Another Right Field Option For the Chicago Cubs?

The Chicago Cubs are looking for a right fielder who hits left handed and would fit into the middle of the batting order. They also have Felix Pie, Reed Johnson, and Kosuke Fukudome in the mix for time between center field and right, while Alfonso Soriano continues to underwhelm in left.

The rumor mill on every major sports web site and blog has thrown the names of the major players on the free agent market, and a number of trade candidates around since early October.

The Cubs are also confronting the issue of finding time for young players like Pie and, eventually, youngster Tyler Colvin in the crowded Cubs outfield, making a long term contract for another outfielder less attractive. The available options aren't jumping off the page at anyone, either.

Bobby Abreu will want a multi year deal for more than $10 million per season. He'll be 35 years old in 2009.

Adam Dunn will want more years and more money than Abreu, being that he has hit for more consistent power and is seven years younger. He is also best described as the love child of Soriano and Paul Bunyan; his swing has more holes than Amy Winehouse's septum, and his shadow covers more ground in the outfield than his legs do.

Raul Ibanez is older than Abreu and Dunn, and is the lesser known name on the market. He thrived in a pitchers park in Seattle, but is the worst defensive outfielder available.

Brian Giles is under contract in San Diego, but their cost cutting mindset would lead anyone to believe he's available. He has the on-base percentage to fit perfectly in the Cubs batting order, but has been open about his desire to stay in southern California. He has one year remaining on his current contract, and the Cubs would have to part ways with at least one, likely two prospects to acquire him.

Another option that has been volleyed about is moving utility superstar Mark DeRosa from second base to right field full time, and playing Mike Fontenot at second base full time next to his college double play partner, Ryan Theriot.

The trouble with this scenario is that DeRosa isn't a middle of the order hitter, neither is Fontenot. If the desire is not only a new right fielder but a left handed bat between three and six in the batting order, Fontenot isn't your man.

So where do the Cubs go for a cost effective, low-risk outfielder that won't expect a contract longer than one or two years?

How about recent Chicago resident Ken Griffey, Jr.?

Junior would bring a number of pieces to the table that would be ideal for the Cubs. He showed on the South Side late this past season that his ego doesn't require him be on the field every day. He also could be a significant upgrade in the mentor department from Soriano for a player like Pie; Griffey has never been accused of being anything short of a class act.

Junior also has two things the Cubs desire: a desire to win soon, and a strong track record in October.

The temptation to sign an older, physically fragile outfielder with a big name and bigger swing isn't something new to Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry. He took a chance on Jim Edmonds in 2008, and saw dividends of 20 home runs and solid defense in the bulk of the playing time down the stretch.

While Griffey does have more question marks on his medical report than Edmonds did prior to joining the Cubs last year, the Cubs outfield depth would allow for him to take a day (or two or three) off per week. He wouldn't be asked to play center field again; Johnson and Pie are primarily center fielders and Fukudome will see time there as well.

There might be teams that envision Junior as an everyday designated hitter, and could offer him a three or four year contract. But looking at the teams in serious contention to win, the Cubs for two years might be Griffey's best option to get the ring he's desired for so long.