• Z is better than most projections think. • Fontenot fills the shoes of DeRosa nicely at second, but the Miles/Gathright combo replacing DeRo's versatility are awful • Gregg is excellent in the closer's role, but still leaves town after Patton proves himself to be good enough to take over Marmol's fireman role next year and Carlos becomes the closer • Samardzija gets some spot starts for Harden during the season and then overtakes Marshall as the fifth starter by September • Theriot regresses badly, but Hendry swings a deal for a good offensive SS • Colvin becomes a decent bat off the bench in September • Fukudome has close to the kind of year we hoped for last season • Bradley is hurt more than he's healthy • Lee improves on last year's numbers, especially the power • The Cubs win just over 90 games, advance through the first round but are eliminated in 6 games by the Mets • Peavy is traded, but not to the Cubs Non-Cubs: • The Reds contend for the playoffs • The Royals finish a close second behind the Yankees for the WC berth • The Indians win the AL Central • The Braves have a losing record