Major League Baseball

Cubs cut loose disgruntled Silva

Published Mar. 27, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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The Chicago Cubs cut Carlos Silva on Sunday after the right-hander lashed out at the club following the decision to leave him off the team's 25-man roster.

"We're dealing with a man that at this particular point in his career is not willing to face the facts,'' Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said. "That what he's done the last few years, except for a two-month period, is well below major league standards and who seems to have the continual problem of blaming everybody but himself.''

Silva was livid after the Cubs opted to go with Andrew Cashner as the team's fifth starter, and the nine-year veteran let his feelings be known by verbally attacking pitching coach Mark Riggins.

"He was like, 'Man, you've been throwing the ball good, you can pitch, all of that, blah, blah, blah. If you go out there to Triple-A and throw some games to continue building, to continue getting better ... ' I was like, 'I don't need to go there. I'm ready to go. I feel good, and I'm ready to pitch,'" Silva told the Chicago Sun-Times.

The Cubs took objection with Silva's comments and chose to eat the remaining $11.5 million they owe him.

Newly appointed Cubs skipper Mike Quade took his disdain for Silva's comments a step further than his boss.

"First of all, he's dead (expletive) wrong about my pitching coach. And I got no (expletive) time for that,'' Quade said. "And second, respect is a two-way street, period. If you're not willing to give it, you're not getting it.

"And the third thing that everybody needs to know, this was my call. If you want to be irritated with somebody, this is on me," Quade said.

The 31-year-old Silva was quick to rule out a switch to Triple-A Iowa.

"No chance," Silva said. "That's not on my mind right now, not at all. I'm not an insurance player. My guess is that's what they want."

Silva, who finished with a 10.90 ERA this spring, claimed he did not receive a fair shot at a roster spot.

"They already had their rotation done. It was very clear," said Silva, who finished 2010 with a 10-6 record and a 4.22 ERA.

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