The Cubs did the least possible damage to their payroll and filled a couple of question marks at the same time by signing Mark Grudzielanek and Tom Goodwin.

It’s unlikely that Grudzie will repeat his above average (for him) 2003 season, but it’ll only cost the Cubs $2.5 million for one year to hope that he does. After that, they are pinning their hopes on a minor-league prospect, Brendan Harris, to fill the gap. But this is a minimal commitment both in time and money, especially given that any of the leadoff type, lefthanded-hitting second basemen out there probably would have asked for twice the money and a three-year deal.

Barring injury, the Cubs will be “solid” at second base. The question of who will lead off is of course still wide open. Grudzie did lead off some last year.

There may be better reserve outfielders available on the market, but I think re-signing Goodwin is just fine. And again, at a very reasonable price: $650,000. He’s got speed, he’s a lefty and can play all three outfield positions. If there are any injury problems with Alou or Patterson, Goodwin can fill in and lead off.

Now, unless something remarkable happens, it looks as though the Cubs will regularly have only one lefthanded batter in the everyday lineup: Corey Patterson. The one other position the Cubs still have a chance to improve is catcher, with Pudge Rodriguez and Javy Lopez still available as free agents and Jason Kendall being shopped around by the Pirates. All of them are righthanded, however. This should be the Cubs’ top priority, much more so than another reliever or a fifth starter.

Both of those “needs” can be filled more cheaply and probably just as well by pitchers the Cubs already have in the farm system. A more productive offense is what will set this team apart, as the Cubs were incredibly lucky to have no major injuries to their pitching staff last year. Investing money in a catcher is always a risky proposition because of the likelihood of injuries, but if the Cubs want to win the pennant next year it has to be done.