Officially Eliminated

[Backtobanks]

Wait till next year!

 

Huh, next year could be even worse then this year depending on what happens during the offseason. Going into this offseason the Cubs will have more holes and more questions then they did going into this year.

 

1B: will be sort of question, but not really a bad question. Meaning which DLee will show up? Is this a new level of production, (doubtful), will he go back to his normal production, or will fall somewhere in between?

 

I think we can count on Lee to have a good solid year. He may not be a triple-crown threat, but .300/40 HR/110 RBI would be what I would expect.

 

2B: Hole/Question position. Todd Walker has shown that he is good when healthy but that is becoming increasingly rare. Nor is it for sure that he is coming back, nor would I say Hairston is an answer should they decide he is one.

 

I think you have to resign Walker for 2 reasons: he's cheap and he's excellent trade bait. 2B depends a lot on what the Cubs do at SS, but I would think Cedeno will have a good shot at 2B with Walker traded.

 

SS: Hole/Question. Does Nomar sign another one year contract? Does he stay healthy? If he isn't there then who?

 

I think the Cubs would like to sign Nomar to a cheap, incentive-loaded contract and use him as a starting SS (with plenty of off days)/sub 3B/sub LF. Cedeno could slide over to SS on Nomar's off days, but I'm afraid Neifi will be resigned and end up playing way too often.

 

 

3B: Question. Again this is another position in which it is becoming increasingly clear that the player manning this position cannot stay healthy

 

I'm hoping the personal trainer can get Aram in better shape. Looking at him, you can see that conditioning has never been a priority with him. It could be a monster year for Aram if he comes back with muscle instead of baby fat.

 

C: No real problem here, this one they don't have to worry about too much. Though of course C is always a high risk position.

 

I agree, Barrett is very good offensively and Blanco is worth the price of admission defensively.

 

LF: Best case scenario is that it is a question, worst case scenario a hole. Can Murton play everday and be decent? Will Baker let him? If he isn't allowed or cannot who plays their instead?

 

I think Murton can play everyday and do a good job, but the question is whether Dusty will let him. Murton should start spelled by Nomar and/or a lefty off the bench.

 

CF: Hole/Question. Whether its Corey or Pie or somebody else this position is going to be at the very least a question and a serious risk.

 

I think Corey has worn out his welcome in Chicago and Pie isn't ready and shouldn't be rushed. That leaves a stop gap veteran like Lofton for one year. If Pie is ready, it would change the LF scenario because Dusty would never play Murton and Pie (and Cedeno) on a daily basis.

 

RF: Question/Hole. Nobody really waiting in the wings on the Cubs team for this spot so they are going to have to fill from the oustide.

 

The obvious choice is Giles, but I think Hendry is going to trade for an everyday RF. The package to offer would include a combination of Patterson, Hill, Mitre, Walker, Welly, and prospects.

 

So in terms of position players the Cubs very likely only have three positions (C, 1B, 3B) that they are not going to have to go out and fill. But one of those positions (3B) has a serious question attached to it while the another is going to have a smaller impact on overall offense due to playing time.

 

That leaves 5 positions that have very serious questions that need answering. Either during the offseason or they can only be answered with playing time. Murton might be the Cubs answer to LF but it will remain a serious question until he plays games. Same with CF. Not to mention that once again the Cubs will have to build a bench and hopefully most of the grizzled vets that filled it this year will not be back.

 

The pitching staff again has serious questions.

 

Starters: Kerry Wood, Greg Maddux, and a fifth starter. All three are serious questions. I think Zambrano and Prior are safe bets but the other three spots are serious questions to say the least. How will a Greg Maddux another year older perform? Can Kerry Wood pitch? Who is going to be the fifth starter?

 

I would look to resign Rusch (with promises of him starting). With Williams, Rusch, and perhaps Guzman, you have depth and/or trade bait. I would like to see Hendry trade for someone like Millwood as security.

 

Relievers: These guys are always question marks for virtually every team so this isn't exactly a unique problem much like how most teams always have to build a bench every year.

 

I think the bullpen is starting to come around. Hopefully, Hendry can add a loogy and a righty that have some experience. The bullpen will benefit from most of the pitchers now knowing their roles, unlike this year.

 

Anyway going into next season the Cubs really only have a handful of safe bets and are going to have 18-20 serious questions on their hands. Some of those problems they are going to have to hope for the best because the players are not going anywhere, so they can do very little to mitigate the potential damage. For instance the Cubs are not going to go out and sign A-Rod to answer their third base question. They are going to keep ARam and hope that a new instructor can keep him healthy througout the season.

 

My fear about the bench players is that Dusty will misuse them like he did this year. Hollandsworth strength was pinch hitting and spot starting, not playing full-time. Macias may be versatile, but should never be the first bat off the bench. Perez had to start most of the season, but should never be at the top of the lineup.

[Geech]

Now that they're out of it Dusty has virtually no excuse to not play the kids.

 

No way, gotta reward the guys that got you here.

 

Man, you called that. Baker is such a piece of trash.

[Bull]

You realize Dusty has played I think 4 games over the past 6 years when his team has no shot at the playoffs? That number is about to go waaaay up starting tomorrow

 

And this is why Dusty will return. Again, despite everyone's misgivings, Dusty has provided somewhat of a winner here. [/hijack]

If by "provided" you mean "abused and damaged the winner he was given when he arrived", I agree with you.

 

This is my favorite kind of message board message.

 

"If by x you mean the exact opposite of x, then I agree with you."

 

I love it. Message board wit at its best. Sorry I'm in an annoyingly cheerful and reflective mood today.

[EricG]

maybe the goal now is to get a higher draft pick.

[Chris]

"If by x you mean the exact opposite of x, then I agree with you."

 

I need to print that and put it in my office!