The Cubs need to change focus on prospects and begin to look at upgrading every major league roster position.
Numerous reports state the Cubs will likely tender a contract to second baseman Darwin Barney, despite his career-worst season at the plate (.208/.266/.303 in 501 plate
appearances). MLB.com believes this is true because the only realistic in-house replacement is Luis Valbuena. Valbuena played third base the last few seasons. Both Barney and Valbuena are affordable, projected to make under $2 million in arbitration. However, Valbuena is playing second base in the Venezuelan Winter League. This could signal a move by the Cubs to put Valbuena at second base, to free up time for Donnie Murphy at third base.
Murphy, 30, hit 11 HR, 23 RBI, .255 BA, 1.0 WAR and .956 Field % for the Cubs last season.
Valbuena, 28, hit 12 HR, 37 RBI, .218 BA, 1.6 WAR and .967 Field % for the Cubs last season.
Both Murphy and Valbuena fit the mold as journeymen bench players on a normal team. But the Cubs are not a normal major league team. It is filled with "placeholders" until the front office's prospects in the low minors work their way through the system, which now projects to be three years from now.
Barney is a fan favorite, so from a public relations ticket-sales standpoint, the Cubs will probably keep him. But once a team starts to make decisions that are not directed at wins on the field but for off-field reasons, the team is in trouble.
