Alfonso Soriano an Atlanta Brave?

It’s not that far fetched if the Cubs can somehow package Soriano in a deal with Marlon Byrd, who the Braves have been interested in acquiring over the last 10 months.

Soriano’s insistence on being dealt to a contender makes Atlanta an ideal destination considering the Braves were a postseason shoe-in before its historic September collapse enabled St. Louis to win the Wild Card.

And with Atlanta having avoided the signing of a single free agent this winter, Soriano’s bat and Byrd’s outfield versatility could be the complementary pieces to push the Braves back into October.

The rumored name as the return piece is Martin Prado, a 28-year-old LF/2B who’s coming off a down year with Atlanta.

With Chicago smitten this offseason signing players on the rebound–Prado fits the mold. A serious staff infection limited his playing time to 129 games, .260 average, 13 HR & 57 RBI in 2011–numbers well below his breakout season the year prior.

Prado earned All Star honors in 2010 while finishing 9th in the NL MVP voting. His .307 average was 7th best in the NL, as was his runs scored (100). His 40 doubles ranked 6th best, 184 hits 4th best, and 126 singles 3rd best.

Although Prado was primarily an outfielder for the Braves last season, he’s played more games at second base than any other position in his three full seasons in Atlanta.

Trading for Prado likely spells the end of Darwin Barney as the Cubs starting second baseman, who despite a hot start at the plate, including his 47 multi-hit games to lead all big league rookies, struggled mightily in the season’s second half hitting a touch over .200.

Prado easily projects as an upgrade over Barney and affords the Cubs some quality depth with Darwin coming off the bench as an adequate replacement for Prado or Stalin Castro at SS.

As always, however, the big catch is the money. Prado recently resigned with Atlanta for 1-yr, $4.75 million, and is left with one year arbitration eligibility.

Marlon Byrd, on the other hand, is owed $6.5 million on the final season of his 3-yr, $15 million deal signed with Chicago in 2010.

Then there’s Soriano’s mega-deal of $54 million remaining on the final three years of his ridiculous contract.

Even if the Cubs stay true to its word of eating some $40 million of Soriano’s remaining deal, the Braves would absorb roughly $20.5 million total for both players, or about $11.1 million for 2012.

That’s a lot of dough, and assures us the Cubs would need to be very creative in what they ask for in addition to Prado in return.

But with Chipper Jones straddling the line of retirement, and the Braves perhaps just one move away from a return to the postseason…we could very well have a potential deal in the making.

The NL Central has long held the distinction of hosting some of the game’s greatest sluggers.

Ken Griffey Jr., Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire held court before the arrivals of Adam Dunn, Carlos Lee and Derrek Lee.

But with the decisions of Albert Pujols & Prince Fielder to sign lucrative free agent contracts in L.A. and Detroit, respectively, the question arises as to which player takes over the crown as the NL Central’s greatest slugger?

Here’s how I see it:

1.) Ryan Braun – Suspension withstanding, Braun’s MVP season in 2011 earns him top honors. He welds enormous power, gets on base and drives in runs like clockwork. (.332, 33 HR, 111 RBI)

2.) Joey Votto – The former NL MVP is on the heels of the current one. And should Braun’s 50-game ban stand, Votto takes the top spot by default in 2012. (.309, 29 HR, 103 RBI)

3.) Lance Berkman – The Big Puma, at 36-years young, showed enough pop last season to make third on the list. He carried the Cards in a big way down the stretch helping pull-off one of the biggest regular–and postseason–comebacks in MLB history. (.301, 31 HR, 94 RBI)

4.) Jay Bruce – The Reds’ youngster had a breakout campaign in 2011. Other than an enormous amount of strikeouts (158), Bruce has all the makings of becoming one of the division’s brightest stars and best bats. (.256, 32 HR, 97 RBI)

5.) Aramis Ramirez – Age and injuries have considerably slowed down the premier clutch hitter. At 33, however, he should be far from washed up. If healthy, it’s possible Ramirez could post another big year of 30-plus HR, 100-plus RBI and an above .300 average. But health is a very big ‘if’ factor.

