2006 Cubs Thread!

[AnotherAlias]

Anothershutout 9-0. I've never seen an offense so inept. So...weak. So...


It doesn't look very good at this point.

[Malleus Dei]

Originally Posted by AnotherAlias

Anothershutout 9-0. I've never seen an offense so inept. So...weak. So...


It doesn't look very good at this point.

"I was able to formulate what I'm vain enough to call Orcutt's First Law. I haven't come up with a second one yet."

"What's the first one?"

"To get better, it must get much worse."

- Ross Thomas, The Fools in Town Are on Our Side

It looks to me like things have gotten so bad that even those who have refused to take action are about to be forced to do so.

[echolodge]

The many Sox fans I work with may call me a fool, but I think it is far from over. It is only May 14th and I'm waiting to see what the return of Wood will bring. Prior and Miller may not be that far away. Then Lee returns. I think the Cubbies can still make some noise. Hendry will also make a deal soon if at all possible...that may be tough this time of year.

Let me sip on some more Cub coolaid and continue my dreaming about my new OOTP 2006 universe.

[andymac]

Originally Posted by echolodge

The many Sox fans I work with may call me a fool, but I think it is far from over. It is only May 14th and I'm waiting to see what the return of Wood will bring. Prior and Miller may not be that far away. Then Lee returns. I think the Cubbies can still make some noise. Hendry will also make a deal soon if at all possible...that may be tough this time of year.

Let me sip on some more Cub coolaid and continue my dreaming about my new OOTP 2006 universe.

Have Prior & Miller been taking a lot of batting practice or something?

[Modern Relic]

Originally Posted by Malleus Dei

It looks to me like things have gotten so bad that even those who have refused to take action are about to be forced to do so.

Have you heard something?

[piperclap]

****!

Let me rephrase that:

****!

At least starting tomorow I'll be able to watch the Cubbies in WGN-y goodness on a big TV instead of a choppy little window with MLB.tv. Will this make the ineptitude better or worse to watch?

...Rock bottom, starting to dig. Your 2006 Chicago Cubs!

[The Professor]

Originally Posted by echolodge

The many Sox fans I work with may call me a fool, but I think it is far from over. It is only May 14th and I'm waiting to see what the return of Wood will bring. Prior and Miller may not be that far away. Then Lee returns. I think the Cubbies can still make some noise. Hendry will also make a deal soon if at all possible...that may be tough this time of year.

Let me sip on some more Cub coolaid and continue my dreaming about my new OOTP 2006 universe.

This is, it seems to me, what is wrong with the Cubs and Cubs Nation in general (with exceptions, to be sure). As andymac notes above, none of the Cubs "soon to be healthy" pitchers can be much help where this team is hurting worst. This team just flat cannot hit. And yet, I know many Cubs fans who get this glassy-eyed, dreamy, look and say "oh, but when Wood and Prior..." and I think to myself: this is not the first time I've heard this.

I think it was a huge mistake to put the franchise's eggs into a basket with a broken handle. Both Prior and, especially, Wood are mechanics nightmares. Wood, as far as I've heard, refuses to make any adjustments. He'll be back on the DL before he makes any difference -- if he ever makes a difference again. I'm not sure Prior will ever live up to the "dream" either.

Every year so many Cubs fans seem convinced that the magical cure-all to their woes is going to be a healthy 1-2 punch of Wood and Prior. Eh. I think that bird has long since flown. I don't see this team being particularly good any time soon, and unless some of their potential young hitters really mature at an unheard of rate, they won't be hitting much. Additionally, until the Dynamic Duo proves otherwise, this team's pitching will remain far from impressive.

As for D-Lee -- who I'm a big, big, fan of -- he's going to come off an injury and immediately be expected to shoulder the entire load for what appears to be the most inept offense in the Majors.

