they overachieved pretty greatly in 2008 and most of the key parts are two years older. the offense isn't awful but it's not good either. i don't think the cubs are bottom-of-the-barrel bad but i have a hard time seeing them be as good as the cardinals and the third best out of the braves/phillies/dodgers/rockies/giants. i tend to agree, but even if you put them somewhere between 08 and 09, i'm glad to take my chances with this team and I like the starting rotation a lot (with Lilly). the offense might not be great, but it can easily be good enough.