Still less than 24 hours after the Cubs traded two of my favorite roster members, I can’t help but look to 2007. Why? Well, there ain’t much of 2006 left to look forward to.
So… Cesar Izturis. Gold Glove shortstop. Not bad. Mike Downey of the Tribune talked to Tommy Lasorda, who said Izturis was the Dodgers’ best defensive shortstop since Pee Wee Reese. His contract is through 2007 with an option for 2008.
Defensively the Cubs could have their best infield in the quarter-century-plus that I’ve been following them. Derrek Lee has a couple of Gold Gloves, and Aramis Ramirez leads NL third-basemen in fielding percentage. Ronny Cedeno has incredible range and quickness, and maybe a move to second base (a la natural shortstop Ryne Sandberg) is the answer to his youthful exuberance leading to some hastened, ill-advised throws to first since second-sackers have more time to make a play.
It had better be a busy off-season addressing pitching and the outfield, but it looks like the Cubs could have a core infield of young defensive studs (Derrek Lee is the oldest of the four, and he turns 31 in September) with a pair of big bats on the corners.
Not a bad place to start…
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