As Colin already mentioned, it appears the Cubs are getting ready to sign former Padres outfielder (and Cardinals douche-hat) Jim Edmonds.

The Sun-Times is now reporting that the signing of Edmonds seems inevitable upon Edmonds clearing waivers. Apparently the feelings are mutual between player and team about signing a deal.

The article says, “But multiple Cubs sources said the team plans to pursue Edmonds, and one said Edmonds has told his agent to talk to no one before talking to the Cubs.”

I brought this recent development up to some of my Cards buddies and they basically laughed in my face and used the word “suck” multiple times in their description of Edmonds and his future as a Cub.

As a resident of central Illinois since 2004, I feel like I have a unique perspective of Edmonds because I have been able to watch him play since they show almost every Cardinals game on TV down here (and yes I watch the Cardinals play because I actually baseball no matter who is playing…shun me if you wish).

Anyway, from personal experience, I can tell you that watching Jim Edmonds play has been like watching a Halloween pumpkin rot outside on the porch from October to December.

Edmonds had a great season in 2004 (.301/.418/.643/42 HR/111 RBI) but every season since then has seen his production decline…

2005: .263/.385/.533
2006: .257/.350/.471
2007: .252/.325/.403

Numbers can only tell so much of the story though. Like I said, I’ve watched Edmonds a lot (more than any Cubs fan should have to do) and his struggles were obviously visible. He looked in pain running the bases, he was behind on his swings and unable to make contact with off-speed pitches, and he was uncharacteristically injured. My Cardinals friends were so disappointed with Edmonds they would often try to hypothetically trade him for a bag of baseballs. The baseballs are much more valuable.

I know I’ve been hating on Pie most of the season, but replacing him with the rotting pumpkin corpse of Jim Edmonds is a move that this team will regret in a few months/weeks/days. I’d much rather see them try to develop Pie and let him be a defensive substitute at the end of games. I’ll say it right now: If the Cubs sign Edmonds, he will NOT finish the 2008 season with them.

Of course, I’ll gladly eat my words if I’m wrong but somehow I don’t think I’ll have to.

ROADTRIP UPDATE #1: Well I drove for 17 hours yesterday and nothing really to report from the majestic plains of Iowa, Nebraska, or Colorado. I saw a restaurant called Cubby’s but I didn’t stop for food because the restaurant simply insulted my team with its silly word play. Also, at a gas station in Iowa (Iowa 80: The World’s Largest Truck Stop), there was a collection of sports mugs. I saw several Cardinals mugs but I didn’t see any for the Cubs. I can only imagine they were all sold out. And they better have been sold out Iowa, otherwise we have ourselves a bit of a problem.