Adrian Gonzalez To The Cubs In 2012?

The Chicago Cubs are going to have be very creative this off-season if they actually have the intentions of contending next season in their division. With team officials already promising a lower payroll, the Chicago Cubs will have to utilize their young players to their best of their abilities as either trading chips, or pieces to plug into for next year’s team. However the Cubs may already have a reservation for a big time slugger in 2012 if not sooner, and that is Padre’s first baseman Andrian Gonzalez.

As the Chicago Cubs are spending their last week of the season on the west coast, Gonzalez got the chance to speak about the Cubs and if he would ever be interested in joining the Cubs. Gonzalez, hits free agency after the 2011 season.

"But 2012? You could be looking at a preview across the diamond this week at Petco Park, where the Padres are trying to go from oblivion to the playoffs in one year.More specifically, you could be looking at a preview of Wrigley 2012 at first base, where MVP candidate Adrian Gonzalez is one year removed from free agency and admits eyeing the hand-in-glove fit he could be for a team starving for the kind of left-handed pop, attitude, clubhouse presence, relative youth and Gold Glove fielding he provides.”There’s definitely a lot of positives about Chicago that if they made an offer, I would be interested in it,” said Gonzalez, 28, whose ability to hit for power to all fields is one reason he has a career .693 slugging percentage at Wrigley Field (85 plate appearances).”Chicago’s a great town, and they have great fans, and I like the fact that it’s a small ballpark. I know the wind can play against you, but it can play for you, too. There’s definitely some positives. And my wife loves Chicago, for the shopping.” CHICAGO SUN TIMES"

Sure there is a lot of time between now and 2012, plus with the Cubs expected pursuit of Adam Dunn this offseason, Gonzalez may not be the perfect fit for the Cubs that he is now for the Chicago Cubs. However, the Chicago Cubs may be better off waiting to fill their first base whole for Adrian Gonzalez in 2012. Because, up to this point, Gonzalez is the better overall player between him and Adam Dunn.

However, the Chicago Cubs may not have to wait until 2012, if the Padres decide to make Adrian Gonzalez available this winter through trade.

"Gonzalez, who said he was told before last season that the Cubs and Padres were discussing a trade to send him to Chicago, likes the idea of a reunion with his original big-league hitting coach, Rudy Jaramillo — who had done his own behind-the-scenes recruiting of his former star student."

You would have to think, that the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padre’s have set some type of framework between what players the Padre’s want, and what players the Chicago Cubs are willing to give up for Adrian Gonzalez. San Diego has longed desired pitching for their slugger, and the Chicago Cubs could match that desire. As the Chicago Cubs have young pitchers in Chris Archer, Jay Jackson, and Andrew Cashner. But do not look for the Chicago Cubs to trade Cashner anytime soon, as he will more than likely be in their rotation next season.

So, if you’re Jim Hendry, do you wait and try to sign Adrian Gonzalez when he hits free agency in 2012 or do you mortage the future and trade for Gonzalez this offseason?

Gonzalez,28, is hitting .301/.392/.514 with 30 home runs and 98 RBI’s this year for the San Diego Padres.