A Late Addition the Cubs Should Seriously Consider

Let me preface the following opinion by clarifying something about some of the writing I've done recently. I have been critical of Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry this winter because I happen to take issue with his approach to the team this offseason. Some of my readers have perceived my commentary as being hateful towards or overly critical of Hendry.

My criticism of Hendry mirrors a husband getting angry at his wife, or a parent being dissapointed in their kid.  It is out of love and an expectation of more from someone you respect. That sometimes brings out the harshest words and the toughest measure for success.

Hendry has done what no other GM in Cubs history has done—the Cubs have won consecutive division crowns for the first time ever. Because of his track record of getting the Cubs to the doors of the promised land, I now judge success through a different lens than we did in 1996 or 2001; simply squeaking into the postseason is no longer good enough.

I listened to Hendry on WMVP 1000 radio here in Chicago this morning, and he discussed how and why he made the moves he did this off season. I understand everything that he was saying about wanting to bring in fiery competitors, loading the roster with versatility, and giving manager Lou Piniella as many options as possible in 2009.

While I still believe he overpaid for the wrong players, I understand his philosophy.

There is a player who is still a free agent who I believe would be, personally, the missing link between the Cubs of 2008 and the World Series.  I think he could be had at a reasonable price, and would accept coming onto the roster in a supporting role.

In 2008, maybe the best story on the Cubs roster was Geovany Soto. He burst onto the scene in late 2007 and did everything the Cubs could have prayed for in 2008. He batted anywhere from fifth to eighth in the Cubs' order, hitting .285 with 25 home runs and driving in 85. He made the All Star team and won Rookie of the Year, deservingly so.

But Soto played 141 games last year, his first full season in prime time. This Spring, he's going to take part in the World Baseball Classic before heading to Mesa to introduce himself to Kevin Gregg, Aaron Heilman, and Luis Vizcaino. One of the hardest positions at which to avoid a sophomore slump is catcher, due to the physical toll the position takes on a catcher's body and mind. The extra games from the WBC won't help, either.

Enter the Cubs backup catcher of choice (right now): Paul Bako. Bako's a nice player who's been in Chicago before and played well. But what if the Cubs need more than 25 games from a catcher not named Soto this year? Are we to believe that Bako can provide the leadership a championship team needs from behind the plate?

I know this is a wild card, but I think Ivan Rodriguez could be the missing link on the North Side.

Rodriguez, a 37-year-old future Hall of Famer, can still throw as well as anyone who's ever played behind the plate. In 115 games last year, he still hit .276 and drove in 35 runs. Offensively, the Cubs wouldn't be getting the All Star Texas Ranger catcher of the 1990s, but in a reserve role, he would benefit the club enormously.

But what would be most important about Rodriguez would be his experience. He was on the Marlins team we all hate to remember in 2003, a team that saw Derrek Lee do something in the postseason. He also helped get the awful Detroit Tigers pitching staff up to speed well enough to get them into the World Series.

Rodriguez has the killer instinct. He's a winner.

Not only would he provide Soto with as good a mentor as there is in the game, but he would bring an attitude to the players that perhaps, up until now, only Piniella has. And anyone who's ever played a sport knows that there is a very distinct line between coaches and players; it's one thing to hear the sermon, it's another to see it in practice.

I know the Cubs have already committed one year and $725,000 to Bako. But from every website I've checked, Rodriguez doesn't have any offers waiting for him to sign, and catchers are starting to check into hotels in Florida and Arizona. If Rodriguez came into camp, was healthy, and had the fire to win, would buying out Bako's contract really be a deal breaker?

My point is, Hendry brought in Milton Bradley because of his fire. Why not bring in another veteran with the same fire and a champion's resume as well?