Tuesday Tidbits

With the off-season winding down, the focus turns from the hot stove onto the playing field as many teams will begin to report to Spring Training this weekend. With Pitchers and Catchers reporting to Spring Training for the Cubs this weekend, lets take a look at the latest from Bruce Levine, who participated in his weekly chat with ESPN Chicago today.

• While most of the consensus around baseball is that the Cubs are gearing up for push to sign Albert Pujols next winter, Levine thinks that Tom Ricketts may want Prince Fielder over Pujols. Considering that Fielder is only 27 and only entering his prime, Ricketts may be more willing to give the big contract to Fielder instead of Pujols. This is a very tough debate for any team looking for a first baseman. Common sense would say that Pujols is the obvious choice, but considering his demands is he really worth it? Personally, I would rather have Fielder on a 7 0r 8 year deal instead of Pujols on a 8 or 10 year deal.
• The competition to replace Ron Santo is down to two candidates. Dave Otto and Keith Moreland are the finalists to join Pat Hughes in the radio booth next season. The Cubs can not go wrong with either of the two, however, I would prefer to have Keith Moreland. The Cubs and WGN should announce the new radio broadcaster in the coming week.
• Levine feels that most of the Cubs power off the bench will come from Alfonso Soriano or Tyler Colvin when they are not in the starting lineup. That is the glaring weakness of the Cubs bench, and has been for some time.
• The Alfonso Soriano contract mistake will not refrain the Cubs from going after Albert Pujols, or any other big contract player. As Levine put it, the problem is not with how much money is spent, but is the money well spent? Obviously, Hendry has had his share of blunders with Milton Bradley, and Alfonso Soriano being two of his worst. But, in the past two off-seasons, I think Hendry has proven that he is a much better talent evaluator than most give him credit for.
• Augie Ojeda will probably be a member of the Chicago Cubs 25 man roster. According to Levine, the Cubs feel that Darwin Barney will be a good player in the future and want him to get the chance to play everyday in Triple-A. The Cubs are making the wrong decision in my opinion, as Ojeda was the equivalent of Koyie Hill last season; a good fielder who can not hit for a lick.
• Braden Looper will either be a member of the Cubs starting rotation, or not be a member of Cubs organization at all. Looper has not pitched since 2009, so, he may just be a Spring Training arm for the Cubs.  Looper has proven to be an effective relieve for his career, as in 383 innings of relief he has an ERA of 3.38.
• The Chicago Cubs plan to give Matt Garza a three or four year deal at some point this season. As I mentioned with Rickie Weeks yesterday, the Cubs should first see how Garza performs before they sign him to a long term deal. Assuming Garza remains a top of the rotation pitcher, then the Cubs should give him a long term deal.