The list of possible fourth outfielders for the Chicago Cubs is long: Xavier Nady, Jermaine Dye, Reed Johnson, Rocco Baldelli, Fernando Tatis (?) and Jonny Gomes are among the possibilities. The Cubs figure to take their time, and get the best deal available.
Or have they already made their choice and started negotiations? According to Dave Kaplan’s radio show (as helpfully noted by CCO), Gomes is not only the Cubs’ top choice for the fourth outfielder spot, they’ve already begun negotiations with him to fill the role. Gomes was very, very vocal last week in expressing his desire to come to Chicago, all but admitting that he’d take a lesser deal to wind up on the Cubs. That the Cubs would kick the tires and see just how low he’d go, therefore, is no surprise.
Recall, though, it wasn’t but a week ago that reports were trickling out that the Cubs were “in negotiations” with Jermaine Dye, so you may need one of them there grains o’ salt.