Chicago Cubs

On New Year's Eve, almost exactly a year after Chicago last signed a free agent outfielder away from the Texas Rangers, the Cubs try again with Marlon Byrd.

The Cubs announced Thursday that they have agreed to a three-year, $15 million deal with Byrd.

Byrd's a nice complimentary player. As Danny Sisto will tell you, he'll play at least above average defense and will hit the ball fairly well. Last year in Texas, he hit 20 home runs and drove in 89 runs.

Originally posted on: BringingHeat.com

After long-exploring multiple trade and free agent options, the Chicago Cubs finally decided to sign 32-year old Marlon Byrd. Bruce Levine of ESPN reports that it will be a three-year contract worth $15 million.

Byrd didn't hit his stride offensively until reaching Texas, having struggled previously in Washington and Philadelphia. Things changed when he became a Texas Ranger though.

The 2000’s were a roller coaster of a decade for Cubs fans. From the excitement of the 2003 playoffs and the 97 win season in 2008, to the disappointment of the Bartman-led collapse and the futile effort against the Dodgers, there were many ups and downs.

ESPN's Buster Olney is reporting on Wednesday that the St. Louis Cardinals' offer to free agent outfielder Matt Holliday is in excess of $100 million.

In the wake of Jason Bay agreeing to a four-year deal worth $66 million with the Mets ($17 million per), it's hard to imagine another team throwing that kind of coin at Holliday.

They call him ‘The Hawk”; a name fitting for one of the most tenacious, ball hunting outfielders in MLB history.

He was better known as Andre Dawson.

For nine years—what has probably been an eternity for Dawson—the eight time Gold Glove Award winner has patiently waited for that one phone call that ever HOF nominee yearns to hear, and for nine long years, that call has perpetually remained silent.

I had originally meant to begin this series of articles immediately after the New Year, the better to lend them relevance and immediacy. However, in mapping out the process, I felt it urgent enough to begin now.

I plan to provide, for each projected 2010 Cub and for a few key extra players, profiles with predictive and informative value.

The Chicago Cubs are in dire need of some help after missing the playoffs last season, and have let a number of free agents go by already this off-season.

The New York Yankees were looking to get rid of Melky Cabrea and he ended up getting traded to the Atlanta Braves.  Others like Nick Johnson and Jason Bay were out there, but both have ended up going to New York. Johnson signed with the Yankees earlier this month and Bay has agreed terms with the New York Mets Tuesday, according to ESPN.com.

But what about Johnny Damon?

I will give General Manager Jim Hendry and the rest of the Chicago Cubs front office this.

They are not overreacting.

This offseason, after a largely disappointing 2009 campaign, the Cubs have made no significant additions to their 83 win team. They also are only rumored to be looking at tweaking, bringing maybe a bottom of the rotation starter or center fielder in.

In an era where those in player personnel often overreact to disappointing seasons, I wish it was more refreshing to see a GM who stays patient and plays for the long term.

Over the past year or so, Cubs GM Jim Hendry has been doing a lot of trading. And with the exception of recent deals for Aaron Heilman and Carlos Silva, they've all been major leaguers being swapped for prospects or young major leaguers. Here's a quick recap of these trades:

- Mark DeRosa traded to the Cleveland Indians for Jeff Stevens and minor leaguers John Gaub and Chris Archer.

- Aaron Miles and Jake Fox traded to the Oakland Athletics for Jeff Gray and minor leaguers Matt Spencer and Ronny Morla.

Though the trade talk between the Boston Red Sox and the San Diego Padres surrounding first baseman Adrian Gonzalez has died off, there could be a new rumor floating to the surface.

The Chicago Cubs have had previous interest in Jacoby Ellsbury; there's no question the Red Sox would love to add Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez to their lineup; and the Padres have already asked for Clay Buchholz and top prospects Casey Kelley or Ryan Westmoreland.