I've seen some speculation the Cubs are up to their usual tricks, with the expectation they will pursue Marlon Byrd or Scott Posednik. Byrd, I have written before, is not that intriguing a prospect. He's OK, but he wants three years and decent money. You have to ask yourself if you want to make that kind of commitment to a 32 year old outfielder who has had his best years in a bandbox in Texas. The same goes in spades for Posednik, who had a nice year with the White Sox, but who, significantly, was not brought back by a team that settled for Juan Pierre. Enough said.
Word is that the Cubs have inquired about Nyger Morgan of the Nationals. Now that is a good move, although the Nats are apparently not interested. Morgan has speed, hits for average, gets on base, and steals bases. Probably a pipe dream, though, for the Cubs. I've mentioned before that the Cubs might want to think about Melky Cabrera of the Yankees. Not a bad placeholder for them. I don't value Brett Gardner nearly so highly, more like an inferior version of Sam Fuld.
The mention of Sam Fuld brings me to another issue, and that is how highly they value their own younger players, or really whether they have any idea what they have. Colvin looked good in the outfield, but it looked as though he needed a year to be able to hit major league pitching. Fuld, on the other hand, has always been considered an over-achiever, but his numbers all through the minor leagues have been good, and he has hit in the majors as well in his late season call-ups. It is hard for fans to make a judgment on guys like this, but the Cubs always overvalue power and undervalue defense and OBP, so maybe they have more than they think.
Anyway, they are probably right in thinking they need OF help, but as far as the assessment that they need a setup man, I'm a little puzzled. Didn't they sign Grabow for this role? And don't they have Guzman as well? Why would they need the reincarnation of Kevin Gregg in the person of Matt Capps?
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