Chicago Cubs Baseball

As disappointing as the 2007 Chicago Cubs baseball season ended is as good as this off-season is beginning.

At least for Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry.

Hendry’s trek towards keeping the Cubs atop the Central Division mountain began this past week in quiet, but convincing fashion. It was marked as much by what the Cubs’ GM didn’t do as it was by what Hendry did do.

For starters, Hendry and left-handed utility player Daryle Ward agreed on a one-year, $1.2 million contract through 2008. Ward joined the Cubs in 2007 and was the club’s most consistent left-handed hitter off the bench. He also subbed admirably, if not spectacularly, in the field, while subbing for Derrek Lee at first base and spending time in right field.

Looking at Ward’s career stats it can be said the left-handed utility player is consistent, if nothing else. He has a .265 career batting average, but as a pinch hitter batted over .300 for both Washington and the Cubs.

Hendry’s other big moves of the week were actually non-moves, when he declined options on both Cliff Floyd and late-season addition, Steve Trachsel. Floyd, who was part of Hendry’s 2006 rebuilding project, had pondered retirement in August after another injury filled season and the personal loss suffered with his father’s passing.

Floyd’s option was for $5 million. He appeared in 104 games with the Cubs in 2007, finishing with a .284 batting average, nine home runs and 45 RBIs.

Trachsel, meanwhile, was a late-season acquisition and very much a non-factor, locker room blowup aside, in the Chicago Cubs run towards the Central Division crown. The Cubs will pay Trachsel $100,000 as part of his buyout. His option contract was $4.75 million.