September 7, 2011

Cubs.com Cubs finally plug Leake but fall in extras By: Sam Zuba

CHICAGO -- On a day when the Cubs took their team picture to forever remember the 2011 campaign, they'll want to forget their latest game as soon as possible.

The Cubs spent the majority of their 4-2, 13-inning loss to the Reds on Tuesday handcuffed by Reds starter . Chicago's offense was nowhere to be found through the first eight innings, as Leake retired 18 of his first 19 batters -- allowing just one until the ninth.

After battling back from a 2-0 deficit in the ninth, reliever John Grabow gave up two runs in the 13th inning, allowing Cincinnati to seal a victory.

The Cubs overcame the two-run deficit when reached first on a slow roller to third base with two outs in the ninth. Next up was the recently recalled Bryan LaHair, who connected with Leake's 2-0 pitch for his first since Sept. 20, 2008, to tie the game and force extra innings.

"I just got a good pitch to hit," LaHair said. "I've been saying it all along, I'm just trying to hit balls hard. I just let the bat do the work.

"It was an incredible moment. It's always fun to do something like that. The team really appreciated it, they were really happy for me. It's a good feeling."

Reds was impressed by LaHair's towering shot, especially since the wind was blowing in at Wrigley Field.

"That ball was crushed," Baker said. "I could see why that young man hit 38 home runs and drove in 100-something [109] runs [in the Minors]. He definitely has some power. It was big. I'm sure Mike will see [it] for a long time, and that's a pitch that he wants back."

Before LaHair stepped up to the plate, Carlos Pena gave him some tips on how to approach Leake, who tossed nine innings of three-hit, two-run ball.

"Before my at-bat, I talked to Pena about how [Leake] was pitching him," LaHair said. "He gave me some advice on how some of [Leake's pitches] move, those kinds of things. My whole focus was to get a good pitch and hit it hard."

The homer was the lone blemish on Leake's day.

"He just attacks the bottom of the strike zone," Cubs manager Mike Quade said. "There's something about that guy, outside of just attacking the bottom of the strike zone. He doesn't mess around. He's coming right at you. If you don't get after him, you'll be 0-2 before you know what hit you."

The Cubs had a chance to steal a win in the 10th inning, but grounded into an inning-ending with the bases loaded.

Misfortune struck the Cubs in the 12th inning, when Tony Campana led off with a grounder to first base. The speedy rookie took off out of the batters box and charged to first. Replays showed that Campana beat the ball to first base, but umpire Tim Welke ruled him out.

Instead of having Campana, who has stolen 19 bases this season, on first with no outs, the Cubs had one out with nobody on base.

"That was a big part of the game," Campana said. "I got a little riled up. I think I had the best view of it, and I knew [the umpire] didn't even get there [in time.]"

Cubs starter Rodrigo Lopez allowed just four hits coming into the sixth inning, before giving up a leadoff to rookie Dave Sappelt. followed with a double to right field that scored Sappelt and gave the Reds their first run of the game. Votto later scored on Mesoraco's double-play ball, putting the Reds up, 2-0.

This same combination began the Cubs' downfall in the 13th. Sappelt led off with a double to left field. Votto followed with a double to left of his own to score Sappelt with the go-ahead run. later added an RBI single to score Votto with an insurance run.

"We had our chances," Quade said. "We just didn't have many of them."

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Cubs.com Cueto, Dempster to face off in rubber match at Wrigley By: Evan Drellich

It took one more pitcher (14) than it did innings (13) for the Cubs and Reds to complete Tuesday night's game, but they got it done when Cincinnati plated two in the top of the 13th to help secure a 4-2 win.

Now, heading into the rubber match of the three-game series at Wrigley Field on Wednesday, the Cubs and Reds need their respective starters to give their bullpens a break.

Johnny Cueto has had a very good season. But he wasn't stellar his last time out on Friday -- giving up five runs in as many innings to the Cards -- before the Reds rallied for an 11-8 win.

"Johnny didn't have his normal good stuff [on Friday]," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "He was centering some balls over the heart of the plate."

