The Ideal Deal

The Cubs have some tough choices to make very soon. Todd Walker will be back from rehab shortly (well, as soon as he gets over his 0-15 start to his rehab). That will push Jerry Hairston out of the 2nd base slot and into a two or three headed platoon in left field.

That will deprive the Cubs of their only decent leadoff man.

So, how can we make some room for Jerry to keep some at bats?

Well, the best would be to play him somewhere in the outfield. Unless you can work a trade for DuBois (which would be fine), there is one place he can play.

Center.

Sure, he'll suck defensively. But the downgrade in defense compared to Korey will be more then offset by his high OBP in the leadoff spot. Then, with Walker in the two hole, and Lee three, you have a legit top of the order.

So, what to do with Korey? Where can he be most useful to the Cubs?

In Philadelphia.

And Billy Wagner comes in exchange.

And don't tell me that Philly is set in center with the triumverate of Endy Chavez, Jason Michaels and the 96 year old Kenny Lofton.

This is a no brainer for both teams. Cubs get pen help, upgrade their lineup, and rid themselves of a career underperformer.

Philly unloads a player who will walk at the end of the season and a net $2 million in salary. They get 4 months to make Korey learn to play before deciding if they are going to tender him for 2006. If they like him, they keep him for 2006.

Perfect sense.