Today's Grabber - Braden Looper

And it has come down to this, where we discuss the relative merits of one Braden Looper, who very well could be the poster child of Meh.

We knew all along that the Cubs were not making big free-agent deals this winter; the biggest money we were planning to spend would be used on a B-level centerfielder, which is what happened.  Hendry got rid of Bradley, tipping the scales in our favor in terms of both personality and mass (while giving up the majority of the heart and the talent in the deal).  After Marlon Byrd and the Bradley dump, the only other piece everyone's been asking for is a veteran reliever. 

Well, two, after you count the early signing of John Grabow.  In retrospect, what is Grabow's true worth, when you consider some of the names still out there now, like Kiko Calero, Chan Ho Park, Duaner Sanchez, and Joe Beimel?  Grabow is going to make more in 2010 and 2011 than these four guys, probably combined.  Would someone else have swooped in and signed Grabow if we had decided to wait until the end of the off-season to re-sign him?

I tend to think so; others may argue, successfully in fact, that Grabow is in no way worth his new contract.  I think he will be worth it.  But definitely some clubs are going to get some bullpen arms cheaply in the next week or so. 

It was always thought that we would sign at least one more.  But, as I think about it, if we have room for one more minor signing of an arm, wouldn't it make MORE sense to look at a starter like Braden Looper, considering the uncertainity surrounding Ted Lilly, Jeff Samardzija and Tom Gorzelanny?

Now, Looper had over a 5 ERA with the Brewers last year, and they didn't feel they needed him back for a $6 million dollar option.  Fair enough.  He wants to play here!  This is his off-season home, I guess.  So what, you say?  He sucks?

Maybe.  He does have a 3-3, 3.57 ERA in Wrigley Field, albeit facing US.  If he was one of those guys who could not handle pitching in Wrigley, I would totally wipe him from my mind.  However, for small money, would it not make sense to sign him, see if he makes the rotation?  If not, then he can either go into the pen, or trade or release him?  At this point, the risk is low.   He can eat some innings for us, cheaply, and I bet, more effectively than Gorzelanny and the Shark.

Because I am going to get real effin sick of typing out THOSE two names all summer.  Shark and the Gorze, it is.  Looper is just easier to write, and I am willing to bet, he sticks as a #5 starter.

Looper grabs me for a low-risk signing.