BP's list is out. Will have it posted shortly.

Goldstein named Vitters the top prospect.

Now that the O's have signed Tejeda, I wonder if they may be looking to deal Ty Wigginton. You know how JH like to deal with them. No speed but he can play pretty much all over.

I think Ron brings up an important point about Gomes. He is likely the fallback option as it appears that market forces are trying to inflate the prices of Dye and Nady. Nady's health is obviously still a point of concern.

JH is still probably hoping he can get either for a cheaper price. I think this week will tell a lot and if Dye and Nady are willing to take a discount and lesser playing time.

Dye and Nady are like any player, they want playing time and the best price and there are teams that still could use them so we will have to see.

I think the Yankess want to bring Damon back given they have already traded Cabrera and let Matsui go and it remains to be seen if Gardner can be an everday player but like the Cubs Dye and Nady are probably the fall back options.

I like the idea of possibly exploring getting Wigginton. Like you said he is versatile like Baker and would be a solid addition.

The Cubs would have to shed some payroll though and trade someone off the current roster such as Marshall, Fotenot or such in order to afford him or the Orioles would have to agree to take on some of the contract which I doubt. He has a 2 yr contract for 6 mil and should then be owed 3.5 mil for this year.

Given that he is likely to be a free agent at the end of this year that would make sense that the Orioles might explore trading him.

He is also compared to Fernando Tatis whos has been rumored to be on the Cubs radar.

I would actually prefer Wigginton over Gomes but either would be fine.

Baker is younger, cheaper and better than Wigginton.

Tatis is older, cheaper and better than Wigginton.

Gomes is a better slugger than either one of them, but he is absolutely terrible in the field.

With Byrd, Fukudome and Soriano all under contract for at least 2 more years, Gomes doesn't really make a lot of sense to me. Given these choices, I'd lean towards Tatis.

And I'd still want to talk to the Royals about a Marshall/Cashner for Gordon swap. Can't get that one out of my head.

I wouldn't want him. He's basically an older and more expensive version Jeff Baker, and he isn't as good as Baker is in the field.

Please stop quoting me in your blogs. It is abundantly clear that I have no idea what I am talking about. Quoting bad journalism is in itself bad journalism. Two wrongs do not make a right. However, three lefts do in fact make a right.

Phil, as a regular Tribune reader for years...I read you all the time.

I enjoy your columns...but also realize you get slammed alot for your opinions...

sometimes it's me doing the slamming.

The fact is...a lot of us would get slammed if we were out there all the time.

But you are out there in the public domain...I don't understand how you can ask anyone not to quote you if your articles are consistantly on the front pages of the Sport Page.

Respectively yours,

Suzy S.

Thank you for the advice Phil, I will stop. People read your articles so I feel I have to pass on your info ...

They definitely overpaid for Byrd. It's a good example of how not to approach free agent acquisitions. Unfortunately, the Cubs have a whole slew of examples.

At the end of the day, Byrd is either a below-average CF glove with average offensive production, or an above-average corner glove with below-average offensive production.

As additional signings have played out, it has become clear that Byrd is not worth 3 years and $15M in today's market. Like it or not, his signing on those terms is another mistake.

And even if he does well, it will still have been a mistake - because they should have been able to sign him for less.

In regards to SusyS posting the other day. If money were not the issue and the Cubs could trade Soriano then YES!!! I would like to see Damon in LF for a 1 yr deal with an option yr. He would give the Cubs a LH bat with some speed and pop and is no worse that Soriano in LF. He is also a winner and would bring a lot to the clubhouse. This would be a pretty good lineup:

1. Theriot

2. Fukudome

3. Lee

4. ARAM

5. Byrd

6. Damon

7. Soto

8. Baker/Fotenot

Now given that money is the issue Gomes is probably the only one the Cubs can afford at this point though I wonder if he is the best hitter available.

We have to remember that JH became absorbed with a LH bat last yeard and now he appears to have become absorbed with RH bat to platoon with Fukudome.

What happened to finding the best hitter?

The Soriano contract is really killing us!!

Alfonso Soriano

We can all dream of him returning to form (46 hrs 40 sb, that we thought we bought) or even to his early Cub form, but even if he does, it will not last 5 more years. The best case scenario is 2 years, then a steady decline. I hope they do approach him about spreading out his contract. That would be the only way to get any payroll relief, as no team will take on this contract, especially if can't learn to lay off the slider, a little better. Come on Rudy, work your magic.

Dereck Lee

I think Lee will have a good season, around last year to a little less. But I don't think we have the $$ to resign him. The only payroll flexibility will come if the Cubs don't resign Lee and Lilly. Unless they deferr $$. That is one trend that JH hasn't done, but Tribune, probably wouldn't let him, Ricketts might. The Ricketts have said they are in this for the long haul and have no intentions of taking any $$ out of the team. If they do I hope they only extend him for 2011, as that is when the first base free agency class could be huge. Also, it could give us another year to grow our own 1B

1. Theriot 2B

2. Fukudome RF

3. Lee 1B

4. Ramirez 3B

5. Byrd CF

6. Soriano LF

7. Soto C

8. Blanco SS

Bench

Gomes Snyder Hoffpauir Baker Hill

I think the bench will be good, the biggest weakness is Baker covering 3B. We will need to look for FA 3B at the end of March to sign to play at AAA this year.

