I'm so tired of what the Cubs have as a "team." It has been such a disappointment to watch with hope over the years, seeing them falter in 84, 89, 03 (The Wild Card in the 90's was luck) and then go back to f-ing fumes again. So, this is my ultimate Cubs plan, crazy, off base, but hey, ARE THEY WINNING with what they got? NO.

1) Dump Jacque Jones somewhere - I'm thinking the Yankees. Get back maybe Tyler Clippard (AA - 21 yr. old P) and T.J. Beam ( AA 25 yr. old P.) Phillip Hughes is probably their best young prospect and untouchable. Might pay 1/2 of that salary because of the prospects asked for.

2) Kerry Wood. If he gets to July healthy and pitches well enough, find out if Texas truly wants to compete, if they are at or near 1st place. Look, he's a 12 million dollar soon-to-be FA, Cubs are not going to resign him to a big deal. And SOMEONE ELSE will. Get maybe a 2B and/or OF possibly back from Texas. (Jake Blalock AA OF and Luke Grayson AA OF)

3) Offer up Michael Wuertz and Jerome Williams to Tampa Bay. Try to get one of the OFers back. As things turn out, Rocco Baldelli, if proven healthy (hamstring issue), might be a nice addition. He's still very young (24), but so are 4-5 other OF they currently have. He get's lost in the shuffle- due to last year's injury. Wuertz and Williams are making minimum salaries, so Tampa isn't getting high price talent. Baldelli is coming up on arbitration, but won't get that much due to his recent injuries.

4) Dump Glendon Rusch. He's not gonna win you one thing. May a San Diego or a team desperate for a lefty starter could use him. Probably have to eat his recent contract, but could swing maybe a 2B/SS out of it.

5) Shop Hairston, Rich Hill, Scott Williamson and Freddie Bynum. Hill could become something or struggle forever. Whereas Marshall has shown some real signs immediately. Hairston and Bynum are bums. Be happy if you get anything.

New Lineup for 2007:
1) Pierre CF - he better show up soon or this spot will belong elsewhere
2) Baldelli RF - speed, decent contact, some pop
3) D. Lee 1B - still has to be the man
4) Ramirez 3B- maybe slipping or just bad luck
5) Barrett C- has shown best consistency
6) Murton LF - has possibilities
7) FA 2B
8) Cedeno SS - final year to prove it

SP
1) Zambrano
2) Prior - health, health - he could be gone too.
3) FA pitcher
4) Marshall
5) FA pitcher or Miller, or Guzman (assuming his control comes)

Maddux salary and/or health will be a factor too.