The Deal Jim Hendry Should Make

For the Cubs, now is the time for Jim Hendry to make an critical decision that will shape the future of the Cubs. Derrek Lee is a wonderful player and a true gentleman in the game. But the Cubs have lost for years with good players that people will pay to see at charity events and the annual Cubs Convention.

The Cubs have shown, especially this year, that they lack a killer instinct. Lee, along with Soriano, has not stepped up in crucial situations in the past two years. Lee would be an impact, franchise player the Mariners should love the thought of having in a potential deal.

What would this deal mean to the Cubs in the field and their batting order? How would the Cubs cope at first base? In my mind, these are simple questions. Micah Hoffpauir, last season between Triple-A and the majors, hit nearly .300 with 25 home runs and over 100 runs batted in (with a whopping 1.145 OPS in Iowa).

And, perhaps most importantly, he hits left-handed and will be 29 years old on opening day 2009 (compared to Lee's 33).

This would lead the Cubs to have a potential lineup of Ichiro batting first in center, Theriot at short, hitting second, followed by a middle of the order consisting of Aramis Ramirez, Hoffpauir, Geovany Soto and Soriano, followed by Mark DeRosa and a right fielder.

The Cubs have a number of internal candidates that might fill that outfield spot, headlined by highly regarded minor leaguer Tyler Colvin. Colvin, a center fielder by trade, had 80 runs batted in at Double-A Tennessee last year. Couple this depth with Mike Fontenot making DeRosa an outfield candidate, and the Cubs have more than enough depth in the organization to cover second base and right field.

The Cubs could have a left-handed leadoff man and a left-handed bat in the middle of their batting order. They could move a good player, an over-hyped outfielder and a disappointment to a new home that might spark a renaissance for Lee and another fresh start in a smaller market for Fukudome.

Ichiro would come to a winner where he might be a missing link to glory, leaving the clubhouse headaches of Seattle behind and having a reunion with Pinella.

Just a thought...But it's the second week in October and Cubs fans are talking about offseason moves. Hendry's goal should be to push these conversations to late November next year. This deal might do that for him.

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