BY GEORGE CASTLE - Times Correspondent | Posted: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 6:15 pm
CHICAGO | Jeff Samardzija solidified his bid for a starting rotation job next spring after his performance in the Mexican Fall League impressed Cubs management.
General manager Jim Hendry will look internally at Valparaiso's Samardzija, onetime Lansing resident Tom Gorzelanny and lefty Sean Marshall in filling up to two rotation slots to open the 2010 season. Veteran southpaw Ted Lilly's post-shoulder surgery recovery timetable is uncertain for getting back on the mound in April, while right-hander Rich Harden likely will depart via free agency.
Samardzija's outings for Mexicali in October are not a Hendry concern now. He is working the general managers' meetings at the O'Hare Hilton Hotel that conclude today trying to trade unwanted outfielder Milton Bradley. And he'll possibly further explore a deal for Mets second baseman Luis Castillo, who could become the Cubs' new leadoff man.
"He threw well," Hendry said of Samardzija at the GM meetings Tuesday. "His command of his fastball was better. His secondary pitches were better. His command in the strike zone was better -- not just throwing strikes, but location in the zone was much better. The slider got better. The (split-fingered fastball) obviously, he got back on track with a little better strike zone command of that, too."
Hendry ordered Samardzija shut down after five starts for Mexicali to rest up for 2010. He was 2-0 over 24 innings with a 2.25 ERA. In his last start, the 6-foot-5 Notre Dame product gave up one run on four hits against Hermosillo.
Samardzija could have a new second baseman behind him if he makes the Cubs' rotation. Hendry implied Jeff Baker could take over the old Mark DeRosa role and play near-regularly at multiple positions.
That would open the door for the 34-year-old Castillo, who had a comeback season in 2009 with a .302 average, .387 on-base percentage and 20 stolen bases in New York. Castillo hit the famous foul ball in the 2003 "Bartman Game." He could be a short-term plug-in until top shortstop prospect Starlin Castro reaches the majors, enabling incumbent Ryan Theriot to move over to second.
Mets GM Omar Minaya apparently has held preliminary talks about Castillo with Hendry. Minaya declined to comment about Castillo on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, one source said Hendry had fielded several inquiries about Bradley.
However, other officials at the GM meetings believe Hendry will have a difficult time dealing Bradley without eating most of the $21 million remaining on his contract.