Theriot to 2B. It is going to happen, so just do it. This will improve our middle infield defense and Blanco will produce enough to bat 8th. Castro will probably need at least a half a season in the minors if not a full season. This competition will be fun to watch in spring training though. Baker, Fontenot battling for 2B, with Theriot watching to see if Castro or Blanco take SS and bump Fontenot to another team. Wouldn't it be something if Blanco plays well enough to trade him for prospects, then have Castro come up and take his spot. Other teams do this successfully.

The competition for the 5th starter (yes I am counting Lilly) will be fun to watch as well. I believe Gorzellany will win the 5th spot. The competition for the few spot starts in April, I believe will be Silva, unless he is well Silva. If they don't go with Silva, then I would want Samardzija or Cashner to get the starts. It will be good experience for them.

1. Zambrano

2. Dempster

3. Lilly

4. Wells

5. Gorzellany

Spot starts in April - Silva, Samardzija, Cashner

Bullpen

1. Marmol

2. Grabow

3. Guzman

4. Marshall (if Gaub is ready trade Marshall)

5. Parisi (needs a spot or goes back)

6 and 7 Rotation of the following

Caridad Atkins Berg Stevens (Silva)

There could be a surprise bullpen guy, that catches Lou's eye.

39 days to the Cub's Opening Day in Atlanta...

I think starting Blanco at SS would be a mistake. Blanco's glove is above-average, but his bat is weak.

If you move Theriot to 2B and replace him with Blanco, you're essentially exchanging Baker (Fonentot doesn't even belong in the conversation in my opinion) for Blanco. Statistically speaking, Baker has an above-average 2B glove and he's a pretty good hitter. Theriot has an average SS glove, but he can run and he's a decent hitter. I don't think you want to take the one guy in the mix who is pretty good on both fronts and essentially replace him with a defensive specialist. Theriot has a good enough SS glove for now.

I love the fact that we have a strong SS prospect but I wouldn't rush him to the big leagues at 19 or 20. I really doubt he's ready to hit major league pitching.

Whatupbr - Sorry I didn't get into, as I have before, how I would use Baker

Baker would start 4-5 games a week for me, if we don't sign a RH Outfielder.

2B - 1 game

3b - 1 game

Lf - 1 game

RF - against LH

He could also sub at 1B if needed.

If we sign a Gomes (and I put him there as he is my pick of litter, you could fill in Dye, etc) then that will limit his starts to 3-4, as I would start him at 2B a little more. I think we could also reverse the thinking, by starting Baker at 2B and Theriot at SS and bringing in Blanco late in games. Baker/Theriot defensively is not as good as Blanco/Theriot. Theriot is a better defender at 2B and Blanco is better than Theriot at SS. We need to have better defense up the middle. The sooner Theriot gets over to 2B, the sooner our defense gets better. Now if Castro is the real deal and impresses in Spring Training, this will be easy. Castro at SS and Theriot at 2B. I think they must feel Castro is ready to play early this year, or they would of signed another middle IF.

As I think this out, though if the RH OF we sign can play 1B, then we can put Hoffpauir at AAA (not sure if he still has options for the year or would have to clear waivers) and free up another roster spot for a LH slugger that might want a job when the dust settles.

That's the fun of the Hot Stove (more like a simmering stove this winter) Every move can make changes to your thoughts.

I am totally aligned with Blanco as a late-inning defensive replacement with Theriot moving over to 2B.

In fact, in games where you have a decent late-inning lead, the right sequence might be to bring Blanco in at SS, move Theriot over to 2B, shift Baker to 3B, and replace Soriano with Fuld.

Regarding Castro's readiness, some in the Cubs front office may think he is but (& I'll admit - I havent seen him play) I don't. How many guys can hit big league pitching at 19 or 20? At his age, it would be impressive for him to hit .260 at the big league level. I don't think that's enough to make sitting Baker a sensible move.

I know what you mean about Baker's flexibility. The guy can play 4 or 5 positions and so he can get 4 or 5 starts a week as a super-sub. But again - in situations other than 2B he is replacing guys like Ramirez, Lee, and Soriano and that leads to lower offensive output. If you have Castro or Blanco at short, Theriot at 2B and Baker substituing for Lee, Ramirez or Soriano, you're now replacing the offensive production of Lee, Ramirez or Soriano with Castro or Blanco.

I dont think it makes sense to bring Castro up until you're pretty sure he is ready to hit big league pitching. The guy has played a little more than half a season of A ball and 31 games at AA. Major League pitchers would probably eat him alive at this point. I would not rush him. When he's ready to put up a .700 OPS in the bigs, it'll be time to make the move. I think that's at least a year away.

I agree with you on Soriano but I think we all are praying he has 2 years of good productivity but I am truly concerned.

Two players with similar histories to Sorianos that come to mind that lost it are Pedro Guerrero and George Bell. Soriano is going into his 12th season and this is were both Bell and Guerrero really started to decline. Not to mention the fact that both Bell and Guerrero also went through a lot of injuries. Also, as others have pointed out we do not really know how old Soriano is?

