Lots of comments about Dunn, Abreu, Fukodome, and others...saw no mention of the fact that the Cubs need a backup catcher to replace Blanco, if he signs elsewhere. The Cubs should think about getting a veteran catcher who could backup Soto, and I suggest Brad Ausmus. He could handle the pitching staff and provide the experience that is needed in such a position.

Lomlee.... The Cubs are rumored to be interested in signing Paul Bako. Koyie Hill will also be in the mix to back-up Geovany Soto.

Welcome to the CCO!

I agree that it won't be easy to get McClouth, but supposedly talks to extend him have broken down. And I know the pirates have him under control for next few years, but they also had ARAM under control for a few more years and they dumped him well before that. So who knows ? But I agree, its a longshot.

I'm not holding my breath, but I would much rather see them go for him than sign some broken down old OF's like Dunn or Abreu for huge money, or some nutjob like Bradley. Those all are very bad choices, IMO. They are all garbage.

If you can't get McClouth, stick with what you have. A mixture of Fuku, Reed, Hoffpair, Pie wouldn't be bad.

Not too mention, with woody gone, I think they could use more bullpen help. As good as Marmol has been, he still is not a proven closer. And I think Gregg will be worthless. Nobody seems to be talking about bullpen, but I would be worried about it, if I were JH.

just my .02

I agree I don't want to sign the likes of Dunn or Abreu. Both too expensive and Dunn sucks. I also agree I'd just assume stay in house and see if Fukudome can bounce back, or give Hoffpauir the chance. I'd like to see them keep Pie and give him the CF job.

I would, as Jim K suggested, take a flyer on Hinske as a cheap back up plan.

As for McLouth, yes talks have broken down, but it makes sense. If I was McLouth it makes no sense for me to sign a long term deal in this market when he is already locked in year by year in their control. Play out this year and talk long term with them next year when the economy bounces back and he can make it a larger deal.

Comparing Ramirez is not the same though. He was horrible on defense at 3B and he had a bit of an attitude in Pittsburgh. Those were the reasons why they wanted to dump him.

The only thing the cubs should be focusing on is how to acquire Nate McLouth. Marquis and/or Cedeno. Make it happen. He solves so many problems for us its incredible. If Dunn still wants to come after that, then by all means sign him. You play him at first on lee's off days. You rotate the outfield, except for McLouth- he plays everyday. That keeps Soriano healthy too. Other than that Dunn's a pinch hitter. It could work out great, just under no circumstances ever should Sori and Dunn be in the outfield at the same time- with or without McLouth.

McClouth is not a gold glove Of'er. I don't have the #'s in front of me but I do know that he is a ok CF'er. His #'s don't say he would be a great leadoff guy. Last year was his first good year. Has never hit for high avg. or high OBP. He might be an allstar in the making or a guy who had a career year.

Actually Jim, he was a Gold Glover this year posting a .997 fielding average in CF.

I do agree though I'm not sold on him completely but I certainly wouldnt reject a trade offer to obtain him. I just don't see any way the Pirates trade him. Not when they control his contract the next few years regardless of whether he signs a long term deal or not.

He seemed to blossom over the course of his short career and certainly came into his own as a full time player this year.

Oops.

You want to pay Dunn $13-16 million dollars to be a floating position player and pinch hitter???

Not to mention you want a pinch hitter who hits a career .246???

Several people mention McLouth....give up on that one. No way Pirates trade him. They have him under control for several years because he is young. They are trying to build around him. They are trying to sign him to a long term deal. Due to the economy he really has no pressure to take along term deal right now. He's under the Pirates control for several years anyhow, he might as well play out another year before thinking of a long term deal and let the economy recover so he gets a better deal.

Guys, someone said earlier that there is little difference between a strikeout and putting the ball inplay for an out. You are joking, right ? You can't be serious. Are you familiar with the "sacrifice fly" ? or moving a runner over to 3rd with 1 out ? Or hitting a groundball with less than 2 outs, runner on 3rd, and the IF is playing back ? To say there is very little difference is absurd.

Not too mention, high K guys are typically much weaker against good pitching, which has been discussed in regards to Dunn. I would much, much rather have a guy who hits for less power, but higher BA/OBP, like a Joe Mauer, than all or nothing guy like Dunn. They are just much better hitters, plain and simple. They are winning type players.

Guys like Dunn are just "stat accumulators". They rack up meaningless HR's against weak middle relievers in blowout games, but when you need a single or sac fly in the 8th to win a game, fogetutaboutit !!! Look at the playoffs, when you face good pitching. Look no further than Soriano. Mark my words, Dunn would give you the same type of performance in the playoffs, which is brutal.

