Randy Johnson: The Chicago Cubs' Worst-Case Scenario

There are rumors floating, and indeed Bob Warja wrote a piece recently linking free agent Randy Johnson to the Chicago Cubs. Johnson's agent has been quoted, saying Johnson would be willing to work on a one-year contract with a team that's close, and that the Cubs would "definitely" be on his short list.

To begin with, the Cubs are going to be on anyone's short list. Wrigley Field is aesthetically gorgeous, the opportunity to play in front of an excited sell-out crowd every day is enticing, and the potential of helping the Cubs break their alleged "curse" strokes an ego like Clarence Carter never intended. But from the Cubs perspective, is Johnson a good idea?

No. Randy Johnson is the absolute worst free agent the Cubs could spend their money on this winter.

First, do the Cubs need a left-handed starting pitcher? No. If Lou Piniella wants to put a left-hander in the bottom of the rotation, the Cubs have three in-house options in Sean Marshall, Rich Hill, and Donnie Veal.

Marshall pitched well in stretches in 2008 and previous seasons when given the opportunity. Hill threw well in 2007, and became an enigma in 2008 with back and brain issues clouding his future. And Veal has been putting up good numbers in Iowa for a number of years but hasn't gotten his chance yet. One of these guys can be a lefty if that's what we "need."

Secondly, the Cubs do not need to add a pitcher to the rotation with declining skills. We're dealing with those two sinister words—declining skills—at first base right now. And remember, Jason Marquis is still on the Cubs' payroll. If there are peaks and valleys in player's careers, Marquis is in a ravine. To add another question mark to this rotation is not a good idea.

Third, we don't need to spend $10 million on a player we don't necessarily need this year. If Ryan Dempster leaves, and Kerry Wood is already gone, how much sense does it make to spend that much money on one player when we have other holes (a bullpen, a left-handed bat, Marquis) to fill?

If we're going to spend over $10 million on a free agent, can't it be someone to play right field and hit the ball? Maybe someone under 40 years old?

Finally, if Johnson's resume is the reason to sign him, that's garbage to me. I understand that Johnson is just a couple wins shy of 300. And I understand that he has shown a killer instinct in his career while helping the Diamondbacks win their championship, in the playoffs with Seattle, and in other situations.

But if you're looking to drop money on attitude, keep Kerry Wood. If you're looking for a record chaser, bring back Greg Maddux or Jamie Moyer.

The only things Randy Johnson would bring to the Cubs is 10 missed starts and free Proactive for anyone in the organization. We have two starting pitchers right now in Carlos Zambrano and Rich Harden that have missed starts in the past. Do we need to jeopardize a season for a roster full of players getting older and contracts getting shorter by bringing in another question mark for the rotation?

Mark DeRosa and Marquis have one year left on their contracts, Derrek Lee and Ted Lilly have two. Now is not the time for questions.

We need answers.

Besides, there are plenty of other injury-prone starting pitchers on the market that might deserve a multi-year contract that has more incentives to get and stay healthy. Brad Penny, for example, started the 2007 All-Star Game and has now, just 18 months later, been released by the Dodgers because of health issues.

He could be another Dempster-type situation. Oliver Perez, formerly of the Mets, is a lefty that throws intriguing stuff but would probably not command $10 million per season.

Reality is this: the Cubs and General Manager Jim Hendry are under pressure to win in 2009. If Alfonso Soriano is right, and the Cubs are built to dominate a 162-game schedule but not necessarily a seven-game series, then we need someone who can do both.

What we don't need is to pay a lot of money to a player we know is going to need time off so he's ready for the dramatic savior-in-cape moment in October.

The Cubs have options. And they have money with which they can fill the holes on their roster. They also have a very creative general manager that has a pretty good track record. Something has to give, and we'll see what it is over the coming months. I just hope it isn't adding Randy Johnson.