Until further notice, business as usual has been suspended at Wrigley Field.
Dusty Baker, of course, was in town Tuesday for a little meet-and-greet function in the Stadium Club. Jim Thome will visit on Wednesday, quite possibly followed by Ivan Rodriguez before week’s end.
And you’re thinking, gosh, I didn’t know there was a card show going on.
No, this is the Cubs doing the best they can to get ahead of those pesky Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Red Stockings in the National League Central standings.
Baker, catcher Damian Miller and luckless left-hander Mike Sirotka are thus far the only additions to the team that lost 95 games and got two managers fired this past season. But if the hiring of a manager fresh from the World Series wasn’t enough to signal a turning of the page, then perhaps the latest revelations will do the job.
While the Cubs are speaking mostly through their actions these days, general manager Jim Hendry did acknowledge an increased commitment toward the elusive goal of sustained success.
“This franchise is ready to go in a new direction,” Hendry said.
Sure it’s ready. But is Tribune Co. committed enough to follow the acquisition of a three-time Manager of the Year with the signing of one or even two of the top free agents on the market?
We might not know for another month. But it’s immediately clear Hendry and club President Andy MacPhail are willing at least to explore seriously some franchise-turning moves.
Unlike the much-discussed Jeff Kent or either of the Atlanta aces, Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, Thome and Rodriguez would be terrific fits for Baker’s team. It might be tough to fit them onto the same payroll as Sammy Sosa–Thome in particular–but there are a few things to keep in mind:
Hendry is keeping his cards close to his vests in regard to his budget, which could be an indication he has received approval to go beyond the 2002 base of about $75 million; there is a planned ticket price hike to be announced soon, and the Cubs always planned to increase their payroll if they could get their Wrigley Field expansion approved.
Rodriguez, like Baker, is represented by agent Jeff Moorad. He turns 31 at the end of the month and is three years removed from an MVP season. While injuries have limited him in recent seasons–along with the Alex Rodriguez signing a reason Texas isn’t likely to retain him–he’s still a rare two-way threat.
Rodriguez, a career .305 hitter with at least 19 homers in seven straight seasons, had a 10-year streak of winning Gold Gloves ended this season. His percentage throwing out runners dropped from 60.3 (which is so good it’s absurd) to 36.6 percent. Even at that, he allowed one stolen base every 32 innings.
Compare that to Todd Hundley (one every 11 innings) or even the newly acquired Miller (one every 18 innings). Factor in the extra bases runners who cannot advance because they take such small leads and it adds up to a lot of runs that aren’t scored. One American League manager once estimated Rodriguez saves his team one run per game. That’s high but we get the point.
Rodriguez is considered a health risk and deservedly so. He has been on the disabled list each of the last three seasons, often with back and knee problems. But is he more of a risk than Miller? The Arizona transplant is 2 years older and hasn’t caught as many games as Rodriguez over the last three seasons.
At this point the price tag on Rodriguez is unknown. He could be a major bargain–say three years at $8 million per year.
Thome, who is coming off a 52-homer, 118-RBI season in Cleveland, has a standing offer of five years, $75 million from Philadelphia. But he grew up watching WGN and driving from Peoria to take in Cubs games in the ’70s and ’80s.
It’s clear Thome would rather play here than risk getting treated like Scott Rolen in Philly. But how much of a discount would he offer? That will be what Hendry will try to ascertain when Thome and agent Pat Rooney pay a house call.
Thome is absolutely perfect for the Cubs. He’s 32 and at the top of his game. He’s used to ugly weather in April and May. No Lake Michigan wind is strong enough to stop the line drive homers he pounds to right field. He’s an outstanding presence in a clubhouse badly in need of one.
Thome would leave 23-year-old first baseman Hee Seop Choi without a spot but that doesn’t mean the Cubs’ investment in him would be wasted. Hendry could deal him for a young prospect that is blocked elsewhere, such as Texas third baseman Hank Blalock, Toronto infielder Felipe Lopez or Boston third baseman Kevin Youklis. Cleveland’s another team with possible interest.
It’s a fluid marketplace. Colorado proves that by moving to acquire first baseman Erubiel Durazo, who it will have to deal elsewhere with Todd Helton in place.
While no one will get near discussing this, a Thome signing would bring an additional benefit. He would be insurance if Sosa decides to walk away after 2003. He also might strengthen the roster to a point where the Cubs could consider trading the future Hall of Famer if Baker encounters any unpleasant surprises in the first half of next season.
Or the Cubs simply could put Thome and Sosa together–with or without Rodriguez–and see if they make enough noise to scare the St. Louis Cardinals.
These are interesting times.