All you Dunn backers are looking at those HR totals and drooling, but I find it amusing that people tend to forget how bad these guys really are when the game is on the line, when you really need them. I'll ask you this simple question: Did you like Jacque Jones ? Did you like Jeromy Burnitz ? Do you like Soriano ? I know Dunn hits more HR than all of these guys, but its the same type of all-or-nothing type of hitter, that can't play defense. Everyone has short memories. IMO, they are just terrible. They are losing type players. They will NEVER do the little things that help you win games, that never show up in box score. They are one-tool players. You don't win with those guys. It's really simple.

As for Bradley, he's defintely a much better all-around player, but there is no way I sign him due to the baggage (injury prone and a nutjob). And forget Abreu too, he's on the downside.

To me, if they can't get a guy like Nate McLouth, I would stick with what they have. Who says Fuku can't improve over last year ? We know he can play awesome defense, and his OBP is good. If he can hit 15-18 HR's and 75 RBI's, he would be fine. Of Hoffpair could easily put up those numbers, for like $500K.

Dunn - Nooooooooo !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The chances the Cubs sign Dunn is about as small as them trading for A-Rod. It's so not going to happen that it's barely worth debating. I don't see what else the Cubs have to say to express their disinterest him without offending the guy.

Those of you who believe his numbers would be better playing at Wrigley, last time I checked, the stadium in Cincinnati was known as a home run hitters park. Dunn has DH written all over him, and I see the Angels taking a look at him now that they supposedly dropped out for Texeira.

Hello everyone. Last comment I left was about the passing of my son. I just wanted to inform everyone how classy our Chicago Cubs are. Friday afternoon, I received a certified letter from them stating their condolences. A very classy move by a very classy organization. It also reminded me of Neil's "Stay Classy" line. Happy Holidays everyone, and take care.

I'd love Dunn for his power numbers, but that's it...Anybody else remember Dave Kingman?

As for Prior, Wood, and Harden...I would have taken the gamble on Kerry and Rich...Never really agreed with the hype on Prior.

If i had to play in Cincinati i would hate baseball too. In Chicago our teams spend money and the fans show up to the games. Its pretty cool.

I am totally against Bradley and Dunn. I can just hear the wrigley boo birds now.

Two things on Dunn that are interesting though. His stats are much better at Wrigley than any other Central ball park.

He doesn't like baseball. But he wants to come to the Cubs in the worst way. I think he would like baseball a whole lot if he played at Wrigley and got on the fans side.

I mean who wouldn't love baseball if you played at Wrigley everyday.

what if they signed him for more than 2 years and he moved to 1B when DLee left...tho his defense probably wouldn't get better.

Dunn would be the worse then the peavy trade. The cubs are a small ball team. If you were watching them last season what made them a better team from the the year before was the abilty to wait for the good pitch and keep the k's down.

Power teams don't work at wrigley when the wind is blowing in its rare to see one go out but with the wind going out anyone with a bit power can knock it out. All those years of Sosa hitting homeruns how many years did we go to the playoffs? Twice. The sad thing is Freeswinging Sammy stiked out a lot less then Dunn does. We need a switch-hitter thats going to hit for a high average and gives us about 25 homeruns. Thats not going to kill us on D. All I have to say about the Peavy deal who trades 7 players for on guy? I know thats old news but I havent been able to comment in awhile.

The cubs should be interested in Adam Dunn so that they can switich Fukudome and Dunn in right because Dunn can hit good but has bad defense and Fukudome strugles hitting but,good defense.

First off...I want to thank Neil for all the work he puts in to give the rest of us something to talk about....GREAT SITE!!!THANKYOU NEIL!!!

Secondly, This is the National League...defense is very important...I can remember a game several years ago where I came away totally disgusted because Glenallen Hill made a very lazy

attempt at a fly ball that dropped in front of him and cost us the game.

Offensively, he gave us some exciting moments...but I could never stand him

after that one play.

NO TO DUNN and any other HIGH PRICED

DEFENSIVELY CHALLENGED FREE AGENT.

Suzy:

Well said on all points!

Suzy...thank you!

I do not understand why the Cubs would sign Adam Dunn. He strikes out a lot, and he a defensive liability. Before they do that then they should give Micah Hoffpeuir a chance to play the outfield position.

OK, here are a few things to ponder......

