Kosuke Fukudome News

Yesterday, I posted an idea regarding a potential free agent signing for a Cubs bench position in 2010.

All is quiet on the northern front in Chicago baseball so far this winter. Which is odd, because Jim Hendry's last few winters have been highlighted by more big game hunting than a weekend with Ted Nugent.

Over the past 10 days or so, rumors have encircled the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago Cubs, centered around the potential trade of current Tigers center fielder Curtis Granderson to the Cubs.

When a team identifies a weakness in their lineup, whether offensive or defensive, there are three avenues through which the club can attempt to augment their efficiency at that position.

Starting in 2007, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry invested heavily in free agents, adding such players as Alfonso Soriano, Ted Lilly and Mark DeRosa.

Have you ever found yourself reading a well-written piece and feeling like it all sounds logical and sensible, but then you think about it a little more and wonder if the writer is off his meds? I had a moment like this when I read a recent piece by Fox Sports writer Dayn Perry , who proposes in the column a number of moves that teams need to make ...

Center field options, Mike Fontenot, Aramis Ramirez's shoulder and Spring Training are among the topics in this week's Inbox.

It has been reported that the Detroit Tigers may be willing to trade center fielder Curtis Granderson.

The Cubs were to meet with four or five teams late Tuesday before the meetings conclude today.

The Cubs may not have as busy of an offseason as they had last year, but they're certain to be among the league leaders in deflecting rumors.

In a report in today's Chicago Tribune , Paul Sullivan says that while both Rich Harden and Reed Johnson would like to remain with the Cubs, their return appears to be unlikely.

In the 40 hours or so since the conclusion of the World Series, four trades have sent nine Major Leaguers to new teams.

When Kenji Johjima opted out of his contract, it was very obvious that the Mariners had ultimately experienced addition by subtraction.

If there's one thing known about Cubs GM Jim Hendry after all these years, it's that he tends to focus "like a laser beam," to use an old presidential campaign phrase, on what he wants every off-season. The Hendry Laser Light Show legacy includes Lou Piniella, Dusty Baker, Milton Bradley, LaTroy Hawkins, Alfonso Soriano, Mike Remlinger and Kosuke ...

Carney Lansford wasn't the problem with the Giants' hitting. It was a grim kaleidoscope of bad habits, poor judgment and, in some cases, just plain incompetence.

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry called the 2009 season "disappointing" but not "disastrous," and will head into the offseason once again trying to figure out a way to improve the outfield's offensive production.

Bruce Miles' game tracker Still job. 1: Randy Wells turned in the Cubs' 94th quality start of the season by working 7 innings of shutout ball.

Observations on the Cubs the day after it all ended: Don?t expect the Cubs to have their entire winter held hostage by Milton Bradley , as they did with Sammy Sosa in 2004-05. The situations are different.

Suspended Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley apologized Wednesday for behavior that led to general manager Jim Hendry's decision to banish him for the rest of the season.

Listen to Lou Piniella these days and, what do you know, the Cubs are looking for that last piece of the puzzle -- a run-producing hitter in the middle of the order.