Jaramillo is a good coach but even he could not get Andruw Jones turned around so I think we could have a real problem if Jaramillo cannot change Soriano's approach at the plate.

As for the bench I am in agreement with most of it but I think Hoff will make it by default. He does bring some pop and a valid threat off the bench so hopefully the struggles he had last year Jaramillo can help with. The main issue I have with Hoff is that he does not give Lou enough flexibility.

I agree it is a hope and a prayer. One thing different about Soriano and Jones is physique. I think Sori has a better chance of getting back to form than Jones. Also, I was talking BEST case, was getting 2 years of decent productivity, then a steady decline. I think we will be lucky to get even 1 more decent year out of him. Soriano, please prove me wrong on this.

Diehard amd Tony,

I'm in agreement re Soriano...He's definitely a problem with his contract.

I think of him as a fine tuned thoroughbred...the least little problem,

and the hole thing doesn't work.

He's got great work ethic, personality etc....noithing not to like there...

we'll just have to see what he can produce.

If, perchance, he does have a good season...(which I think is unlikely),

Then that is a major indictment of Lou

and JH for not putting him on the DL

earlier last season.

I hope for the best here...but am doubtful.

Re Soriano's contract...did you notice that Rickett's very first hire was a

CFO (Chief Financial Officer) whiz kid.

Among all the other things...I'm sure he wanted someone who could figure out the best way to deal with Sori's contract

going forward.

I also don't think Fuko will be here in 2011...He'll probably be traded with the Cubs eating a portion of his contract.

5th Starter Dates

April - 19, 24, 29

May - 8, 18, 23, 29

Through May 17th only 4 starts in the first 39 games. As you can see whether Lilly is ready to go by May 1st or May 15th, it will only cost 1 start.

With Pods signing for $1.75M and Ankiel signing for chump change, it seems the Cubs may have overpaid for Marlon Byrd.

I wonder if Dye has anything left. 1st half he hit .302 with 20 HR and 55 RBI, and second half he hit just .197 with 7 HR and 26 RBI. If he isn't done, he'd be a nice addition. And I'd like Nady if he could throw again. He's probably done in RF with his bad arm. Most likely he's DH material now . . . . Gomes can hit and K with the best of 'em. I'd take him though. We need the power.

WE NEED BATS!

Ricketts really has this thing at a crawl, now. Maybe that is ok? I know it is not Hendry's demeanor as he has shown in the past he can pull the trigger. He certainly has overpaid some guys, but they all do. Look around baseball and most teams have a bad contract or two that they would love to unload. So this slow progress ultimately comes down to a mandate from Ricketts. Looks like another year that we will all be saying "Wait Until Next Year". The kids we bring up next year will really be good. Ya, right!

I don't believe Ricketts now being the owner of the Cubs has made free agency come to a crawl. It has been happening over the last few years, that the advantage in negotiations has been shifting to the teams, as there are more veterans available than open roster spots for veterans.

If anything Ricketts might have gotten JH to understand there is more to negotiations than I will pay you more than the market dictates, alot more. Of course, it is pretty easy to sign players that way, but look where it has us now. If the Tribune owned the Cubs still we would be in the same handcuffed payroll situation, that JH put us in.

Hoffpauir and Fontenot are a little bit of a threat. Fontenot in a reduced role would be ok. Not sure that Hoffpauir fits in though? Looks like Gomes is the guy. Dye must want to much money. Probably will be a busy 10 days around the majors, still a lot of good players that can help teams. Starting to look like they will not be adding a middle infielder. Thought there might have been more action in a few trades but I guess not.

"The Cubs bench currently has no power, unless "Little Babe Ruth" resurfaces in Twenty-Ten ... and that power source is inconsistent at best."

I guess Kaplan forgot about HOFFPAUIR! He's left-handed (so he's not in the running for the Platoon) but it seems everyone forgets that he is a power threat. He's got pop! But another threat would be nice :)

Extensions for Lee would be nice, maybe dreadlocks...

Perhaps Levine has been talking for a couple of months about extensions for Lee?

Neil, if Reed Johnson, Xavier Nady, and Jermaine Dye are on the Yankees' radar if Johnny Damon doesn't sign, none of that should affect Jonny Gomes. If he is the Cubs' first choice, it wouldn't matter who signs or does not sign with New York.

It seems to me it matters only if Gomes is the fall back plan, and one of the three above players is their primary choice. Otherwise, Gomes would be signed, and Jim Hendry would be working on that relief pitcher and avoiding arbitration.

What do you think?

Has anyone brought up the fact that Gomes played for Lou. I'm not sure Lou was very keen on Gomes.

Ron, I agree if Gomes is their first choice as Kaplan said he sould have been signed.

I found it strange that Heyman reported/tweeted that info and three of the four outfielders the Cubs are looking at are also on the Yankees radar.

Neil...under Derek Lee...Levine mentions the possibility of extending Lee...A COUPLE OF MONTHS?

Suzy, I see where the confusion is ... I will restructure.