Chicago Cubs News: DeWitt, Barney Vying for Second Base; Cashner Still in Mesa

For all of the good going on in the Chicago Cubs organization, there are still many unanswered questions. One of those questions is who is going to start at second base: Will it be Blake DeWitt or Darwin Barney?

Carrie Muskat has posted an article at the Chicago Cubs' website titled "Quade still undecided about second base."

As Muskat reports, three batting spots are set. Look for shortstop Starlin Castro to bat second, followed by center fielder Marlon Byrd and then in the cleanup spot Quade will have third baseman Aramis Ramirez. When the opposing pitcher is a right-hander, Kosuke Fukudome will be leading off and playing right field. This will be the case despite Fukudome struggling this spring with a .173 batting average.

As far as second base goes, Darwin Barney, who is a rookie, has impressed Quade with defense. Barney has impressed him with his overall play but the catch for his starting is his lack of success with hitting.

One of the things that Quade has gotten accomplished is setting a five-man pitching rotation led by Ryan Dempster. Additionally, there will be Carlos Zambrano, but he will be in unfamiliar territory being the second man in the rotation.

One pitcher, Andrew Cashner, was left back in Mesa, Ariz., to pitch a minor league game today for which he was extremely unhappy since the Cubs open the season tomorrow on April 1. The reason that he was left back was that he was originally to be on the team as a reliever. Actually, his exact duties were undetermined. However, then Carlos Silva was unexpectedly released and Cashner was made a starter. Manager Quade wanted to get him as much work as possible.

Yesterday, before breaking spring training camp in Mesa, Ariz., Randy Wells got to throw for one last time as tune-up for the season. He did a good job in front of nearly 4,000 fans. It is always good to get to work in front of a crowd. Wells is pitching fourth in the Cubs' rotation.

The Cubs enter the season as a "blue-collar" team. However, with the term "blue-collar" comes well-prepared and hopeful; they are ready.

I am ready as well.

Reference:

Chicago Cubs' Website, Carrie Muskat, "Quade still undecided about second base"