Great Expectations

The Oakland Athletics have Kurt Suzuki lined up to take over as the everyday catcher and they have been prepping him for this role for the past month or two. The Chicago Cubs, on the other hand, had their catcher of the future on Geovany Soto at the Major League level, but only allowed him 7 AB’s before dispatching him back to triple –A Iowa. Something seems a little off here.

Soto has been a dynamic force in the minor leagues with his bat and given the time in Chicago, he had the potential to be a nice piece of the puzzle for the Cubs this season and beyond. Instead, Chicago sent down the young stud and made the foolhardy deal to acquire Jason Kendall.

So while the Cubs paid next to nothing for him, they’re also getting next to nothing in return, at least on the offensive side of things. Kendall has been an utter failure as an offensive threat for the A’s this year and has never been the type of produce that the Cubs need. His offensive numbers are just brutal though and far below what he used to amass. Kendall is 33 years old and has brought in all of 2 home runs and 22 RBI in 292 AB’s. That is not a stat you as a GM want to see, and that doesn’t even include his .226 average.

Chicago, when they dealt away Michael Barrett for Rob Bowen, knew they were getting rid of a strong bat in Barrett but his clubhouse antics and fiery temper got him replaced. They paid for a calm demeanor and some veteran leadership and they did get some by acquiring Kendall.

Now, if only they can get Kendall to double his atrocious production thus far, they may be ok in Chicago.