Tom Gorzelanny trade means Chicago Cubs go back to ‘roots’ — no southpaws in rotation

Situation normal after the Chicago Cubs made the Tom Gorzelanny trade official Wednesday — they’ll likely go without a left-hander in the starting rotation. The crowded derby for two open rotation spots in spring training supposedly will include second-year southpaw James Russell. But the odds of 1980s-vintage closer Jeff Russell’s son beating out Andrew Cashner, Carlos Silva and his $11.5 million salary and Randy Wells are just a bit short of astronomical. Besides, the younger Russell should have an inside track on the job as the third lefty in the bullpen. Having an effective, tough lefty in the rotation — as the Cubs did with Ted Lilly for 2 1/2 seasons — and teaming him with one or even two fellow starting southpaws were rare occurrences in team history. Lilly, Rich Hill and Sean Marshall all starting at the same time in 2007 sent a few of us curious type scurrying to the record books to see when the last time the Cubs had a trio of southpaw starter...