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Manager says Cubs will spend some to fill holes; Cubs lose in 11 innings

By Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune –

CHICAGO — Dale Sveum said before Wednesday night’s 11-inning 6-5 loss to the Reds that the Cubs would spend money to make improvements this offseason.

Just how much money is another question.

The Cubs will have plenty to spend with so many huge contracts off the books in 2013 and increased revenues from Major League Baseball’s TV deals.

But the idea of dropping around $150-$175 million for an impact signing, like free agent slugger Josh Hamilton, isn’t part of the rebuilding plan. Last year’s biggest deals went to David DeJesus ($10 million) and Paul Maholm ($4.75 million).

“It’s just a matter of where we’re going to spend that money and who is available, and whether it’s obvious free agents we know will be free agents, or non-tenders and all that kind of stuff,” Sveum said. “Right now it’s kind of hard to say. You just don’t know who will be available. But yeah, we’ll spend money somewhere.”

The Cubs need three starters, four or five relievers, a center fielder and a third baseman. They apparently will look at Brett Jackson in center again, despite a .175 average and 51 strikeouts in 103 at-bats entering Wednesday’s game. At third base, Luis Valbuena will be tendered a contract, while Ian Stewart is expected to be non-tendered. Josh Vitters, hitting .108 on Wednesday, appears to be a long shot.

“Obviously we have some holes in a lot of areas that might need to be fixed,” Sveum said. “Valbuena is going to be part of the organization, and he does one heck of a job himself.”

Barney vs. Phillips: Darwin Barney’s errorless streak at second was at 133 before Wednesday, though Brandon Phillips’ reputation may trump that mark in Gold Glove voting.

“I handicap it to Barney because I see him every day,” Sveum said. “But obviously Phillips is the reigning Gold Glove winner. … The votes are in so we’ll find out (in October), but I know one thing, nobody has had a better year than Barney fielding.”

Extra innings: Reds manager Dusty Baker missed the game because he experienced shortness of breath beforehand. He stayed overnight in a Chicago hospital for precautionary tests for an irregular heartbeat. After the game, Baker said he was feeling fine and expects to rejoin the team Friday, according to a team spokesman. Coach Chris Speier ran the team in his absence Wednesday night. … With the wind blowing out at 20 mph, Cubs rookie Chris Rusin was in for a difficult night. Rusin wound up allowing five runs on 10 hits and two walks over five innings. … Alfonso Soriano reached 30 home runs for the sixth time. … DeJesus was named the Cubs’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award.

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