Over the past two off-seasons many fans have grown upset with the Cubs, due to their lack to spend money on free agents that could have helped. Many have asked the question, Why haven’t the Cubs put the Money out to get a premiere free agent? To simply sum it up, it is because Jim Hendry ruined the Cubs payroll with some of the outrageous contracts that he has shelled out to unworthy players.

So lets take a look at some of the bad contracts that Hendry has signed on in an effort to improve the team.

2007

• He started the off-season off by giving Alfonso Soriano a ridiculous 8 year contract worth $136MM. Now despite the fact that Soriano has missed a combined 125 games over the past three seasons, he also has not produced in the way that the Cubs were hoping for. Granted his 2007 and 2008 seasons were both very good years for him, he failed to produce in the playoffs in both of those years. Last year was by far Soriano’s worst year as a member of the Cubs as he only hit .240 while barely hitting 20 home runs, and driving in 55. Not to mention his defensive has been a liability to the team since opening day of 2007.

2008

• Hendry’s big signing in 2008 is proving to be another bad decision by the free spending GM. As they spent 4 years/ $48MM on the career.258 hitter that is Kosuke Fukudome. Fukudome was hyped by the Cubs to be the next Hideki Matsui with a hint of Ichiro. But, So far Fukudome has proven that if anything he is a platoon outfielder at best. As he cannot hit against lefties, and the power that was expected to come along with him never did. So to put that into even more perspective for you, the Cubs are spending roughly $12 million a year on a player that is not even a full time starter.

2009

• This may have been the worst move within all of Jim Hendry’s tenure, as he opted to trade Mark Derosa, and Jason Marquis so that he would have the ability to give a three year deal worth $30 million to Milton Bradley. Needless to say after a year of disappointment talent wise, that included constant blow ups with media members and fans of the Cubs, Milton Bradley is no longer with the team.  And to add even more “salt to that wound” the Cubs were the only team that offered three years to Milton Bradley.

So if the acquisitions of Marlon Byrd, Xavier Nady, etc prove to be more bad decisions by Jim Hendry.

Then after the season, Jim Hendry Will be…

With Carlos Marmol manning the closers role this year for the Chicago Cubs, the Cubs are now looking for a reliever to take Carlos Marmol’s old role as the eighth inning set-up guy. And most likely that guy is on another team right now, and the Cubs are looking to trade for them.

They are showing serious interest in Blue Jays reliever Jason Frasor. The Cubs have been in trade discussions with the Blue Jays over the past couple months regarding their interest in Frasor.

Frasor,33, had a very solid year for the Blue Jays last year as he posted a 2.50ERA in 57.2 innings pitched. He also had a very good record considering he is reliever and had 7 wins with only 3 losses. He mainly works with three pitches with those being a fastball, slider, and split fingered fastball. His Fastball tops out at an average of 93MPH, with his Slider at 83, and his split fingered fastball at 85. He likes to work with the Fastball though, as he uses it 65% of the time.

As for who the Cubs will give up, it likely will be one of three pitchers. They will either be Angel Guzman, Sean Marshall, or Tom Gorzelanny. Among the three the Blue Jays have showed the most interest in Angel Guzman. The reason why all three are expendable for the Cubs is that for Angel Guzman the Cubs are concerned with his medical reports, and are not sure if his arm can hold up. As for Gorzelanny, and Marshall they are virtually the same pitcher. Both are left handed and can either start or pitch out of the bullpen. However Marshall has not shown anything that would make the Cubs regret trading him, and Gorzelanny is a better fifth starter then he is a reliever. Both however are expected to compete for the Cubs fifth starter role.

San Diego’s Luke Gregerson is another reliever that the Cubs have a strong interest in. Gregerson,26, really came onto the scene last year as he struck out 93 batters in 75 innings pitched. He features mainly a fastball and changeup, as his Fastball averaged 91MPH and his changeup 83MPH. San Diego has shown a strong interest in Cubs reliever Angel Guzman, as they view him as their potential closer. Along with his 93 strikeouts, Gregerson posted a 3.24ERA.

For this week in Friday Fun, I am going to go into the Chicago sports scene, more specifically another Chicago team that I love which is the Chicago Bulls.

The Bulls currently stand at 23-25 which is good for the eighth and final playoff spot in the eastern conference. However it is likely that in two weeks the Bulls may have a new look to their team.

