Byrd is the definition of a “late-bloomer”. He didn’t hit his stride offensively until reaching Texas in 2007, having struggled previously in Washington and Philadelphia. Things changed when he became a Ranger though. Over the last 3 years, Byrd has hit .295 with a .352 on-base percentage. His OPS over this time-frame has been well above average, resting at .820.

Some would worry his offensive production is a large result of playing in the offensive conducive Arlington Park, but there may be very little to this issue now that he’s moving to the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. The two parks offer an almost identical offensive advantage to the hitter, so the effects of transferring fields should be minimal.

Marlon has been under the tutelage of hitting instructor Rudy Jaramillo while playing for the Rangers, and he’s fortunate enough to be able to work with him in Chicago as well. Jaramillo was signed to be the hitting coach on the north side back in October, and Byrd should definitely be a large benefactor of his presence.

Byrd is just a middle-of-the-road defensive center fielder. As long as he can replicate his offensive success of the past 3 seasons, his mediocre defense would be more than acceptable.

Obviously, the Cubs are coming off a very poor return on their past ex-Ranger investment in Milton Bradley, but this should be no reason to worry about Byrd. Marlon has never been a clubhouse problem, and one would hope that this doesn’t change in Chicago.

Byrd is not a star, and he’s not great at anything. All the Cubs are asking for is that he can continue to do exactly what he’s been doing in Texas.

There really weren’t too many other reasonable options for Hendry when Granderson was moved and Cameron was signed. Scott Podsednik is a terrible defender, and is wildly inconsistent offensively. Rick Ankiel is largely injury-prone and another sub-par defensive player. By and large, Byrd was the best move of the remaining choices.

Cubs fans have been burnt with recent free agent and trade acquisitions, but let’s all try to approach the Byrd-signing with positivity, which is not exactly a feeling the Cubbie-faithful are used to.

Cameron, who will be 37 years old at the start of the 2010 season, remains an elite defender in the outfield. Offensively, he really is a hallmark of consistency. Mike is a very reliable run producer, year-in and year-out. The past 3 seasons he’s also hit 21 or more home runs while averaging a mediocre albeit acceptable .330 OBP.

Some people complain about his lower batting average and higher strikeout totals, but they are rendered almost meaningless if he’s getting on base acceptably and hitting with his normal power.

When recently asked about Mike Cameron, Lou Piniella replied simply that he “loved the guy”.

Cameron likely won’t be signed until Milton Bradley is moved in an eventual trade. With Bradley heading out, it allows Fukudome to return to right field, the position where he was an elite defender on the north-side in 2008. Having Cameron and Fukudome manning two-thirds of the outfield would be a top-notch defensive situation.

The Brewers paid Cameron $10 million this past season, but with the market the way it is and factoring in Mike’s age, he could get a 2-year deal averaging around $8 million.

Curtis Granderon is still on the minds of the Cubs, but it seems that no team will make a move for him until the Tigers drop their high trade demands. Rumors have also linked the Cubs to free agent center fielders Marlon Byrd and Rick Ankiel.

If Mike Cameron brings his top-of-the-line defense, consistent offensive production and quality character to Chicago, I’m sure the organization would be very happy with his signing.