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With free-agent market open, rumors begin
By TIMOTHY WOLFMEYER
November 12, 2007
At 11 p.m. Monday night, last season, with all its disappointments and frustrations, officially became last season, and next season, with all its hope and optimism, officially began.
Major League Baseball's Hot Stove League period, the time when every team is only one move away, kicked off late Monday with the opening of the free-agent market. A frenzied month of exaggerated rumors and extravagant contracts, blockbuster trades and Scott Boras, the signing window's actions usually determine a franchise's direction for the upcoming year.
The Cubs, fresh of their first NL Central Division title in four years, should be active participants in the free-agent process - just not as active as last year, when they signed free agents Alfonso Soriano, Ted Lilly, Mark DeRosa and Jason Marquis.
The White Sox, fresh off their worst record in over a decade, could look to make a big splash by signing a high-profile player. Minnesota centerfielder Torii Hunter, perhaps?
One move was made Monday - the Cubs sent outfielder Jacque Jones and cash considerations to Detroit for utility player Omar Infante, clearing the way for long-touted prospect Felix Pie.
CUBS (85-77, 1st NL Central)
Free agents: OF Cliff Floyd, C Jason Kendall, OF Craig Monroe, SP Steve Trachsel, RP Kerry Wood.
After last year's spending spree, it's unlikely the Cubs will actively pursue Alex Rodriguez or any other high-priced free agent. Don't expect Andruw Jones in center and A-Rod at short.
Do, however, expect General Manager Jim Hendry to address the team's glaring needs - a right fielder, a left-handed bat and left-handed relief pitching.
Japanese All-Star Kosuke Fukudome seems a logical fit for a team basically devoid of left-handed hitting, but the 30-year-old, who recently filed for free agency from the Chunichi Dragons, could prove too costly. It could take a $10-12 million per year deal to sign the corner outfielder, who hit .305 with 192 home runs in nine seasons with the Dragons.
With veterans at first base (Derrek Lee), second base (Mark DeRosa), third base (Aramis Ramirez) and left field (Soriano), the Cubs can afford to go young at other key positions. Geovany Soto, 23, should take over behind the plate after hitting .426 in the month of September. Barring a new acquisition, Pie, 22, is now the odds-on favorite to win the centerfield job.
Shortstop could be an issue - Ryan Theriot's anemic .676 OPS (on-base + slugging percentage) ranked 12th among NL regulars.
Pitching seems to be less of a worry. Carlos Zambrano, Lilly, Marquis and Rich Hill are mainstays in the Cubs' starting rotation. Ryan Dempster, Sean Marshall, Kevin Hart and others - including Mark Prior, if the right-hander is signed to some sort of incentive-laden deal - will compete for the fifth spot.
Hendry also will consider dealing for pitching, especially left-handed pitching.
"We'll never stop looking for pitching," Hendry said. "You can never have enough."
Wood could be the only one of the Cubs' current free agents to resign with the team. The 30-year-old pitched well in a relief role last season, and both sides seem optimistic a deal will get done.
If signed, Wood could be the team's closer in 2008.
WHITE SOX (72-90, 4th AL Central)
Free agents: OF Darin Erstad, RP Mike Myers.
Questions abound on the South Side.
Who will play center? Who will hit leadoff? Joe Crede or Josh Fields?If the Sox sign a marquee free agent, it will likely be one of the three top-tier centerfielders on the market - Hunter, Jones and Aaron Rowand. Of the three, Hunter and Rowand seem the most logical targets.
Hunter, a Chicago native, repeatedly has said he would like to play in a bigger market. On Sunday he met with GM Ken Williams to discuss the Sox's offseason plans.
A fan favorite, Rowand hit .309 with 27 homers for Philadelphia last season.
Defensively, the players may be a wash. Hunter is one of the most dynamic outfielders in baseball, but may lack Rowand's tenacity. Both were recently named Gold Glove award winners.
Signing either Hunter or Rowand would provide the franchise with a much-needed injection of energy. It would allow Jerry Owens or Fields to move to left. It would give the Sox another big bat in the middle of the lineup.
Signing one of these two players isn't an option - at this point, it's the only option.
The Crede-Fields dilemma needs to be solved before Spring Training. Either deal Crede and install Fields as the team's every-day third baseman, or sign Crede to an extension and move Fields to the outfield. At this point, dealing one - Fields/Crede and starter Jon Garland could yield a premium return - seems like the more plausible option.
A table-setting second baseman like Luis Castillo or Kazuo Matsui would provide an upgrade over incumbent Danny Richar, who is more suited for a reserve role.
With Mark Buehrle, Jose Contreras and Javier Vazquez all signed to multi-year extensions, and with a multitude of MLB-ready starters waiting in the wings, starting pitching wouldn't appear to be a big concern. Anything is possible, however, especially with Williams in charge.
One pitching concern is the once-strong bullpen, which fell apart last season. Closer Bobby Jenks is a mainstay, but finding pitchers who can get the ball to Jenks is a must. |
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