Quade likes versatility of Cubs’ bench
MESA, Ariz. — The Cubs don’t have a true pinch hitter on their bench, but manager Mike Quade said Wednesday he has something he likes better: versatility.
And he said he hopes to have all of his players involved early and often once the season gets under way.
The core group of outfielders includes Alfonso Soriano, Marlon Byrd, Tyler Colvin and Kosuke Fukudome, with Reed Johnson as the fifth outfielder.
In the infield, Blake DeWitt backs up at second and third bases. Darwin Barney and Jeff Baker top the depth chart at second.
“You hope that whoever’s got that off-day, be it Colvin, be it Fuke, be it Sori, be it DeWitt, be it Baker or Barney, those guys can all contribute swinging the bat,” Quade said Wednesday before the Cubs said farewell to Arizona with an intrasquad game. “There can be an art to pinch hitting. You might be able to say that can be overdone as well. Those guys that I mentioned, they’re versatile as heck. They’re all capable of starting and contributing. So why wouldn’t they be able to handle those pinch-hit roles?”
Awaiting the lineup:
Mike Quade was keeping his starting-lineup options to himself Wednesday, but the batting order will be posted in the clubhouse Thursday as the team works out at Wrigley Field in preparation for Friday’s opener against the Pirates.
Quade was asked if rookie Darwin Barney could start at second base.
“There’s a chance,” he replied. “Absolutely. Why not?”
However, Quade said he will finish poring over matchups against Pirates starting pitcher Kevin Correia before making out his lineup card.
“It’s funny because I had information on some matchups that I glanced at last night,” he said. “I was surprised at some of the stuff I saw, so I’m going to ask the stats people to re-look at them to make sure what I was reading was correct.”
Cashner stays back:
Pitcher Andrew Cashner was not on the team’s charter Wednesday heading back to Chicago. Cashner stayed back in Mesa, and he’ll pitch in a minor-league game Thursday before flying to Chicago.
Cashner is the team’s No. 5 starter.
“You know what’s unbelievable?” asked Mike Quade. “And maybe it’s not because he’s a young kid. He was mad. He doesn’t want to stay back. He wants to go with the club. And I love that. But no, stay back and get your work in.”
No worries:
Mike Quade said he is not worried about Kosuke Fukudome’s .173 batting average this spring. Fukudome’s on-base percentage was .333.
In three years with the Cubs, Fukudome has a .368 OBP.
“His batting average has not been that good; his on-base is fine,” Quade said. “He’s taking pitches. He’s seeing pitches. He’s somebody that I don’t worry about putting up numbers.
“I love his at-bats. I love the fact that he sees a lot of pitches. I know he’s going to draw some walks. And he’ll hit better than he did down here. He’s always had a pretty darn good on-base percentage. That’s what you’re looking for out of the top spot.”
Roster move: Catcher Max Ramirez, who was in camp all spring, has cleared waivers and was outrighted to Class AAA Iowa. The 40-man roster stands at 37. It will go to 38 when Reed Johnson is added before the season opener.BBN40002810Chicago Cubs manager manager Mike Quade looks over his lineup during the first inning of spring training baseball game Wednesday, March 2, 2011, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) BBN