Rosenthal's Latest: Swisher, Wood, Hermida

I don't think they'll go cheap for a RF. Two things:

Lou stated the Cubs were looking for a lefty #4-5 hitter. While Hermida can certainly blossom into that, I don't think a 97 win team will go into next season with Hermida batting cleanup.

Secondly, Hendry let go of Wood to free up money, indicating he needs money to "finish off the rotation" and likely to spend on a free agent RF that can bat in the middle of the lineup. The big issue is all good RF options are going to be a liability defensively (Abreu, Dunn, Ibanez, Bradley due to injury concerns more than inability to play defense)

I think the cubs still want Girles to be playing RF in April. Hes the only real option that plays good defense and hes capable of hitting leadoff. He just makes too much sense not to go after him. Pie/Cedeno/Veal should get it done. Cedeno could play 2b if they get Yunel.

The lineup could look like:
Giles
Theriot
Lee
Ramirez
Soriano
Soto
DeRosa
Kosuke/Johnson

The 3,4,5 could go in any order, but i would prefer Ramirez hitting 3 but Lou likes Lee.

I don't see Giles leading off if they get him...more like the 2 or 5 hole hitter.

1. Soriano
2. Theriot
3. Lee
4. Ramirez
5. Giles
6. Soto
7. DeRosa
8. Fukudome
9. Big Z (Congrats on the Silver Slugger!!!)

This isn't the lineup I'd make out...but its the one I think Lou would go with if we got Giles.

Love the idea about Wood going to the Brewers. I wouldn't mind the Tigers going after him, but I don't think they are willing to spend the $$, will more likely go after Hoffman.