I think the notion that the Cubs will be doing anything exciting beyond the odd short-term streak is pie-in-the-sky wishful thinking. This franchise has a terrible manager, a lot of backup parts being used in ill-fitting roles, a 40-year-old "ace", superstar pitchers constructed of a material somewhat like thin glass, and a host of on-the-way youngsters.

I hope I'm wrong. Even as a Cardinals fan -- and, yes, I am a Cardinals fan -- I like to see the Cubs competitive (so long as the Cards are the same or better).

EDIT: piperclap's avatar makes me want to cry.

[piperclap]

By the shore's of old Lake Michigan
Where the "hawk wind" blows so cold
An old Cub fan lay dying
In his midnight hour that tolled
Round his bed, his friends had all gathered
They knew his time was short
And on his head they put this bright blue cap
From his all-time favorite sport
He told them, "Its late and its getting dark in here"
And I know its time to go
But before I leave the line-up
Boys, there's just one thing I'd like to know

Do they still play the blues in Chicago
When baseball season rolls around
When the snow melts away,
Do the Cubbies still play
In their ivy-covered burial ground
When I was a boy they were my pride and joy
But now they only bring fatigue
To the home of the brave
The land of the free
And the doormat of the National League

Told his friends "You know the law of averages says:
Anything will happen that can"
That's what it says
"But the last time the Cubs won a National League pennant
Was the year we dropped the bomb on Japan"
The Cubs made me a criminal
Sent me down a wayward path
They stole my youth from me
(that's the truth)
I'd forsake my teachers
To go sit in the bleachers
In flagrant truancy

and then one thing led to another
and soon I'd discovered alcohol, gambling, dope
football, hockey, lacrosse, tennis
But what do you expect,
When you raise up a young boy's hopes
And then just crush 'em like so many paper beer cups.

Year after year after year
after year, after year, after year, after year, after year
'Til those hopes are just so much popcorn
for the pigeons beneath the 'L' tracks to eat
He said, "You know I'll never see Wrigley Field, anymore before my eternal rest
So if you have your pencils and your score cards ready,
and I'll read you my last request
He said, "Give me a double header funeral in Wrigley Field
On some sunny weekend day (no lights)
Have the organ play the "National Anthem"
and then a little 'na, na, na, na, hey hey, hey, Goodbye'
Make six bullpen pitchers, carry my coffin
and six ground keepers clear my path
Have the umpires bark me out at every base
In all their holy wrath
Its a beautiful day for a funeral, Hey Ernie lets play two!
Somebody go get Jack Brickhouse to come back,
and conduct just one more interview
Have the Cubbies run right out into the middle of the field,
Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly
Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt
And I'll be ready to die

Build a big fire on home plate out of your Louisville Sluggers baseball bats,
And toss my coffin in
Let my ashes blow in a beautiful snow
From the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind
When my last remains go flying over the left-field wall
Will bid the bleacher bums adíeu
And I will come to my final resting place, out on Waveland Avenue

The dying man's friends told him to cut it out
They said stop it that's an awful shame
He whispered, "Don't Cry, we'll meet by and by near the Heavenly Hall of Fame
He said, "I've got season's tickets to watch the Angels now,
So its just what I'm going to do
He said, "but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs,
So its me that feels sorry for you!"

And he said, "Ahh Play, play that lonesome losers tune,
That's the one I like the best"
And he closed his eyes, and slipped away
What we got is the Dying Cub Fan's Last Request
And here it is

Do they still play the blues in Chicago
When baseball season rolls around
When the snow melts away,
Do the Cubbies still play
In their ivy-covered burial ground
When I was a boy they were my pride and joy
But now they only bring fatigue
To the home of the brave
The land of the free
And the doormat of the National League

[Dougiestyle]

Originally Posted by The Professor

Both Prior and, especially, Wood are mechanics nightmares.

Hasn't everyone said for years, experts and non-experts alike, that Prior has flawless mechanics?

Just sayin ...

[The Professor]

Originally Posted by Dougiestyle

Hasn't everyone said for years, experts and non-experts alike, that Prior has flawless mechanics?

