Jim Hendry is already talking to the press about his off-season plans. No skipping a beat for Trader Jim.
A couple of things from the article, nothing surprising .... Expect Kerry Wood and Ryan Dempster to return to their closer and starter roles, respectively. Hendry expressed some caution related to the length of the contract. If Wood wants big money and multiple years, that could, and should, be a problem.
Quality closers and relievers are valuable, but it seems that anything over two years for a bullpen guy gets dicey. Ryan Dempster, on the other hand, could easily land a four year deal. I don't have a well formed opinion on Dempster and a lengthy deal, but I feel pretty strongly about Woody.
Felix Pie, out of minor league options, will make the team, or get traded. Or hurt, according to Hendry.
"Without any kind of injury or significant change, he'll have a very good chance to make the ballclub out of Spring Training."
Come to think of it, Jim Hendry does slightly resemble Tonya Harding. Watch your knees, Felix.
Don't expect Edmonds back, but Hendry said he told Fukudome not to freak if he arrives at camp to find, say, Adam Dunn*, standing in his spot.
"I did tell him we have a lot of faith in him, and we think he's going to be the player not only who we scouted, but who we saw in the first half," Hendry said. "But we would go about our business, and if the opportunity arises to add another outfielder, we will. He knows he'll have to earn his everyday status."
So, an outfield stable of Soriano, Pie, Johnson, Fukudome and ____________, and that assumes Reed Johnson sticks. It better be someone really good.
Here's a post with some info on rumor targets, and related Cubs.
Eric Seidman has two recent posts at Fangraphs.com on the corner outfield market.
Left field
Right field
Note the lack of guys under 30. Adam Dunn is one of them. Ahem.
*that's my own wishful speculation
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