I say two weeks because that is when the trade deadline is, and the Bulls are trying to move the contracts of Kirk Hinrich or John Salmons. By doing this it would shape the Bulls up to be able to afford two of the big name free agents that will be on the market after this year. Those free agents are Chris Bosh, Joe Johnson, Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Amare Stoudamire, and many more elusive free agents.

The Bulls have spent basically the last two years in anticipation of this free agent class, and they would like to add two of those big name free agents one being Chris Bosh, and the other being someone who could play the guard position and they have their sights set on Lebron James, Joe Johnson, or Dwayne Wade. Early reports suggest that the Bulls will likely go after Joe Johnson, unless Wade or James show an interest in coming to Chicago.

But as for this years trading deadline, it is a pretty safe bet that you will see Hinrich, Salmons, and/or Tyrus Thomas be traded in the next two weeks. Here are some deals that the Bulls are rumored to be considering.

Trade Hinrich, Salmons, and Jerome James to Boston for Ray Allen, and his expiring contract. ( Appears to be the Bulls first choice)

Trade Hinrich to the Lakers for Adam Morrison, and other expiring contracts

Trade Salmons to Orlando for J.J. Redick and Anthony Johnson

Trade Salmons  to San Antonio for Michael Finley, and Matt Bonner

Trade Salmons or Hinrich to Houston for Tracy Mcgrady and his expiring contract.

Whatever deal the Bulls decide to do, I assure you that they will get an expiring contract in return. The Bulls want to have as much Cap room as possible, so that When free agency hits they have enough money to sign one max free agent if not two.

So, of all the deals being discussed, which one would you do?

The Cubs are interested in Adam Kennedy, but as of right now he does not fit into their budget, however that may soon change.

Fellow free agent second basemen Orlando Hudson is on the verge of signing a one year deal worth $5MM with the Twins. Hudson, who was considered to be the best second basemen left on the market, now lowers the price of the remaining free agent second basemen. Which is where the Cubs come in, who now maybe able to afford Adam Kennedy on a one year deal worth around $2MM-$2.5MM.

The Cubs really could use a player like Kennedy on their team. He is an upgrade over the sub-par combination of Jeff Baker and Mike Fontenot. First Kennedy had a line of .289/.348/.410 while hitting 11 home runs and driving in 65. He also stole 20 times last year out of 26 attempts. Kennedy would probably best fit as a number 2 hitter for the Cubs, but he does give Lou Piniella another option for the leadoff spot.

I have been advocating that the Cubs go out and get a second basemen all winter, because I am not a firm believer in the combination of Jeff Baker, and Mike Fontenot. The Cubs found out last year that Fontenot was not an everyday player, and the Cubs could be on pace to find the same thing out about Jeff Baker this year.

Adding a guy like Adam Kennedy, would then probably lead to Mike Fontenot being traded, or sent to the minors. As the Cubs would not go into the season with 5 middle infielders on their roster (Theriot, Baker, Kennedy?, and Blanco). Besides it had been rumored earlier in the off-season that the Cubs really were not intending to keep Mike Fontenot for 2010.

The Cubs and Carlos Marmol agreed on a one year contract worth $2.1 million, thus avoiding arbitration.

Marmol, is finally coming into camp knowing that he is going to be the Cubs closer for the 2010 season. As the last two years he lost the job to the likes of Kerry Wood, and Kevin Gregg.  Marmol, once being anointed the closer late in the 2009 season, went 11 for 11 in save opportunities

Marmol also heads a bullpen, that in all likelihood will be filled with young arms. Here is a look at the projected bullpen for the Cubs this year.

Closer- Carlos Marmol

Set Up Relievers- John Grabow, and Angel Guzman

Middle Relievers- Esmalian Caridad, and Jeff Gray

Long Relievers- Carlos Silva, and Tom Gorzelanny

Although their bullpen is subject to change pending on who wins the the fourth and fifth starters spot in spring training. The fifth starter in all likelihood will be a fill-in spot, while Ted Lilly is out for the month of April.

The Cubs also are still looking for a veteran reliever that is inexpensive. On the free agent market they are monitoring Chan Ho Park, and Kiko Calero. They also are having on going trade discussions with the Blue Jays regarding pitcher Jason Frasor.

The Cubs TV schedule was released today, they have a record low 58 games on WGN, but that number could increase to 60 pending on what six games are picked by Fox and ESPN.