I have to believe both Dunn and Abreu get 3 year deals. Do you really want to be stuck with Dunn for three years? Further...Dunn made 13 million this year and Abreu 16 million. You figure Abreu to decrease slightly while Dunn increases slightly, which would mean they sign for very similar dollar amounts. Or at least close enough that to me it's a no brainer to choose Abreu over Dunn.

I could care less about Dunn's OBP. I wouldnt pay some clown 13 million dollars to stand up at the plate and walk 100 times and hit 40 home runs and do nothing else. Not to mention paying him 13 million dollars and you have to replace him on defense in the late innings and you have to pinch hit for him in the late innings when the game is on the line and they bring in a lefty to face him. So you are paying him all that money to play 7 innings a game. Really?

With all those stats above, here is what I see:

He hit .229 and .225 against our two biggest division rivals last year.

He hit .195 against lefties last year.

What isn't listed in those stats from last year:

2 outs and RISP = .208 avg

Late & Close = .206 avg

Tie Game = .237 avg

Hey at least he hit .302 in at bats where his team was up by 5 or more, when the other teams pitchers were just throwing strikes to move along.

Against Power Pitchers = .204

Against Standard Pitchers = .214

Against Finesse Pitchers = .269

By the way his career Milwaukee numbers are .273 average 107 for 392 with 31 HR's, 93 BB and 118 K's.

I disagree that Dunn would give Lou the lefty Thunder he wants. Dunn (not counting the walks) averages 550 at bats and averages 40 homeruns and does little else as evidenced by his crappy batting average. I would hardly qualify that as "thunder" by any stretch.

Bradley is a much better risk than Dunn. Bradley will sign for MUCH less money. He only made 5.2 million this year. Will sign for that or just above that. Still less than Dunn. It's a flyer on his health, but he stayed healthy last year. He switch hits so there is no worry about bringing in a lefty to face him. He walked 80 times last year and had a .321 batting average. All the talk of OBP....last year Bradley's OBP was .436 compared to Dunn's .386! And though Dunn outhomered Bradley 40-22 Bradley's slugging percentage was .563 compared to Dunn's .513.

Sure Bradley may have some issues, but I know the Padres players really liked him as a teammate the short time he was here. I don't think his problem is that of a clubhouse cancer. I think he has a few other issues at times. Nothing Sweet Lou couldnt handle.

I agree with Jim K that former Cubs draft pick Eric Hinske could be a very cheap flyer for a left handed batting right fielder. He also is able to fill in at 1B and 3B as well as play the corner OF spots. (We actually traded him to Oakland for Miguel Cairo) He only made 800K last year although he made 5.6 million the year before with the Red Sox. A two year deal worth about 3 million could get it done and be a steal.

Depending on money, perhaps Garret Anderson is a consideration. With the Angels signing Juan Rivera as the fourth outfielder, it is clear there is no room for the long-time Angel.

When all is said and done we still have in house options that probably won't be utilized. Would be nice to see Pie get a shot for CF and Fukudome bounce back to take RF. Hinske would be a nice cheap back up plan to give Fukudome every chance to take the job, yet have someone sturdy to step in if he fails.

I see Dunn headed to Anaheim if they have given up on Teixeira as they indicated. They will want someone to replace his lefty bat at 1B.

I see Fuentes heading to the Angels as well. They need a quality closer to replace K-Rod. I think he is their man.

You and I will be enemies eternal on this subject, haha. =)

I can play this game to.

Pick only the numbers that suit your argument.

Career numbers at Wrigley field (as provided by Neil):

286/.419/.664/1.083 - 62-for-217 with 11 doubles, a triple and 23 home runs with 49 walks and 68 strikeouts in 60 games

Not too bad.

A .418 on base with guys in scoring position.

Increasing stress on the pitcher.

In 47 plate appearances with runners on 1st and 2nd last year he hit .300.

And for all of those stats you listed, you listed ONLY his batting average.

Look at the OBP for everyone of those late and close stats?

More often than not he is either walking or hitting a HR.

2 outs and RISP: .468 OBP and 7 HRs

Late and Close: .443 OBP and 4 HRs

Tie Game: .387 OBP and a .272 BABIP

Let me ask you something sincerely. And please don't think Im being confrontational because I love bantering with you on the subject.

What is the difference between a K and an out on a ball put in play? Very little.

Dunn has a .290 BABIP throughout the career.

All of the above not too shabby for a peice. Dunn or whoever is brought in wont be expected to be the guy...just a peice.

And as for his bad average against lefties..He's still very patient against them. He won't be totally lost against them.

