Since I don't have time to mention this in my columns, I think our choice comes down to this:

1. We can afford the best available player at any one position (Hernandez, Furcal, Giles, or Burnett)

2. We can afford two or three lesser guys at each position

(Molina and Garciaparra, or Molina and Encarnacion, or Molina and Jones, or any combination thereof with a lefty reliever thrown in like Scott Eyre or Chris Hammond)

Personally, I've always been a bigger fan of depth than putting your eggs in one basket, so I would go with option number two. The only one I'm not sure about above is Garciaparra. I don't think he SHOULD be able to command a big payday after two down seasons (and the fact that the Cubs are basically cutting him loose), but you just never know. If he asks for too much you return with Everett and improve in two or three other areas.