Just sayin ...

No.

Steve Stone has said that it appeared there was something wrong with them.

There is some concern that it is the stretch delivery that causes Mark troubles.

Dr. Mike Marshall has insisted that Prior's mechanics are a problem. Of course, he also said that Larry Rothschild and Tom House probably didn't know what muscles even formed the rotator cuff

Of course, for every person that believes Prior has a problem - even a small one - there are those who insist that his mechanics are "picture perfect" and as refined as any pitcher, ever. Maybe they were. Maybe they still are. I honestly don't know.

Maybe Prior's problem is not mechanical...then again, perhaps there is an underlying mechanical quirk. We'll see eventually.

[eswan9]

Originally Posted by piperclap

By the shore's of old Lake Michigan
Where the "hawk wind" blows so cold
An old Cub fan lay dying
In his midnight hour that tolled
Round his bed, his friends had all gathered
They knew his time was short
And on his head they put this bright blue cap
From his all-time favorite sport
He told them, "Its late and its getting dark in here"
And I know its time to go
But before I leave the line-up
Boys, there's just one thing I'd like to know

Do they still play the blues in Chicago
When baseball season rolls around
When the snow melts away,
Do the Cubbies still play
In their ivy-covered burial ground
When I was a boy they were my pride and joy
But now they only bring fatigue
To the home of the brave
The land of the free
And the doormat of the National League

Told his friends "You know the law of averages says:
Anything will happen that can"
That's what it says
"But the last time the Cubs won a National League pennant
Was the year we dropped the bomb on Japan"
The Cubs made me a criminal
Sent me down a wayward path
They stole my youth from me
(that's the truth)
I'd forsake my teachers
To go sit in the bleachers
In flagrant truancy

and then one thing led to another
and soon I'd discovered alcohol, gambling, dope
football, hockey, lacrosse, tennis
But what do you expect,
When you raise up a young boy's hopes
And then just crush 'em like so many paper beer cups.

Year after year after year
after year, after year, after year, after year, after year
'Til those hopes are just so much popcorn
for the pigeons beneath the 'L' tracks to eat
He said, "You know I'll never see Wrigley Field, anymore before my eternal rest
So if you have your pencils and your score cards ready,
and I'll read you my last request
He said, "Give me a double header funeral in Wrigley Field
On some sunny weekend day (no lights)
Have the organ play the "National Anthem"
and then a little 'na, na, na, na, hey hey, hey, Goodbye'
Make six bullpen pitchers, carry my coffin
and six ground keepers clear my path
Have the umpires bark me out at every base
In all their holy wrath
Its a beautiful day for a funeral, Hey Ernie lets play two!
Somebody go get Jack Brickhouse to come back,
and conduct just one more interview
Have the Cubbies run right out into the middle of the field,
Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly
Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt
And I'll be ready to die

Build a big fire on home plate out of your Louisville Sluggers baseball bats,
And toss my coffin in
Let my ashes blow in a beautiful snow
From the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind
When my last remains go flying over the left-field wall
Will bid the bleacher bums adíeu
And I will come to my final resting place, out on Waveland Avenue

The dying man's friends told him to cut it out
They said stop it that's an awful shame
He whispered, "Don't Cry, we'll meet by and by near the Heavenly Hall of Fame
He said, "I've got season's tickets to watch the Angels now,
So its just what I'm going to do
He said, "but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs,
So its me that feels sorry for you!"

And he said, "Ahh Play, play that lonesome losers tune,
That's the one I like the best"
And he closed his eyes, and slipped away
What we got is the Dying Cub Fan's Last Request
And here it is

Do they still play the blues in Chicago
When baseball season rolls around
When the snow melts away,
Do the Cubbies still play
In their ivy-covered burial ground
When I was a boy they were my pride and joy
But now they only bring fatigue
To the home of the brave
The land of the free
And the doormat of the National League

Seconded!

[cdheer]

Some thoughts and comments.

