Cubs won't dwell on losing out on free agent Matsui
The Cubs appeared disappointed but not disheartened Friday about losing out to the Houston Astros in the free-agent battle for second baseman Kaz Matsui.
The Astros haven't made it official yet, but they're expected to announce any day that they've landed the 32-year-old Matsui, who helped the Colorado Rockies to the World Series.
"I actually talked to Matsui through his interpreter when I was in Tampa about four or five days ago, six days ago," said Cubs manager Lou Piniella, who visited Wrigley Field on Friday. "It went well. It was either us or Houston, from what I understand. We've got a good second baseman in (Mark) DeRosa, so I'm not concerned."
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry has been in the Dominican Republic this week. He'll head for Nashville, Tenn., today for the winter meetings.
"Our interest was sincere," Hendry said Friday. "At the same time, we're very happy with the core that we have in the middle -- DeRosa and (Ryan) Theriot and (Ronny) Cedeno and (Omar) Infante. Hopefully, (Mike) Fontenot will come back and play like he did in the middle of the year.
"At the same time, we're trying to get better. So if you're left-handed and can run, then we were going to have some interest in you."
Piniella said if the Cubs had signed Matsui, DeRosa would have moved all over the diamond in a "super" role.
"I'm not talking utility role," Piniella said. "He would have still got his at-bats and played a different position. We could use him to rest some people. That was the intention when he was signed the first time a year ago."
Hendry added that the pursuit of Matsui was in no way a sign the Cubs were not happy with the versatile DeRosa, who played a key role in getting the team to the playoffs.
Looking ahead: The Cubs still are awaiting word on whether Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome will declare if he's coming to North America, as most people expect him to do.
"We have a hole to fill in right field, which is a big priority for us," Jim Hendry said.
Fukudome is an on-base machine who is a cross between Ichiro Suzuki of the Mariners and Kaz Matsui, according to Lou Piniella.
"The one good thing about this young man is he can play both right and center," Piniella said. "That's a big advantage, too."
Pie progress: Jim Hendry got a good look at center-field prospect Felix Pie this week and said he had a couple of good games in winter ball. Lou Piniella added the Cubs are leaning toward Pie as having the inside track on winning the job in spring training.
"Our hitting coach (Gerald Perry) has been to the Dominican," Piniella said. "We've tried to impress on him, 'Let's get a little more compact with your swing. Let's be a little more patient, a little more selective at home plate. Let's bunt a little bit more. Hit the ball to left field a little more and stay on the ball longer. Let's get on base and get your on-base percentage up,' because he can really help us defensively."
Soto's the man: It looks like Geovany Soto has the job to lose behind the plate, with Henry Blanco as the backup catcher.
"Yes, we're going to go to spring training with Soto as our No. 1 guy," Lou Piniella said.