Last year at this time I was wondering if the Cubs would deliver Fukudome for the holidays. They did. This year, it’s looking more and more likely that the big acquisition will be Milton Bradley (insert holiday board game joke here).
With the Cubs signing Gathright, a speedy left-handed bat with the skills to be our fourth outfielder and specialty of covering center field it looks like my favorite up and comer Felix Pie will soon be sent out to pasture (or at least to wear another team’s uni’s). Edmonds was fun to watch while he was here and I’m glad we’re holding onto Johnson. Soriano, Johnson and Fukudome is an unlikely threesome when it comes to our starting outfield for ’09. More than likely the Cubs will sign Bradley, platoon Fukudome and Johnson in center and have Gathright around to sub anywhere, anytime. This ability makes me even more nervous that DeRosa will no longer be a Cub come the 2009 season.
I don’t believe Gathright plays second base but his versatility delivers a speedy player with the same value that DeRosa delivers (veteran utility guy) and Fontenot may be getting his shot at second base. With Furcal no longer an option at short, the idea of moving Theriot over and putting Furcal there is moot which even more so makes the idea of trading DeRosa and using Fontenot full time more realistic.
The Peavy deal seems to have died for good so it looks like the only significant difference we can expect is a power hitting lefty in the outfield…or, as I stated earlier, Milton Bradley. (Wouldn’t it be great though if we ended up with Manny? I know. It’s still fun to joke about though. Also, wouldn’t it be great if all the news from Hendry and the Padres about Peavy ended up being like when you’re parents use to pretend you weren’t getting something for Christmas that you ended up getting, just to mess with you and build the drama? That would definitely be cool).
As I write this I’m trying to remember the last time Bradley had a meltdown or a tantrum that made headlines. I can’t even remember when it was so maybe that’s a good thing. I understand bringing in a quality guy that Piniella is familiar with like Gathright. I can appreciate the desire to add a power hitting lefty. I just hope DeRosa isn’t left out of the equation come ’09 and I’m disappointed in the signs of things to come as far as Pie is concerned. Also, not so sure that Bradley is the way to go and enough to get us out of the first round of the playoffs (that is of course if we make it in next year).
Two division titles in a row is nothing to sneeze at. Interested to see what tricks and gifts Hendry has hidden up his sleeve for this year’s holiday season. With all the ads and talk on the Cubs’ site about the Caravan, can’t help but wonder who the big addition is going to be when it comes to the convention and the caravan Cub roster of representatives.
With a week of preproduction on the pilot, a couple days of shooting and a week of 14 hour edit days put in this week, I’m exhausted. Looking forward to enjoying some fudge, getting some rest and hanging with the family over the holidays. And of course, once again, looking forward to seeing what Hendry has in store for all us Cubs fans on the ‘Nice’ list.
Go Cubs Go!
Prose and Ivy 