10/28/2003 11:36:00 AM by Rob

Building a Dynastic Organization Through Free Agency

Yup, took a look at the Major League Free Agent list, jotted down the names that caught my eye.

First, I submit the name of Tom Goodwin. He is a Cub free agent that should be re-signed regardless. He was our best pinch-hitter, can defend at all three OF positions, and along with Randall Simon, represents our late-inning bench strength for 2004.

The rest of the names will fall under two categories:

1) Names of players that have pitched in Chicago, so I have seen them, and may not cost a fortune to fill one or more of the holes left by the departing Estes, Veres, Guthrie, and Alfucksucka

2) Names of marquee offensive players. We have the back end of the roster filled nicely with Martinez, Choi, Goodwin and Simon. We don't need any more 'B' players.

Category 1

Scott Sullivan, rhp. Killed us with the Reds. Set-up guy, knows how to pitch in Wrigley. Is going to command a significant salary for a set-up man.

Antonio Osuna, rhp. Pitched well at times for the Sux. Won't cost much.

Todd Van Poppel, rhp. Kerry Wood, circa 1990. Pitched well for us, went to Texas, got clobbered. Wouldn't cost much, again. Some say that with our starters, including Cruz, and considering that we already have a Kyle Farns #44, we don't need another right-handed flame-thrower. A change of pace may throw them off guard. Which leads us to...

Rod Beck, rhp. Were there hard feelings, and were they so bad that he wouldn't consider coming back one more time, this time with a $1M guarantee? Stellar clubhouse guy.

Dan Plesac, lhp. Guthrie was supposed to be the LOOGY, the Lefthanded One Out GuY. The Sac would do it, for a lot less, for a hometown discount.

Tim Worrell, rhp. Pitched very well once he left us, was SF closer last year. Is basically Reg'lar Joe. Do you show loyalty to Reg'lar Joe, or do you bring this guy in for a couple of million, and let Joe pitch the 8th innings for now on? I might consider it.

Category 2

Miguel Tejada - Assuming the Steingrabber decides to pay for the 28-yr-old Vlad rather than the 34-yr-old Sammy, this is the guy I want the most, personally. Yeah, you're gonna overpay. I am confident that, with financial stability, that this guy will be the next step to our becoming at least adequate offensively. Others disagree, the world is full of Latins that went soft once they got the big payday. Are we ready to shed that stereotype?

Ivan Rodriguez - once again, his price has probably doubled since the playoffs began. But how many catchers are complete ballplayers anymore? One? Thought so.

Rich Aurilia - knowing the Cubs, they are not going to be the top bidder for Miggy T. Knowing Dusty, he is probably salivating at the idea of getting his guy back. I actually count on it.

Richie Sexson - once again, this seems so Cublike. Whenever I see this jamoke, he just looks like a Cub. Big man, big swing, big holes. But whither Big Choi if you bring in Sexson for four plus years? Myself, I would put Alou at first, for one more year, while Choi develops completely.

Kenny Lofton - as of last month, he could still lead off. He can't really play CF anymore. We have a CF. Why not play him in left, and let Alou protect his twingy hamstrings at first?

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