March 16--In a span of one month, the Cubs' defensive concerns in left field have shifted from Kyle Schwarber to Jorge Soler.
"(Soler) definitely needs to improve," manager Joe Maddon said Tuesday, one day after Soler misplayed two balls. "There's no question."
In fairness to Soler, he didn't start working out in left until after the Cubs re-signed center fielder Dexter Fowler on Feb. 25 and returned Jason Heyward to his natural position in right -- where Soler played inconsistently last season.
And Maddon did accept blame for positioning Soler incorrectly Monday when a drive skipped past him.
Soler's lack of defensive dependability could loom large as soon as the April 4 opener when the Cubs oppose right-hander Garrett Richards of the Angels.
The Cubs haven't made any commitments, but there is a scenario in which the left-handed hitting Schwarber could start in left with Soler assigned designated-hitter or even pinch-hitter duties.
Maddon says the Cubs are searching for the right balance.
"We haven't decided on strict platoons," Maddon said. "Maybe the balance would include some platooning. But that has not been the motivating factor regarding how we're going to get these guys in there."
Maddon emphasized he and his staff -- particularly coach Dave Martinez -- have worked "diligently" with Soler on improving his defense in left and remain convinced he can improve in the same manner he did offensively during the National League playoffs.
"There are defensive abilities in there," Maddon said. "We have to draw it out more consistently. And I'm a big believer in information and the drill work that gives you a better first step and better routes."
In a change of policy, Maddon plans to position his outfielders deeper than in past years. That includes Fowler, whose metrics suffered according to Maddon because of playing shallow.
"To get guys deeper is probably the right thing to do," said Maddon, alluding to his mistake of not positioning Soler deeper in left on Monday. "You keep the extra base out of it and permit the single.
"Of course, when the ball bloops in front of you in the latter part of the game and the run scores, everyone goes nuts. But percentage wise, it's better off playing these guys deeper."
Maddon, however, is keeping all his options in left field open. Schwarber bobbled a John Jay single in the third inning Tuesday and was charged with an error.
"I don't have any preconceived notions," Maddon said. "If it's a tough lefty in a DH game, you still might not see (Schwarber). If we have enough right-handed coverage, you might see the righties in that game. But I would not say I'm advocating Schwarber over Soler defensively. It would just depend on the particular moment, what I'm seeing."
mgonzales@tribpub.com
