Have the Cubs considered Fuld to play center field next year? From what I've seen, he's by far the best outfielder of anyone on the roster and he has a great on-base percentage (both in the Majors and Minors). It would seem economically reasonable along with re-signing Reed Johnson. They both generate a lot of energy, something in short supply last year.
-- Mike H., Santa Ana, Calif.
I'm sure the Cubs have considered playing Fuld in center field in 2010. And then they woke up from that nightmare. Fuld has put up some solid minor league numbers, but so have Corey Patterson, Felix Pie, Roosevelt Brown and Micah Hoffpauir.
And we know all of those guys have gone on to have Hall of Fame Careers for the Cubs.
I'm sick over this talk of trading for Curtis Granderson. The Cubs finally have a future foundation of impact prospects on their way, and we're talking about trading it away for Granderson? I agree with [ESPN.com's] Keith Law on the idea -- no thanks. Imagine in 2011 or '12 with [Josh] Vitters at third, [Starlin] Castro and Hak-Ju Lee up the middle, Brett Jackson or Colvin in center field and [Geovany] Soto behind the plate. Not to mention [Andrew] Cashner and [Jay] Jackson in the rotation with [Carlos] Marmol at the back end of the bullpen. The Cubs would be so flush with cash and flexibility, it'd be coming out of their ears. Kind of like, oh, I don't know, the Red Sox?
I'm so giddy about the solid foundation of homegrown talent that I would be completely fine with just competing in 2010. I'm sick of 100-year talk and every year having to be the year. Let's slow down once, be patient and build this baby for the long haul.
-- Peter O., Chicago
I agree with Peter on the surface. In the 1980s, the Cubs organization developed guys you could build around such as Ryne Sandberg, Greg Maddux and Mark Grace. That was under the original Tribune Co. plan that treated the Cubs like a baseball team rather than an investment. The Ricketts Clan might operate under the same plan as it attempts to stockpile prospects and money for future free-agent spending sprees.
While I wouldn't mind trading top prospects for an elite player (read: Roy Halladay), I'm now riding the fence on Curtis Granderson. Even though I came out and said the Cubs should acquire him on two different occasions.
I just wanted to say I believe signing Jaramillo will help Milton Bradley. I know Jaramillo does not take a lot of nonsense. It just seems like a great move to bring someone in that Bradley is familiar with (and has had success with) and can hopefully put him back on the right track. Has Bradley mentioned anything about the signing?
-- Greg H., Elmhurst, Ill.
The Cubs didn't bring in Jaramillo to help the one guy who probably won't be in Chicago in 2010. They brought in the hitting guru to help the 25 guys who are going to play for the Cubs. But if Bradley comes back, Jaramillo's top priority has to be fixing the swing of a player one year removed from leading the American League in OPS.
The Cubs had problems last year determining an everyday second baseman. There are many candidates such as Dan Uggla, whom the Marlins are trying to unload, and even free agent Chone Figgins. I see the biggest need this offseason is to get an everyday second baseman. What do you think?
-- Blair S., Chesterfield, Mo.
Cubs second basemen combined to hit .254 with seven homers and 49 RBIs in 2009, so to say they sucked would be an understatement.
Signing Chone Figgins would cure many of the Cubs' ills because he's speedy and versatile.
Dan Uggla would just add on to the Cubs' biggest problems of lacking plate discipline and defensive skill.
Then again, anything is an upgrade from Mike Fontenot and Aaron Miles, right?
How did Jackson, DJ LeMahieu, Austin Kirk and Christopher Rusin do in the Minor Leagues this year? Which one is most likely to make it to the Cubs roster or to any MLB roster?
-- Dean S., Goshen, Ind.
Dean, welcome to the Internet. I'm sure you know how to use its basic functions because you e-mailed this question to Carrie. There's something called "Google" ... use it.
Do you think the Ricketts family would approve a "Goat Day" at Wrigley Field? On this day, a goat and its handler (like from a petting zoo) would be allowed onto the field to watch the game and therefore undo the curse of the billy goat. I say do it.
-- Scott R., Dixon, Ill.
I think the Cubs would approve a "Pelt Scott R. From Dixon (Ill.) With Baseballs Day" under the right circumstances. We could make Scott stand face-first into the ivy as Carlos Marmol whipped baseballs at him.
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