here is a name that has not been brought up on BCB yet, and he probably won't cost too much: Edwin Encarnaion.

Let me preface this by saying that if the Cubs do indeed acquire Jake Peavy, and it appears that it is becoming more and more likely that the deal goes down, Jim Hendry will not have enough payroll flexibility to acquire a premier lefty. Jim could go out and acquire an OK lefty, maybe someone like Mark Teahen, but wouldn't you rather have a very good right handed hitter as opposed to a so-so lefty?

I know what you all are thinking:"Doesn't Encarnacion play third base? Yes, but Cincinnati, if they do keep him, is looking for him to move into the outfield. And according to the Bill James Defensive Spectrum, and not to mention common sense, right field is easier to play than third base. I'm not sure what it would take to acquire Encarnacion, but from what I have heard Dusty doesn't like him and he is now the most likely Red to be traded. I have heard that San Fransisco could be able to get him for Noah Lowry, who is no big deal.

Here are Encarnaion's career averages: .266/.340/.466. He is only tenty five and although his average dipped last year, his power numbers improved drasticaly, with his ISO going from .149 to .215, and his BB% jumping from 7.2 to 10.8. All signs point to a breakout year for EE in the very near future. I know we are in the same division and that complicates things a bit, but if he could be had for a not-too-steep price, and it appears that he can, I would jump all over that. I'm a big Pie fan, but I would swap him for EE in a heartbeat. Anyone else feel this way, and if not, any other ideas for what Hendry could do if he can't bring in a big lefty stick?