RealGM

Posted: **Mon Sep 7, 2009 2:20 am**

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ba ... 5893.story

NEW YORK -- The Cubs spent the winter of 2007-08 unsuccessfully trying to acquire leadoff man Brian Roberts from the Orioles.

Now they may spend the 2009-10 off-season trying to sign free-agent leadoff man Chone Figgins from the Angels.

Asked if Kosuke Fukudome would be his leadoff man in 2010, Lou Piniella replied: "It's a possibility. I would think that we'd probably try to add more speed, but we'll see. That's just a conjecture, nothing more, nothing less. But if not, certainly Fukudome would be a candidate."

Figgins, a switch-hitter who can play second, third or any outfield spot, is hitting .303 with a .399 on-base percentage and 39 stolen bases in 55 attempts. Fukudome is hitting .300 in 100 at-bats in the leadoff spot with a .413 OBP, while Ryan Theriot has a .311 OBP leading off.

Posted: **Mon Sep 7, 2009 3:10 am**

Figgins 3 years, 27 mil
Scutaro/Tejada 2 years, 15 mil
Trade Theriot, Fontenot, Miles for prospects. That middle infield would be much better, both defensively and offensively. Well, actually Tejada is a truer shortstop and has a better arm but has more errors, so it might be a tossup. Scutaro however is no question much better than Theriot
I know Theriot defenders will jump all over me, but please explain how Theriot is better than Scutaro or Tejada or Jack Wilson or Felipe Lopez or Orlando Cabrera? (Wilson's probably not as good as a hitter at least batting average wise but is definitely a better defensive shortstop) Probably any combo of free agent middle infielders would be a vast improvement. Add Pudge or maybe even Bengie Molina who's said that he would mentor Buster Posey as a backup in SF, I imagine he would do the same here to help out Soto as a backup catcher and Hinske or Huff as a big left-handed bat off the bench who can play multiple positions. Sign Soriano to close ballgames and resign Grabow. (the rest of my offseason plan regarding Harden is in the Hendry interview forum, if one should be so interested too lazy to post it here

) If Lou doesn't go along with some of these moves and really is bored with managing (he would be fine staying), go after Scioscia or La Russa???, or Cito Gaston to manage and let them pick their staff.

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Chone Figgins?

Chone Figgins?

Re: Chone Figgins?