:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-tronc.s3.amazonaws.com/public/FLPMWIPYZBBOFE7EPF6A5NVATI.png)
Let’s pull some questions from this week’s Cubs mailbag.
Ask Theo Epstein to confirm that Tommy La Stella asked to be traded so he might secure a full-time position leading hopefully to a long-term contract. — Dave D.
Theo and his staff were entrenched in their war room preparing for the draft, so I went to the source: La Stella himself. Tommy laughed when I asked him about this. La Stella wanted to stay with the Cubs but understands the business of baseball.
La Stella was arbitration eligible, and the Cubs’ spending (beyond their core arbitration-eligible players) was negligible. La Stella’s forte at the time was pinch hitting, and that was more of a luxury to the Cubs.
La Stella received a great opportunity to play more frequently with the Angels, and he has made the most of his playing time. Who would have thought he would be serving as protection for Mike Trout and Albert Pujols as the Angels’ cleanup hitter?
What are the chances of trying Tyler Chatwood as the closer? — James S.
With Pedro Strop back, that won’t happen on a primary basis. But keep an eye on Chatwood later this season and in 2020. Chatwood has done a terrific job considering last season’s injuries. I still think he’s a starter, but this team’s current priority is relief pitching.
With the exception of Saturday’s game in St. Louis, Chatwood has done very well and is best served in the bullpen. I’d keep an eye on him as we get closer to the end of the first half with so few days off and the potential need for a sixth starter.
Any chance Ian Happ will be recalled to replace Ben Zobrist? — Chris W.
Right now the roster is pretty thick with the addition of Carlos Gonzalez, and David Bote and Daniel Descaslo as reserves, although Bote has plenty of versatility around the infield.
And Albert Almora Jr. was playing exceptionally well before the addition of Gonzalez. He’ll be one of Maddon’s “game-in-progress” moves, in which he may pinch hit for the pitcher and stay in the game as a defensive replacement.
Gonzalez has played well in his first two games with the Cubs. If this continues, it It will be a long time before we see Happ until he hits for more power and cuts down on his strikeouts.
But Maddon hasn’t been afraid to put Kris Bryant in the outfield, and Bote is a capable defender at third as well as second. So finding playing time for Happ could be tough.
Are you surprised at the addition of Gonzalez and how well he’s played after struggling with the Indians? — Fred H.
It’s been only two games, but I’m a little surprised. I’ve always liked his swing and thought he could hit outside of Coors Field.
I think Bruce Levine of WSCR-AM 670 had the best forecast from Indians coach Sandy Alomar Jr. when he said Gonzalez needed more time to get acclimated but would do well. I think, after two games, this is an encouraging sign for the Cubs.
Don’t you think Javier Baez needs a day or two off? — Tim B.
I do, regardless of how he feels about his bruised right heel. Before he was hurt in Washington last month, he had played in every game. You can’t knock his energy, but at some point he could use a break — at least before the interleague series against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.
The toughest part is selecting which game. Maybe Thursday’s series finale against the Rockies. The Cubs play the Cardinals, Rockies and Dodgers in successive series without a day off until June 17.
So I can envision a situation where Baez serves as the designated hitter on June 18. Manager Joe Maddon and Baez have insisted his discomfort stems only from moving laterally and not on swings.
Didn’t the Cubs’ first-round pick, pitcher Ryan Jensen, seem like a reach? — Rudy A.
It does. A couple of agents sent text messages wondering how much the Cubs will save on the pick since Jensen wasn’t expected to be drafted until the third round.
But there are factors to consider. First, Jensen can throw in the upper 90-mph range with swing-and-miss capabilities.
It was well-known throughout draft circles that the pitching talent pool was thin, so the Cubs believed they could get Jensen at a reasonable price and add more pitching in the subsequent rounds.
I never saw Jensen pitch in person, but I saw Trey Jameson of Ball State throw six no-hit innings against Stanford in the first game of the season with a fastball in the 94-97 mph range. Jameson, like Jensen, is listed at 6-foot. Jameson was selected 34th overall by the Diamondbacks, and a scout told me that Jameson’s stuff remained consistent throughout the season.
From the look of Jensen’s game-by-game statistics, he seemed to get better, and Friday’s win over UC Santa Barbara reinforced his credentials.
Chicago Tribune Sports
Finally, I applaud Fresno State coach Mike Batesole for not pitching Jensen in Monday night’s NCAA regional final after he threw 110 pitches on Friday night. This might not have been the case with other coaches, especially in a must-win situation.
I recall the 1988 Fresno State team that had three first-rounders in Steve Hosey, Eddie Zosky and the legendary Tom Goodwin. That team won 32 consecutive games, but their pitching staff also threw 36 complete games in a 68-game season. They allowed 18 runs in their first two College World Series games — both losses.
So while I am surprised by the selection of Jensen, I won’t be shocked if his signing bonus is well under $2 million. It not an indictment on the pitcher. It’s just the way teams can maneuver with a bonus pool.
I like the second pick — UCLA second baseman Chase Strumpf, and fourth-round pick Chris Clarke seems to have matured as a reliever and as a person this season.
Twitter @MDGonzales
[ Rockies' return to Wrigley Field sparks memories of lessons learned from Cubs' 2018 season ]
[ Cubs manager Joe Maddon won't guarantee Albert Almora Jr. more consistent playing time ]
[ What channel is the Cubs game on? Time and TV for upcoming games ]