So far as Dusty goes...I don't think he's the root of all Cub ills. But he certainly has to go. It's become quite clear that he doesn't understand baseball as he continues to make baffling decision after baffling decision.

His total lack of understanding of OBP and why it matters at the top of the lineup, as witnessed by his insistence on playing Patterson at leadoff last year. His curious love for Neifi Perez. Letting a pitcher bat for himself and then bringing in a reliever at the top of the next inning. Etc.

This doesn't even touch his excuse-making stuff, like whining about a lack of a left-handed BP pitcher.

What's more to the point is that he doesn't seem to be doing anything as a manager from a personnel perspective. By that I mean it's his job to manage these players. I don't mean he should be a yelling, screaming, Lou-Pinella-type of guy; I strongly disagree with those who think managers need to have fire. But the outside impression is that he's doing little or nothing to address mistakes his players make. (Here's a thought...$1k fine each time someone swings at a first pitch unless specifically given the green light. Maybe that will teach them.) Perhaps this is a mistaken impression...but hitting discipline needs to be addressed. I'm not saying you can turn a Jacque Jones into Ichiro, but I would think something would be doable, else why even bother to have hitting coaches?

As for Hendry...well, I'm somewhere in between Mal and the Hendry groupies. He's made some very good moves -- Aramis Ramirez, Derrek Lee, and plenty of others. Personally I thought Juan Pierre was a good move at the time -- yes, he's not an ideal leadoff guy, but I didn't see an ideal leadoff guy available, did you? (Couple years ago I was telling anyone who'd listen that the Cubs should make a run at that Podsednik kid the Brewers had...) But Mal has a very good point...an inability to draw walks and/or have some plate discipline has been a problem with this team for a long time, and Hendry has done very little to address it. And the Jacque Jones signing was laughable. (Of course, in the previous offseason J.D. Drew was right there for ya, but we were content with Jeromy Burnitz?!?)

This season is done. No way is this team good enough to make the playoffs, and even if by some miracle they are, they won't get far. I say start prepping for the future now. Somebody make Hendry read Moneyball.

And then somebody go find a manager who can understand it.

--chris

[Malleus Dei]

In case you want to read about the disaster in the *other* league and maybe feel better about the Cubs, here's Rob and Rany on the Royals:

http://www.robneyer.com/robrany.html

It's a helluva read.

[echolodge]

Originally Posted by piperclap

By the shore's of old Lake Michigan
Where the "hawk wind" blows so cold
An old Cub fan lay dying
In his midnight hour that tolled
Round his bed, his friends had all gathered
They knew his time was short
And on his head they put this bright blue cap
From his all-time favorite sport
He told them, "Its late and its getting dark in here"
And I know its time to go
But before I leave the line-up
Boys, there's just one thing I'd like to know

Do they still play the blues in Chicago
When baseball season rolls around
When the snow melts away,
Do the Cubbies still play
In their ivy-covered burial ground
When I was a boy they were my pride and joy
But now they only bring fatigue
To the home of the brave
The land of the free
And the doormat of the National League

Told his friends "You know the law of averages says:
Anything will happen that can"
That's what it says
"But the last time the Cubs won a National League pennant
Was the year we dropped the bomb on Japan"
The Cubs made me a criminal
Sent me down a wayward path
They stole my youth from me
(that's the truth)
I'd forsake my teachers
To go sit in the bleachers
In flagrant truancy

and then one thing led to another
and soon I'd discovered alcohol, gambling, dope
football, hockey, lacrosse, tennis
But what do you expect,
When you raise up a young boy's hopes
And then just crush 'em like so many paper beer cups.

