Assume The Position

Let's take the worst possible case: Todd Walker is done for the year. Well, we fans can look forward to seeing a lot of Jerry Hairston. I can deal with that, especially if it means that Korey Patterson is out of the leadoff spot. There are two remaining issues:

1) Who takes Todd's spot on the roster; and
2) Who takes Jerry's spot when he inevitably gets hurt.

The options at AAA Iowa seem to be a choice between Richard Lewis and Ronny Cedeno. Lewis is off to a 2 for 15 start. Cedeno is out of the gate rolling, but may be too young to move up to the big club. Both may be the options for the Cubs middle infield for 2006. Getting a little seasoning with the big club now may be a decent idea.

The free agent pool is pretty thin. It's going to be a re-tread player if that's the route the Cubs go. That's only a viable solution if Walker is out less than two months.

The final option is trade. It's too early to start thinking "big trade." Besides, when has Jim Hendry ever made a big trade early? We're not talking a guy with the track record to do what Dallas Green did and unload top minor league talent for proven veterans.

What you worry about with Hendry is that he will sit and wait to make a move until late July. How many more games could the Cubs have won last year if he makes a trade to replace Alex Gonzalez in May instead of riding the dreck that was Ramon Martinez and Rey Ordonez until July?

:::UPDATE:::
Walker is set to go on the DL for at least 4 to 6 weeks with an MCL sprain (no ACL or meniscus injuries). Mike Fontenot will be called up from Iowa.

And... wait for it... Neifi Perez will start at second. Yes, Dusty Baker playing loyalty over talent. At some point, this will backfire as the players will want to win more than they want their manager's support.

Maddux Watch

YTD: 10 innings
Innings needed to lock 2006 contract: 177.1

Be clear: I'm not suggesting that the Cubs don't need Greg Maddux this year or that he won't be a decent to very good pitcher this year. I am suggesting that the Cubs would be better off without him in 2006. Well, maybe with him but at far less than the $9 million he makes if he gets to 187.1 innings this year.