For Chicago, Ryan Dempster is coming off a season-high 122-pitch outing -- in the midst of 93-degree Chicago weather, no less. He went 6 1/3 innings and allowed three runs on seven hits, with one walk and nine . Unfortunately, he took the loss -- his third straight -- in the Cubs' 3-1 loss to the Pirates.

A bright spot for both National League Central clubs, as they wind down their seasons, has been their second basemen.

Cincinnati's , who was 1-for-6 on Tuesday, has hit safely in 19 of 20 games since moving to the leadoff spot, and is 33-for-86 (.384) with seven doubles, one homer and 11 RBIs.

In his first full season, Chicago's hasn't gotten the attention that other NL rookies have, but he's put a solid campaign together after winning the job in -- despite struggling of late.

Barney carried a .386 average (17-for-44) from Aug. 13-24, but is 3-for-38 (.079) in his last 12 games after an 0-for-2 performance on Tuesday.

"He's like a lot of young kids. He's tired," Chicago manager Mike Quade said. "We've tried to give him some days. I'll try to be a little more careful with him. He's had a marvelous first year, and has held up pretty well. When you're a high energy guy and play with everything you've got all day long, it's a long season and it can wear on you."

Reds: Rookies get a look

• Baker started four rookies in the Reds' lineup on Tuesday, providing a glimpse of the future. Dave Sappelt (3-for-5) started in center, (0-for-4) in left, (1-for-5) at catcher and Chris Valaika (0-for-3) at shortstop.

"Remember, you asked me how I was going to play everybody," Baker said. "I'm doing the best I can to give everybody a look-see. Some are getting longer [looks] than others. I'm just trying to help figure some things out."

• Triple-A Louisville's season concluded on Monday, so the Reds made their final planned September callup on Tuesday, when lefty was recalled. He's 6-5 with a 5.02 ERA in 18 games this season for the Reds, including 16 starts.

Cubs: Cashner can't go back-to-back

• , activated from the disabled list on Monday, wasn't one of the seven arms the Cubs used in a 13-inning, 4-2 loss on Tuesday.

Out since April with a strained right rotator cuff, when Cashner does see action, he'll likely need the following two days off.

"Carefully," Cubs manager Mike Quade said of how the right-hander would be used.

Worth noting

• Cubs infielder Blake DeWitt did some agility drills on Tuesday to test a tender left hamstring, but was limited to pinch-hitting.

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Cubs.com Grabow visits Children's Memorial Hospital By: Carrie Muskat

CHICAGO -- Cubs pitcher John Grabow took time out on Tuesday to do some coloring at Children's Memorial Hospital.

Grabow spent part of the afternoon with some of the patients at the hospital, passing out Cubs hats, talking baseball and helping them with their coloring.

"It's sad," Grabow said. "You see kids not feeling well, and it puts it in perspective when you have kids. ... It gets to you pretty bad.

"Every kid I saw today was in good spirits, even though they have a tough road ahead of them. It makes my job look a lot easier. These kids have so much anxiety about getting healthy. I get anxiety if the phone [in the bullpen] is going to ring to go face a hitter."

One of the patients he met was Mackenzie Tannhauser, 17, of Chicago, daughter of Ward Tannhauser, known as the "Ivy Man" because he has been spotted at Wrigley Field draped in faux ivy and standing on stilts. Mackenzie is waiting for a heart transplant and is writing about her progress on a blog. Grabow made sure to give her his email so she can update him on when she gets a new heart.

The kids seem to handle their situations well.

"It's the easiest thing for me to go down and try to put a smile on kids faces," Grabow said.

Cubs will proceed cautiously with Cashner

CHICAGO -- Andrew Cashner, activated from the disabled list on Monday, will likely need two days off between outings as he continues to strengthen his right shoulder.

Cashner has not pitched for the Cubs since his only start on April 5. He was placed on the DL with a strained right rotator cuff after that.

How will the right-hander be used now?

"Carefully," Cubs manager Mike Quade said on Tuesday.

During his five Minor League rehab outings, Cashner would pitch one day, then take two off.