Year after year after year
after year, after year, after year, after year, after year
'Til those hopes are just so much popcorn
for the pigeons beneath the 'L' tracks to eat
He said, "You know I'll never see Wrigley Field, anymore before my eternal rest
So if you have your pencils and your score cards ready,
and I'll read you my last request
He said, "Give me a double header funeral in Wrigley Field
On some sunny weekend day (no lights)
Have the organ play the "National Anthem"
and then a little 'na, na, na, na, hey hey, hey, Goodbye'
Make six bullpen pitchers, carry my coffin
and six ground keepers clear my path
Have the umpires bark me out at every base
In all their holy wrath
Its a beautiful day for a funeral, Hey Ernie lets play two!
Somebody go get Jack Brickhouse to come back,
and conduct just one more interview
Have the Cubbies run right out into the middle of the field,
Have Keith Moreland drop a routine fly
Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt
And I'll be ready to die

Build a big fire on home plate out of your Louisville Sluggers baseball bats,
And toss my coffin in
Let my ashes blow in a beautiful snow
From the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind
When my last remains go flying over the left-field wall
Will bid the bleacher bums adíeu
And I will come to my final resting place, out on Waveland Avenue

The dying man's friends told him to cut it out
They said stop it that's an awful shame
He whispered, "Don't Cry, we'll meet by and by near the Heavenly Hall of Fame
He said, "I've got season's tickets to watch the Angels now,
So its just what I'm going to do
He said, "but you the living, you're stuck here with the Cubs,
So its me that feels sorry for you!"

And he said, "Ahh Play, play that lonesome losers tune,
That's the one I like the best"
And he closed his eyes, and slipped away
What we got is the Dying Cub Fan's Last Request
And here it is

Do they still play the blues in Chicago
When baseball season rolls around
When the snow melts away,
Do the Cubbies still play
In their ivy-covered burial ground
When I was a boy they were my pride and joy
But now they only bring fatigue
To the home of the brave
The land of the free
And the doormat of the National League

Yes, yes, I have been a long-suffering Cub fan since the early seventies when I actually was excited about the aquistion of Vic Harris and Bill Matlock (well at least one of them was worth getting worked up about and then they traded him away) from Texas for good ol' Fergie, and I honestly admit that I am often over optimistic about my Cubbies every year. I predict them to win every year, the division at least. But isn't that the defintion of a Cub fan? I think I'm pretty knowledgeable about the game, but when a player put on the Cub pinstripes, something strange happens to my logic and vision (I don't drink Budweiser, sorry Harry). That aside, I think that the criticism of the Cubs this year is a bit carried away (yes they have lost 14 of 16). And yes, you guys stressing that the problem is their hitting at this point are correct. But I can't believe Ramirez is a .220 hitter, or that Juan Pierre's true OBP is .259! The addition of Wood and Prioir and even perphaps Miller could spark the offense a bit and build their confidence. I really am hoping that I will be able to post a reply on this thread in late June or so and celebrate the reemergence of the Cubs in the Friendly Confines.

Yes, the Cubbies still play in that ivy-covered pearl of park called Wrigley
When I was a boy they were my pride and joy
When I became a man they were still my pride and joy
And now they still bring me joy
The home of the brave
The land of the free
And the team that matters to me
Resides in the National League

And Ernie yelled out, "The Cubs will be in the mix in 2006! Let's play two!"

Those of you concerned about my sanity can address your cards and letters to: Cubalcholics Anonymous, Clark and Addison, Chicago, Illinois 60112.

[TonyJ]

To Prof:

I agree with some of your thoughts and disagree with some others.

First, on Prior and Wood I agree to a large extent, but not completely. It is a bad idea to put their eggs in that basket, although I think management realizes this. Remember, they still have Zambrano and Maddux. Maddux won't last forever, but Z will be around for a good long while. Rusch is off to a terrible start, but he's usually serviceable. They have a number of young arms coming up and they can get by with Z and Maddux as the aces until they are ready. In the meantime, it would not be at all a bad idea to get a couple innings eaters either by FA and trade. In other words, they should plan for life without Wood and Prior and consider it a bonus if they get anything out of them. Wood should be moved to the bullpen, IMO. As for Prior, I don't think he's a lost cause. Other than his current injury, his injuries have all been of the freak variety, and not anything to do with his pitching arm/mechanics. He's also a very smart guy so if there is something with his mechanics, I'm sure it can be worked out. It's not at all unusual for a young pitcher to suffer an injury and come back just as strong as ever. Prior may or may not be one of those, but I'm not ready to write him off yet. Obviously, though, they need to have better backup plans. That shouldn't be too difficult.

