This is my biggest fear going into the 2006 season -- weakening one of our remaining strenghts. If the starting rotation is healthy and performing at expected levels and then the bullpen is holding leads consistently, the Cubs can win the division or at least make the playoffs with a mediocre offense, just like Houston and the White Sox did last year. If Dusty trots out a line up that best fits the strengths of this team day in and day out, the offense could make life a bit easier on the pitching staff. For example, if Dusty goes: Pierre Walker Lee Ramirez Jones Murton Barrett Cedeno If Walker is getting a day off in favor of Neifi (might seem like a good idea in games that Zambrano starts), then going with Murton or Cedeno in the 2 hole with Neifi hitting 8th would still be a better option than hitting Neifi anywhere near the top of the order. Basically, we have several top of the order options this year with Walker, Hairston, Pierre, Murton and possibly Cedeno in no particular order. Dusty needs to grasp the importance of getting on base in front of Lee and Ramirez and fill his line up card based on who playing that day gets on base at a better rate. Jones, Perez, Grissom and Mabry should not receive any consideration in the top spots in the order, since they have either never had any success there or they have aged to the point where they cannot provide success there. I'm not happy with the offseason, but I'm willing to sit and watch Cub games this year and cheer them on IF Dusty isn't sending craptacular Neifi out there in the 2 hole. It won't take long for me to start chanting for the removal of Dusty if he can't improve this team from last year.