"I'll be more careful in how we use him," Quade said.

Cashner will get a chance to start in October, when he pitches for the Mesa Solar Sox in the . He will be joined in the AFL by Cubs prospects , DJ LeMahieu, Chris Carpenter, Junior Lake, Trey McNutt and Marcus Hatley.

Extra bases

• Cubs infielder Blake DeWitt ran the bases and did some agility drills on Tuesday to test a tender left hamstring, but was still limited to pinch-hitting.

DeWitt has homered in three of his last six starts, including a three-run shot off the Giants' Tim Lincecum on Aug. 29. He was batting .261 for the season heading into Tuesday.

• The Cubs wanted to add another catcher when rosters expanded, but Welington Castillo was unavailable because of a hamstring injury that has sidelined him three times this season at Triple-A Iowa. Castillo was at Wrigley Field on Tuesday to be examined by the Cubs' medical staff. He was not expected to be ready before the regular season ends.

• The Cubs' players and front office staff posed for the team picture on Tuesday. It was missing a general manager -- was dismissed last month -- and there could be a lot of new faces in 2012. Quade said he didn't think about that.

"Just put a smile on, and get it done," Quade said. "Just another picture day. There've been 30 some for me now."

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Cubs.com Cubs add three more players to roster By: Carrie Muskat

CHICAGO -- Lou Montañez felt at ease right away. For John Gaub, the wait has seemed like forever.

Montañez, Gaub and infielder DJ LeMahieu were called up from Triple-A Iowa and added to the Cubs' roster on Tuesday. Manager Mike Quade said he'll mix and match with the new additions.

LeMahieu, a second-round pick in 2009, and Montañez, who was the Cubs' first-round selection in 2000, were both called up during the season. Gaub has yet to make his big league debut.

"After [Monday's] game, they called me, DJ and Louie in at the same time to kill three birds with one stone," Gaub said. "That was exciting. I was the first one in there, and I'm the only guy who had a first- time callup. It was kind of anti-climactic, because I knew it was coming. But it was exciting. It still hasn't sunk in.

"It's been exciting, just calling family and friends," he said. "People who I haven't had a chance to call have been calling me."

Gaub, 26, was acquired from the Indians in the Mark DeRosa deal on Dec. 31, 2008. At Iowa, the lefty posted a 3.42 ERA in 50 games, and was 7-for-11 in save opportunities. He struck out 75 over 55 1/3 innings, an average of 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings, and limited opponents to a .209 batting average. In five Minor League seasons, Gaub is 12-12 with 17 saves and a 3.60 ERA.

"I had a much better year this year than last year," Gaub said. "I struggled on the mound and battled injuries last year, too. This year, I pitched well. I pitched in the All-Star Game, the first one of my career. I just did well. I was consistent all year, and they rewarded me with this callup.

"They see something in me. They gave me a chance. Hopefully, I can get some opportunities and do well to show some people that I can help the team out."

LeMahieu, 23, a right-handed batter, began the 2011 season with Double-A Tennessee, and hit .358 with 15 doubles, two triples, two home runs, 32 runs scored and 27 RBIs in 50 games. He was promoted to Chicago on May 30, then optioned to Triple-A Iowa on June 28, and hit .286 with seven doubles, three home runs and 23 RBIs in 58 games.

Combined, LeMahieu batted .319 in the Minors this season, with 22 doubles, three triples, five home runs and 50 RBIs in 108 games.

Montañez, 29, batted .321 in 92 games with Iowa, hitting 22 doubles, seven triples and seven homers, while driving in 69 runs. He hit .400 against lefties, .285 against right-handers.

"It's always nice to come back and contribute a little bit," Montañez said. "[I'm trying] to finish strong, finish on a positive note and help the team win."

Montañez spent seven seasons in the Cubs' Minor League system before joining the Orioles prior to the 2007 season. He made his big league debut with Baltimore in 2008, and spent parts of three seasons in the big leagues with the Orioles (2008-10), before signing with the Cubs as a Minor League free agent with an invitation to Spring Training in January.