As for the offense, I think the problems are being overstated, partly because of the injury to Lee, but mostly because of slow starts from some of their position players. Pierre, Ramirez and even Walker are performing well below their established norms. Murton and Cedeno are rookies who look very promising going forward, plus they have Pie coming up from the minors. Unfortunately, they are stuck with Jacque Jones for the next 2 plus seasons, which sucks, but the Cards are playing Juan Encarnacion every day and getting by with him. The offense is not going to be very good this season, but its not as bad as it looks right now and it will be much better next season.

Going forward, I think the Cubs are not all that far away, actually. They do need to make some upgrades. If I were in charge, I would make the following moves either this year or in the off-season:

1. Fire Dusty Baker and hire someone who understands how to handle a pitching staff, especially one with fragile arms.
2. Sign or trade for at least two more starting pitchers who can pitch 200 innings at or around league average.
3. Move Kerry Wood to the pen.
4. Desperately try to trade Jacque Jones and his salary.
5. Let Pierre go and either sign or trade for a CF with a one year deal if Pie is not ready. Stick him in center if he is.
6. Get one more thumping, middle of the order type hitter, either through FA or trading a few of their prospects (not named Felix Pie or Angel Guzman if possible). Ramirez and Lee are great as your three and four hitters, but they lack that one bat for depth that a great team needs.

That's not a whole lot of needs and all are easily doable. The Cubs are going to be bad this season, but not as bad as they look right now. They will be lucky to win 75 games, but depending upon what they do in the off-season, they could well be in the playoffs next year. I'm not ready to blow the team up or fire Hendry. They still have a great core in Maddux (for now), Z, Lee and Ramirez and some very promising youngsters. It's just a matter of getting the right support around them and think that is certainly doable.

[mauboy]

I still would choose Zambrano. It's starts like these that make me go, "Ooh yeah, there's the zambrano I know."

[piperclap]

Wow, I'm shocked you all missed that. That song is called "A dying Cubs Fan's last request" by Steve Goodman.

And hey-hey, we wont yesterday. Its all turning around.

[Modern Relic]

Originally Posted by cdheer

As for Hendry...well, I'm somewhere in between Mal and the Hendry groupies. --chris

Not trying to pick nits or anything, but I truly don't see any "Hendry groupies" here. I think everyone here that has defended him has acknowledged his bad moves (or lack of moves).

[Modern Relic]

Originally Posted by TonyJ

5. Let Pierre go and either sign or trade for a CF with a one year deal if Pie is not ready. Stick him in center if he is.

I agree with this thought, but I don't know who they would go after.

EDIT: I actually agreed with the entire post as well. I just don't know what Hendry can do about this item, at this point.

[The Professor]

Originally Posted by TonyJ

To Prof:

I agree with some of your thoughts and disagree with some others.

First, on Prior and Wood I agree to a large extent, but not completely. It is a bad idea to put their eggs in that basket, although I think management realizes this. Remember, they still have Zambrano and Maddux. Maddux won't last forever, but Z will be around for a good long while. Rusch is off to a terrible start, but he's usually serviceable. They have a number of young arms coming up and they can get by with Z and Maddux as the aces until they are ready. In the meantime, it would not be at all a bad idea to get a couple innings eaters either by FA and trade. In other words, they should plan for life without Wood and Prior and consider it a bonus if they get anything out of them. Wood should be moved to the bullpen, IMO. As for Prior, I don't think he's a lost cause. Other than his current injury, his injuries have all been of the freak variety, and not anything to do with his pitching arm/mechanics. He's also a very smart guy so if there is something with his mechanics, I'm sure it can be worked out. It's not at all unusual for a young pitcher to suffer an injury and come back just as strong as ever. Prior may or may not be one of those, but I'm not ready to write him off yet. Obviously, though, they need to have better backup plans. That shouldn't be too difficult.

