Cubs Sign Many, Show More Dollars Than Sense

We’ve already touched on the Aramis Ramirez signing, but the Chicago Cubs didn’t stop there. They’ve also signed right-handers Kerry Wood and Wade Miller, catcher Henry Blanco, infielder Mark DeRosa, and outfielder Alfonso Soriano. We’ll take a look at these one at a time.

Kerry Wood

The deal with Wood is 1 year, $1.75 million. He hasn’t been healthy since 2003 but he doesn’t turn 30 until June and still possesses a live arm. This isn’t a huge investment, especially given the potential returns. If it doesn’t work out, at least the Cubs won’t have lost much.

Wade Miller

This one is 1 year, $1.5 million. Miller is Wood with less upside, and for a little less money. It could pay off, but if not, no big deal.

Henry Blanco

Honestly, I don’t get this signing at all. The Cubs inked Blanco to a 2-year, $5.25 million deal. He hit .266/.304/.419 in 2006 as a backup catcher. At age 34, those numbers easily were the best of his career. Over parts of nine seasons, Blanco has batted .225/.290/.367. Throwing millions into a bonfire just to watch it burn seems like a better investment than spending it on a reserve catcher who can’t hit.

Yes, I’m being silly. In my defense, the Cubs are being sillier.

Mark DeRosa

The Cubs signed DeRosa, who had been with the Texas Rangers, to a 3-year, $13 million contract. DeRosa has been a utility player for most of his career but, like Gary Matthews Jr., enjoyed unprecedented success as a starter while playing half his games in the hitters’ haven that is Ameriquest Field. As will the Angels, who signed Matthews to a ridiculous deal, the Cubs almost certainly will come to regret the inking of DeRosa well before the contract runs out.

Alfonso Soriano

The biggest deal of the winter so far came when Soriano agreed to an 8-year, $136 million contract. Soriano, who had been with the Washington Nationals and who once upon a time “played” second base, is strictly an outfielder now. Soriano is a serious offensive force, no doubt, but he also has a career OBP of just .325. The deal runs through 2014, at which time Soriano will be 38 years old and the Cubs will be hoping that he has aged more like Jeff Kent than like, say, Raul Mondesi.