It's a good time for the Cubs to reevaluate their future. I think it is really difficult for some fans to give up on them, but realistically, they are not going to do it this year.
Long Term, they have pickled themselves with a two players:
Kerry Wood gets a nice contract of 12.5 Million next year. Who may never reach his POTENTIAL as a STARTER.
Greg Maddux is vested for 9 million for 2006. 39 year old STARTER. How many starts does he have left.
Luckily, they don't have long-term deals with Nomar or Burnitz. Which leaves them with:
1B Derrek Lee
2B Todd Walker
3B Aramis Ramirez
C Michael Barrett
as your starters.
ALL 3 OF positions you have to look at replacing or figuring out what your going to do, long-term.
Felix Pie is the Cubs end-all, be-all Minor League stud. Corey was the MAN, but that is changed.
Unfortunately, the Free Agent market for OF probably isn't ALL that. I'd have to look into it, but I don't think a CARLOS BELTRAN or CARLOS LEE (traded) will be available.
Cubs need to FIND one legit LEADOFF OF type. They also need to properly define the roles of their bullpen. Namely, get a CLOSER/SETUP guy and 2 Middle Relievers, somewhere.
So, they have to fill by free agency, minor league callups or resigning current players these positions:
2-3 Relief pitchers (A CLOSER possibly)
3 OF positions (Patterson, Murton, Pie and Burnitz??? Or do you trade Patterson for a Closer type, find a free agent OF at 5-8 Million for 3 Years and put PIE and Murton in the mix?)
SS - NOMAR at a discount, with incentives
#5 Starter - is Williams the 5th for 2006? (Prior, Wood?, Zambrano, Maddux)
Lineup Porjection:
1 Newly acquired Free Agent CF/RF with high OBP
2 Todd Walker 2b
3 Derrek Lee 1B
4 Aramis Ramirez 3B
5 Nomar Garciaparra SS - 5 Million for 3-4 years with incentives pushing it to 9 Million for ABs, AVG, Finishing in top 10 in MVP voting, gold glove, etc.
6 Left handed bat OF - is Felix Pie a lefty? put him in CF
7 Michael Barret C
8 Matt Murton LF - gotta try using the Rookie approach
Pitching staff needs will be the FINAL, CRUCIAL part.
