Steve, I agree with your assessment of DeRosa---we way overpaid for him. He's average at best, and this seriously hurts player development with guys like Patterson and Theriot waiting in the wings. I agree with this move only if it is to attract other players like Soriano and Lee.

And Mike...don't be ridiculous...are you kidding me? You're comparing Dontrelle Willis to Theriot---get outta here. Do you even know what you're talking about? I agree, he's a great guy in the mold of Eckstein---but Willis?

I like the signing if he's used as a bench player, but we over paid big time! 13 mil for three years! Are you kidding me?

No way the Yanks deal ARod for a handful of Cub rejects and prospects. You have to give something to get something. If you want ARod, it will cost Zambrano ... period ... and that would not be a wise deal. There's even less of a chance that we acquire Cabrera or Crawford. As for a deal with the Pirates, they've given no indication that any of their young pitchers are available. Also keep in mind that our farm system is pretty bare compared to others like the Red Sox, Marlins, Dodgers, White Sox and Angels ... regretably the lack of developmemt of Dopirak, Guzman, Harvey and others has left us with very few trading chips that other teams want. Does anyone think the fan forums for Yanks, Marlins, Devil Rays, Pirates or other teams are saying "let's go out and get JJ, Cedeno, Bynum, Theriot, Izturis, Moore, etc..."? ... no, they all want Soriano, Crawford, Cabrera, Zito, ARod, C. Lee and the other players we want too.

As for DeRosa, I think it's a solid signing. The Braves were prepared to hand him a starting job at 3B a few years ago b/c they thought he'd develop into a solid hitter. He failed then, but maybe he just needed a few more years to develop. I like him as our 2B and love him as a UT guy if we can upgrade at 2B.

As for Hendry's next move ... I think he'll sign a mid tier pitcher ... either Lilly or Padilla. He'll talk about Soriano. but drop out when the bidding gets to $90+ Mil. If C. Lee will take a discount to come to Chicago, that could happen. Otherwise, it will be a couple mid tier OF's to play CF and LF. I think it's most critical to lock up Zambrano to a long term deal (free agent after next year) ... like Minn did with Santana and AZ did with Webb. Don't wait until he's a free agent to make the deal.

Aaron. I cant even read your posts, I read the first sentence and I have to stop! We can't get a miracle from a dream.

About Theriot... This guy is like the Rocky of baseball. He's got serious heart and he hustles around the bases. Not to mention he actually GETS on bases. Some Cubs fans were stuck on C. Patterson, I'm stuck on him. If we trade him, it'll be another D. Willis all over again. Guaranteed!!!

i think cliff predicted this move a few days ago didn't he?

great pickup by JH. even better that is the timing. pick up solid additions like this so that when it comes so signing Soriano, Lee, and/or Zito that we are a more attractive option. don't forget folks... a free agent probably won't sign to go a team that looks a lot like the one who only won 66 games the year before.

my excitement for the '07 season continues.

I agree that DeRosa is a great addition to the Cubs, but more as a bench player. I love what he has done against lefties, and I love that Hendry struck quickly. Remember last offseason, Hendry got a ton of flack for signing Eyre and Howry quickly, people claimed he overpaid. Well, after last season there were two of the very few brightspots, so I will not judge until after the entire free agent period is over. Hendry believes he filled a hole, so I trust him, kind of.

I loved what Theriot did at the end of last season as well, but remember that he will be 27 on opening day of 2007. He is not young for a rookie and DeRosa, though 31, is only four years older. Theriot has struggled in the minors and I want him to have his chance, but this is great insurance.

well, I aspire to one day be GM, so that's a nice compliment....but in all seriousness, I do see this as being very possible. By all accounts---friends that I have in baseball, they truly believe AROD will be out, and the Yankees need an overhaul. Look, AROD wasn't the answer for them, and rarely had hits when the game was on the line and had a terrible postseason---when it all matters for Steinbrenner. The Yankees need pitching with only Wang and possibly Mussina as locks for the rotation next year. Johnson had surgery and Lidle passed away, so they are really in need for pitching. Why not give them Prior? I'd never trade Zambrano, but Prior and one or two rookie starters makes a lot of sense for both teams. We're looking for compliments to Zambrano, Hill, and Miller, and we can certainly sign Lilly or Igawa. In that case, you give the 5th spot to a rookie, and if Miller goes down, you throw in another rookie---one of Marshall/Mateo/Marmol/O'Malley/Guzman/Ryu. All 6 are very capable starters, and all showed promise last year. I think that's a lot to be excited for, and I don't think a lot of people understand the depth we have in pitching with our minors. I think what's unfortunate is Hendry giving Rothschild an extension. I would've preferred him go after Rick Kranitz, who spent a lot of time with all these guys in the minors and really helped them take off in their path to the bigs. I would love a rotation of Zambrano, Hill, Mateo, Marshall, and Guzman. The main problem the Cubs had was scoring runs. It put so much pressure on the pitching staff to hold games, that they gave up a lot of stupid runs when they were trying to be too perfect.

