Cubs poised sign Nady as fourth outfielder

There is a huge X-factor preventing the Cubs from announcing that free-agent outfielder Xavier Nady has signed his name next to the X on the bottom of a contract.

That X-factor has to do with injury and liability.

Although the Cubs are not commenting, they're prepared to sign the 31-year-old Nady to a one-year contract worth $3.3 million with incentives that could add about another $2 million to the deal, based on Nady's performance.

Sources say the deal is contingent on Nady passing a physical exam, to be administered some time this week, and demonstrating that his throwing arm is in good shape.

Nady played in only seven games last year with the New York Yankees before he had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow for the second time. He had the reconstructive surgery the first time in September 2001.

Once those hurdles are completed - and they're not necessarily a slam dunk - the Cubs will have the right-handed hitting backup outfielder they've talked about acquiring all winter.

Cubs people believe Nady can see significant action playing right field when Kosuke Fukudome sits against left-handed pitching. Nady can play left field, which could be important if Alfonso Soriano has injury problems. First base is an option when manager Lou Piniella decides to rest Derrek Lee.

One baseball person termed Nady a "legitimate 5-hole hitter."

Nady only recently emerged as the front-runner for the spot over Cubs free agent Reed Johnson and free agents Jonny Gomes and Jermaine Dye, late of the White Sox. Sources say the team also explored several trade possibilities and that Nady's name hadn't come up in serious discussions at the winter meetings in December.

In 2008, Nady played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Yankees. In 148 games, he put up combined numbers of a .305 batting average while hitting 25 home runs and driving in 97. His on-base percentage of .357 and his slugging percentage of. 510 combined for a solid OPS of .867.

Interestingly, another player named Xavier is the reason teams absolutely will not announce deals until all the medical questions have been answered to their satisfaction. Several years ago, the Baltimore Orioles announced the signing of pitcher Xavier Hernandez to a two-year, 2.5 million contract only to find out he had a partially torn rotator cuff.

Hernandez filed a grievance when the Orioles tried to void the deal, and the two sides agreed on a costly $1.75 million settlement.

Nady was drafted in the second round as a third baseman by the San Diego Padres in 2000. He played in one game with the Padres that year, becoming the 20th player to go directly to the major leagues out of the draft since the draft was instituted in 1965. Nady saw his first significant action with San Diego in 2003. He also has played for the Mets.

Xavier Nady at a glanceBorn: Nov. 14, 1978 in Carmel, CABats right, throws right; Size: 6-foot-1, 185 poundsAfter splitting the 2008 season between Pirates and the Yankees and setting several career highs as a hitter, Nady played in only 7 games last season and had surgery on his right elbow. Year G R H HR RBI BB AVG OBP SLG OPS 2008 148 76 169 25 97 39 .305 .357 .510 .867 2009 7 4 8 0 2 1 .286 .310 .429 .739 Career 679 290 632 87 325 144 .280 .335 .458 .792 Source: MLB.comFalse17612000New York Yankees' Xavier Nady drives in a run against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium. The free agent outfielder is close to completing a deal with the Cubs.Associated PressFalse