By Phil RogersXavier Nady's signing with the Cubs became official Friday after a physical that determined he had recovered from Tommy John surgery sufficiently to contribute as a fourth outfielder.
It's clear that general manager Jim Hendry is intrigued by a scenario in which Nady plays a bigger role.
Hendry referred to Nady as "a legitimate five-hole hitter,'' and suggested that if fully recovered from surgery he could get a chance to challenge for at-bats seemingly earmarked to outfield regulars Alfonso Soriano, Marlon Byrd and Kosuke Fukudome.
"Lou [Piniella] is all about winning,'' Hendry said. "We're all about the earning business. Whoever earns a chance to play every day, I'm sure they will.''
Nady, who batted .305 with 25 home runs and 97 RBIs for the Pirates and Yankees in 2008, agreed to a deal that will pay him a base of $3.3 million with another $2 million in incentives.
Photo: Xavier Nady could challenge for a full-time job. (AP)
Nady's status for the start of the season is uncertain as he's
only currently throwing 120 feet in a graduated recovery from the elbow
injury that limited him to nine games in 2009.
Nady, who was cleared by Cubs doctors after spending Thursday undergoing exams at Northwestern, says he feels no pain taking batting practice and is encouraged about his chance to contribute in April.
"I'm pretty excited,'' he said during a conference call. "The elbow's been doing well, progressing ... I feel like my best years are yet to come. I feel like I've improved every year, have a better understanding of what I need to do.''
Nady, 31, worked out at Wrigley Field before the 2000 draft but the Cubs selected shortstops Luis Montanez and Bobby Hill before San Diego claimed Nady in the second round. "This is a place that I anticipated and hoped I would play one day,'' he said.
Hendry said the Cubs will be careful with Nady in spring training. "We're in no rush at all for him to put excess effort into throwing in spring training,'' he said. "We just want to do the best things to assure he can be health not just this year but the rest of his career.''
Nady, who was cleared by Cubs doctors after spending Thursday undergoing exams at Northwestern, says he feels no pain taking batting practice and is encouraged about his chance to contribute in April.
"I'm pretty excited,'' he said during a conference call. "The elbow's been doing well, progressing ... I feel like my best years are yet to come. I feel like I've improved every year, have a better understanding of what I need to do.''
Nady, 31, worked out at Wrigley Field before the 2000 draft but the Cubs selected shortstops Luis Montanez and Bobby Hill before San Diego claimed Nady in the second round. "This is a place that I anticipated and hoped I would play one day,'' he said.
Hendry said the Cubs will be careful with Nady in spring training. "We're in no rush at all for him to put excess effort into throwing in spring training,'' he said. "We just want to do the best things to assure he can be health not just this year but the rest of his career.''
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kjholly :
Sam Fuld HIT 290 last year only against lefties and he is a left handed only batter. He would hit over 300 having some bats against righties .. He didnt hit 220 hit hit 290 last year amd 323 in the winter league with honors goven to him . He had an OBP over 400 for year also.
Nady is a 1 year $3.3 million deal. If he is hurt then the Cubs would be done with him at the end of this year. He would waste very little of the Cubs' money or time. I don't know if you could call him a bust either, since he was brought in to be the 4th outfielder.
Milton Bradley - brought in to start for three years = bust.
Aaron Miles - two-year contract and was supposed to be a DeRosa-like supersub = bust.
Fukudome and Soriano - still time left on their contracts but have not lived up to them just yet = potential busts but still time to recover.
Nady - comes in on a one year deal to be a backup - too easy to write off to be considered a bust.
Hope Nady is healthy if not he'll just be another of Hendry's busts and wasted money.
Nady will make a good fourth outfielder if he can stay healthy. There's little doubt he can hit, but its certainly odd when a position player requires one Tommy John surgery, much less two.
I still can't understand 3 years for Marlon Byrd though.
Hey Dubis18, you dufus, tommy john surgery is for the ELBOW not SHOULDER. Please try to read the article before spouting off.
Mikemo,
I love Sam Fuld's fielding more that anyone, but the fact is, if you can't come up and hit above .220 in a reserve role, you ain't going to be up in the majors for long.
Completely different story if the Cubs were in a strong division like the NL east and had no chance, then you can use the time to work on his hitting at the big league level.
Where I disagree with Pinella is playing the players who give you the best chance to win if you team is already out of it. When your team is out, your focus needs to shift to what is best for next year, and that is getting the youngsters some regular playing time to feel them out.
This year if/when the Cubs fall out of the race, then is the time to plug Fuld in and give him an extednded look.
Hendry referred to Nady as "a legitimate five-hole hitter,'' and suggested that if fully recovered from surgery he could get a chance to challenge for at-bats seemingly earmarked to outfield regulars Alfonso Soriano, Marlon Byrd and Kosuke Fukudome.
"Lou [Piniella] is all about winning,'' Hendry said. "We're all about the earning business. Whoever earns a chance to play every day, I'm sure they will.''
What a joke!! Sam Fuld was tons better thank Fuku and didnt play.. Hes better than these 2 new free agents and wont get a chance.
We all know Sorry Soriano and Sorry Soto will plat no matter what they do .. YOu are a JOKE Hendry
CUB fan Thats hates the management and their stupid ideas on talent
Well now that Nady's shoulder is OK, the local morning radio 'distress team' will have to find another topic to try to create controversy about the Cubs. This morning they choose to speculate that Nady's arm would only be "adequate" per J Hendry.
Well if it is 'only adequate', it would be a CANNON compared to the arms of Juan Pierre, Carlos Quentin and the Sox fan fairy, 'Scotty Pods'.