I've been reading that the Tigers are putting Curtis Granderson on the trade block. What are the chances the Cubs lure him to Chicago?
-- Robert B., Chicago
The chances of luring Granderson to Chicago are pretty good, seeing that his family is from the Chicagoland area and Thanksgiving and Christmas are around the corner. Also, at what point do you think to yourself, "Where is a better place to spend my offseason: Detroit or Chicago?" Better yet, ask, "Why did I waste 30 seconds of my life asking that question?" before hopping on the next flight out of Detroit.
Now, luring him to be the Cubs' center fielder is a totally different question. The Cubs would have to do more than just lure him, they would have to trade for him. And unfortunately, Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski has already rejected Jim Hendry's first deal, a package centered around Milton Bradley, Aaron Miles, Micah Hoffpauir and Aaron Heilman.
I've heard rumors about the Cubs possibly signing Marlon Byrd. I think this would be a great idea since Byrd led the Rangers last year in almost every hitting category. What are the chances that Byrd could come to the Cubs to play center and Kosuke Fukudome move to right field?
-- Shane G., Woodridge, Ill.
Shane, I'm so glad you're interested in a 32-year-old center fielder who really isn't that good defensively who happens to be a right-handed bat that hit .244 against lefties last season.
Smart Cubs fans know that this team needs to get younger, faster and cheaper. Byrd represents none of those.
With Mike Fontenot receiving the "Super Two" status, how does this affect the Cubs plans for him? Does it make him more vulnerable to a trade or release?
-- Ross K., Avon, Ind.
Somewhere, Cubs management is pissed that there isn't a "You must be this tall to
Aramis Ramirez had the shoulder problem in 2009. When he returned to action, he said he would definitely have it operated on at the end of the season. When the season ended, he changed his mind. I see him getting hurt next year and spending a lot of time on the disabled list, leaving the Cubs with the same situation they had this year -- a big hole in the lineup. What are the Cubs' and your feelings regarding this situation?
-- Bill Z., Sarasota, Fla.
I'm sure Bill Z. also remembers the epic Game 8 between the Cubs and Marlins in the 2003 NLCS where Carlos Zambrano, Kerry Wood and Mark Prior each threw three innings of scoreless ball to lead the Cubs to their first World Series since 1945.
My feelings regarding this situation? I thought you'd never ask.
(Expletive deleted)
That would be my general feeling if A-Ram went down again in 2010.
But Bill Z. does make a good point, especially if he can see the future, which he so claims in the question. If the Cubs don't have a legit back-up corner infielder that can hold down the fort if Ramirez (or anyone for that matter) gets hurt, then the 2010 Cubs will look a lot like the 2009 Cubs.
Are the Cubs going to stay in Mesa this year? I've heard many rumors about Florida and other cities in Arizona. My family and I are planning to go to Spring Training, so we really want to know.
-- Sanjay H., Alexandria, Va.
The Cubs will be in Mesa for the 2010 and 2011 seasons. As for 2012, who knows where they will be. Who knows if any of us will be around in 2012. I haven't seen it, but there's a movie that predicts a catastrophic end to the world in 2012. It's scheduled around sometime around where the Bears will be making their next Super Bowl appearance under Lovie Smith.
Trade Roy Halladay for Bradley. Fukudome to right. Tyler Colvin in center. Wishful thinking?
-- Ryan P., Sioux Falls, S.D.
This question isn't even deserving of one of my witty remarks. How does this question get through to the inbox? This is one that can be answered with a quick, "Dear Ryan, You should quit drinking when your sending e-mails. Also, no more pictures of your junk. Thanks, Carrie."
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