Cubs' playoff roster to include rookie Soto
CINCINNATI -- General manager Jim Hendry and manager Lou Piniella probably won't finalize the Cubs' 25-man playoff roster until Wednesday morning's deadline set by Major League Baseball.
The Cubs have decisions to make on likely two spots on the pitching staff and for at least two bench spots.
Hendry would only say Saturday that the roster would probably include 11 pitchers.
"We talked about some parameters that might even change the concept of how we set up the roster depending on who we play -- extra lefty, not an extra lefty," Hendry said. "I think I would be safe to say we'll probably go with 11 pitchers."
Piniella confirmed following Saturday's 4-0 win here over the Reds that rookie Geovany Soto would be on the playoff roster.
"I don't think he's going to be off the roster," Piniella said.
Based on his play over the last several weeks since his recall from Class AAA Iowa, where he was the Pacific Coast League's MVP, keeping Soto was a no-brainer for the Cubs over the light-hitting Henry Blanco.
Soto showed again on Saturday with 2 doubles, a single and RBI against Reds starter Aaron Harang that his big bat cannot be ignored. He went 3-for-4 to raise his average to .404 (21-for-52) in 17 games.
"To be one of the guys on the playoff roster would be pretty special," Soto said. "This is one of the most amazing things I've ever experienced, now to maybe be catching in the playoffs for the Cubs."
Hendry said he didn't see any possibility of going with three catchers.
The four starters for the best-of-five NLDS are set. Carlos Zambrano will pitch Game 1 on Wednesday, followed by Ted Lilly on Thursday in Game 2. Rich Hill gets the ball for Game 3 on Saturday at Wrigley Field with Jason Marquis tentatively penciled in to pitch Game 4 if there is one.
"I would think Marquis would be the fourth guy if we use a fourth guy," Piniella said. "We'll play this thing by ear."
Consider five bullpen spots locked: Closer Ryan Dempster, Bob Howry, Carlos Marmol, Kerry Wood and left-hander Scott Eyre.
That would leave the Cubs to decide between Michael Wuertz, Sean Marshall, Steve Trachsel, Kevin Hart and Will Ohman for the last two pitching spots.
Hart has wowed Piniella since being recalled from Class AA Tennessee on Sept. 4 and has an 0.82 ERA in 8 appearances.
Marshall would give the Cubs another left-hander out of the bullpen to go with Eyre and be a long man with Hart. Marshall also beat the Diamondbacks 6-2 on Aug. 24, and lost to them 3-0 on July 22.
Trachsel could be the odd man out, or he could get a spot ahead of Hart because of his playoff experience. Hendry cautioned not to rush to judgment with Trachsel.
"Some people might say that Trachsel didn't pitch great, he didn't do as well as you thought," Hendry said. "But that was a huge game that we won in Houston that Thursday night (Sept. 13). It enabled us to start Zambrano on Friday and kind of set the tone for that weekend in St. Louis. That was like a two-game swing for us."
Ohman likely has no shot to make the 25-man roster.
After regulars Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano, Ryan Theriot, Jacques Jones, Cliff Floyd, Matt Murton and Jason Kendall, two other spots are certain to be filled by Mike Fontenot, a left-handed bat off the bench, and versatile infielder Ronny Cedeno.
Daryle Ward would be an automatic add, but his jammed left thumb makes him questionable at the moment.
"You've got some issues with Daryle Ward," said Hendry. "He took (Saturday) off and maybe try to swing the bat (today). It may take through the workout on Tuesday top make a decision on Daryle."
Outfielders Felix Pie, Craig Monroe and Sam Fuld appear to be on the bubble. Pie might earn a spot because of his strong defense as a late-inning replacement. Monroe is hitting only .208 with the Cubs with 1 home run and 4 RBI in 28 at-bats.