Cubs Pitchers Find Life After Divorce

The removal of an everyday catcher through trade or injury usually creates havoc for a pitching staff. Not so for the Chicago Cubs. Since the June 20th trade of starting catcher Michael Barrett, the quintet of Marquis, Lilly, Zambrano, Hill and Marshall have experienced little trouble in adapting to new battery mates.

The best example of this continued success came during the weekend following the deal. In a three game series at the rival White Sox, Cubs pitchers allowed only two runs. That series sweep led off a seven game winning streak, culminating in two victories over division leader Milwaukee.

How have the Cubs avoided the predicted slump by replacing Barrett with two less experienced and weaker hitting catchers? The two-headed monster of Koyie Hill and Rob Bowen has proved to be a more than able defensive replacement. Barrett's tendency to allow passed balls (nine this season, one already with the Padres) made his pitching staff unwilling to risk a breaking ball in the dirt. In addition, the game-calling rift between Barrett and certain pitchers become apparent in his dugout altercation with irritable fireballer Carlos Zambrano. With backup Henry Blanco (a personal favorite of some starters) still on the disabled list, Barrett had been receiving more playing time than usual.

Of course, Cubs pitchers are not the only ones benefitting from Barrett's departure. The lineup has churned out 54 runs since the trade, including 10-9 win over Colorado on June 25th. Even without the 2005 NL Silver Slugger in the lineup, Chicago has been able to provide plenty of run support. Considering Bowen and Hill boast batting averages of .232 and .178 respectively, the boost has originated from the seven other position players.

Common baseball knowledge would frown upon Chicago's trade of an experienced and proven hitting backstop. However, relying upon stronger defense behind the plate and a certain camaraderie with the pitching staff has propelled the team to an 8-3 record since the deal and reborn playoff hopes for the fans.

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Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

910 days ago

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The bad news is that the Cubs had to go out and buy a new speedbag for Zambrano to punch while in the clubhouse.

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ChristofMVP

910 days ago

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If Barrett was a real cancer, then his removal should improve not only the pitching staff but also the entire team. If not, the trade impact will quickly fade, and the Cubs will be where they were before the trade - which was treading water.

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Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer

910 days ago

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And then sadly for us Cubs fans - drowning.

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RomiezzoLegend

910 days ago

Score 1

This goes to show how great of an impact it was for someone who had a negative effect on the team (supposedly) out of the team for someone else, who could possibly improve the team chemistry. The pitcher and catcher are the two mos impportant postitions, in my opinion, because the pitcher and catcher are involved in every play. The catcher is somewhat more important because he can see the whole field and tell people what to do. If you have a bad attitude and have a negative effect on the team, you'll lose baseball games everyday. I said that the Cubs were going to make the playoffs before the season started because in a team like the NL Central, anyone can win it, and they definitely have what it takes to win it. Now that they're back in the game and have a much better team chemistry, I believe that they DO have what it takes and I'm proving my point as we go along in the season. Zambrano is getting better, which is going to be HUGE for the Cubs, and you're gonna see a big surprise for the brewers soon, in my opinion.

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