When One Door Closes, Chicago Cubs Use Window To Pursue Jose Valverde

Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry has little monetary wiggle room remaining in his 2010 budget. With the salary ceiling set by the Ricketts family at $145 million, Chicago likely has no more than five million dollars left to spend in 2010 salary.

If there were ever a market in which to get an impact player for that rate, though, it is this one. Among a handful of mildly intriguing options, the one that could make the biggest difference to the current Cubs roster may be free-agent closer Jose Valverde.

Valverde, who led the National League in saves in both '07 and '08, has a career rate of 11 strikeouts per nine innings. He also has more than three times as many punch-outs as walks for his career. At 30 years of age, he has plenty left in his tank; he lost time to injury last season, but it was not an arm injury and shouldn't be a long-term issue.

In a world suddenly brimming with closers, though, Valverde has found the open market unforgiving. Arizona is reportedly the latest team to walk away from the bargaining table, leaving (by Jon Paul Morosi's estimate) only one suitor: the Detroit Tigers.

The main objection to any potential pursuit of Valverde lies in Chicago's ill-advised commitment to making Carlos Marmol their closer for 2010. Marmol, of course, is among the best strikeout pitchers in baseball, and converted all 11 of his save chances after getting that job in August 2009. His lack of control, however, bars him from ever becoming a legitimate relief ace, and should force Chicago to take a second look at Valverde.

Reportedly, offers on the 2007 All-Star have stayed under $8 million for one season. If Chicago stepped in with a two-year offer that paid Valverde roughly $4 million in 2010, and another $8 million in 2011, they would probably be able to seal the deal, and it would be a steal.

This possibility is remote and risky. However, it could be the one addition the Cubs need to be an October contender in 2010.