Bob Cook

The Chicago Cubs went from last in the National League Central to first after committing $300 million in offseason free-agent contracts, which might lead one to believe the Cubs bought themselves a division title.

But the performance of the players the Cubs signed shows that most of the money, at least in the first year of these contracts, was spent wisely.

Alfonso Soriano (eight years, $136 million), who hit 14 home runs in September, led the Cubs in home runs (33), slugging percentage (.560), runs (97) and triples (five) while finishing second on the team in doubles (42), hits (173) and stolen bases (19). His free swinging (a team-leading 130 strikeouts) isn’t exactly what you want from your leadoff hitter, but the Cubs figure Soriano’s power is worth it. He still hit .299 this year, with an on-base percentage of .337.

Ted Lilly (four years, $40 million) challenged Carlos Zambrano (seven years, $91.5 million, signed midseason this year) as the staff ace. Lilly was 15-8 and led all starters with a 3.83 ERA, and was only three strikeouts behind Zambrano (177 to 174), the team leader. Lilly also had only 55 walks in 207 innings, compared with the 101 walks issued by Zambrano, the Cubs’ Game 1 postseason starting pitcher, in 214 innings.

Mark DeRosa (three years, $13 million) played at six different positions this season, finally settling in as the starting second baseman. He hit .293, near his career high, and also neared his career highs with 10 home runs and 74 RBIs. Cliff Floyd (one year, $3 million plus incentives), whose father died Aug. 12, fought through his personal tragedy to provide outfield depth and a .284 batting average.

Though Aramis Ramirez (five years, $75 million) missed 30 games because of various injuries, he still reached 100 RBIs for the fifth time in his career, finishing with 101, along with 26 home runs. Another Cub re-signed this year, Kerry Wood (one year, $1.75 million), isn’t the flame-throwing, starting “Kid K” of the past, but the slimmer Wood is a lock for the postseason as a reliever in the Cubs’ deep bullpen.

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Not every signing that worked out involved big money. Ryan Theriot (one year, $390,000) displaced the now-departed Cesar Izturis (in the last year of a three-year, $9.9 million) at shortstop and helped stabilize the infield defense. Rich Hill (one year, $400,000), emerged as the third starter behind Zambrano and Lilly, with a 11-8 record and a 3.92 ERA, and will be counted on heavily in the playoffs. Carlos Marmol (one year, salary undisclosed, but near the league minimum) has become one of the best set-up men, finishing the season 5-1 with a 1.43 ERA.

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Above all, this group of disparate free agents was molded, after a rough first few months, by manager Lou Piniella (three years, $10 million), who claimed upon his hiring he had never heard of, nor believed in, curses. After three years managing the woebegone Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Piniella probably figured he had seen more horror than any Cubs fan had witnessed.

Even with the big money thrown around, the Cubs’ payroll total for 2007 shows them to be economically astute. The Cubs’ $99.6 million payroll is the highest among any of the NL playoffs entries, but only third in the NL overall, behind the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers. In fact, of the seven teams with higher payrolls with the Cubs, only three — the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim — made the playoffs. (As an aside, four of the five teams still left in contention — Cleveland, San Diego, Colorado and Arizona — are all in the bottom 10 in major league payrolls.)

Still, the Cubs might end up wishing they spent a little more money this offseason — or perhaps spent it a little differently.

Jason Marquis (three years, $21 million) never lost his spot in the starting rotation, but now it’s possible that, like last year when he was with St. Louis, he will be left off the postseason roster. Marquis (12-9, 4.60) had a 6.21 September ERA and got bombed for four runs in two-thirds of an inning in the season finale — and his postseason audition — against Cincinnati. Marquis might be dumped in favor of Kevin Hart, a late callup who had an 0.82 ERA in 11 innings.