... my stupid job obligations. They just don't pay me enough to keep me from distracting myself with reading and yammering about Cubs baseball.) It's not a split squad for the Angels, but I do believe some have broken camp already for a split squad tomorrow at San Francisco. I don't see any major moves. The Cubs feel someone like Bynum might even make the A's.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of California go this way: Erstad, CF Alfonzo, 2B Anderson, LF Salmon, DH Mathis, C McPherson, 3B Morales, 1B Pride, RF Wood, SS Colon, P

I'm officially sicker of spring training. Cubs go this way: Pierre, CF Hairston, 2B Lee, 1B Ramirez, 3B Jones, RF Murton, LF Perez, SS Blanco, C Zambrano, P

Things appear to be changing fast around here. The other day, Dusty was adamant that Marshall and the other kids couldn't supplant Williams as the No. 4. With Williams being inconsistent, it's possible Marshall could sneak into the No. 4 spot, with Williams, Guzman and Hill being considered for No. 5. Williams could open the season with the big club, but in the pen and getting ready for the No. 5 start on April 15. If he doesn't perform well and if Hill or Guzman excel, things could change again.

No, it has nothing to do with any budget crunch. For a long time, the Cubs didn't have much in the way of young position players. That's changed over the last few years. They've finally got a few they like, and you'll see them get a real shot.

Nice thoughts on Marquis. I'll always remember his role in the 97' Series vs. FL. Also very glad to read that we are giving these kids a chance. You never know who might turn into something more than you thought he could be. Pagan looks like he'll make this team. And why not? The best thing the Cubs did this spring was bring a bunch of kids to camp instead of a lot of veteran retreads. They really played hard and left a good impression. I think they also gained a lot from the experience.

I wish I could have dealt with Marquis Grissom in his prime. He is a class act all the way. Every player in that clubhouse came up to him and wished him well. Grissom spent a lot of time with Pagan this spring, and Pagan was emotionally moved by Grissom's retirement. Unless someone comes off the waiver wire or a trade is made, it looks as if Theriot has the inside track on a job. Restovich is not on the 40-man roster, making it almost impossible for him to make the team at this point. Pagan is all but a lock. He's had a great spring.

Len Kasper is here, so I believe this is a Cubs telecast.

Sox lineup isn't in, but the Cubs go this way: Pierre, CF Hairston, 2B Lee, 1B Ramirez, 3B Murton, LF Grissom, RF Perez, SS Blanco, C Maddux, P

Weren't the Cubs interested at one time this spring? At one time, but whatever interest there was cooled quickly.

Cubs aren't interested in Graffanino

IMO, it's Marshall. I raised the question yesterday if one of those guys could move into the 4th spot. Dusty said no.

Bruce, Any word on Wade Miller's velocity out of camp? No, they're not keeping guns on guys like Miller and Wood. Wood has been throwing very well, and Miller is a couple weeks behind that. He also has been doing well, but the Cubs aren't rushing him.

AZ lineup Counsell, SS Hudson, 2B Tracy, 3B Gonzalez, LF Jackson, 1B Green, RF Byrnes, CF Snyder, C Jarvis, P No Cruzie sightings yet.

Pretty much. Thats very encouraging. Compared to what was run out there on a daily basis last year its a big improvement...is it enough? who knows...but its an improvement. And I've got a strange feeling that Murton won't be in that 7 hole for long...I think he's going to work his way well up the line up before the year is over. One of my stories didn't make the Internet today, but in it, I asked Dusty where he saw Murton. He said fifth eventually. I think so, too.

Pretty much.