Chicago Cubs 2009 Offseason By Dane Moore

With the Chicago Cubs first spring training game less than two weeks away the Cubs look at a slightly revamped roster that looks to resume the momentum it had in 2008. 2009 marked a season marred by a lack of continuity by Cub position players and had a pitching staff consistently plagued by nagging injuries. Jim Hendry Chicago’s general manager made two major moves by not retaining two assets that were supposed to be huge factors in 2009.

Rich Harden was not resigned by the Cubs. Harden has struggled to maintain shoulder and arm health throughout his career even before joining the Cubs at the ’08 trade deadline. 2009 was no different Harden went 9-9 for Chicago and missed time on the disabled list for the fifth year in a row. Hendry neglected to pursue Harden in free agency and let him sign with a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers for $7.5 million.

Lou Piniella and Jim Hendry both were in agreement that this team could only reach its potential by becoming a unit and not a group of individuals. The Cubs signed Milton Bradley, a true individual, to a three-year $30 million dollar contract in the ’09 offseason. Bradley did not live up to expectations what so ever and proved he could not be the left-handed power bat in the middle of the Cubs order. Bradley’s numbers plummeted in 2009 from their impressive ’08 pedestal. His batting average drooped 64 points, his OPS fell 224 points and his homeruns total was barely half of where it was in ’08. Not only did Bradley under perform, he whined and complained his way into the Cubs having no option but to trade him for anything anyone was willing to give.

In exchange for Bradley the Cubs received Carlos Silva from the Mariners, who went a combined 5-18 in 36 starts over the past two seasons for the Mariners. Where Silva struggled for the Mariners, he is a reliable innings eater that when his sinker is biting can be effective and fill in some of those innings the loss of Harden makes apparent.

The Cubs did replace Bradley’s bat in the outfield with the signings of two proven players, who have not ever presented themselves as menaces to the clubhouse. Marlon Byrd is slotted to start in center and Xavier Nady who is coming off of his second Tommy John surgery will be a very presentable fourth outfielder for the Cubbies.