Moises

Alou

If so, the team will probably re-sign him. Going with Jason Dubois at $300,000 and spending the savings elsewhere could be the best solution for the Cubs, but there are certainly worse options than Alou at $6 million.

There’s a chance that Alou will become the Giants’ right fielder and No. 5 hitter, but it might depend on just how much of a cut in pay he’s willing to take. He’s not GM Brian Sabean’s top priority.

The only Cub certain to receive an arbitration offer is Matt Clement. Todd Hollandsworth and Paul Bako might be extended offers, and the club is working hard to re-sign Nomar Garciaparra and Todd Walker today. Alou hasn’t received any kind of an offer since his option was declined. “I thought at least they’d make an effort to sign me to something fair,” he said. “I’m very disappointed. I’m upset to know they didn’t want me.”

The Mets are smartly offering just one year to the 38-year-old. Perhaps a contract with a vesting option for 2006 is a possibility.

The AP reports that deal is worth $13.25 million and contains $500,000 in incentives. The second year is a player option. It’s possible that the deal won’t be finalized until next week.

Alou is in a 1-for-15 slump, but Baker wants to find occasional days to rest him anyway. Alou will be in the lineup for the entire upcoming series against his dad’s team in San Francisco.

Alou has been slumping recently and it’s believed that the injury is the cause. The Cubs will almost certainly give Alou tomorrow off if they clinch the NL Central today.

There was never any doubt about this one. The Cubs will go into 2004 with an outfield or Alou, Corey Patterson and Sammy Sosa once again. Sosa can opt out of his contract if he wants, but he’d be foolish to give up the $33 million he’s owed over the next two seasons.

Alou is day-to-day. “I could have played,” he said.

“I’d like to play one more year after the next one,” he said, “and I’d like to play it in Chicago. I know I’m going to have another good year. So is the team.” Alou’s contract expires after next season, so he might not remain with the Cubs in 2005.