--RHP Rich Harden had his $7 million option for 2009 picked up. Harden went 5-1 with a 1.77 ERA with the Cubs after his July 8 trade from Oakland. Harden's right shoulder is a never-ending project. The Cubs say he'll spend significant time at their Arizona spring training facility working to strengthen the shoulder, which forced Harden onto the disabled list for a month with Oakland and caused the Cubs to take it easy on him late in the year.
--C Henry Blanco presents an interesting situation. The Cubs likely will turn down his $3 million option for 2009 and hope to sign him to a lesser deal. GM Jim Hendry would like Blanco back because he's a valuable mentor to Rookie of the Year front-runner Geovany Soto and because he understands his role as a backup and is good with the entire pitching staff. --RF Kosuke Fukudome is scheduled to head home to Japan in early November. Shortly after the season ended, Fukudome was called into GM Jim Hendry's office for a chat. Fukudome said he plans to work over the winter to avoid the poor second half he had this year after a hot start. The Cubs say they don't believe Fukudome lost bat speed or was not prepared mentally to make the transition from baseball in Japan. They are concerned, however, about Fukdume's penchant for pulling off pitches, even against right-handed pitchers.
--RHP Kerry Wood is a free agent this winter, and the Cubs are weighing whether to re-sign him. It appears the Cubs would like to offer Wood a one-year deal with a club option. If Wood insists on a multiyear deal, the Cubs may be prepared to turn the closer's job over to RHP Carlos Marmol. Wood recorded 34 saves in 2008, his first year as the team's closer.
--LHP Rich Hill will pitch at leas a half-season in winter ball. Hill, the No. 4 starter when the 2008 season began, was sent to the minor leagues in early May after battling command issues that began in spring training. The Cubs like what they have seen from Hill this fall. If that continues, he could compete again for a starting spot, or the Cubs could have a valuable trading chip.
BY THE NUMBERS: 0 -- Pitches the Cubs saw in 2008 from left-handed pitchers on the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers threw no lefties at the Cubs in the regular season. They took the same approach in a three-game sweep of the Cubs in the NL Division Series, exploiting the right-handed-heavy Chicago lineup.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "From the day I arrived here and was fortunate enough to be given this job as the general manager six years ago, I had no desire to go elsewhere." -- GM Jim Hendry, after receiving a four-year contract extension.
