Lou Piniella has a Need for Speed

As the Sun-Times pointed out on Monday morning, it appears the Cubs new mission in the off-season will be to add speed to a station-to-station lineup. After spending last winter overly committed to becoming more left handed and tearing apart a 97-win team, Lou Piniella would like to add players that can run to a team that is last in the NL this year in stolen bases ... and the one name that has already popped up in the rumor mill, Chone Figgins. The Cubs have had rumored interest in the Angels' primary third baseman for the last two winters. Reportedly there were conversations between the two teams that started and ended when the Angels asked for Aramis Ramirez in return. With Brian Roberts signing a long-term deal in Baltimore (four-year extension signed in February of 2009 worth $40 million) there are very few legitimate leadoff hitters on the market ... and Chone Figgins is one of them, a player that will be coveted by both Chicago teams this winter.