CINCINNATI -- Chicago Cubs manager Dale Sveum has at least a few concerns about his job after a 5-12 start in which his team has committed 17 errors in 17 games.
“I’d be lying if (I said) you didn’t think about yourself through some of this stuff too,” Sveum said on Monday before opening a series with the Cincinnati Reds. “That’s stuff you don’t have control over. I have control over my job and my coaching staff to prepare everybody, every day. That’s all I can do.”
Sveum saw his team commit six errors and give up eight unearned runs while getting swept by Milwaukee over the weekend. The Cubs played poorly most of last year but Sveum says this is worse.
“Even though we lost last year we really didn’t play this bad of baseball,” he said. “This year is a lot different because (results) can be a lot different. ... Every error we make has been magnified, because one, we haven’t made a pitch behind that mistake and we haven’t recovered from it.”
Sveum noted the poor defense is even more mysterious considering they fielded well in spring training.
“You’re not going to outwork these guys,” Sveum said. “That’s not a problem. ... We’re all in this together. Myself, my coaching staff. It’s not just the players. We have to get them to respond to all of us and myself to get better.”
Sveum was to quick point out he believes he has the full support of management.
Sveum clarifies demotion comments: The Cubs manager wanted to make it clear his Sunday comments in Milwaukee regarding the possibility of Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro being sent to the minors applied to everyone -- not just the two Cubs stars.
“They’re not the only ones,” he said. “I said no one was exempt to it.”
Sveum was talking more in a technical manner.
“People have options and things like that,” Sveum said. “You have control over those players. I’m not pointing fingers at them or anything.”