Financial Management

The Cubs admit to needing a bat and another starting pitcher. The team has not been tight with the purse strings of late, having locked up Ramirez, Lee and Soriano. There has been something in the range of $100 million allocated for 13 players in '08.

What remains on the agenda are potential free agent deals for Wood and Kendall (at a significant cut from last year's mega-salary). Wood could be a good pen option as the Cubs are now toying with Dempster as a starter (imposing rotation, no?). Kendall seems like a decent fellow (though he may have a bit of swindler in him...over $13 million last year!), but I would rather give Soto a shot to prove his year-end numbers were the real deal. Floyd and Trachsel are destined for other teams and Ward was signed for a measly $1.2 million (mutual option). I'd take it. I would also do as the Cubs did. Ward proved invaluable off the bench and was a model employee (.327 in total, .268 with 11 walks as a pinch-hitter).

Wood could be pricey on the open market after a solid return last year. Prior and Wuertz are due for salary arbitration. Wuertz is almost surely back, but the Prior plan is being closely guarded by the Cub brass. I imagine they would like to give him another shot, but will probably look to get a cheap deal. Perhaps they are best parting ways, but I wouldn't mind seeing the Trojan alum toe the rubber for the Cubs again. Only as a last man on the bench option, mind you, not a solution.

The Prior and Wood situations would probably dictate what happens to Eyre and Ohman as the Cubs structure the bullpen for the coming season. It wouldn't be right if their future wasn't a constant headache.

And so, what the hell is left in the coffer? I really don't know. It seems like they don't have the scratch to come up with two top tier players. Regardless, Sportscity.com has a Top 50 Free Agents list and it is not inspiring for teams on the hunt. Torii Hunter, Andruw Jones and Bonds (?) are the only unsigned players in the top ten (Lowell seems certain to ink something soon). Other notables on the list are Michael Barrett (35), Joe Borowski (40), Sammy (45) and Jon Lieber (50). Without going into the possibles, those names should give fans a fright about what is waiting to be had for the "right" price. At the least, Kosuke Fukudome comes in at number 11 ahead of Posada (16) and Rowand (19) so maybe he has some skills. I should probably try to find out.

While we are thinking about the mystical prowess of players from the Land of the Rising Sun, I should recommend a book called You Gotta Have Wa. Any book that touches on a part of the Bob Horner saga is a must read. Similarly, let's not forget Tuffy "3 HRs on Opening Day" Rhodes and his stellar run over in Japan. 55 home runs in one seasson. Oh, baby!