The Rumors

According to my source with ties inside Tribune Tower, here are the early rumors for Jim Hendry's offseason plans:

1) Felix Pie will be given every chance to win the CF job in spring training. That means, no Juan Pierre, no Torii Hunter, no Kenny Lofton. No nothing.

2) Brian Giles is not a target as a free agent, nor is anyone else who is a thumper for RF. Where the offense will come from without such a move remains a mystery to me.

3) Rafael Furcal is a target.

We'll see what happens. If this pans out, the Cubs will be a fourth place team once again, maybe fifth if Pittsburgh improves. At this point, only the Reds are a lock to be worse than the Cubs in 2006.