Stone also said one more thing, which was obvious, but encouraging: Jim Hendry wants to have a good offseason. He is motivated and positioned well for 4 reasons: (1) has more than $30M to spend (2) has decent young talent in the minors, which he can trade (3) he was 4 games below .500 (4) he finished behind the Brewers They better get used to finishing behind the Brewers. With the potential addition of Furcal and Pierre, no way do the Cubs finish behind the Brewers. I had a feeling you would chime in on that one! :D Sorry, had to :) I'm just a Cubs fan surrounded by Brewer fans in my office. I coach a High School Baseball team that is filled with Brew Crew fans and I have heard about it every single day since the Cubs finished below them. I am not denying they will be better than they have been the last 10 years. However, if we get stronger and they do nothing but get 1 year older. I don't see how they can compete. Now, if they add another bat (namely a 3rd baseman) a solid 4 starter and some middle relief. Sure, then we have a contest. Until then...I will keep betting the Cubs make the Playoffs while the Brewers take an early vacation!