Depth, of course, is of critical importance over the course of a 162 game season. Players get injured, others need rest, and still there are various other reasons in which back-up players will be called to duty.

Starlin Castro, for instance, has no viable replacement at SS other than Darwin Barney, the starting second baseman.

If not Barney at 2B, then it’s Jeff Baker who has yet to prove consistency as an everyday player.

Likewise, first base is manned by the 29-year-old Bryan LaHair, who’s consistency as a starter remains in question. And backing him up is Anthony Rizzo, a 22-year-old prospect still green in his development.

Newly acquired Ian Stewart is a nice complementary piece at 3B, but is protected only by Blake DeWitt, who’s marginal on both sides of the ball.

A better physically fit Goevany Soto managed to play in 125 games last season–his most since his rookie year (141)–but has yet to reach the promise of his rookie season in 2008.

Another stumble for Geo offensively could quickly transition Wellington Castillo into the starting fold, but his struggle with plate discipline is no guarantee he’s any better on the offensive side of the plate.

Same story in the outfield with Dave Seppelt, Tony Campana and Reed Johnson. Each is an ideal situational player, but what happens if they’re thrust into an everyday role?

Although the Cubs have done well adding much needed depth to its starting rotation, many of these guys are on the rebound from down years–project players so to speak–who offer little assurance they’ll regain any past success.

An already thin and unsteady starting rotation could further crack if Matt Garza is dealt. And the bullpen, although slightly improved from 2011, is far from a sure-thing(ie. Carlos Marmol).

While many Cubs fans have braced for the growing pains that are sure to arise with a young and re-tooled roster, it’s the lack of depth that is most likely to sink the Cubs to another sub .500 season.

When Carlos Marmol beaned Derrek Lee on August 3 last season, fracturing his left wrist, I began wondering if it was the beginning of the end of Lee’s career?

Age was already taking its toll on the then 35-year-old who was hitting .246 for Baltimore before the Pirates came calling on July 30.

However, a switch back to the National League rejuvenated Lee from the start. He homered twice in his debut against the Cubs before Marmol’s errant pitch sidelined over the next month.

Karma appropriately took Lee’s side when he came off the DL on September 3 to again face his former mates at Wrigley Field.

He capped a 3-for-5 day at the plate with a game-winning, two-out grand slam in the top of the ninth–fittingly coming against Marmol.

Lee piled up three more hits the following day. He was hitting .412 with Pittsburgh, including a nine-game hitting streak.

In his following 23 contests since returning from the DL, Lee was hitting at a .349 clip with 5 HR and 15 RBI. All totaled, Lee played 28 games with Pittsburgh hitting .337 with 7 HR and 18 RBI–Hardly numbers that would signal the end of a career.

Yet, midway through the offseason the former Cub remains unsigned.

Lee’s late season offensive surge seemed to show his tank isn’t empty. And despite the fact he isn’t the Gold Glove defensemen he use to be, Derrek remains a more than serviceable first baseman with the mitt.

So what’s the hang-up?

Two things for certain are working against Lee this winter:
1.) Lee’s price tag (he made more than $7M last season).
2.) He’s just one of many 35 or older players looking for work in 2012.

Such may be the case, but given Lee’s poise, leadership and and strong finish in 2011, he’s sure to find work this season if he still wants to play. And given he’s just 41 hits shy of 2,000 for his career, what’s stopping him?

The Indians, Rays, Orioles, Mariners, A’s, Yankees and Red Sox all are searching for DH help. And you can add Detroit to the list with V-Mart’s season ending ACL injury.

There’s doesn’t appear to be a ‘perfect fit’ with any National League clubs, but I’ve thrown Milwaukee into the mix given Ryan Braun’s likely 50-game suspension and Lee’s familiarity with the Central Division.

