Time To Bring Curtis Granderson Home

The Cubs have had opportunities to fill holes through free agency over the last few seasons.  Now it's time to hit the trade waters and bring Curtis Granderson back to Sweet Home Chicago.

Jim Hendry brought in Alfonso Soriano to jumpstart the line-up.  And for two years, he did just that.  He brought in Ted Lilly to help anchor the rotation.  Since joining the Cubs, Lilly has a 44-26 record.  Hendry was blasted for signing Mark DeRosa, then blasted harder after he traded him away.

However, the last two offseasons have seen Hendry swing and miss, much like the players he brought in.  Kosuke Fukudome was brought in and he was hyped as a Hideki Matsui/Ichiro Suzuki hybrid.  While Kosuke's patience helped change the Cubs' approach at the plate, his whirlybird routine during strikeouts have been an eye sore.

As for Milton Bradley, I don't have to even go there, do I?

So, here we are in November 2009 and for the fourth consecutive offseason, the Cubs are looking for an outfield bat to help the offense.  TBDS was among the first to discuss a Granderson-to-Chicago deal before the Johnnie-come-latelys came, fucked up our village and stole our women thunder.  Now, there will be many major league teams looking to bring Granderson to their team and it is Hendry's job to prevent that from happening.

At 29, Granderson would be the youngest among the Cubs' outfield trio.  And arguably, the most talented.  He would be the unit's best defender at a position where defense is at a premium.  One of baseball's best gap defenders, the Cubs need Granderson to make up for the lack of range by the corner outfielders.

In the batter's box, Granderson's skills are further highlighted.  He is one of baseball's premier lead-off men, with a .276/.336/.516/.853 line leading off a game, .276/.340/.518/.858 line leading off an inning and a .273/.345/.485/.830 line when he's the team's No. 1 hitter.

As well as Granderson covers the gaps is as well as he peppers the ball into the gap.  Since 2006, Granderson has smacked 118 doubles, 53 triples and 94 home runs.  His 2007 season is among one of the best statistical seasons for any player in the history of baseball.  A rare player with speed and power, Granderson hit 38 doubles, 23 triples, 23 home runs and stole 26 bases.

Speed and power are two areas in which the Cubs were sorely lacking in 2009, ranking last in steals and 10th of 16 NL teams in on-base plus slugging percentage.

I cannot say this enough.  The Cubs need Curtis Granderson.  Heck, Phil Rogers agrees with me -- and Phil Rogers' good ideas come around as often as playoff victories for the North Side Nine.

So, where do we start?

Suddenly, Josh Vitters becomes very touchable.  In fact, there is no prospect who should be deemed untouchable when a talent such as Granderson is on the market.  The Tigers will likely lose their closer, Fernando Rodney, to free agency.  Should Carlos Marmol be dangled?  The Cubs have internal options (Angel Guzman, Esmailin Caridad) as well as free agent options (Jose Valverde, Billy Wagner, Mike Gonzalez & Rafael Soriano) on the market.

Detroit also needs a proven MLB shortstop.  Ryan Theriot, your plane is departing shortly.

In fact, the Cubs have exactly what the Tigers are looking for in a trade partner.  Young arms and a need for a player of Granderson's stature.

Does a package highlighted by Vitters and Marmol, with Sean Marshall and Ryan Theriot do the trick?  Well, that's for Jim Hendry to decide.

If he somehow pulls it off, he might be in line to get a box of donuts sent his way.