Cubs not a total train wreck in the first half
The Cubs began the second half of their season Thursday night in Atlanta.
While their record of 31-50 had them on pace for exactly 100 losses, there’s one winning record to talk about.
We’ll give team president Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer a mark of 4-2 in their major off-season acquisitions.
Epstein and Hoyer used a mix of trades and free-agent signings, aimed both at this year and for the future as part of their “parallel-track” strategy of being competitive for 2012 while thinking long term.
The train on the first track derailed early, and it remains to be seen how smooth a ride there will be on the other track.
So at the halfway stop of the first season, let’s analyze the major moves.
The winners
The Rizzo trade:Definitely a deal done with the long view in mind, the Cubs traded hard-throwing pitcher Andrew Cashner to the San Diego Padres in January for first-base prospect Anthony Rizzo. Called up from Class AAA Iowa last week, Rizzo has made an immediate impact on a lineup that had struggled to score. Manager Dale Sveum immediately put Rizzo into the No. 3 spot in the order and moved first baseman Bryan LaHair to right field to accommodate Rizzo. The Cubs entered Thursday 6-2 since Rizzo#146;s call-up, and he had a hitting line of .323/.344/.710 with 3 homers and 3 doubles. The Cubs go with a left-right-left trio of Rizzo, left fielder Alfonso Soriano and LaHair in the middle of the order. Rizzo and No. 2 hitter Starlin Castro figure to be cornerstones of the Cubs#146; offense for years to come. As for Cashner, he just went on San Diego#146;s disabled list with a sore right lat muscle. Wood for Marshall:Cubs fans had to let this one play out a little. Just before Christmas, Epstein and Hoyer traded popular and effective left-handed reliever Sean Marshall to the Reds for young lefty Travis Wood and a pair of minor-leaguers. When Wood opened the season in the minor leagues and Marshall served a stint as the Reds#146; closer, many fans were scratching their heads. But Wood has come on strong of late, and he is under Cubs control for a long time. On top of that, left-handed reliever James Russell has more than ably filled Marshall#146;s old role. Free-agent signings:The Cubs didn#146;t go big (read Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder) with their free-agent signings. Instead, they picked up outfielder David DeJesus and left-handed pitcher Paul Maholm. They#146;ve gotten the rebound season they had hoped for from DeJesus, who has moved from right field to center in the Rizzo-LaHair chain reaction. That has allowed the Cubs to have a power bat in right field. DeJesus#146; plate discipline and ability to see a lot of pitches has been a revelation for the Cubs. He entered Thursday 13th among NL regulars with 4.08 pitches seen per plate appearance.The Cubs pounced when the Pirates chose not to pick up Maholm#146;s option. It#146;s been a streaky season for Maholm, who is on the upswing again with 2 straight wins. The losersThe Stewart trade:The intention was good. Epstein and Hoyer looked to #147;buy low#148; on Ian Stewart, who was coming off an injury-plagued 2011 season with Colorado. They gave up outfielder Tyler Colvin, who had a miserable 2011 season, and infield prospect DJ LeMahieu. The Cubs also got minor-league pitcher Casey Weathers in the deal. It#146;s been more of the same for Stewart, whose season is likely over. He#146;ll undergo surgery next week on his troublesome left wrist after batting .201 with 5 homers. His days in Chicago may well be done for good. As for Colvin, don#146;t look now, but he has put up a hitting line of .302/.331/.599 entering Thursday with 10 home runs. He made some swing changes in spring training and is stating his case for everyday playing time. #147;I have been in the situation before (in Chicago),#148; he told the Denver media. #147;I have to come here ready to play every day. Whatever Skip (manager Jim Tracy) needs me for, I will be ready.#148;Volstad for Big Z:It#146;s hard to blame Epstein and Hoyer for believing it just wasn#146;t going to work with former ace Carlos Zambrano after he was sent home last summer by former GM Jim Hendry after threatening to retire. So they shipped Zambrano off to Miami for 6-foot-8 pitcher Chris Volstad, eating most of Zambrano#146;s $18 million salary. While Zambrano has been inconsistent in Miami (4-6, 4.14 ERA), Volstad is still looking for his first win as a Cub after falling to 0-7 with a 7.94 ERA Tuesday night in Atlanta. He wound up in the minor leagues after opening the season in the Cubs#146; rotation and could well be headed back Sunday, if No. 1 starter Ryan Dempster comes off the disabled list. There was talk this week in Atlanta of Volstad getting away from the game plan in Tuesday#146;s start by unnecessarily shaking off catcher Steve Clevenger numerous times. If things continue to go this way, the Cubs simply won#146;t tender Volstad a contract next winter. Almost makes you wonder how it would have turned out with Big Z.Whatever, the Cubs will take any kind of winning record, and the 4-2 mark in off-season moves will have to do for now.BBN28292052Since Anthony Rizzo was called up, the Cubs are 6-2 heading into Thursdays series finale against Atlanta. Associated PressBBNBBN29052005Travis Wood has been pitching well of late for the Cubs, who own his rights for a long time to come.Associated PressBBNBBN9401684David DeJesus was a solid off-season signing by Jed Hoyer and Theo Epstein. DeJesus ranks 13th among NL regulars in pitches seen per at-bat.Associated PressBBNBBN19022401Tyler Colvin is hitting .302 for the Rockies this season.Associated PressBBNBBN26381759He hasnt been terrific, but Carlos Zambrano has been serviceable for Miami in 2012 with a 4-6 record and a 4.14 ERA.Associated PressBBN