With the Cubs consummating the trade for Juan Pierre on Wednesday, talks for one more outfielder slowed, and it’s possible they’ll leave the winter meetings Thursday evening without one.
“I think we’ve made a lot more deals after the [winter meetings] than we did before or during,” general manager Jim Hendry said. “We have four new guys we’re thrilled to have. I wouldn’t rush to do it if it wasn’t the right thing. I’m not in a hurry.”
Even rumors about the Cubs cooled, as Tampa Bay worked on a possible three-way deal with Boston and Atlanta for shortstops. Right fielder Aubrey Huff remains a possibility, but so do several other players.
With the arrival of Pierre, it would seem the Cubs have little interest in the Dodgers’ Milton Bradley, but Bradley still could be used at one of the corner outfield positions. He is not considered a power hitter, and the Cubs would be getting him at a discount if his value drops because of his attitude.
“We’ll take the best player we can get,” Hendry said. “I don’t worry about how many home runs he can hit.”
One source close to the trade situation said the Cubs were in a “mix of teams” with whom the Dodgers were talking and there are “four or five different offers [for Bradley], from prospects to major-leaguers.”
The Cubs could offer second baseman Todd Walker in a deal but would be trading a good clubhouse influence for one considered a risk. They also could wait until Dec. 20, when Bradley would come for free because the Dodgers will not tender him a contract.
There seems to be a split within the Cubs organization of whether Bradley’s talent, which is not overwhelming, is worth the risk.
Goodbye to Patterson?
Pierre’s entrance most likely means an exit for Corey Patterson, who at one time was the center fielder of the future after being the third overall pick in the draft.
But first the Cubs have to find a taker for him after he was paid $2.8 million last season. He is arbitration-eligible, so he won’t have to take a pay cut, but the Cubs virtually could release him Dec. 20 by not tendering him a contract.
“First and foremost, our obligation is to do what’s best for the Cubs,” Hendry said. “To go along with that, because of our long relationship, I would always keep in mind what’s best for Corey Patterson. In a perfect world, I wish we knew he could come back and be the guy we hoped he’d be.”
Mabry on board
In a deal that has been brewing for a week, the Cubs signed versatile bench player John Mabry to a one-year deal worth $1.075 million.
The left-handed-hitting Mabry, a longtime Cardinal, can play the outfield, first base and third base. He will fill the void left when the Cubs parted ways with Todd Hollandsworth.
“He’s a veteran presence, a quality bench player, can play four spots, a pretty good late-inning pinch-hitter and can play in a game here and game there,” Hendry said.
Mabry batted .240 with eight homers and 32 RBIs in 112 at-bats with the Cardinals last season. He was happy to be staying in the NL Central.
“It makes it a little bit easier because that’s the biggest thing, knowing pitchers,” he said.
So long
The Cubs did not offer arbitration to free agent Nomar Garciaparra and now could not re-sign him until May 1.