Otherwise, here’s my best guess where D-Lee ends up.

A. Milwaukee
B. Oakland
C. Seattle
D. Detroit
E. Tampa
F. Boston
G. Cleveland
H. New York
I. Baltimore

QUESTION: “I want to hear your thoughts on Fukudome. The Reds are looking for a 3rd/4th outfielder, and I don’t know why this guy isn’t signed yet?

It seems like he still gets on-base, is a above-average fielder, and can play all 3 OF spots, right?

Considering they are also dabbling in the Rick Ankiel, Ryan Ludwick, and Juan Pierre pool, Fukudome seems like the best choice.”

- email from Michael P., Indianapolis

ANSWER: You’re right, Mike. I haven’t heard the name Kosuke Fukudome mentioned at all this offseason and I suspect that has a lot to do with his four underachieving years in Chicago and poor finish last season in Cleveland.

Despite a 2008 All Star appearance with the Cubs, Fukudome’s playing time steadily decreased with Chicago in unison with his declining production on both sides of the ball.

While his defensive versatility remains a plus off-the-bench for many NL teams, including Cincinnati, his offense lags far behind, which became increasingly evident down the stretch last season with the Indians.

Although Fukudome does bring a high baseball sense and OBP, he’s neither a good base stealer or power bat, which NL teams covet most from its role players due to the frequent late inning changes to replace its pitchers in the lineup.

And considering the Reds play in Great American Small Park, I presume offensive fire-power off-the-pine would be more of a drawing card than above average OF defense.

However, if the 35-year-old has anything going for him it’s his left-handedness at the dish and his affordability–both of which could fetch him an offer before spring training.

And with several AL teams in search of a DH, Fukudome could land in a situation where he platoons as a DH and fourth outfield option.

The Reds, specifically, appear disinterested in courting Fukudome given the fact they signed Ryan Ludwick to a 1-yr, $2.5M deal earlier this week.

As for where ‘The Fuk’ will end up? I have no idea. But I wouldn’t be surprised if his best offer comes from Japan.

*Have your own baseball question? Email me at bullpen_brian@yahoo.com

Trade rumors for the Cubs have been relatively quite since early last week.

Not even the Cubs Convention stirred the pot, with the excessive fanfare coming and going with barely a peep about possible trades including Matt Garza, Alfonso Soriano or others. But that doesn’t mean I’m without suspicions.

Garza still heads the list, which makes sense because of his high trade value. And just because the Cubs are asking a ton in return doesn’t rule out the chance a contender desperately comes calling the closer we get to spring training.

Multiple reports have indicated up to eight AL teams are interested in Soriano.

As I’ve noted before, Alfonso still brings value to a DH role, not to mention, a very affordable price tag if the Cubs remain committed to eating $40M of his remaining 3-yr deal for $54M.

Both the Yankees and Rays are still in the market for a DH, and Soriano appears fit for either club, especially considering both teams are contenders, which is a sticking point for Soriano who can leverage his no-trade clause.

I’ve also been keen on the idea of the Cubs resigning Carlos Pena at first base.

Although his name is surfacing in potential DH rumors as well, the Gold Glover is stead fast about playing the field.

Pena, 33, is obviously not the young, long-term solution the Cubs are searching for this offseason. But similar to the Kerry Wood deal, Carlos is a serviceable veteran who brings much needed defensive skills, some pop from the left side, and strong clubhouse leadership.

As it stands currently, many still question the ability of Bryan LaHair to be an everyday player at the big league level, and newly acquired (San Diego) first base prospect, Anthony Rizzo, is slated to begin the season at Triple-A Iowa.

The Cubs could bridge the gap of Rizzo’s ascension to the North Side by signing Pena to a 2-yr deal with a limited no-trade clause. If Rizzo exceeds expectations in 2012, Pena suddenly becomes a valuable trade piece come July 31. And if not this year, than next.