Yeah, I agree with this, the main point being that the Cubs need to have better backup plans. Wood clearly is almost a lost cause because his mechanics are awful. As for Prior, you could well be right, but actually seeing through all the 'smoke' that the Cubs P.R./Media people put out and finding what his real issue is could prove interesting. There have been people critical of Prior's mechanics, that much I can verify. I am well aware that many others consider them flawless. I do know that his short, compact, delivery is almost entirely arm and that he doesn't drive off his legs like most power-pitchers do. That could be perfectly fine, but I sometimes wonder if there isn't a price to be paid for the "perfect, repeatable, delivery"...

As for the offense, I think the problems are being overstated, partly because of the injury to Lee, but mostly because of slow starts from some of their position players. Pierre, Ramirez and even Walker are performing well below their established norms. Murton and Cedeno are rookies who look very promising going forward, plus they have Pie coming up from the minors. Unfortunately, they are stuck with Jacque Jones for the next 2 plus seasons, which sucks, but the Cards are playing Juan Encarnacion every day and getting by with him. The offense is not going to be very good this season, but its not as bad as it looks right now and it will be much better next season.

Sure. When they get Lee back (and on track) and assuming A-Ram, Walker and Pierre all get on the ball, they will be considerably better. I've no doubt they should be considerably better next season (I enjoy watching Murton and Cedeno). Whether that actually means they'll be good is another thing entirely.

Going forward, I think the Cubs are not all that far away, actually. They do need to make some upgrades. If I were in charge, I would make the following moves either this year or in the off-season:

1. Fire Dusty Baker and hire someone who understands how to handle a pitching staff, especially one with fragile arms.
2. Sign or trade for at least two more starting pitchers who can pitch 200 innings at or around league average.
3. Move Kerry Wood to the pen.
4. Desperately try to trade Jacque Jones and his salary.
5. Let Pierre go and either sign or trade for a CF with a one year deal if Pie is not ready. Stick him in center if he is.
6. Get one more thumping, middle of the order type hitter, either through FA or trading a few of their prospects (not named Felix Pie or Angel Guzman if possible). Ramirez and Lee are great as your three and four hitters, but they lack that one bat for depth that a great team needs.

#1 is a must. I'm not so sure that #2 and #6 are as easy as all that, but maybe so. All things considered, that's a pretty tall order but this is the Cubs, so they may be able to swing it. There are some teams that would find it near impossible to do either/or of those options. #4: Good lucking finding some dupes. Has Hendry been in touch with Jim Bowden lately? As for #3, I'd stick Wood in the pen too, but I'd pretty much count anything from him as icing in the future.

That's not a whole lot of needs and all are easily doable.

I don't think so. Doable? Yes. Easily doable? I'm not sure acquiring two league-average or better innings eaters and a "thumper" is going to come without some sort of high cost to the Cubs. FA seems to be the way to go. #4 will require some masterful con-artistry.

The Cubs are going to be bad this season, but not as bad as they look right now. They will be lucky to win 75 games, but depending upon what they do in the off-season, they could well be in the playoffs next year. I'm not ready to blow the team up or fire Hendry. They still have a great core in Maddux (for now), Z, Lee and Ramirez and some very promising youngsters. It's just a matter of getting the right support around them and think that is certainly doable.

They will be bad this year until/unless Lee and the underperformers get healthy/back in the groove and Prior/Wood make a Cubbie-dream return. Odds seem to favor them being pretty bad.

As for "next year", anything is possible. The Cardinals are slipping and the Astros will be interesting. I think the Cubs will need everything to fall into place perfectly to be favored over the Brewers, but they should be in the mix as the entire division should continue to come back towards each other in most ways.