on the move again

Wondered why the Chicago Cubs signed Joey Gathright as a free agent in the off-season. They didn’t really seem to have a need for the speedy outfielder from Hattiesburg. And as the season played out, they in fact didn’t have a need for him. After appearing in just 20 games (14 at-bats, 2 hits, 3 runs, 1 stolen base), Gathright was traded last Friday to the Baltimore Orioles for Ryan Freel. The Orioles promptly sent Gathright to Triple-A. The 28-year-old Gathright, who played high school ball in Louisiana, has come a long way since being drafted in the 32nd round by Tampa Bay in 2001. He has a .262 average with 79 stolen bases over parts of six big league seasons, only one of those as a regular player. To be truly effective, Gathright needs to play, if not everyday at least three or four starts a week. He can steal bases and run down balls in the outfield. But as a pinch runner and defensive replacement, which is how the Cubs were employing him, he was lost. Perhaps the move will open up new opportunities. Then again, the handwriting may be on the wall.