He does know his way around the clubhouse after his brief callup this year.

"It's the same as in the Minor Leagues," Montañez said. "Just play hard and do the best you can."

While with the Cubs earlier this year, LeMahieu batted .243 in 23 games, while Montañez hit .239 in 25 games from May 24-July 2.

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Tribune Reds outlast Cubs 4-2 in 13 innings By: Paul Sullivan

The Cubs have played their best ball at Wrigley Field when the wind has been blowing in this year, taking a 21-18 record into Tuesday night's game against the Reds.

They were only 5-12 with the wind blowing out, mostly because they have been out-homered 33-16 in those contests.

But with a stiff wind blowing in from left on Tuesday, and in this game, Reds starter Mike Leake had a one-hit shutout going with two outs in the ninth.

The Cubs looked doomed before Starlin Castro's infield hit kept them in it, and then Iowa call-up Bryan LaHair followed with a pinch-hit, two-run homer to tie the game in dramatic fashion.

LaHair's homer got Rodrigo Lopez off the hook, and sent the game into extra innings, where the Cubs lost 4-2 in the 13th.

Dave Sappelt led off with a double off John Grabow and Joey Votto followed with another double to knock him in with the winning run. With two outs, Miguel Cairo then singled in an insurance run.

The Cubs had a chance to win the game when they loaded the bases with one out in the 10th. But Jeff Baker hit into a double play to end the threat.

"It was an incredible moment," LaHair said. "It's always fun when you can do something like that, help your team out and they're really happy for you. It's a good feeling."

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Tribune Jackson won't get call this year Top Cubs prospect will prepare instead for spot on Team USA By: Paul Sullivan

The Cubs added three September call-ups to the roster on Tuesday, though none was the one most fans were clamoring to see.

Outfielder has been heralded as the next big deal on the North Side, but the Cubs decided to let the former first-round pick end his season at Triple-A Iowa and go home to prepare for a spot on Team USA.

Before Tuesday's 4-2, 13-inning loss to the Reds on a cool night at Wrigley Field, interim general manager Randy Bush argued that Jackson isn't ready yet.

"We talked about it, just didn't feel the time was right for him yet," Bush said. "He's getting better. We're thrilled with his progress. He certainly put himself on our radar. He continues to get at-bats and continues to show great improvement. … But I feel he'll come to spring training again with a chance to open eyes, if not make the team with the way he's progressing."

Bush already has been informed he won't be the GM next year, so it won't be his decision to make. The Cubs insist the decision had nothing to do with starting Jackson's major league "clock" too early.

In the end, the decision was ultimately in the hands of Chairman Tom Ricketts, who apparently agreed with the recommendation of his baseball operations people. Ricketts, who has been taking heat for giving a four-year extension to player personnel director Oneri Fleita before hiring a new GM, declined an interview request.

One major league executive who has been involved in similar GM searches said the Fleita extension is unlikely to have a significant effect on "the type" of candidates Ricketts is seeking. But the perception of Ricketts making baseball decisions runs contrary to his recent statements about leaving those up to the next GM.

"What I said about the manager's job, the GM has to make the decision himself, and it's not the owner's job to second guess that," Ricketts said the day Jim Hendry was fired. "That goes back to having that accountability."

Whoever the next GM is will have Jackson as an option in center field in 2012. Fleita had Jackson lead off at Iowa, where he hit .297 with 10 home runs and 26 RBIs in 185 at-bats.

"Leading off got him a lot of at-bats," Bush said. "He's patient, and that's something we could use more of here. But he also has power and it's continuing to emerge. He needs to cut down on his strikeouts, and he knows that. But he's a guy you can envision hitting in a lot of spots in the upper part of the lineup."

Infielder DJ LeMahieu, a teammate at Iowa who was called up Tuesday along with Lou Montanez and reliever John Gaub, said Jackson "played the best I've ever seen him play" this season.

"Obviously he's very deserving," LeMahieu said. "But he knows where they're coming from."

