Cubs general manager Jim Hendry feels that his team can compete the rest of the season and still implement some new players into the lineup. With the September call-ups, the team hopes to look at some younger talent in hopes of evaluating the players for next season.
"You kind of have to have a combination of the two," Hendry said. "You have to put out a quality lineup every day when you're playing teams that are still in it. That being said, you still have to give some looks at people who will have different or expanded roles a year from now."
Hendry also said he will call up as many as nine players from the minor leagues in September, including right-handed pitcher Jeff Samardzija. The Cubs general manager said he believes the Notre Dame All-American's future is now as a starting pitcher.
I asked Hendry whether Samardzija should play winter ball.
"A half season," Hendry said. "I think he needs to pitch a little bit. His is certainly not an arm that's been overworked his whole life. I'm very optimistic about his future."
Hendry went on to say that he feels Samardzija is making strides and will have a "really, really big career."
Comments that include profanity, or personal attacks, or antisocial behavior such as "spamming" or "trolling," or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our terms of use. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.
Contributors
Bruce Levine
Bruce Levine is host of "Talkin' Baseball," heard Saturdays on ESPN 1000. Send comments, questions and feedback by clicking here.
For Bruce's latest audio visit the archive pages for 
