Wait Till Next Year for White Sox Rodon, Cub Bryant

September 3, 2014 @ admin → No Comments

Midweek musings: Whaddya mean it’s Wednesday? It’s Tues… I mean Mond… uh. Labor Day was Monday? What’s that make this? Yes, life can be confusing. That’s why there are calendars to figure these things out. Of course, there are things far more complicated — also things far more simple — to figure out. Let us begin with the simple (and keep it that way): The Cubs will not be bringing up Kris Bryant this season, and the White Sox will not be bringing up Carlos Rodon this season. Why? Because each organization said so. Simple, huh? Indeed.

Video below of model Nikki du Plessis.

* For those who might have missed it the first few times around regarding future Hall of Fame third baseman (or possibly outfielder; first base maybe?) Bryant, Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein reiterated that reality once again Tuesday. Because perhaps some media members might have been wondering if Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer possibly could be overdosing on stupid pills and would be willing to call up the slugger now that the Class AAA Iowa Cubs season is over. Epstein and Hoyer apparently have most, if not all, of their mental faculties functioning. Which means they are not going to have Bryant make his big-league debut in 2014. Not when the team is in last place in the National League Central. Not with 23 games remaining. Oh, and not when doing so would cost the team contract control — meaning money (in case anyone was wondering the underlying concern of all this).

* For those similarly delusional about 2014 first-round draft pick Rodon, the left-hander advanced from Class A to AAA this season fairly easily. General manager Rick Hahn also apparently does not engage in taking stupid pills. So the team will let Rodon enjoy his 2014 season while the Sox enjoy having its contract control as complete as possible. And, yes, this about money. None of this is about immediate gratification for the fans (as if the ones who don’t show up at home games need some solace for a sub-par season). Or the development of Rodon. No matter what Hahn might like us to believe. Unless hanging around a big-league team that you likely will be part of in 2015 is deemed detrimental.

Adriana Lima doesn’t want summer to end. Can’t blame her.

* As far as the current Cubs, first baseman Anthony Rizzo has a mild back strain that may sideline him the rest of the season. “It’s nothing chronic, nothing that will bother him long-term, but it’s just something we don’t want to rush back from,” Epstein said. OK, so I didn’t go to medical school (although I did watch a lot of “Ben Casey,” “Dr. Kildare” and “Marcus Welby, M.D.” growing up), but I don’t know how Epstein can be so reassuring. Chronic problems do have a beginning. Fairly sure about that, even if there is uncertainty by some of us (not employed by the Cubs) about back problems for a guy who swings a bat for a living.

* Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro injured his ankle sliding safely into home in Tuesday night’s 7-1 victory vs. Milwaukee at Wrigley Field. The Cubs said he did not break the ankle. Which presumably is a good break for Castro, even if he might be out for the rest of the season. Maybe Castro’s injury lets Javier Baez play his natural position. Baez went 0-for-4 with one strikeout and his fifth walk of the season Tuesday. He has struck out 51 times in 120 at-bats (43 percent of his at-bats). His .175 batting average is mind-boggling. As is the team’s willingness to continue to let him struggle. Then again, there’s not much more to go before he hits bottom. No?

* Speaking of improving, the Sox defeated the host Minnesota Twins 6-3 in 10 innings. Meaning they are three games ahead of the Twins for last place in the American League Central. And the Sox (63-75) also have a half-game lead over the Cubs (63-76) for Chicago bragging rights. As if either team will have much to brag about collectively when the season is over.

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