If there is one thing I like about this team it is that nobody will be talking about them as contenders when Spring Training rolls around. Also, this team looks a lot like the team in 2003 which, if you remember, was dubbed "The Team That Is Good But Is Still A Year Or Two Away." As nice as it was to see the Cubs on the cover of Sports Illustrated as favorites in 2004, it's hard to live up to expectations. The 2003 team had no expectations and came within 5 outs of the World Series. 2004 had World Series expectations and choked in the last week of the season. In 2003 the Cubs had 2.5 solid hitters as Ramirez was only there for half the year. Even if Lee's home runs and batting average decrease he will still have as good of a year as Sammy did in 2003 (.279, 40, 103). I also see Ramirez having a better year than 2003 Alou (.280, 22, 91). Before the Cubs picked up Ramirez they had Mark Bellhorn, Jose Hernandez, and Ramon Martinez playing third base, which I look at like Murton in left field this year. The Cubs can play Murton and if he doesn't work out, they can try to trade for somebody else. They have a bona fide leadoff hitter with Pierre for a whole year rather than a half year in 2003 with Kenny Lofton. Michael Barrett is a far better hitter than the Damian Miller/Paul Bako combination in 2003. Jacque Jones can perform just as well as Alex Gonzalez if he hits second or Eric Karros if he hits fifth/sixth. The pitching staff will be a question mark but if they stay healthy it will be one of the best in the league. The bullpen is just as good and maybe a little bit better. Ryan Dempster cancels out Joe Borowski. I will take Bobby Howry over Kyle Farnsworth-less any day. Scott Eyre is a good lefty reliever. Will Ohman had an excellent 2005 season and was the team's best relief pitcher. I just hope that nobody from ESPN or Sports Illustrated starts to talk about the Cubs as legitimate title contenders and I will be ecstatic to see the "experts" pick the Cubs to finish third in the NL Central this year.