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Sun-Times Who should play now that Cubs roster is bigger? By: Toni Ginnetti

September is a growth month for baseball, with rosters allowed to expand beyond the 25-man restriction. It’s a time when minor-league players can be rewarded for a good season and given a taste of what the majors are like.

For a team no longer in a post-season race, it can be a time for prospects to showcase themselves, though baseball wisdom reminds never to judge a player by his September play.

For the Cubs on Tuesday, a roster of 34 players almost was depleted in a 13-inning marathon against the at Wrigley Field. It took 23 Cubs and 20 Reds to finally decide a 4-2 victory for the Reds in a game that had gone almost nine innings before the Cubs managed only their second and third hits and their only runs.

Bryan LaHair was responsible for the Cubs’ ninth-inning heroics with a two-out, two-run homer that tied the game and spoiled what had been a two-hit gem by Reds starter Mike Leake. LaHair’s homer was the fourth of his career but his first since Sept. 20, 2008, when he last had a brief stint in the majors with the .

LaHair, 28, was the player of the year but wasn’t even on the 40-man roster before he was brought up last week.

‘‘It was only our third hit at that point,’’ manager Mike Quade said. ‘‘A pretty dramatic one.’’

The kind that can feed hot-stove talk.

With first base a question mark next season if Carlos Pena isn’t re-signed, could LaHair play his way into the picture?

Fans will say September is a time to play the likes of LaHair and and a speedster such as Tony Campana, whose ability to run has been the rarest of Cubs commodities.

The value of his speed was on display again Tuesday when he ran for Alfonso Soriano in the 10th and befuddled Reds reliever Nick Masset, who was worried about holding him at first. Campana eventually stole second anyway in the inning, but the Cubs wasted their best chance to win, ending a bases-loaded situation on a double play ground ball.

Quade had three new additions Tuesday in left-handed pitcher John Gaub, outfielder Lou Montanez and infielder DJ LeMahieu. Montanez and LeMahieu found their way into the game, but how much playing time they get going forward becomes Quade’s latest juggling game.

‘‘Those three and [Andrew] Cashner will help,’’ Quade said. ‘‘A few more arms and a few more options off the bench. We’ll use them when it’s appropriate.

‘‘But you look at guys like [Jeff Baker] and Blake [DeWitt] and [Campana] and Reed [Johnson] —those guys have been here working hard all year. You look for opportunities [to play everyone] and mix and match.’’

What isn’t likely to change is the rotation of Ryan Dempster, Matt Garza, Randy Wells, Casey Coleman and Rodrigo Lopez. Though Cashner might return to a starting role next season, his lot in the final weeks will be relief stints of no more than an inning as he comes back from missing most of the season with a strained right rotator cuff. Dempster, Garza and Wells are all but certain for next season. Coleman has the rest of the month to show if he can be a viable rotation addition.

Lopez started Tuesday and lasted into the sixth before giving up two runs that ended a scoreless tie. The Cubs had only one hit off Leake through eight innings, a single in the second inning by Soriano, who was quickly erased in a double play. Leake was one out away from victory before Starlin Castro stroked an infield single, bringing LaHair up to pinch-hit.

Before the ninth inning, only two other Cubs reached base. In the seventh, Darwin Barney was awarded first base on a catcher’s-interference call, and in the eighth, Soriano was hit by a pitch, only to quickly go out on a double play.

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Sun-Times Top prospect Brett Jackson will see more Team USA action By: Toni Ginnetti

Three more players from Class AAA Iowa are with the Cubs now, but top outfield prospect Brett Jackson isn’t among them. Jackson won’t be appearing this season, heading instead to play for Team USA in the Pan American Games in October in Mexico.

Jackson, 23, played with the national team last season. Part of the reason he wasn’t called up by the Cubs was to preserve his eligibility with the national team by keeping him off the 40-man roster.

‘‘That’s a good thing,’’ manager Mike Quade said. ‘‘His commitment to do that was part of it, and a good thing I think.’’

Some have projected Jackson joining the Cubs next season after hitting a combined .274 this year at Iowa and Class AA Tennessee with 20 home runs, 58 RBI and 21 steals.

