Spring Training Notebook- 3/07/11

Despite manager Mike Quade being committed to taking his time deciding who should be the final two starting pitchers in the Cubs’ rotation, it is looking more and more likely that Randy Wells and Andrew Cashner will be in the rotation. Here is the latest from Spring Training as we near closer to the first batch of roster cuts on March 16th.

• Shaky Silva

Chicago Cubs pitcher Carlos Silva has gotten off to a disastrous start to Spring Training. Silva who came into camp by talking his way into the rotation, is now pitching his way out of the rotation. After another bad outing yesterday where he gave up 8 runs on 10 hits, his future with the Cubs is a bit uncertain.

However, Mike Quade remains optimistic that Silva will be fine, and be able to turnaround his Spring Training fortunes. Although at this point, you can’t really expect Quade to say anything else just yet. Mike Quade is not blind, I’m sure he is fully aware of the bad start that Silva has gotten off to. But, if he were to not show that confidence in Silva, then that would only complicate his relationship with the erratic pitcher.

Regardless of what Mike Quade says publicly, it is looking likely that Silva will not be part of the Cubs rotation coming out of camp. If that is the case, then there is good chance that Silva will not be a member of the of the Cubs’ organization coming out of Spring Training. As the general consensus around Chicago reporters, is the Cubs – who are paying $8MM of the $13.5MM he is owed this season- will cut Silva by the time the season starts. That really is the only option that the Cubs have. Silva has no trade market right now, he won’t be a fit in the bullpen, and he is out of options.

• Fernando Perez gives the Cubs an unique Asset

For the past four seasons, the Cubs have lacked any type of a threat when it came to stealing bases. Along with giving the Cubs a front-line pitcher in Matt Garza, the Tampa Bay Rays also gave the Cubs one time top prospect Fernando Perez in their trade with the North-Siders back in January. While Perez’s stock has gone down the past couple of seasons because of injury, he comes to the Cubs being completely healthy. Along with his clean bill of health, Perez also comes to the Cubs as one of the fastest guys in the majors.

Perez’s speed figures to be an added advantage in his competition with Reed Johnson for a spot on the 25 man roster as the team’s fifth outfielder. However, Perez has already endeared himself to the Chicago faithful. Even though it is only Spring Training, fans have already admired his late game hustle both in the outfield and on the bases. If Perez proves this spring that he can be a viable option as a switch hitter, that may secure his spot on the Cubs’ 25 man roster.