Jim Hendry heads to the general managers meetings and begins in earnest his search for a left-handed hitter to help balance a lineup that was so right-handed that the Dodgers didn't have a left-handed pitcher face them at all in the playoffs.
It was hard to envision this scenario a few months ago. Right fielder Kosuke Fukudome was supposed to solve those problems, and it looked as if he were on the way to doing that with a fast start. However, Fukudome faded badly beginning in June, and he found himself benched at times down the stretch.
Hendry said the Cubs are confident Fukudome can regain his touch, but the Cubs aren't taking any chances.
In the past, Hendry had shown interest in Seattle outfielder Raul Ibanez, only to have the Mariners tell him "no deal." Now that Ibanez is a free agent, the Cubs may take a look. They'll explore other avenues, as well.
Hendry has used the GM meetings in the past to lay the groundwork for deals that happened in the following weeks or at the winter meetings. Expect him to follow that path again in search of not only a left-handed bat, but also some bullpen help.
