Cubs Should Go Arbitration Hunting...In Kansas City

Cherry-picking from bottom feeders?

Every year there are smaller market teams that look to unload talented younger players that are eligible for arbitration. The Florida Marlins have already traded away Mike Jacobs, Josh Willingham, and Scott Olsen this fall and snow has yet to fall. There are some wonderfully talented players that could become available if their teams become scared of their adjusted salaries, and one in Kansas City would look nice on Chicago's North Side.

Talented, yet underachieving, starter Zack Greinke has not found the touch in a full major league season. In 2008, however, he started to signs of why he has been so highly regarded by many scouts. Greinke went 13-10 with 183 strikeouts in over 200 innings pitched, with an impressive sub-4.00 ERA.

While the San Diego Padres will likely ask for the sun, moon, and stars to let go of ace Jake Peavy, the equally financially challenged Royals would certainly have a lower asking price for Greinke. And, at 25 years old, there are years with which the Cubs could build their rotation around Carlos Zambrano and this youngster.

What could the Cubs offer that would entice the Royals to let go of their young stud? Most smaller market teams like two things: expiring contracts and players that have remaining years on their rookie contracts. The Cubs happen to have a few of the former, and a whole bunch of the latter.

Greinke is currently sitting in the third spot in the Royals' rotation behind Gil Meche and Brian Bannister. The other two starters would project to be Brandon Duckworth and Kyle Davies. What do all four of these pitchers, and indeed all five including Greinke, share in common? They all throw right-handed. In fact, Jimmy Gobble is the only lefty listed on the Royals' returning roster.

Would a left-handed starter, perhaps Rich Hill or Donnie Veal, look good in Kansas City?

In the outfield, there have been a number of players that have worked their way through Kansas City in the past few years. Mark Teahen appears to have taken to right field, and David DeJesus has played well in center, as well. The volatile Jose Guillen is currently the left fielder for the Royals, and is due $12 million in both 2009 and 2010.

Why do I name all these Royals? Because, thanks to trading veterans for prospects, the Royals find themselves among the leaders in arbitration-eligible franchises in baseball. Bannister, Duckworth, Teahen, Davies, and the recently acquired Jacobs are all eligible for a raise. Based on their production from 2008, the Royals could easily see their team payroll balloon from $58 million in 2008 to well over $70 million without adding a single player via free agency.

And so this is where the Cubs come into play. With a stable of young arms apparently for sale if the right player is available, the Cubs could help take some of this potential growth off the Royals' books. Perhaps by throwing a couple other players into the mix, like a Felix Pie or another young pitcher, the Cubs could convince the Royals to parts ways with a left-handed outfielder in DeJesus.

Maybe I'm throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks, maybe I'm attempting to find fiscally conservative answers to the Cubs biggest issues. But there are lots of options out there for Jim Hendry to inquire about other than Peavy that could make the Cubs look good both in 2009 and beyond.