Sliding doors at Wrigley Field

After keeping a lot of Cub fans waiting for some fresh news regarding the promised left handed hitter, GM Jim Hendry broke the status quo on the final day of the year by announcing two deals. Second baseman Mark DeRosa was traded to Cleveland for three minor league pitcher and free agent former Cardinal Aaron Giles signed a two year contract. It had been a fairly silent offseason until then for a team with ambitions to go further into the postseason than the two consecutive first rounds exits of 2007 and 2008.

The doors to the Wrigley Field clubhouse will most likely revolve a lot more before spring training starts in February. Besides temporarily opening up for two NHL teams for a hockey game, there are lots of rumors in the air about more personnel changes on the Cubs' squad. The moves can be seen as a precursor to more shuffling of the deck.

Many fans seem to be upset about losing the popular utility man DeRosa. Personally, I believe that this was a solid move. Jim Hendry got out of a salary jam which was stopping him from improving the team further. First of all, he received great returns by trading DeRosa after a career year. At least two of the pitching prospects have put excellent numbers in Cleveland's farm system. Even if they don't use any of them to land the big fish that they seem to be seeking, there is a good chance that at least one of them becomes a quality pitcher at the MLB level. Cleveland fans might live to regret this trade in the future.

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Most of all, this was a move to clear room financially. They could not afford everything they have right now and the addition of another hitter and/or pitcher. They can do that now.

What's next? It appears that Milton Bradley will be in, Marquis will be out and then the Cubs will make a run at another top level player. Things could be a whole lot worse if that works out.

By Håkan Lane
Chicago Cubs Correspondent

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