I know there always potentially more moves that could be completed via trade, but without being part of the Cubs organization, I don’t know what’s going on, so I’ll just address what they could do via Free Agency signings. The Ricketts have already publicly mentioned that they plan on cutting back the roster salary for this upcoming season. The big numbers off the books this season is Derrek Lee. That frees up $13.25 Million. The only other player to note was Xavier Nady, which was a $3.3 Million contract for the season he played in Chicago. It’s unlikely that he’ll be back with the team.

With that said, The Cubs need to fill/improve a few holes in on their roster. They need to obviously need to replace DLee. They’ve said they prefer a left handed power hitter to fill that hole. Let’s examine the free agent pool and see how they could fit into The Cubs plans next season. Thankfully, in my opinion, The Cubs passed on Adam Dunn. I think he’s a really good fit to the White Sox and potentially they’re coming to grips with possibly life with out Paul Kornerko, but that’s another story for another time.

Another transaction to note: Micah Hoffpauir who was an Iowa farmhand that had not  a lot of success at the Major League level, and he probably wasn’t fitting in The Cubs plans, so he’s taking a chance at playing in Japan. This means they’re pretty limited with promoting from with in the organization, although LaHair bats left handed. He’s not exactly a Derrek Lee replacement, but could be the new Micah Hoffpauir as a bench player/pinch hitter. Justin Bour, who’s ended the season with the Peoria Chiefs could be an option in a few season as he batted .291 with 12 hrs and 87 RBIs.

Carlos Pena – TB: There have also been some mumblings that they are pursuing him. While his defense is very good, much like Derrek Lee, his .196 batting average scares me quite a bit. I think we could safely assume that should come up being in a fairly hitters friendly park like Wrigley Field. He could be a fairly inexpensive option, in comparison to Dunn. If this were to be completed I would want a one year incentive leaden deal, much how Adrian Beltre did, and it’s seemed to resurrect his career. I really wouldn’t want to put all The Cubs off-season stock in Pena. He’s probably one of the better options out there that should be relatively inexpensive even if he made just over $10 million.

Lance Berkman – NYY: I’ll go out on record with this statement: If The Cubs can offer what Lance Berkman what he wants for a contracts and they can afford it, they should SNAP him up. It’s true Berkman does have a certain injury risk with attached with him. He has missed almost 70 games between the last two seasons. With that being said, seven of his last eight previous seasons he’s been a workhorse. He’s publicly said he thinks of himself as a 1B/OF not 1B/DH as many are making him out to be. I think with a productive off-season, he could prove to be that yearly All-Star again. While he’s no Derrek Lee in the field, I think he’s pretty underrated at first base. Since moving to first base, he’s been practically perfect on the field. The switch hitting could also prove to be valuable for The Cubbies, because they’ve shown to teams their right-handed dominated lineup can not dominate left handed pitching. I love the way he plays the game, and, in a way, he’s quietly become a forgotten force in the last couple of years. That could prove good for The Cubs, if they pull the trigger on him. One thing to note: he made $14.5 Million last season, and The Cubs could spin his contract to be incentive laden until they get Fukudome off the books next season, freeing up $10 Million.

Russell Branyan – SEA: Branyan recently had his club option declined by the Mariners, making him a free agent. He’s ran into some back injuries recently that’s hindered his time in the field. He’s been very efficient the last few season doing damage with his at-bats when he gets them. He had 25 hrs in only 371 ABs with split time between the Mariners and the Indians. If extrapolate that over a full season of at-bats, He could easily hit 40-50 home runs. He could prove to be an inexpensive option as he made only $1.5 million last year. His health is a big concern, and could a big time crap shoot. It’s worth exploring if they want to explore other areas for their funds. They still need a relief pitcher and a veteran starting pitcher.

Ryan Garko – TEX: I don’t effectively see Garko being an option for The Cubs. He probably won’t amount more to anything than a backup 1B or OF. I don’t foresee him being what the Cubs are thinking as full-time replacement of Derrek Lee. They essentially have a kid name Bryan LaHair in the minor that is for the most part the same player that Garko is. He had a poor start to the season and sat in the minors all season. With the emergence of Mitch Moreland, it’s time to take his talents elsewhere, but Chicago isn’t the right stop for him.

Mike Jacobs – TOR: Oh, how the … uh… kind… of might have fallen? We all know Mr. Jacobs has a lot of power, but he strikes out a ton, and has a low average. He only played in 8 games with the Mets last season and ended up on in the Toronto’s minor leagues by the end of the season with out a call up. Again I think having LaHair in the minor would fill the hole that Jacobs would potentially fill. I doubt he’ll be considered.

Paul Kornerko – CHW: Paulie is a really good fielder and really good hitter. He’s going to command big money on the market unless he ends up staying with the ChiSox, which I think is still a good possibility. I think besides the big contract he’s going to get that’s too high for The Cubs budget, fact of the matter is he’s a right handed power hitter. There are a plethora those guys already there, and they need a lefty.

Casey Kotchman – SEA: Kotchman has definitely bounced around the last few seasons trying find a permanent home. He’s going to be fairly affordable making only $3.5 Million last year, and with some mediocre years, he’s not going to get a huge contract by any means. I don’t think he’s enough power in his bat to be concerned very seriously. He is an interesting option to keep on the radar if they miss out on other players.

Adam LaRoche – ARZ: I like LaRoche as a backup if they can’t land Berkman. He’s got a pretty sweet swing, and does play the field pretty well. With that said he’s not the most mobile guy on the field by only attempting one stolen base and being caught; however he’s very sound on the field with what range he does have. He ran to some problems finding a home after getting traded away from Atlanta, but with last season being a full season the Diamondbacks he hit .261 with 25 hrs and 100 RBIs. That would translate over pretty well in Wrigley, and I wouldn’t be upset if they ended up with him opposed to some other guys. He took a big pay cut to play for the DBacks last season, and with a productive season he could be looking at something like 3 years $25ish million, which seems pretty pretty fair and affordable.

Lyle Overbay – TOR: Overbay fields well, and has average power, so I would definitely rank him blow LaRoche and Pena on my order of free-agents I would want The Cubs to end up with. I wouldn’t be upset if they did, but only at the right price. He made just under $8 million last season, and I don’t want that much invested in him.

Ty Wigginton – BAL: I dont’ really consider Wigginton a first basemen, but he does play there if needed. He is a good power hitter, but being right handed, he won’t be considered. I hope he gets a chance to swing the bat full time for a team because he’s a serious gamer and can help out a team.

There’s what I think about the potential free-agents at the way it currently stands. I haven’t had time to evaluate all the non-tenders to see what options fall there either. Be as it may, here are my overall ranking on how I wish The Cubs pursue starting life with out Derrek being the face of the franchise, leader, and cornerstone of the field:

1. Lance Berkman|
2. Adam LaRoche
3. Carlos Pena
4. Russell Branyan
5. Lyle Overbay
6. Pursue other options