‘‘That’s up to him,’’ Quade said of Jackson’s ability. ‘‘We never had that conversation about Tyler Colvin last year, and what he did off his spring training was enough. [Jackson] will get a good look in spring training next year, and he should because he’s earned it.’’

The three newest additions include outfielder Lou Montanez and infielder DJ LeMahieu, who both were with the team earlier this season. Left-handed pitcher John Gaub was called up for the first time.

Gaub, 26, was 4-4 with a 3.42 ERA in 50 relief appearances at Iowa, striking out 75 in 551/3 innings.

‘‘I had a much better year this year than last year. I struggled last year and had an injury,’’ said Gaub, who was acquired from Cleveland in December 2008 in the Mark DeRosa deal. ‘‘This year I was consistent all year. They see something in me and gave me a chance. Hopefully I can get some opportunities [to pitch] and show something.’’

Maybe more

Class AAA catcher Welington Castillo visited the team Tuesday, but in civilian clothing. He suffered a hamstring injury and was placed on Iowa’s disabled list Aug. 30. Quade would like a third catcher behind and Koyie Hill, but that may not happen. A catcher from Tennessee might be recalled when the Smokies finish their playoffs.

Back and forth

The Cubs have 34 come-from-behind victories, 11 more than last season and the eighth-most in the majors. But they also lead the majors with 40 losses in games they led at some point.

The big picture

The annual team photo was taken Tuesday, one with players only and another with players and staff. Changes will bring a new look next season.

‘‘It’s just the annual picture day,’’ Quade said. ‘‘That’s about 30-some for me.’’

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CSNChicago.com LaHair trying to maximize opportunity with Cubs By: Patrick Mooney

The Cubs gathered in the green seats behind their dugout late Tuesday afternoon for their annual photo. The board of directors sat in the first row, surrounded by people from marketing, media relations, baseball operations, actual players and the coaching staff.

You can be certain that the exact same group won’t be there next year.

The next general manager isn’t working for the organization right now. But in the final three weeks of this lost season, there will still be revealing moments.

Bryan LaHair will turn 29 in November, long past the expiration date for prospects. He lasted until the 39th round of the 2002 draft and spent parts of the past six seasons on the Triple-A level, where he has nothing left to prove.

The Pacific Coast League MVP stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 240 pounds. He absolutely hammered Mike Leake’s 90 mph beyond the right-field seats.

Wrigley Field was mostly empty on a cold Tuesday night – nowhere near the announced crowd of 35,297 – but it got loud after LaHair’s two-out, two-run pinch-hit homer tied the game in the ninth inning.

Leake was one pitch away from a complete-game shutout before LaHair showed the Cincinnati Reds what he did all season long in Iowa, where he generated 38 homers and 109 RBI.

“It was an incredible moment,” LaHair said. “This is an incredible place to play.”

Few bothered to stick around until the 13th inning when John Grabow – the sixth Cubs reliever that night – gave up back-to-back doubles to left-center field. After almost four hours, it finally ended as a 4-2 loss at 11 p.m.

LaHair can play the outfield, where the Cubs don’t seem to have any openings, and first base, where Carlos Pena has repeatedly expressed a desire to return. That’s on the agenda for the next administration.

Pena gave LaHair a scouting report on Leake before he stepped to the plate and hit his first big-league homer since Sept. 20, 2008, when he was with the Seattle Mariners. LaHair’s gone 4-for-9 since being called up last week. Though it’s unlikely he’ll take starts away from Pena and get regular at-bats, this can’t hurt his chances.

“(Pena’s) been amazing since I walked in here,” LaHair said. “He’s really made me feel comfortable. (We’re) just trying to feed off each other.”

When LaHair was asked the other day about what this final month could do for his career, he sounded like someone in a 12-step program: “I’m just trying to take one day at a time.” This time he got one unforgettable night.

The Cashner Plan

The Cubs are still going to be cautious, but the wait is almost over for Andrew Cashner, who’s expected to be available out of the bullpen on Wednesday night. This would mark his first time on a major-league mound in almost five months after straining his rotator cuff.

