CHICAGO CUBS NOTES7 DAY STORY SEARCH Premium Price Point Andriana Furs Champion Dodge Conte Team RE/MAX Don McCue Chevrolet Four Seasons Fox Lake Toyota Grand Honda Northwest Metalcraft PJ's Camera S. Coveny RE/MAX Veny's Flooring Starting pitching next on Cubs’ list By Bruce Miles Daily Herald Sports Writer Posted Tuesday, November 21, 2006 Things are moving quickly for general manager Jim Hendry and the Cubs, but not this quickly. “I haven’t done any contracts with pitchers today yet,” Hendry joked Monday during his teleconference to announce the signing of free-agent outfielder Alfonso Soriano. “But we’re still going to move forward and try to get better.” Starting pitching will be next on Hendry’s docket. It’s still more likely the Cubs will look at a group that includes Cleveland’s Jake Westbrook (a trade candidate) and free agents Gil Meche, Ted Lilly and Vicente Padilla. There’s virtually no chance Oakland free-agent lefty Barry Zito will land with the Cubs. It’s a slow-moving market for pitchers, and the Cubs don't know how much Giants free agent Jason Schmidt will command. Cubs insiders say he’s no higher or lower on the priority list than the aforementioned pitchers. All right: Save for outfielder Jacque Jones and switch-hitting shortstop Cesar Izturis, the Cubs are a right-handed hitting team. The Cubs would like to add some left-handed hitting. Mets free agent Cliff Floyd is an option to play part time, but the Cubs probably won’t look at him until later this off-season. “We’ll be looking at different options and role players and maybe get a little stronger from the left side hitting wise,” Jim Hendry said. “Things can change from what you have today to what you line up with in April.” Adieu, Pierre: With Alfonso Soriano penciled in at right field and in the leadoff spot, the Cubs no longer have interest in incumbent leadoff man and center fielder Juan Pierre. “I spoke to Juan,” Jim Hendry said. “Juan has the same representative (as Soriano). I believe Juan is moving down the road with some other clubs, so at this particular time, probably not (with the Cubs).” Future is now: Jim Hendry professes no worries about Alfonso Soriano being almost 40 years old when his eight-year contract expires. “I think that those of us who know him and you guys who have watched him play, he’s got a great body, very, very athletic,” Hendry said. “He takes tremendous care of himself. Look how much our game has changed in recent years. There’s a lot of people 38 to 42 years old still playing this game and playing it well and still swinging the bat well. “He brings a lot of things to the table that even some of those guys don’t have. He’s lean. He’s like a greyhound, this guy. He’s some kind of an athlete, and that’s a very, very young body for his age.” Minor matters: The Cubs added minor-league pitchers Clay Rapada and Rocky Cherry to the 40-man roster. -- if the earth open up in my feet i woundn't move till i say this,lois,will you marry me? --

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