Teams' Offseason Speculations:

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The Cubs have some money to play with in the offseason. It's possible they will have $30 million to $40 million to spend on free agents or big-name players acquired via trade. Given that Cubs general manager Jim Hendry is a guy who likes to deal and is stinging from two disappointing seasons, the rumor mill already is in full swing even though the 2005 campaign has a little less than two weeks to go. This past weekend alone there was plenty of hot-stove talk even though the stove is still cold.

 

The Philadelphia Inquirer speculated the Cubs covet Philadelphia reliever Billy Wagner and Atlanta shortstop Rafael Furcal based on the fact the Cubs scouted a recent Braves-Phillies series. Newspapers in Minnesota figure the Cubs will try to make a trade for Twins center fielder Torii Hunter. Newspapers in Boston speculate the Cubs will attempt to sign Red Sox outfielder Johnny Damon, who is expected to be a free agent.

 

Cubs manager Dusty Baker wants to add a lot of talent but realizes he won't get everyone on his wish list. "Sometimes what you want is not necessarily available," Baker said. "Everybody has a budget. It's getting harder and harder to make trades. My team would be an everything-type team if it was up to me. "You need balance. I like everything. Speed. Power. Defense. Good pitching. Some youth. Some veterans. That's difficult to find in today's market."

 

While Baker will have some suggestions for Hendry in the coming weeks, serious talks about free agents won't start within the organization until after the World Series. "We have meetings during the first of November," Baker said. "I'll sit down with Jim before then and we'll have a wish list but then invariably every year three quarters of those guys end up signing back with their teams. Then you are at the mercy of who is available."

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METS BELIEVE IN NEXT YEAR

 

September 20, 2005 -- Two weeks from today, the playoffs begin for eight teams. Two weeks from today, the offseason begins for the Mets. The Mets (73-76) have 13 games left in 2005, and while winning enough to reach the .500 mark would be a fine success, it is all about 2006 for them. Last winter, the Mets had to fix a team that won only 71 games in 2004. This winter, they will be addressing a team that had more victories, but there are still enough holes to plug for this club to be ready to be one of the eight teams playing in October next year.

 

The Mets have at least begun discussing their offseason agenda and believe there are four areas of need — first base, second base, catcher and bullpen. As they head into winter, it's worth looking back at last winter to see if there's anything Omar Minaya took out of his first offseason as Mets GM and can apply to his second one. In talking yesterday about what he learned from last offseason, Minaya said, "I think we learned to make an effort. Make an effort because you never know what can happen," referring to the Mets' surprising signings of Pedro Martinez and Carlos Beltran.

 

Based on the way the Mets approached and handled last offseason, here are a few issues to look at and how they might approach and handle them this time:

 

* Will they take on another large contract? Last offseason, the Mets shelled out $172 million to reel in Beltran and Martinez. But will they be aggressive financially again? The Mets handed out a seven-year deal for a hitter in his prime (Beltran) and a 33-year-old ace (Martinez). Of the areas in which the Mets need help, there might be no free agent who would command such money.

 

But with Mike Piazza's $15 million salary coming off the books, the Mets could have to decide whether they want to target a player in a trade (Manny Ramirez?) who is already owed huge dollars over a long span.

 

* Will they go with a youngster at a key position? The Mets will have to decide whether three young players — Mike Jacobs, Anderson Hernandez and Victor Diaz — could be full-timers next season at first base, second base or right field, respectively.

 

The Mets could use Diaz in right if they want to trade Mike Cameron. Having hitters who make contact is a priority, which could mean Cameron gets dealt. Then again, Diaz is actually striking out more often (once every 3.4 at-bats vs. once every 3.6 for Cameron).

 

* Will they spend for relief help? Of the pen last offseason, Minaya noted, "We had to go with what we have because we invested our money in other areas."

 

That is fair, as obviously Beltran and Martinez were important priorities. But this offseason, the Mets will have to determine whether to pick up Braden Looper's $5 million option. And if they don't — Looper is unlikely to return as closer — they will probably have to find a new man to finish games. Expect them to then bid on a potential free-agent closer, as the group includes Billy Wagner, B.J. Ryan and Ugueth Urbina.