You've Got To Be Igawaing Me!

When I said Tuesday the Cubs would get a sweet deal in return for Zambrano I wasn’t talking about Kie Igawa, who apparently was the return piece, offered by the Yankees.

Igawa is 31-years-old with a career 6.66 ERA in just 16 major league games. Not to mention, he missed all of ‘09 throwing in the minor leagues.

Reportedly, however, the Cubs were still interested in eating the $8 million left on Igawa’s contract. Eh? To even think Igawa is the tipping point for such a deal is incredulous.

–Matt Capps has agreed to terms with the Nationals. It seems saving games is more important to him than winning, which is fine by me and thankful he’s not a Cub.

I’m still not completely sold on the idea of Marmol saving games, either. He’s gone wild putting men on base via hit batters and walks, which is exactly what closers can’t afford to do.

Had Capps, on the other hand, picked the Cubs he certainly competes for the closer’s role this spring and at the very least plays for a winner, even as a set-up man. Instead, he climbs the latter one rung from Pittsburgh to Washington. Congratulations!

–While the attention of the Cubs’ offseason stays focused on adding both a center fielder and more bullpen help, it’s important not to overlook the bench, which is indeed thin.

The importance of a strong bench is necessary for the Cubs’ older lineup, which needs its rest in order to win the Central.

However unfortunate, guys like Lee, Ramirez and Soriano can’t be counted on to play 150 games fully healthy, and right now the Cubs can’t plug those many holes.

Koyie Hill is a good fit off the bench as is Reed Johnson, if the Cubs choose to resign him. Other than those two, it’s slim pickins’.