The Chad Tracy Addition Doesn't Suck

One of my biggest fears going into the 2010 season was losing Aramis Ramirez to a freak injury for an extended period of time.

Again.

And while that fear still remains, at least the Cubs won't have to turn to Aaron Miles or Mike Fontenot.

Welcome aboard, Chad Tracy. 

The former Arizona Diamondbacks infielder signed with the Cubs today for a cool $900,000 which includes a full no-trade clause a $525,000 bonus if he reaches 425 plate appearances. 

Tracy has not reached that plateau since 2006 when he slugged 20 home runs, drove in 80 runs batted in and posted a .281/.343/.451/.794 line in 662 plate appearances with the D'Backs.

The 2006 season capped a strong two-year run for Tracy, who in that time span posted a .294/.350/.497.848 line with 47 HR 152 RBI in 1,215 plate appearances when he was a full-time player.  He won't be expected to participate full time, but Tracy is a lefty bat off the bench who is a legit corner infielder at either position with a track record of success.

And his .299/.355/.463/.819 line in 706 plate appearances during day games makes me feel even better about this bargain bin grab.

It looks like GM Jim Hendry has awaken from his winter slumber to make some pretty sound baseball moves.

On the other hand, this could be just another distraction to keep your mind off the fact that the Cubs still do not have an everyday second baseman, a right-handed set-up man and that Carlos Silva, Tom Gorzelanny and Jeff Samardzija are the team's "top" candidates to start the season in the five-man rotation.