...Same as the Old Boss

The Cubs have made yet another of their patented free-agent signings, paying too much for too long to someone who doesn't deserve it.

31-year-old Mark DeRosa, who had his first solid season last year for Texas, has earned a three-year deal with the Cubs that will pay him $13 million. Undeterred by the crippling long-term deals he gave to Neifi Perez, Glendon Rusch, and Jacque Jones, Cubs GM Jim Hendry has once again shelled out the shekels for a player who has already given the best he's got.

DeRosa's arrival means that Ryan Theriot, who hit .328 in 53 games for the Cubs last year and gave them a low-cost leadoff-hitting possibility, is now reduced to fighting for a utility job with young Ronny Cedeno, who needs consistent at-bats if he is ever to become a solid major league player.

If this is any indication of the Cubs' plan for the future, I think I'll become a Cardinals fan.