Why the Reds would spend that kind of money on a closer when the rest of their bullpen and starting rotation sucks is beyond me.

Both Jones and Crawford (especially Crawford) probably aren't worth the expense. Basically if we wanted Crawford he wouldn't fill the need of a "big bat" and he Tampa Bay wouldn't trade him without reaping our minors and/or Rich Hill.

If anything we should look to sign Wood or add another bullpen arm equivalent (probably not out there any cheaper) and grab another middle of the rotation starter.

We should look to do something in the OF that is LF and have Murton as your 4th OFer and have Pie in CF. The kid can play excellent D and would look great at #2 or at the bottom of the order.

Well said Neil. I totally agree Jason. A Jones would rock! Crawford is still the highest on my wish list though.

This year's bandwagon free agent: Fukudowho????

Kuroda????

C'mon guys...just because a name gets thrown around a lot, doesn't mean the player is any good. Dice K and Ichiro notwithstanding, these guys have no mlb experience, and are as big a gamble as anything out there.

I would rather sign Andrew Jones, and then Pie (or Patterson) can become the left-handed OF bat. At least Jones is proven at the mlb level many times over.

Forget Rowand...he is not worth the money.

Sign Wood, see what Prior has to offer, let Marshall compete for a rotation spot...you still have Zambrano, Hill, Lilly, and Marquis. Could we use another ace in the rotation? Sure...but not as big a need as getting another proven bat in the lineup, and improving OF defense. Andrew Jones accomplishes both of those things.

Not sure we need to do much else...unless there is a good lefty for the bullpen out there to be had.

Everyone gets better their 2nd year at Wrigley...so Soriano and DeRosa should both improve. With the new field, the defense should also get better.

Everyone is acting like Fukodome is the next coming of Willy Mays...you know better.

Hey guys, Jim is right this next week should have more activity. There are less holes to fill this year than last. Be patient... it is only November 24th.

On Fukudome, he is scheduled to meet with his U.S. agents at Octagon on November 29th....but there have been reports that he could wait until closer to the first of the year to decide whether he will stay in Japan or play in the Majors.

Last year was the time for our moves... ARam, Soriano, Lilly... all of them players with talent over that of the players available in this year's FA crop. Couple that with the re-signing of Big Z during the season and Hendry might have foreseen how weak this year's crop was going to be and sunk all the money he did into last year's offseason partially in anticipation of this year's offseason.

I'm not sure which players you guys are worried about us "missing out" on. Wood I wholeheartedly agree with - sign him already Jim!!!! - but who else? There simply aren't any difference makers out there to be had as free agents. Fukudome is the focus because he's an ideal fit for this squad - a contact hitter with a little pop that we could fit into the two hole and who by all accounts is a wiz in the field. That's just what we need.

David,

You make a good point. I don't think that anyone who has signed this off-season was high on the Cubs list. Perhaps the only player that has been traded that we might have been interested in getting was Renteria, rumor had it last season that the Cubs were trying to acquire him right before last season started.

I remember reading an article about a week or so ago, where Hendry stated that he didn't expect a huge turnover in the Cubs personnel. He said that he was only looking at some minor tinkering with the roster. Even if he only anticipates a few moves, it would be nice to see one soon. With the Reds and the Brewers in the news lately, I am getting antsy.

I'm a bit concerned too that we haven't done anything, but on the other hand, I don't think we were expecting the Cubs to pursue any of the free agents that have signed already. As for trades, there really haven't been any guys we'd want dealt yet and the Cubs won't be involved in talks for the two big names out there (Santana and Cabrera). I think we may be spoiled from the early Soriano signing last year.

Adam,

I am worried about the same thing. I want Fukudome as much as the next person, but I am afraid that he might stay in Japan next season. If that happens, then we are up a creek. Hendry seems to be so focused upon Fuudome and Matsui that he is letting everyone else pass him by.

I just hope that Hendry doesn't waste the whole off season trying to get Fukudome, and then miss out after everyone else is already signed. Each day makes me more nervous.

And I wish he'd get Kerry signed already. The relievers are starting to drop like flies, and each guy that signs raises Wood's price. If he wants two years guaranteed, quit screwing around and just give it to him.

Phil:

Compared to last year it has been silent.

I think Hendry's shopping list incudes:

* A left handed hitting OF

* A starting Pitcher

* Resigning Kerry Wood.

The pursuit of Fukodome (OF) and Kuroda (Starting Pitcher) will probably take some time. As for Wood,

there has been speculation that he has been under consideration from a bunch of teams. The first week of Decemeber will more than likely be a high activity period.

is it just me, or does it seem like we may not do much at all to improve the team this year. if anything it seems like we may lose out on players like wood.