The plan is to use Cashner for an inning at a time, and not on back-to-back days. He won’t be the power arm to protect a one-run lead in the eighth inning – look for him in lower-leverage situations.

Cashner, who turns 25 on Sunday, will get stretched out as a starter in the Arizona Fall League. He would be a game-changer for the 2012 rotation.

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CSNChicago.com Cubs tell Brett Jackson wait until next year By: Patrick Mooney

The Cubs think Brett Jackson is straight out of central casting.

He’s their natural, a California dude who played his college ball at Berkeley. He’s the left-handed bat the organization is constantly searching for. He’s a good quote and he won’t mind talking in front of the cameras. He’s not afraid of the bright lights.

That’s how Cubs people have talked about the 23-year-old Jackson, who could be roaming center field at Clark and Addison as soon as next season.

The Cubs made three more September call-ups from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday – reliever John Gaub, infielder DJ LeMahieu and outfielder Lou Montañez. Jackson was nowhere to be found at Wrigley Field.

That wasn’t a surprise, because the Cubs had been downplaying the possibility for weeks, even though Jackson may have the highest ceiling of all their position-player prospects.

There are concerns about the 40-man roster, and starting the clock on his major-league service time. Those are decisions for the next general manager.

But Jackson – the 31st overall pick in the 2009 draft – is living up to the hype. He’s part of the player- development system Tom Ricketts has so much faith in that the chairman gave a new four-year contract to farm director Oneri Fleita. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if Ricketts made a similar deal with scouting director Tim Wilken.

Jackson finished his second full professional season – which began at Double-A Tennessee – by hitting .297 with 10 homers, 26 RBI and a .939 OPS in 48 games at Iowa.

“The sky’s the limit,” interim general manager Randy Bush said. “It’s not out of the realm of possibility that this guy comes to camp and makes the team. That’s how quickly he’s progressing.”

Jackson will skip the Arizona Fall League. He’ll play for Team USA and travel to Panama for the World Cup and Mexico for the Pan American Games. The hope is that a high-intensity environment, the pressure of international competition, will help him grow.

“We’re thrilled with his progress,” Bush said. “He’s getting better and better. For him to have made the jump to Iowa and perform as well as he did was outstanding. He just needs at-bats.

“He’s such an interesting guy. He’s got speed and his power’s already emerging. He’s patient. He’ll take a walk. He brings a lot of things to the table that are pretty exciting looking forward.”

Jackson wouldn’t have played very much in the majors this month because – right or wrong – manager Mike Quade is loyal to his veterans and the Cubs are already committed to finding out about Tyler Colvin.

The Cubs also didn’t want to have to protect Jackson from the because they already have to add around six players to the 40-man roster this winter. That group is headlined by Josh Vitters and Matt Szczur.

Vitters – the third overall pick in the 2007 draft – recently turned 22 and finished his Double-A regular season hitting .283 with 14 homers and 81 RBI in 129 games. Szczur got a unique contract – and $1.5 million this season – to give up his NFL ambitions and concentrate on one day becoming the true leadoff hitter the Cubs have lacked.

But no one seems to be coming as fast as Jackson, who walked around Fitch Park during spring training like he belonged. Around the clubhouse, the Cubs once saw similar traits in Starlin Castro.

“He carries himself with a certain confidence, swagger,” Bush said. “Not in a bad way. (It’s) just (understanding what he’s) going to be able to do.”

The outfield’s crowded now, but Marlon Byrd will be on an expiring contract next season ($6.5 million). The Cubs have seemed willing to eat a large portion of the $54 million left on Alfonso Soriano’s contract (if a taker can be found).

Colvin, another first-round pick, hasn’t established himself yet. Reed Johnson could make sense on another one-year deal as the guy to mentor Jackson.

Is Jackson ready to make an impact in 2012?

“That’s up to him,” Quade said. “We never had that conversation about Tyler Colvin before last year and what a spring he had. I’m sure he’s confident off what he was able to do for a little bit of time in Triple-A. He’ll get a good look in spring training next year. He should. He’s earned that. But whether he’s ready…we’ll see.”