Now Batting for the Chicago Cubs, Mario Mendoza

The futility of the Cubs offense this year has been duly noted. At first, I chalked it up to slow starts and injuries and said that the offense will work itself out, and it still can. But it is almost June and the Cubs offense is offensive.

For me, Memorial day is the official day to take the cover off of the panic button. I think it is still too early to press the panic button, though it is time to seriously considering it.

The offense ranks in the bottom third in most team offensive statistics; runs:20, hits:29, 2B:25, 3B:26, HR:12, RBI:21, TB:26, BB:17, SO:11 (most), SB:25, CS:15, OBP:21, SLG:19, AVG:25 (.248), XBH:20.

Given the money, talent and expectations in the Cubs lineup those numbers are unacceptable. With Bradley, Soto, and Fontenot, all consistent starters, batting just above or at the .200 Mendoza line.

It is tough to hide three players in the lineup that are not producing, especially with a pitcher in the lineup, unless it is Zambrano who can swing a bat.

Currently the only Cub batting over .300 is Fukudome (.311), the next best hitter on the team is Theriot (.287) everyone else is around or below .250.

Aramis Ramirez, and the cavalcade of rookie call-up's is the only hope, and perhaps the last line of defense before the panic button is pressed. 

Aramis's return is still likly another month away, so the offense will rely, for the recent future, on Jake Fox. Who has to be put in the starting lineup to effective, the question is where. 

In the minors Fox played the corners in both the outfield and the infield, catcher and DH, so by process of elimination third is most likely. The corner outfield is covered, so is catcher with Soto and Hill. The DH is out of the question until inter-league play. First is occupied by Lee who would make up for a lack of defense by Fox.

If the panic button is pressed, by way of a trade maybe the Cubs try to rehash old trade rumors. Jake Peavy is out there, and my worse fear is the Cardinals or Brewers trading for him.

The Cardinals with Jake Peavy would be really scary but the Cardinals haven't made any moves the last couple of years, so hopefully they continue that trend.  

Brain Roberts to the Cubs has been rumored in the pass and would fill a whole at second, provide speed and average at the top of the lineup.

To be hitting at the Mendoza line is embarrassing for a player, whether the player is a minor leaguer, platoon player, and especially embarrassing if the player is making 10 million a year like Milton Bradley.

With the MLB best Dodgers in town, followed by a nine game road trip it could soon be time to push the panic button, and then pull the trigger on a trade.

Hopefully the Cubs offense will return to form and the averages creep up to the Sparta line of .300. Now batting for the Cubs King Leonidas.