Just a thought.

Don't take any of it personal....love the dialogue too!

I agree with your statement that there is little difference between a K and a ball put in play.

I also agree he had little protection in Cinci and Arizona.

The issue is he can't come through when we need him. His horrible batting average will come back to haunt the team when we need clutch hits with runnners in scoring position.

You talk of cherry picking numbers. While there is some truth to this, the fact is look at his numbers. It's not too hard to cherry pick. Most of them suck.

With your .300 stat with runners on 1st and second I point out that:

A) It was only 40 AB's to get that .300 average.

B) That average was only one of three of the 12 breakdowns to be over .250; and only one of four to be above .241. Looking from the opposite view on those stats, 7/12 he has an average of .237 or less.

You are doing what everyone else who is Pro-Dunn seems to do and holds onto the OBP (because without his 100+ walks there's be no argument.

You mention the OBP in those batting situations and point to him either hitting a home run or walking. His batting averages in those situations were horrible. So, it's going to be all or nothing. I don't want to pay someone $13-15 million dollars for walking. Take away his frequent walks, he becomes that much less of a player.

When all is said and done, I believe it is the Pro-Dunn argument that has to cherry pick good stats out of the horrible stats he provides.

Another thing to ponder.

In both Cinci and Arizona. Who has Dunn been protected by or protected?

No one. Imagine the numbers Dunn piles up around Sori, Soto, and Rami.

Ouchie!

to those that are against signing Dunn:

What were your feelings on the Cubs re-signing Prior (before he went to the Padres)?

What were your feelings on offering Wood the going rate for a closer this year?

What are your feelings on offering Harden a long-term extension?

I'm sorry, but my guess is that 99.9% of you that don't want Dunn, and instead want Bradley, would've said absolutely NO to re-signing Prior, re-signing Wood, and offering Harden an extension. Why? Because they're all very fragile.

So, then, why would you offer $10-12 million per year on a guy that has only played 140 games ONCE in his WHOLE career!?!?!?!? Not only that, but in his 7 full seasons in MLB, he's only played more than 100 games 3 times: 101, 141, and 126. Yup, a guy coming off seasons of 75, 96, 61, and 126 games wants a big payday. I guess my boss should give me a raise...hell, a new company should hire me, after a year in which I completed 3/4 of my working days, and after 3 years before that being out of work sick for over half of my working days. That puts me in pretty good negotiating power, doesn't it? Actually, I'd probably be fired, which Bradley technically was with the Dodgers, A's, and Padres.

If you're going to argue against Dunn, that's fine, but do so wisely.

At the very least, you should want the Cubs to go after Abreu, (trade for Eithier, Hawpe, Roberts, Figgins, etc.) before you even consider Bradley. Then, if all of those fail, then you still don't go after Bradley, but instead you go after Dunn, then if that fails, you finally go after Bradley, and I think that's how EVERY team should approach a guy like him, Mike Hampton, Mark Prior, Rich Harden, Carl Pavano, Pedro Martinez, Ken Griffey Jr., Mark Mulder, etc.---all guys that have been oft-injured. I think in this economy, you will see quite a bit of smart signings for once. Additionally, we're already seeing player contracts de-value right now.

For crying out loud, Fuentes was looking for 3 and $30 million, but now, rumor has it, he might only get 3 and $15-20 million. The Angels dropped out of bidding for Teixeira, and hardly any teams are going after, perhaps the greatest postseason hitter, and top 10 regular season hitters of our lifetime in Manny. I can't even believe Wood got $10 million per from the Indians, it's just insane. We might yet see another Texas Rangers debacle where they were bidding against themselves for AROD, but who really knows...some GM's are very unpredictable.

But given the fact that Bradley is oft-injured, and looking for a huge payday, should give any team in their right mind pause before they go after him. Hell, signing the 50 year old Garrett Anderson would be a better bet than Bradley.

I have alot of Dunn info below in a post, but I will reply to a couple things here...

As for my personal thoughts on your questions...

I absolutely would have signed Prior to see what could be done. He signed a 1-million dollar contract with the Padres. I would have gave him that because of how much we already invested in him. What was another million.

Nope, I wouldnt have given Woody the going rate. I posted enough that I didnt think he was an all star closer.

As for Harden. No I wouldnt give him an extension now, but I would monitor during the season and consider it based on that.

I think you are way off when you say Bradley will sign for 10-12 million per. He only made 5.2 last year and did nothing too significant to warrant doubling his salary. As you did mention the economy plays into it too. I say Milton gets a 2 year deal for 12 million with incentives and a 3rd year that kicks in if certain provisions are met. For that I would take a flyer.

