Chicago Cubs Report

          Cubs Twitter mailbag: Will Javier Baez see more time at 2nd?

          Javier Baez could be deployed at second base here and their for matchup purposes. David Kohl/USA TODAY Sports

          CHICAGO – Time to empty the Twitter mailbag as the Chicago Cubs begin the second half of the season:


          JR: It's possible, yes. Maddon said he wanted Javier Baez at second base on Friday due to the defensive matchup, so it sounds like wherever they can get an advantage with him, whether that be at third or second, I think Maddon will take it when it makes sense. But Zobrist will still get the majority of starts there, I believe.
          JR: It looks like we're moving in that direction, but I wouldn't say it's a permanent thing simply because it's a long second half and Carl Edwards can slump just as easily as Justin Grimm could find it again. In fact, Grimm is slowly starting to look better. There's room for both to share some of those key middle innings, but at this moment Edwards seems to have the trust of Joe Maddon. There's no doubt about that. We need more evidence before we can declare it a done deal though.

          JR: Concern is the wrong word. There's simply an understanding that a game with him behind the plate will be treated differently than one called by a veteran. The pitcher will take command more, for example, or there will be more between-inning adjustments. It's not necessarily the outcomes which are affected, but the process. Having said that, I do think the first couple of times Willson Contreras caught each starter there was an adjustment period that could have affected their performance. Again, that was expected.

          JR: Besides anyone who's already been up here, there's still a chance righty Ryan Williams could see a game if the Cubs really needed a spot starter and Adam Warren wasn't available. In the bullpen, I've always like Armando Rivero, and he's back to being an effective pitcher after an up-and-down year last season. I still don't see that lefty who can help, unless they give another chance to Gerardo Concepcion or Jack Leathersich is ready after Tommy John surgery last July.

          JR: First, I'll answer a question you didn't ask: I don't think they're trading for a No. 1 or No. 2 unless it's a young guy who develops into one. But if they did, I suppose Jason Hammel's gig would be in jeopardy. I wouldn't put it past them to trade for a depth guy and just deal with having six starters, though Adam Warren can be that guy now. You also have to forget for a moment they are in a pennant race and pretend this is the offseason. If they can get a young arm who fits into their plans for the future, regardless of how he fits into the present, they will do it. The trade deadline is just another winter meetings moment in that sense.

          JR: Hmm, that's a good question. Who's ripe for a run? I guess I would say Jake Arrieta. He took off in the second half last year, so we know it's in him, obviously, and he just didn't look great for a bunch of starts in the month or so before the All-Star break. Even in his no-hitter, he wasn't really the sharp Arrieta we've seen in the past. I'd love to say it's Hammel and he exorcises his past second half demons, but I need to see it first.

          JR: Veteran playcaller, left-handed bat for the tough righties, and needs to stay sharp in case he's called into a heavier workload. I know those are just cliché answers, but it's the truth. Now, if this was September and the lead was two games, maybe things are different. Plus, when everyone is healthy in the outfield, there is a good chance Contreras is behind the plate most of the time, so this is just Maddon taking advantage of the situation in that he's taking some pressure off the rookie while keeping his bat in the lineup.

          JR: No.

          JR: I'll make this easy. Currently anyone in the minors is presumably available. Contending teams don't usually trade from their major league roster, though it's not unheard of, just rare. So, yes, Jorge Soler could be moved in a deal, but I'm sure the Cubs would rather trade from guys who, you know, have no playoff or major league experience and have no chance of helping them this October. Theo Epstein is already on record regarding Kyle Schwarber: He's not going anywhere.

          JR: Very good question because it has to be one Theo and Jed are discussing as well. I'll give you a righty and a lefty I like. Kind of random, but I've talked to scouts about both of them. And obviously these come from teams out of the race. How about Tampa Bay closer Alex Colome? He came up under Maddon before taking over the ninth inning and has flourished for a last-place team. Colome has a 1.69 ERA as he and Hector Rondon could work as a tandem, or Colome can set up or pitch whenever, really. The Cubs could use good relief pitchers for every inning. From the left side, Fernando Abad is having a great year for the Twins, as lefties are hitting just .163 off him with a .196 on-base percentage. Neither has much playoff experience (Abad has 1/3 of an inning) and I'm not sure Colome is even available, but either could help. There are plenty of others, of course.

          JR: It’s obvious he likes it there. Who wouldn’t? Hitting behind the Cubs' big sluggers has its advantages. It’s similar to hitting behind Miguel Cabrera -- you’re going to get your chances with men on base. In five games batting fifth, Russell has three home runs, 10 RBIs and is hitting .364. Not bad.