As an experienced and successful manager, Lou Piniella understands the importance of having an ace starter, a dependable closer, at least one thumper in the middle of the lineup -- and working for an organization willing to spend a lot of money on player payroll.

So you can imagine how thrilled Sweet Lou must be these days.

Less than a month after hiring Piniella as their manager, the Cubs are showing signs of becoming the Midwest version of the Yankees and Red Sox. They re-signed third baseman Aramis Ramirez for $73 million over five years; forked over $13 million for free-agent second baseman Mark DeRosa; re-signed backup catcher Henry Blanco for $5.25 million; and tacked on another $1.75 million for right-hander Kerry Wood.

"We won 66 ballgames," general manager Jim Hendry said when asked about the team being so active. "We darn sure better be aggressive. That's what we told people we were going to do. We started with the manager we hired. We'll do whatever we can that's good for the ballclub."

At the current rate, the Cubs will have a player payroll of about $120 million in 2007, which is almost as much money as the Devil Rays spent on players during Piniella's entire four years with the organization.

With Piniella enjoying every New York minute of it, Hendry has been doing his Christmas shopping early.

"He's like Pac-Man," Piniella told the Chicago Tribune. "He's just out there gobbling up players."

Hendry's latest acquisition came Thursday when he acquired left-handed reliever Neal Cotts in a trade with the crosstown White Sox.

Thanksgiving is next week and Hendry's appetite for signing experienced players remains strong.

The Tribune reported that, "According to sources, Boston and the Cubs have expressed the most interest in [J.D.] Drew, who used an early-out clause to reach free agency only two years into a five-year, $55 million deal with the Dodgers. He's believed to be seeking $14 million a year for four or five years."

Hendry also has thrown ownership's checkbook into the Alfonso Soriano sweepstakes.

Meanwhile, the Cubs' starting rotation has an abundance of "help wanted" signs and Hendry has talked to agents representing pitchers Ted Lilly and Gil Meche, two of the available arms on the free-agent market.

The Tribune also reported that the Cubs might be interested in right-hander Jason Marquis, who pitched for St. Louis during the regular season but was left off the Cardinals' postseason roster.

Furthermore, the Cubs reportedly are among the MLB teams thinking about pursuing Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa, who is expected to be posted by the Hanshin Tigers on Monday.

In other Hot Stove developments on Thursday:

Athletics: With reports that the Blue Jays are within a passed physical of signing free agent Frank Thomas to a three-year, $31 million contract, GM Billy Beane may soon be looking for another designated hitter. The Oakland Tribune pointed out that other potential DH-types on the free-agent market are Moises Alou, Ray Durham, Luis Gonzalez, Phil Nevin, Trot Nixon, Bernie Williams and Preston Wilson. Another possibility is Barry Bonds, though that probably is a long shot, at best.

Astros: Offers are believed to have been made to free-agent sluggers Carlos Lee and Soriano, but Houston GM Tim Purpura would only confirm that he has made offers to free agents and would not identify which ones. Purpura has had multiple discussions with Lee's agent, Adam Katz, and Soriano's agent, Fern Cuza, and will make an offer to starting pitcher Woody Williams.

Phillies: Club officials met with Soriano's agent again Thursday, and while it is too early to say they have the inside track, the Phillies have been the slugger's most ardent pursuer. It also means Soriano is willing to play the outfield as the Phillies already have All-Star Chase Utley at second base.

Yankees: Left-handed reliever Ron Villone told the Newark Star-Ledger that there are "about" six teams interested in his services. "Obviously I'd love to be back here [with the Yankees] and I'd prefer to be back here," he said. "But you have to listen to what's out there."

Red Sox: A report in the Boston Globe said the Red Sox are the front-runners for free-agent shortstop Julio Lugo. The Red Sox also could be targeting Villone, Scott Schoeneweis and Mike Stanton as potential solutions to the team's left-handed reliever situation. GM Theo Epstein is being coy on the team's plans to fill the closer role for next season, telling reporters, "I'm sure something will unfold before Opening Day."

Twins: The Rocky Mountain News reported that the Twins are interested in acquiring right-hander Jason Jennings from the Rockies. The 28-year-old starter was 9-13 with a 3.78 ERA last season, and although Colorado picked up Jennings' $5.5 million option for 2007, club officials have been unable to extend the deal and fear losing Jennings to free agency at the end of next season. The Twins are looking for a solid starter to help fill the voids left by the impending retirement of Brad Radke and loss of Francisco Liriano to Tommy John surgery.

Blue Jays: As a precautionary measure to the potential departure of free-agent catchers Bengie Molina and Gregg Zaun, Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi has contacted free-agent catcher Rod Barajas' agent, according to the Toronto Sun. Ricciardi also told the Sun that the Jays have some minor interest in free-agent starter Mark Mulder, who is unlikely to be ready by Opening Day.

Indians: In light of a so-so season from shortstop Jhonny Peralta, the Indians are looking for protection up the middle and the Plain Dealer reported that the club has talked with Alex Gonzalez and Craig Counsell. But a couple of sticking points: Gonzalez wants a four-year deal and Counsell wants a full-time job. GM Mark Shapiro told the paper the Indians might have to make a trade to find a suitable backup for Peralta.

Nationals: New manager Manny Acta said he would like to have at least two lefties in the bullpen in 2007, and Stanton said he is willing to put on a Nationals uniform for the third time in his career.

Braves: Scratch Dave Roberts off the Braves' list of potential free-agent acquisitions. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that the Braves are no longer interested in Roberts, who could command a three-year, $15 million contract.

Padres: With the price of relievers expected to be high, the Padres are reluctant to pull the trigger on a trade that would send right-hander Scott Linebrink to the Braves for second baseman Marcus Giles. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that the Padres have offered Alou a one-year contract.

Marlins: Free-agent closer Joe Borowski has drawn attention from the Indians, Giants, Blue Jays and Red Sox, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Tigers: Interest in free agent Aubrey Huff hasn't completely evaporated even though the club re-signed Sean Casey on Thursday.