of course they would. and the cubs are also going to have a hard time contending w/o lee. but they're also going to have a hard time contending with a black hole in rf, rusch in the rotation, wood on the shelf, and having a complete lack of plate discipline. but the focus will be on lee's injury. just like st. louis would put the focus on pujols being hurt. so you don't like the way they're addressing the starting pitching? if not, what do you prefer? I don't totally buy that they would put the focus on Pujols being out. Last year the were without Rolen, and Larry Walker wasn't 100% either but you didn't see the Cards start making excuses, they just plugged someone in and kept on going. I know that Pujols is much better than Rolen and that they didn't have to make excuses because they won. But that is the whole thing, they have good management who seems to find the right pieces to plug into their lineup and get the job done. We have Dusty "Dude" Baker, and a GM who constructed a roster that had no contigency plan in place should someone go down. pujols >>> rolen. also, take away carpenter and whoever their #3 pitcher is. suppan?? marquis?? i guess the cubs could have built up the rotation by signing millwood, byrd or weaver, but then the complaints would be about wasting money. the rotation is the least of my concerns right now (especially if rusch gets the boot). the bench, rf, cf, and a general lack of concern for plate discipline are problems that will be ignored b/c any lack of success this season will be attributed to lee's injury.