Off-Season To Do List

First and foremost, the Cubs need the following, [Position- Most Suitable]:

1. SS- Kazuo Matsui



2. SP- Hiroki Kuroda



3. RF- Kosuke Fukudome



4. CF- Torii Hunter

Kaz Matsui just had a season where he hit .288 and fielded 2nd base very well. We all like Theriot, but let's be honest; he didn't get the job done last year. We need someone who can consistently hit the ball and field his position. Theriot had the defense down, but not quite a hero on the offensive side of his game. Kaz may cost more than Theriot, but it will be good to have a producer in there. That said, how do we know that season wasn't a fluke altogether? Well, there isn't any way to tell right now, but that is a gamble worth taking. What's the worst that could happen? Another Alex S. Gonzalez? Nevermind, bad memories, but still, it's a good fit.

Japanese pitching sensation Hiroki Kuroda is a possibility for the rotation. Rumours have been going around about Hendry going crazy trying to get Kuroda, Fukudome and Matsui. Well, Kuroda has his upsides. In 2007, he threw 179 1/3 innings in 26 games. 62 Major Leaguers threw more than him, but all of them had at least 28 starts. Of those 26 games he threw 7 complete games. That amazes me. He averaged going 6.89 innings per start. That is behind Rays pitcher James Shields who averaged 6.93 innings per start, and Blue Jay's ace Roy Halladay who average 7.26 innings per start. He also trailed C.C. Sabathia and Brandon Webb, and Fausto Carmona. Those 5 pitchers, though, are all at the top of their game and 3 of those pitchers are aces in thir respective rotations, except for Shields, who is behind Scott Kazmir, and Carmona, who is behind Sabathia. Kuroda also had a 12-8 record and 3.56 ERA.

Kusoke Fukudome played in 81 games this year, batting at a .294 average. In 269 official at-bats, he had 22 doubles, 13 homers, 48 RBIs, 64 runs, 11 stolen bases vs. only 2 caught stealing, and an average of .318 with Runners in Scoring Position (RiSP). Fukudome's .520 Slugging Percentage was behind that of 20 Major League hitters. That may not be the best SP% out there, but it'll get the job done, as it was only lower than 2 Cubs starters-- Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano. Derrek Lee's was .513, Soriano's was .560, and Ramirez's slugging percentage was .549. He also has speed 11/13 steals. This makes him fit the bill for a 2 hitter-- he has good contact and good running ability.

Torii Hunter hit .287 with 28 homers, 45 doubles and stole 18 bases in 2007. In terms of fielding, he made 2 errors in 394 total chances with 5 assissts, a .995 fielding percentage. He's been known to make a ton of web gems playing center field, and he's definitely a better hitter than the platooned starters, Felix Pie, and Jacque Jones. I would love to see Torii in a Cubs uniform come next season, and he'd complete an outfield that needs completing. He and Fukudome, if both signed, would make a dynamic and very athletic outfield.

Kaz Matsui as a Cub

Torii Hunter as a Cub

Sorry, I couldn't find any suitable photos to use to photoshop Kusoke Fukudome or Hiroki Kuroda with.

Until tomorrow's post,

Ryan