The Chicago Cubs are looking for a right fielder who hits left handed and would fit into the middle of the batting order. They also have Felix Pie, Reed Johnson, and Kosuke Fukudome in the mix for time between center field and right, while Alfonso Soriano continues to underwhelm in left.
The rumor mill on every major sports web site and blog has thrown the names of the major players on the free agent market, and a number of trade candidates around since early October.
The Cubs are also confronting the issue of finding time for young players like Pie and, eventually, youngster Tyler Colvin in the crowded Cubs outfield, making a long term contract for another outfielder less attractive. The available options aren't jumping off the page at anyone, either.
Bobby Abreu will want a multi year deal for more than $10 million per season. He'll be 35 years old in 2009.
Adam Dunn will want more years and more money than Abreu, being that he has hit for more consistent power and is seven years younger. He is also best described as the love child of Soriano and Paul Bunyan; his swing has more holes than Amy Winehouse's septum, and his shadow covers more ground in the outfield than his legs do.
Raul Ibanez is older than Abreu and Dunn, and is the lesser known name on the market. He thrived in a pitchers park in Seattle, but is the worst defensive outfielder available.
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Brian Giles is under contract in San Diego, but their cost cutting mindset would lead anyone to believe he's available. He has the on-base percentage to fit perfectly in the Cubs batting order, but has been open about his desire to stay in southern California. He has one year remaining on his current contract, and the Cubs would have to part ways with at least one, likely two prospects to acquire him.
Another option that has been volleyed about is moving utility superstar Mark DeRosa from second base to right field full time, and playing Mike Fontenot at second base full time next to his college double play partner, Ryan Theriot.
The trouble with this scenario is that DeRosa isn't a middle of the order hitter, neither is Fontenot. If the desire is not only a new right fielder but a left handed bat between three and six in the batting order, Fontenot isn't your man.
So where do the Cubs go for a cost effective, low-risk outfielder that won't expect a contract longer than one or two years?
How about recent Chicago resident Ken Griffey, Jr.?
Junior would bring a number of pieces to the table that would be ideal for the Cubs. He showed on the South Side late this past season that his ego doesn't require him be on the field every day. He also could be a significant upgrade in the mentor department from Soriano for a player like Pie; Griffey has never been accused of being anything short of a class act.
Junior also has two things the Cubs desire: a desire to win soon, and a strong track record in October.
The temptation to sign an older, physically fragile outfielder with a big name and bigger swing isn't something new to Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry. He took a chance on Jim Edmonds in 2008, and saw dividends of 20 home runs and solid defense in the bulk of the playing time down the stretch.
While Griffey does have more question marks on his medical report than Edmonds did prior to joining the Cubs last year, the Cubs outfield depth would allow for him to take a day (or two or three) off per week. He wouldn't be asked to play center field again; Johnson and Pie are primarily center fielders and Fukudome will see time there as well.
There might be teams that envision Junior as an everyday designated hitter, and could offer him a three or four year contract. But looking at the teams in serious contention to win, the Cubs for two years might be Griffey's best option to get the ring he's desired for so long.
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about 1 month ago
although not a bad idea, the biggest concern is if Junior can stay healthy(even if he's given those 2 or 3 days off a week) all the way till october.
about 1 month ago
The South Siders thought Jr. was the answer... I just don't see it working out, all that would produce is 3/4 of the left handed outfielders being some of the most inconsistent hitters in the game when they really get into a cold streak (Pie, Fukudome, Jr.), and Johnson isn't an everyday outfielder.
about 1 month ago
The Cubs are going to suck with or without Griffey, so does it really matter? It'll be 101 years and counting after the '09 season since the CHOKE-JOB Cubs won a WS !!! Oh yeah, Peavy WILL be a Brave in '09 - COUNT ON IT !!!!!!!!!!1
from about 1 month ago
VERY insightful Brian. Thanks for the heads up
about 1 month ago
Trade a busload of spare parts to Baltimore and get Nick Markakis.
about 1 month ago
The only thing that concerns me is Griffey's health. He has been injured way too much. It's a good thought!
about 1 month ago
strong track record in october? he has 1 playoff apperance in his last 11 years buddy..
from about 1 month ago
When he has been in October he's played well.
I would rather have a limited track record that's good than two straight years of crap like Soriano, Lee & Ramirez.
Who's track record would be better? Dunn's zero appearances? Abreu or Ibanez?
about 1 month ago
I'm just correcting something that you stated as fact. You're contradicting yourself now. Now you say you would rather have a limited track record, when before you said his was strong...He performed well in the playoffs when he was young...hit .200 in the NLDS
from about 1 month ago
How am I contradicting myself? Griffey has a strong, albeit limited, track record in October. There is no contradiction there. I would absolutely prefer a decent track record to what I've seen from the Cubs the last two years. Anyone who can hit the ball after September 29 is better than Lee, Soriano & Ramirez.
about 1 month ago
But the point is, he can't. When he was YOUNG he was good in the playoffs. He showed this October that he has some dust, hitting .200 in the NLDS. What don't you understand?
from about 1 month ago
I don't understand, how Griffey hit .200 in the National League Division Series while playing for the Chicago White Sox, buddy. He went 2-for-10 on an under achieving Sox team that didn't do much of anything against the Rays.
This piece is simply putting Griffey out there as an option for the Cubs, and I noted that his cumulative career postseason numbers are good (.367 OBP in 69 ABs). I'll ask you again: who would you rather have in left field? Nobody in this free agent class has a great postseason record except Manny Ramirez. You want him? Where's the $20M per coming from?
about 1 month ago
I could care less, I am a Reds fan. This was posted on the Reds ESPN board, and some dude bashed you for the same reason. The main point is, Griffey doesn't have the postseason glamour you are claiming him to have.
from about 1 month ago
So you're a Reds fan that saw him play in how many playoff games?
Enjoy 4th place again next year. And thanks for reading.
about 1 month ago
I'm sorry, there's 5 world series rings in front of my screen, I can't understand what you're saying. You struggle to get ONE. Oh man, that's gotta hurt. :) I will enjoy watching the Cubs fail as always, while the Reds sneak up on everybody with the 2nd best young lineup behind the Rays.
from about 1 month ago
Are you old enough to remember even the last Series in Cincinnati? Go ahead and grasp at straws for making an argument; good luck this winter and we'll see what happens next year.
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