Todd Walker, like the Cubs, just about went the distance a year ago.
While most major-leaguers were home with their families and golf clubs, Walker batted second in Game 7 of the Championship Series. He did it for the Boston Red Sox, whom the Yankees beat, one day after the Cubs had failed to hold onto the 5-3 lead they took to the fifth inning of their Game 7 against Florida.
Walker certainly understands what the Cubs went through. He and the Cubs should be a good marriage, given that he’s a left-handed hitter who scored 92 runs and drove in 85 for the Red Sox. The Cubs didn’t have anyone who scored more than 49 or drove in more than 55 from the left side of the plate last year.
But, these being the Cubs, little is ever simple. Thus, it’s no surprise that one of the pressing issues for manager Dusty Baker is finding a way to use Walker, whose career .290 average is second only to Moises Alou’s .300 on the current roster.
General manager Jim Hendry signed Walker after re-signing second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, who hit .314 last year before slipping to .180 in the post-season when he played with an injured shoulder. Baker has said that Grudzielanek remains his second baseman and tentatively plans to get Walker some at-bats at different positions, including first base, third base and perhaps even left field.
While the Cubs might seem set, all plans are subject to change. Walker is among the major-leaguers who could force such a change.
Thursday: The NL West.
Phil Rogers sizes up the Cubs
Last year: 88-74, 1st; beat Atlanta in the first round, lost to Florida in the NLCS.
Manager: Dusty Baker.
Key additions: RHP LaTroy Hawkins, 1B Derrek Lee, 2B Todd Walker.
Key losses: CF Kenny Lofton, 1B Randall Simon.
Lesser moves: Added C Michael Barrett, OF Todd Hollandsworth, LHP Kent Mercker, RHP Jamey Wright, RHP Ryan Dempster, RHP Gary Glover, OF Jose Macias; lost C Damian Miller, 1B Hee Seop Choi, RHP Antonio Alfonseca, RHP Dave Veres, LHP Mark Guthrie, LHP Shawn Estes, INF Tony Womack, CF Doug Glanville, C Josh Paul.
Big question: Can Corey Patterson regain the form he had before tearing up his left knee last July? Despite a lack of patience, Patterson was hitting .298 and on pace to drive in almost 100 runs. The Cubs badly need a left-handed presence to break up their right-handed core of hitters, which includes Sammy Sosa, Moises Alou, Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez. His fielding skills are no small matter, either, as he’s flanked by Alou and Sosa. If Patterson comes along slowly, the Cubs will have to find a replacement from a group including Todd Hollandsworth, Tom Goodwin and Jose Macias.
Keep an eye on: Francis Beltran and Jason Dubois. It’s unlikely that any unproven players will crash the 25-man roster, but these are the two with the best chances. Beltran, recovered from a case of triceps tendinitis that limited his effectiveness in 2003, was named MVP of the Caribbean World Series. He served as the closer on a Dominican team that included Guillermo Mota and Felix Rodriguez in setup roles and provides depth behind Joe Borowski, LaTroy Hawkins and Kyle Farnsworth. Dubois, who failed to stick with Toronto as a Rule 5 pick last year, emerged as a force in the Arizona Fall League and could capture Baker’s eye, if not a spot as a reserve outfielder.
The main event: No one needs a good spring more than Juan Cruz. He was passed by Mark Prior and Carlos Zambrano and would be squeezed out of the rotation by Greg Maddux. He provides depth and could be valuable in a trade, either late in spring training or at midseason.