Arguing against Dunn is easy. The numbers don't lie. He's Dave Kingman only with more walks.

Honestly, I'd LOVE to have Dunn on the team...IF (and that's a big if) Soriano weren't on the team in Lf OR D.Lee weren't on the team at 1b. I agree with the other posters in that we can't have two below-average fielders in the OF. But I personally value the walks very highly, and I think he'd be a 50 HR threat at Wrigley. Just my opinion.

Wow - the vs. lefties numbers are brutal.

The fact that he's so incredibly dismal against lefties just means he's easy to neutralize in the late innings with a specialist from the pen.... which is where a pinch hitter becomes useful I suppose - but you don't want to pinch hit for a guy you're paying $10MM a year.

For all my criticism of his batting average and his defense - I still wouldn't mind seeing him in the outfield for the Cubbies. His OBP is a combination of pitchers not wanting to leave anything over the plate that he can drive mixed with a good eye and patient approach. Granted a .270 average would be better, but his OBP is high enough that he's not truly an automatic out. But a pitcher who can execute a quality pitch on the black.... I'd bet that Dunn's biggest fear.

If I wasn't concerned about Bradley's attitude and his fragile nature, then Bradley would be my hands down choice - but when I take that part into consideration then for me it's a toss up.

However - if it wasn't one of those two, then I'd say go into the season with Fukudome in right, Pie/Gathright/Johnson in center (barring a trade) and wait to see what happens around the trading deadline. I'm not thrilled with the other possible plug-ins.

I like Abreu a bit, but he's on the decline and I worry that he's looking for so much money that we'd end up with another 3 year contract that we'd be looking to be rid of before it was over. Any other free agent option I think is inferior to Fukudome in right.

Who knows? Once Tex and Manny land, maybe things start shaking out on the trade market and something that isn't being talked about suddenly pops out of the woodwork.

Sure, his numbers against left handers look awful, but those are just his 2008 stats, which are almost meaningless. Dunn has 1254 career AB's against left handers and has a line of .239/.359/.474. Those are great numbers considering those were accumulated against left handers. Dunn should never, ever be platooned. His OPS against left handers is .833, which is better than Derrek Lee's entire OPS and close to DeRo. That means that even when he hits against lefties, he' still as good a hitter as DeRosa and better than lee. Get your facts straight.

I'm with Gary. I say NO to all of them. NO to Dunn and his .230 avg crappy def. No to bradley and his feable mind and inability to stay healthy. No to Abreau who looks to be on the decline. Go with Fukudome in right Pie/ Johnson in center. Then see who becomes available. I would hate to sign one of these guys and findout mid-may someone that could really help becomes available. Moving Marquis should be 1st priority and then shore up the bullpen that IS weaker now.

Could you imagine Big Z and the Big Donkey going at it? I would pay to see that fight. I'm sorry, The HR's and walks are great but that is all that he offers. No way do I want him in the same OF as Soriano.

No, I would not want Adam Dunn playing for the Cubs. He is a low average hitter but he does have power. I couldn't bare to see him and Soriano in the outfield. Bradely is what the Cubs need to get. JimK, what his defense puts out are more hits in the outfield which would give Z 3 more losses in my mind.

Would love to trade Soriano to make room for Dunn. Scenario #1: Move Soriano to the Yankees for Nady. Sign Dunn. Play Nady in Right and Dunn in Left. Scenario #2: Move Soriano and Marshall to the Dodgers for Ethier. Sign Dunn. Play Ethier in Right and Dunn in Left.

Moving Soriano may be unrealistic. Scenario #3: Move Marmol (Yes - I said it), Marshall, Marquis, Hoffpauir, O's choice of catching prospects (Fox, Castillo, Richie, Reed, Clevenger), and O's choice of 2B (Cedeno or Spears) for Sherrill and Roberts.

Getting Roberts may be impossible. Scenario #4: Move Marmol (Yes - I said it again) and Theriot for Stephen Drew.

IMO, among poor outfielders,the high average Bradley works better than the low average Dunn. Bradley could be effective in the three hole and Dunn wouldn't be. As stated before, Hinske and DeRo are a better platoon in RF than is Dunn on a full-time basis (with a savings of about $7 mil. That $7 mil could get us Fuentes as a top lefty reliever (for example).

What the stats do point out: Getting Dunn out of the opponents lineup likely gets Z three more wins. Why did we ever trade Ricky Nolasco?