Chicago Cubs Baseball

Chicago Cubs manager Lou Piniella has been twisting himself in knots, trying to find a winning combination for his club.

So what do you do when the on-field talent isn’t performing up to off-season expectations? Break out a new version of an old dance, of course. And what better way to shake things up than the Chicago Shuffle.

While the video has yet to find its way to YouTube, fans did catch a glimpse of the moves:

Up: Rocky Cherry

With an overworked 11-man staff, the Cubs front office made the call to the 27-year-old right-hand reliever on Monday. Cherry didn’t enjoy the start that either he or Cubs management had imagined.

Thrust into duty in Chicago’s second straight extra-inning affair, Cherry promptly gave up what proved to be the game-winning homer to Prince Fielder.

One can hardly blame the rookie. Not only was it a tough spot to be put into, but a needless one at that. Fellow bullpen mate, Scott Eyre, raised the ire of Cub nation as he recorded his second blown hold this season. The rest of the time he’s been merely atrocious.

Over: Alfonso Soriano

The Great Experiment of Soriano in center ended less than a month into the season. In Monday’s game against Milwaukee, Soriano returned from his hamstring strain and returned to his familiar spot. In left field?

Piniella used Soriano’s hamstring strain as the reason for the reason for Soriano moving to old position of last year. Less ground to cover, easier on the wheels.

Maybe so. But the $125 million man has yet to produce a home run and his batting average was hovering in the mid .240s. Maybe a move towards Soriano’s comfort zone is what the Cubs doctor really ordered.

Down: Wade Miller

I’ve been told that production excuses. On Sunday, Miller didn’t produce. On Monday, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list with “back spasms.”

The right-hander has been ineffective in his three starts, barely making it into the fifth inning on each occasion. When a team’s bullpen is already suspect, the last thing a club needs is a starter who can’t give them innings.

Whether the “back spasms” ever clear up is a wait to be seen situation. But to Miller’s credit, if the game is 90 percent mental, he’ll be back. Maybe not in a Cubs uniform, but he’ll be pitching somewhere.

Through: Mark Prior

At least for 2007.  Beyond, who knows.  According to reports, Prior underwent an arthroscopic procedure to a “debridement of Prior’s rotator cuff and repaired labral and capsular injuries in the shoulder.”

The good news is there didn’t seem to be any significant damage and the procedure was left at the arthroscopic level.

The bad news is the Cubs organization and Cub fans have been through this before with Kerry…  Kerry…

You know.  What’s his name.