It’s hard to say whether the $1.475 million contract the Cubs just gave catcher Rick Wilkins was more of an overdue reward for his monster season two years ago or seed money for the future.
One thing’s for sure: Wilkins isn’t drawing the big bucks for his production this year.
In 32 games this season, Wilkins is batting .212–less than his roster weight of 215. He has just four extra-base hits, three homers and a double, and leads the team with a strikeout every 4.7 trips to the plate.
Two years ago, Wilkins batted .303 with 30 homers to become one of only six catchers in the history of major-league baseball to hit .300 and have at least 30 homers in the same season. Since then, however, he is hitting just .223 with 10 homers in 132 games.
“Rick’s an important part of our team,” says manager Jim Riggleman. “People talk about the success of our pitching staff. Rick doesn’t get enough credit for that.”
Left out: Wilkins, a left-handed hitter, got the night off Sunday when the Marlins started left-hander Chris Hammond. The Cubs go to Atlanta on Monday and the Braves are scheduled to start left-handers Steve Avery and Kent Mercker in the first two games of that series, which could be in jeopardy because of Hurricane Allison. If those games are played, the Cubs will face three lefties in a row.
Where’s the beef? Wilkins has just eight runs batted in all season, despite batting fifth behind Sammy Sosa and Mark Grace against right-handed pitching.