I just don't see the point in keeping Izturis AND Cedeno. You have to trade one or the other, because they both have sub-.300 OBP and can't hit for crap, and Izturis happens to have the higher trade value. I'm saying trade Izturis to another team for a starting pitcher, and in turn, trade him to the Yankees in the AROD deal along with one or two of our pitching prospects.

The Red Sox might unload Manny for Jones and maybe Dempster. Then, the Cubs need to sign Gagne, or give Wood every opportunity to try to close and use him and Howry to get the job done.

If you can't use Jones in either trade, you use him to get a pitcher from the Pirates, but in that case, you can spin that pitcher (which the ones being mentioned I don't think are any greater than our own pitching prospects) to the Yankees in the afforementioned trade.

This is not at all a long shot. I just think the problem is a lot of Cubs fans are limiting themselves in this so-called wishful thinking because we've had very inept GM's in the past that haven't gotten the job done. Look, Cashman, Epstein, Jocketty, Dombrowski, and dare I say, Ken Williams, all find ways to make creative deals, so why can't we do the same?

Okay, so we don't get those guys...There's still the Marlins and Devil Rays with Cabrera and probably Crawford for the right prospects or maybe we can plunder the Royals for Emil Brown or DeJesus...who knows

Trevor good points on DeRosa. And on Kevin Mench...clubs usually do not trade within their own division. Also, if they are going to trade for Mench they would be better off leaving Murton in left. And Mench in right would give the Cubs a lineup without a left-handed bat....with the exception of Izturis. Mench also struggled last season with the Brewers.

I don't think you are being negative Anthony. I do think that Theriot deserves a chance to see if he can continue what he started last season at the big league level. Doesn't mean he will flourish or be an all-star, but he deserves the chance after having some success at the end of last year. Also, please don't rush Eric Patterson up to the bigs like the Cubs did Corey. I want him here, but lets make damn sure this time before thinking he's the future of the Cubs.

As for Walker, he's gone, nothing we can do about it now. The Cubs didn't trade Walker for DeRosa so we can't ask how is one better than the other. The question is does DeRosa fill a need for the Cubs? Undoubtedly the answer is yes. Plays 6 different positions, hits lefties well, and gives Theriot time to mature either as a bench player while DeRosa starts or serves as a bench player to give people breaks until an injury occurs and he has to start full time for a month or two.

Good pickup. The Cubs don't have to get the "Number 1" free agent available. They need to get solid players for each of the holes they have.

Aren't the Brewers looking to deal Kevin Mench? Didn't the Cubs have interest in him last year?

In all seriousness, can someone PLEASE tell me why many Cub fans are so excited about Theriot ? I sincerely don't get it. Look at his career numbers, not 50 at bats last year and explain it to me. If I recall, there were a lot of similar comments and love for Cedeno last off season. I want to be wrong, trust me, but a career .250 - .260 minor league hitter doesn't become a .300 major league hitter. Is it others drinking koolaid or am I just being negative?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

Very creative indeed Aaron, no way AROD leaves NY.

But kudos to you for being creative.

No way the Yankees would ever go for that deal. Never. We would have to give up Zambrano for the yanks to do that deal. No way. And DeRosa at SS???? I don't think so. I would rather the cubs go after Tejada to play SS. Izturis, Cedeno, a choice of 2 of our minor league pitchers, Scott Moore, and Jones.... isn't that alot to give up for one guy?

Oh, another note on this signing....I think Hendry jumped the gun too, and should've tried to sign Nomar instead, buying time for Eric Patterson or Theriot to emerge, and he could spell ARAM at third too or Lee at first.

Jason,

I wholeheartedly agree with your assessment of Walker....How is this better than Walker? If we didn't have Baker ruin it all, Walker would be our second baseman today, but he wanted Hairston and Perez to have their shot, for whatever reason I will never know. Walker was also a great character guy, and he deserved a lot better than what he got, plus he was a great left-handed bat to have, and had a great OBP and rarely struck out. DeRosa---sure, solid numbers last year, but it seems he should be just a utility player. I'd say put him at shortstop, trade Izturis, and allow Eric Patterson and Theriot to duke it out at second. I cringe when I hear people say to trade Murton, but I would rather have Carlos Lee in left, I must say....so in that case....ONLY if we get Lee would I trade Murton. Jones, and his horrendous throws from the outfield need to go. I don't care if he put up solid offensive numbers---I don't think people realize how many games he cost the Cubs last year due to his defense. Also, as a side note, I'd rather have Pierre in Center if we can trade Jones and sign Soriano---if not, then I would get Matthews Jr. for his arm, but I remain skeptical about his career year, and would prefer not to have 2 of those guys on the same team due to numbers you can't count on....I really like DeRosa's versality though.

