NewsPiniella wants a big bat for Cubs in 2010
Chicago (79-73) at San Francisco (82-71), 9:15 p.m. CT
By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com
09/25/09 3:13 AM ET
SAN FRANCISCO -- Lou Piniella has a wish list, just like any other Cubs fan, for what the team needs to get back to the postseason. "You ask me, the biggest thing we need here is an RBI bat," Piniella said. "We need an RBI bat to sit in the middle of the lineup with [Aramis] Ramirez and Derrek Lee." That's what the Cubs were hoping for from Milton Bradley, but he's missing this series against the Giants, part of the 15-game suspension issued last Sunday. The Cubs will try to move the switch-hitter in the offseason following a turbulent first year in Chicago. Bradley was believed to be the missing link because the Cubs were so right-handed.Does Piniella's dream hitter have to bat left-handed?
"I don't care if he hits between his legs, how's that?" Piniella said. "Right-handed, left-handed, doesn't really matter." That's his No. 1 priority, although it's unclear where the big RBI player would fit on the field. If Geovany Soto can repeat his Rookie of the Year numbers from 2008 and if Alfonso Soriano is healthy and contributes lower in the order, the Cubs may be able to take care of that missing piece in-house. General manager Jim Hendry can't start shopping until he knows his budget for 2010. "We're going to ask Soto to really work hard this winter and come to Spring Training in good shape and ready to go," Piniella said. "Soriano, we need a good year from Soriano. One thing with Alfonso, and I'm going to have a nice talk with him, is when we're going to rest him, we're going to rest him. We have to keep him healthy and strong the whole year." Look at the St. Louis Cardinals, who are on the verge of clinching the National League Central. They found their RBI guy in Oakland. "You can see what a guy like [Matt] Holliday did to the St. Louis Cardinals' lineup," Piniella said. "That type of infusion." The Cubs led the National League last season with 855 runs scored, but won't match that this season. The team did have a 40 percent turnover in the lineup this season, and that will stabilize in 2010. "We've used a lot of young people who will figure into next year who I like personally," Piniella said. "A lot of the kids we brought up in September, especially the young pitchers, we don't need to tinker much with that." One young position player whom the Cubs are keeping an eye on is Tyler Colvin, but Piniella isn't ready to put the outfielder into the 2010 lineup. "We like the kid, don't get me wrong," Piniella said. "It's hard to judge in September at times. He's a very athletic young man and likes to play. I would think that a little seasoning wouldn't do him any harm." Atlanta's Bobby Cox was re-signed for 2010, and he announced it will be his last year. Piniella has one more year left on his contract with the Cubs, and he's made it clear that '10 will be his last as well. "I don't see myself managing beyond next year, I really don't," Piniella said. "I see giving it everything I've got to get this organization back on top, and I look forward to that challenge." He'd have a little better chance with that big RBI guy, too. Pitching matchupCHC: RHP Carlos Zambrano (8-6, 3.91 ERA)
Zambrano did not get a decision in his last start against the Cardinals. He gave up two runs on five hits over six innings, striking out six and left in line for the win. With his six Ks, he passed Greg Maddux and moved into sole possession of fifth place on the Cubs' all-time strikeouts list. He now has one win in his last eight starts. SF: RHP Tim Lincecum (14-6, 2.47 ERA)
Lincecum must accumulate 21 strikeouts in his remaining pair of projected starts to eclipse Christy Mathewson's modern-day franchise record of 267, which was set in 1903. He's also striving to become only the ninth Giants pitcher since the franchise moved to San Francisco in 1958 to win the National League ERA title. He'd be the first to accomplish that feat since Jason Schmidt did so in 2003. No Giants hurler in franchise history has led the league in both ERA and strikeouts. In Lincecum's previous appearance against the Cubs this year, he worked seven innings at Wrigley Field, allowing two runs and four hits in a 6-2 victory. Tidbits
Cox was the first-base coach for the Yankees when Piniella broke in as a player. "He's had a marvelous career, a great career," Piniella said. ... Rich Harden has been shutdown for the rest of the season, a mutual decision agreed to by the pitcher and Hendry. ... Ryan Dempster will make two more starts to try and accumulate 200 innings for the season. ... WGN Radio broadcaster Ron Santo is missing the Cubs' final road trip. Dave Otto is subbing for Santo, who is fine. Tickets
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• Saturday: Cubs (Tom Gorzelanny, 6-2, 5.08) at Giants (Barry Zito, 10-12, 3.99), 3:10 p.m. CT
• Sunday: Cubs (Randy Wells, 11-9, 3.00) at Giants (Matt Cain, 13-7, 2.99), 3:05 p.m. CT
• Monday: Off-day
Carrie Muskat is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
