Failure to sign Furcal a "blunder"

[Providence A's]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune....ck=1&cset=true

DALLAS -- On the old television talk shows, if an act went too long or just wasn't working, the band would strike up the chords of a little jingle that told the entertainer to get off the stage.

Yes, it's only Dec. 5, but it's time to wonder if Wrigley Field organist Gary Pressey has any such exit music in his repertoire. Losing out on shortstop Rafael Furcal, the one easy improvement for a lineup with more holes than answers, just might be a death blow for the Cubs' two-headed management team of Jim Hendry and Dusty Baker.

As a gifted fielder and quality leadoff man, Furcal was an automatic fit as the biggest step forward for the Cubs, who have slid back into the pack in the National League Central.

It would have been understandable to miss on Furcal if he had decided to stay with the Atlanta Braves. It's unacceptable to lose him to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who didn't even have a general manager when the free-agent process began.

Sure, Ned Colletti overpaid, giving Furcal $13 million a year for three years. But the Cubs don't get to whine about that, not after the contracts they just gave to relievers Ryan Dempster, Bob Howry and Scott Eyre. Rebuilding the bullpen was a must, but will that matter if the lineup isn't significantly improved?

As we begin the fourth year of the Hendry-Baker administration, the Cubs were supposed to be a highly desirable destination for top free agents. But maybe the daily sellout crowds aren't quite as attractive when they're booing the hometown players, not cheering them.

And what about Baker's ability to recruit free agents? He was advertised as a talent magnet but has been a non-factor, with the major improvements over the last three years—Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez—coming in Hendry trades. Furcal picked the Dodgers over the Cubs even though the Dodgers don't have a manager.

One of the biggest reasons Furcal was so attractive was that it would cost only another draft pick (two have already been sacrificed for Howry and Eyre) and Tribune Co. cash to get him—and there should be more of that than ever in 2006 with the bleacher expansion. Now the only option on the free-agent market is Johnny Damon, who is demanding a bigger, longer deal than Furcal, even though he wouldn't figure to have as much shelf life.

If you don't improve through free agency, you have to part with talent in trades, and the Cubs don't have much surplus to deal. With Furcal gone, Hendry is left to once again pull a rabbit (really, two or three rabbits) out of his cap.

The proven run producers who could work: Bobby Abreu, Juan Pierre and Alfonso Soriano. It's a short list.

The problem with landing these guys is they are in demand elsewhere and the Cubs just don't have a whole lot to give up, not without parting with one of their stud hosses, Carlos Zambrano or Mark Prior. They'd surely consider dealing Kerry Wood, but his value can't be high given that he's coming off shoulder surgery and is a whopping 11-13 the last two seasons.

Sure, Corey Patterson is available, but .215 hitters

making $3 million are rarely viewed as bargaining chips. Catcher Michael Barrett might attract some interest and seems somewhat expendable. Many of the Cubs pitchers prefer working with backup Henry Blanco, whose 3.58 catcher ERA was almost a run better than Barrett's 4.45.

While Hendry has been saying that outfielder Matt Murton and infielder Ronny Cedeno will be regulars in 2006, you wonder if at least one of them could be dealt. Murton's a promising hitter, but his weak arm limits him to left field and makes Hendry's job of rebuilding the outfield tougher. Likewise, Hendry could be forced into parting with one of his other supposedly untouchable prospects, center fielder Felix Pie or left-hander Rich Hill.

The inventory for a possible trade gets real weak after this. There's second baseman Todd Walker, pitchers Jerome Williams, Sergio Mitre, Todd Wellemeyer, Michael Wuertz, Roberto Novoa and pitching prospects like Angel Guzman and Ricky Nolasco or high-ceiling kids like Brian Dopirak and Ryan Harvey.

If the Phillies are willing to move Abreu, he's the best fit on the market for the Cubs. But Pat Gillick would probably do that deal only if he got Pie, Zambrano or Prior.

Would the Cubs consider dealing one of their aces if they could sign, say, A.J. Burnett or even Kevin Millwood? They might if the Phillies would put a young pitcher like Gavin Floyd or Cole Hamels in the deal.

A more likely next step is beating Atlanta to Tampa Bay shortstop Julio Lugo, possibly in a package that could bring leadoff man-in-waiting Joey Gathright or defensively challenged, declining hitter Aubrey Huff.

Another possibility is giving Texas what it takes to land

Soriano and possibly an outfielder from a group including Kevin Mench and David Dellucci. That way Cedeno, who would move from short to second base if a veteran shortstop were added, could stay at his natural position.

These are desperate times on the North Side. Not only are the White Sox cutting into the Cubs' share of the Chicago market, but Baker enters the last year of his contract coming off an embarrassing losing season, bungled despite a payroll expense in excess of $100 million, the fourth largest in the majors.

Hendry's work ethic and creativity remain the Cubs' best hope. But they've never been tested like they're going to be tested now that Furcal has said no thanks to a situation that should have been ideal for him.

progers@tribune.com

Another article I read said the Cubs have a lot of money to spend, but also have a lot of holes to fill.

[rockin500]

two words for you Phil Rogers: Screw you. Hes such a pompous asshole like the rest of the media here in chicago. i mean, talk about trading Carlos Zambrano or Mark Prior? What, are you ****ing nuts?

[MarinersFan87]

I'd actually call it a "victory".