I also love the comments about Hendry's inadequacies in signing great free agents, and I agree that he better sign someone like Lee or Soriano, or make some significant trades, or we're screwed....

how about this trade idea: maybe a 3 team trade---

Izturis, Cedeno, a choice of 2 of our minor league pitchers, Scott Moore, and Jones to the Yankees for AROD, and from the 3rd team, we get prospects.

We then have Theriot and Eric Patterson for the infield to go with DeRosa. The Yankees need a DH, and Jones and his terrible arm could fit that mold, and spell Abreu or Matsui in the Yankees outfield. That, along with one or two young starters makes sense, and Izturis, so they can spin him and Cedeno off for a third baseman, or insert Eric Duncan or Scott Moore. That deal would make sense for the Yankees. The Cubs would then throw AROD at short, and wouldn't have the need of another huge bat, and could have an outfield of Murton, Pierre, and Pie/Pagan, or a prospect we received in the deal. How would that sound? People that we'd never get Nomar, and look how creative that deal was. If you can't get AROD, maybe go after Manny Ramirez instead if Carlos Lee can't be signed.

I don't know, I think Hendry jumped the gun on this one. I do think that he may have overpaid.

I think Soriano is the key to our offseason. I think if the Cubs are serious they NEED to sign him. If they sign Lee, who will play CF?

Also don't forget we still need pitchers! Go get them Henry.

DeRosa can also play OF. He played 6 positions last year and could fill in for JJ against lefties. I like this signing.

I want Soriano in Chicago but I don't know if its going to happen. I think C. Lee is a good bet though. We need a hometown advantage and he is going to be our answer. I think he COULD hit more HR's than Sosa did in Wrigley, year wise of course. He doesn't cork or use steroids either.

However, Soriano would be an outstanding upgrade over Pierre.

Lofton is another way to go. We should have never let him go.

I think that if we don't get Soreono or Carlos Lee we will be in trouble next year. Ramariz always gets off to a long slow start. We need a big bat to back him up. I mean, look at just about all the teams that made the playoffs and you will see that they had at least three everyday BIG bats.

Solid pick up!!!!

Sandberg is retired, and Philadelphia isn't trading Chase Utley. I'd rather see De Rosa there

than what we had all of last year.

Theriot is the 1 rookie I wouldnt trade.

I really hope that this is our #1 bench guy. I guy that can come in and play almost any position.

Jason, its being reported that DeRosa will be starting at 2b so where does that leave Theriot? Is it possible he becomes trade bait after being productive in his short time with the Cubs or will he be used as a utility player? One thing I like about DeRosa: his .342 average last year against southpaws, the Cubs have always had problems against lefties and this helps address that problem.

I forgot to mention...how is this guy better than Todd Walker? Walker could play 2B, 1B, and OF, if I recall, and has about a .290 career avg as well.

Guess I am in the dark why this is an upgrade over 2006...unless, again, he is meant for the bench.

I would like to see if Theriot can keep up his production from last year as well.

Hendry had a good find in Barrett, despite bad career numbers at the time, so hopefully he knows what he is doing with DeRosa, but I don't see anything to get overly excited about.

Pluses: decent OBP above .350, plays multiple positions (which is only useful if he is really a bench guy, and not a starter), wants to play here (mentioned remembering Wrigley during his stint with Atlanta during the 2003 playoffs).

Minuses: last year may have been a career year, not much upside at 31 years old, has not played 2B for an extended period of time (so how good is his range/defense...I don't know.)

I would have rather had Marcus Giles, but we would have had to trade for Giles, and I believe it appears Hendry is planning on signing free agent position players, but then addressing pitching through a trade (possibly unloading Dempster, JJ/Murton, Cedeno, any of our young pitchers).

It sounds like Pittsburgh may be a good trade partner for Hendry again...they would like some of our more inexpensive pitchers, and they need a LF slugger, and we can get one of their starting pitchers likely in a trade. I am just guessing here...not based on any hard fact.

I want Soriano, though, or at least bring back Pierre, and maybe sign Lofton as another good bench guy.

Don't give me a bunch of DeRosa/Padilla signings and call it a Winter, please!

wow! I'm a bit surprised. Good pick up and a fast one. 3 years 13m for DeRosa is a good deal, I wouldn't say at all he's over paid. However... where is he going to play? Is it going to be another 3 2nd baseman year? How good is he at SS?

Rob: Hardly dude. 13 mil over 3 years is chump change compared to the money Hendry will dish out to his more big name signings. If anyone truly expects Sori to come to the Cubs its gonna take 6-7 yrs, 100+ mill.

Does it seem like Hendry overpaid with this one?

Really like this signing. This guy can play almost every position. He played six positions last season for the Rangers.

Quick strike Hendry, keep it up. Sign em' all and let the other teams gripe about how no one is left.

I love this move, had very good numbers last year. and Zach I agree with you, on the Theriot and DeRosa theory.

Great move by Hendry here. He could start at second but he'll have to battle with Theriot to win the job. If he doesn't end up starting he's a solid addition to the bench.