DeRosa crowd favorite at Cubs convention
There always seems to be a "people's choice" at the Cubs convention.
If the crowd reaction during Friday's opening ceremonies was any indication, that man is Mark DeRosa.
DeRosa got some of the biggest cheers from the Cubs crazies packed into the big ballroom at the Hilton Chicago hotel.
Many Cubs fans apparently feel the team doesn't need to trade for Baltimore second baseman Brian Roberts and knock DeRosa into a utility role.
Guess what? They may get their wish.
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Speak up, Cubs fans What do you thinkof the Cubs selling the naming rights to Wrigley Field for $400 million over 20 years? It's a good possibility, according to Tribune Co. representatives. Is that enough money to get this club to the World Series? While you're at it, how confident are you about this lineup that Lou Piniella tossed out on Saturday at the Cubs Convention:Lou's early lineupAlfonso Soriano, LF
Ryan Theriot, SS
Derrek Lee, 1B
Aramis Ramirez, 3B
Kosuke Fukudome, RF
Mark DeRosa, 2B
Geovany Soto, C
Felix Pie, CF
Carlos Zambrano, P
Share your views at sportstalk@dailyherald.com. Please limit your comments to 200 words and include your name, hometown and daytime phone number (for verification purposes). "I don't think we're going to do anything, to be honest with you," said manager Lou Piniella. "If we do, it'll be in the outfield. I'm very comfortable with our club the way it is." This all may be news to general manager Jim Hendry, who claims he's still trying to make one or two more moves. Hendry would love to pry second baseman Roberts from the Orioles, but moving mountains would seem to be an easier task than moving Baltimore owner Peter Angelos and baseball chief Andy MacPhail. Piniella dropped on the beat writers that the Cubs are looking for a right-handed hitting center-field type, and Texas' Marlon Byrd is a name of interest to Hendry, who is actively shopping outfielder Matt Murton. Hendry also would have to give up a young pitcher in any deal for Roberts and possibly Byrd. If nothing happens with Roberts, the happiest man on the planet will be DeRosa, who struck a proud tone Friday. "I've always said this: I'm a team guy first," DeRosa said. "Jim's going to do whatever he feels necessary to put a championship-caliber team on the field. We were close last year. I want to be out there every day. I think I've proven myself. I can't say, from a personal standpoint, it wouldn't bother me, but at the same time, I know Brian well. I know what he brings to the table." The Cubs signed DeRosa to a three-year contract last winter, and many termed him a "utility guy." But DeRosa wound up with 502 at-bats, turning in an on-base percentage of .371 and 10 homers. "I've been trying to shake the 'utility' label for a long time," DeRosa said. "But it's also got me to this point in my career. But my problem is not moving around and helping Lou and being efficient for the club. My problem is I don't see where I can move to. There's all-stars at every position that I so-called move around to. I know if I was an everyday guy, I wouldn't want to take days off. I'd want to be out there every day." DeRosa cited Alfonso Soriano in left field, Kosuke Fukudome in right, Aramis Ramirez at third and Derrek Lee at first as everyday players who'd block his path to playing time. "It's tough for me to really react to it," DeRosa said of a possible trade for Roberts. If the Cubs did land Roberts, who is another high-OBP guy, it might force the issue with Soriano, the power-hitting leadoff man. "Leadoff? I'm not going to say never," Piniella said of dropping Soriano in the order. "But he's not going to play center field. He's going to be in left field. I would say he's going to be leading off. If something unforeseen happens as far as a trade or something, it could change that. But outside of that, no." 512351Cubs coach Lou Piniella throws out the first pitch at the Cubs convention in Chicago.Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer