Cubs add Mercker, Hollandsworth to mix Hendry keeps busy, signs veteran lefty reliever, lefty bat

After getting brushed aside by the Atlanta Braves in the firstround of the 1998 playoffs, the Cubs were satisfied to make onlyminor adjustments in the offseason. They had only their lack ofactivity to blame for a disastrous 1999 that brought down manager JimRiggleman and eventually led to general manager Ed Lynch's ouster in2000.

Whatever happens next season, general manager Jim Hendry can't beaccused of being content to return with the same team that flirtedwith the 2003 National League pennant. He continued a busy winterThursday by signing left-handed reliever Kent Mercker and left-handed-hitting outfielder Todd Hollandsworth, who ranked as the NL'sthird-best pinch …