Chasing Cubtober: Holiday shopping recap edition
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by LMedina86
Before the winter meetings, I came up with a list of things that I believed that the Chicago Cubs needed to put on their off-season shopping list.
1. Acquire a left-handed hitting outfielder/on-base machine. For the second consecutive off-season, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry got his man. The Cubs signed outfielder Kosuke Fukudome to a four-year deal worth $48 million, making him the first Japanese-born player in Cubs history. He will patrol right field for the Cubs in 2008.
Fukudome and his career .397 OBP in Japan will likely translate well here in America, especially hitting in a line-up with All-Stars Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez.
2. Acquire a left-handed hitting middle infielder who posses speed and a solid OBP.
The Cubs have yet to acquire that type of player, but it’s not like they haven’t been trying. Their primary target was Kaz Matsui, but he signed a three-year deal worth over $14 million with the Houston Astros.
The Cubs have apparently shifted their focus to Baltimore Orioles' All-Star second baseman Brian Roberts. Roberts is a top of the order threat who posted a .377 OBP to go along with 50 steals in 2007.
He was recently named in The Mitchell Report and since has apologized for his involvement in performance enhancing drugs. The O’s asking price might take a hit because of his naming in the report, but a deal will not likely happen until after the holiday season.
3. Acquire another starting pitcher through free agency.
The Cubs will not likely add another starting pitcher through free agency, especially after non-tendering former No. 2 pick Mark Prior. But I wouldn’t rule anything out. Kris Benson, Bartolo Colon, and Freddy Garcia are among free agent starting pitchers that would be worth taking a look at.
The Cubs have been rumored to be looking for a starter through the trade market. The most affordable starter in that market would be Joe Blanton of the Oakland Athletics.
If the Cubs stand pat for the rest of the off-season, they will go into 2008 with the following starting pitchers: Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Rich Hill, Jason Marquis, Ryan Dempster, Kevin Hart, Sean Marshall, and Sean Gallagher]]. Prospects Jeff Samardizija and Donnie Veal wait in the wings, for they are likely a few years away from contributing to the big club.
4. Acquire another relief pitcher through free agency.
Jim Hendry should be applauded for upgrading the bullpen without overpaying or giving up prospects for the sake of making a move. Instead, during the winter meetings the Cubs acquired Tim Lahey in a Rule V draft trade and Jose Ascanio in a trade that sent Will Ohman and Omar Infante to the Atlanta Braves.
The closer’s role is still up for grabs and will be decided during spring training, barring the acquisition of a closer. Octavio Dotel is a free agent option, while Minnesota Twins closer Joe Nathan could be made available if the Twins decide that they want to have a fire sale.
However, that is an unlikely move seeing that the Twins would ask for Carlos Marmol in return.
Thankfully, baseball’s shopping season doesn’t end when ol’ St. Nick comes down chimneys, so the Cubs still have time to get whatever else they want.
