Jon Paul Morosi of FOX SPORTS is reporting that the Cubs are interested in free agent Xavier Nady. Nady, who has been recovering from Tommy John surgery, will be ready to take the field before Opening Day.
Scott Boras, the agent for Xavier Nady, said in an e-mail that the outfielder is "on schedule to be ready in spring training," following the second Tommy John elbow surgery of his career.
The Cubs look at Nady as a fourth outfielder who can platoon with Alfonso Soriano, Marlon Byrd, and Kosuke Fukudome. Nady, 31, proved to be a healthy player in 2008, hitting .305 with 25 home runs; however, he has only appeared in more 130 games in a season once in his career.
This may the perfect role for Nady, giving him the opportunity to play 2-3 times per week while keeping his body fresh. The Cubs handled the role nicely with Cliff Floyd, and could utilize Nady in a similar fashion.