Boy, I never thought I would feel sorry for Andy MacPhail, but seeing what he has to put up with owner Peter Angelos.  First there were the rumors that he rejected the 7-2 deal with the Cubs, now comes word that he is holding up the Eric Bedard trade to Seattle.  Funny how when I asked Hendry about Angelos killing a deal with the Cubs, Jim scoffed at the idea.  "I think it(the Sun Times article)  mentioned the owner nixing the trade. That certainly hasn’t been the path we’ve been on. I don’t think it would ever get to the ownership-type level. Andy MacPhail is certainly capable of making deals. That is not accurate".  But apperently there is some truth to that since it’s happening all over again.  Although we don’t like him much here in Chicago, MacPhail is very respected in the baseball world and many see him stepping into Bud Selig’s smelly shoes when old Bud retires.  When MacPhail got the job, it was with the understanding that there would be no interference from the owner, Peter Angelos, who has done a spectacular job screwing up the Baltimore franchise.  The deal could still go through with the Mariners, or Bedards just might stay put in Baltimore.  MacPhail has mentioned numerous times that he wants to get the Bedard deal done first before moving on to Roberts.  While the Cubs wait and twiddle their thumbs, here are some other free agents that the Cubs are rumored to be looking at.

Marlon Byrd

Marlon Byrd’s name came up after the Brian Roberts deal went sour.  Some Cubs sources still feel uncomfortable with Felix Pie starting everyday, so Byrd could be a fit for the Cubs.  Byrd is a .273 career hitter, and batted .307 with 10 homers and 70 RBI — all career highs — in 414 at-bats for the Rangers last season.  Remember though that everyone’s numbers look better at Texas.  The Cubs might be asked to sacrifice Matt Murton or a couple young pitchers, probably Sean Marshall and Sean Gallagher.

Shannon Stewart

Another veteran centerfielder who could help if the Pie/Fuld experiment fizzles.  Stewart, who was recovering from plantar fasciitis, hit .290 with a .345 on-base percentage for Oakland.  His defense is a little shaky, especially his arm.  After watching Juan Pierre seven hop some balls from center a few years ago, I am hoping this doesn’t go through.  He is a free agent and wouldn’t cost the Cubs any prospects or much money.

Kenny Lofton

All the Cubs fans who remember how Lofton was the spark in that 2003 run are begging to see Lofton return to Wrigley.  I thought that would have been a good idea last year, and seeing him have a strong postseason last year really makes me wish the Cubs would have done it last year. Am I opposed to signing Lofton?  No.  He is a free agent, like Stewart.  But realize this; Alfonso Soriano will still bat lead off.  I know that makes people bang their heads against a wall, but that is where he would bat.  If he came to the Cubs, Lofton would bat second.  I worry about his attitude in the clubhouse.  There is a reason he can’t stick with a team. Heck, they even made a commerical about the number of times he’s been moved. 

Khalil Greene

Frequent Crawly’s Cub Kingdom reader Paul Rickelman spotted this one. There are rumors out there that San Diego would trade Greene for Thunder Matt Murton. This guy kills the Cubs everytime we play San Diego, so why not get him to play short?  Murton would also thrive in San Diego, which has plenty of gaps for Murton to hit to.  Murton has a career line of .296/.365/.455 in 289 games, but the Cubs now have Soriano in left and Fukudome in right.  Where would Murton play?  Fukudome is new to the U.S. and MLB pitching, so asking him to play center, which isn’t his strongest position, wouldn’t work out well. Greene only hit .254, but drove in 97 runs.  Wouldn’t be a horrible trade for either team.  I would really like this trade if the Cubs could get Lofton too.

Wrap Up

None of these players get me that pumped up.  Arizona has made some big off season moves and the Mets just got Johan Santana, hoping he can help the Mets fans forget their collapse at the end of last season.  As I’ve said many times, I believe the Cubs will win the Central, and it looks like the Mets and Dbacks will take the East and West, with Colorado taking the wild card?  I just wonder if the Cubs have enough to advance past the Division Series.  Think about a short series;  The Mets would throw out Santana, Pedro Martinez (if healthy), and John Maine.  The Dbacks would pitch Brandon Webb, Randy Johnson (if healthy), and Dan Haren.  Do you feel that the team we have now, with our three being Zambrano, Lilly, and Hill, beat either of those teams?  Heck, we couldn’t get one win off Webb, Doug Davis, and Livan Hernandez.  This is why I was wishing, although I knew it would be a long shot, for both Bedard and Roberts.  We may still get Roberts, but even if he isn’t going to Seattle, Bedard is not coming here.  I still think the Cubs are one big pitcher away.

It was one week ago today that we packed our bags and left the 23rd annual Cubs Convention.  Since then, no deals have been made, nobody’s been signed, etc.  Heck, there hasn’t even been any rumors or hot stove grumblings.  Hendry, Crane Keney, Ron Santo, all made it sound like the Cubs still were going to acquire some more players, but so far, nothing.  There is only a little bit more then two weeks until pitchers and catcher report to camp, so there is still time.  I still think the Cubs have the best chance of coming out on top of the NL Central, but as I have written before, that’s not good enough. I think we can make it to the playoffs, but if we want to get anywhere, we need some more pieces.  Let’s hope Jim Hendry and his crew are working furiously behind the scenes to build us a championship team!  I finally have all the Convention photos up, so click here to see what you missed, or check out the photos section in the left hand column and find Cubs Convention 2008.  Also check out the video section on the left side.  There is a funny parody of the song Umbrella that will keep you laughing till the 14th!

Pitchers and Catchers Feb 14th!!!

Go Cubs!