December 2007 Archives

With tomorrow being the first day of 2008, the mainstream media will undoubtedly begin reminding the Faithful, on seemingly a daily basis, why this year is significant to the Chicago Cubs. While many organizations celebrate such anniversaries, it is safe to say there probably will not be any references to the accomplishment from a century ago by the organization.

The Cubs are coming off a successful year and should compete for a spot in the post season once again. Jim Hendry reportedly is still looking for ways to improve his roster before spring training starts in less than six weeks. Lou Piniella's crew has the pieces in place to make the playoffs for the first time in back-to-back seasons since '07 and '08.

Carol Slezak made the early prediction the Cubs would face the Red Sox in next year's fall classic, a rematch of a World Series from 90 years ago. Mike Nadel recently mentioned the significance of 1908 as it relates to the Cubs and other anniversaries that will take place in the New Year.

Here is a look at those years that ended in eight and how those Cubs' teams faired....

The last weekend of 2007....it is hard to believe the year is all but over. The Cubs Convention is less than three weeks away and Harry Caray always referred to the convention as the "unofficial opening day" and some refer to the Cubs annual gathering as the "kick-off to spring training"....whatever the case, the 2008 season is getting closer by the day.

Bruce Levine talked baseball on Saturday morning with Chet Coppock. Levine talked about the Cubs' interest in Brian Roberts, the fact it is just six weeks until Spring Training starts, Mark Prior, Jeff Samardzija and a new addition to the rumor mill, with an old ring to it.

Here is the rest from the past week....

The Cubs entered the final month of the 2007 campaign just a game and a half ahead of the Brewers....but there was a new addition to the race, the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cubs and Brewers struggles in August opened the door for the Cardinals to make a run at the division crown. The defending World Champions made it very interesting for a while.

The Cubs remembered how to hit the long ball in September. Alfonso Soriano (.320/.354/.754/14/27), Aramis Ramirez (.287/.363/.594/8/21) and Derrek Lee (.365/.431/.654/7/14) carried the team offensively....the Big Three hit 29 home runs and drove in 62 runs in the season's final month. Carlos Zambrano rebounded once again, this time from comments towards the fans and was 4-1 in his last 5 starts of the year. Geovany Soto, Sam Fuld and Kevin Hart were among the September call-ups. All three made immediate contributions and both Soto and Hart earned spots on the post-season roster.

Lou Piniella's crew beat the Reds on September 28th in Cincinnati then huddled around TV's in the clubhouse to watch the Brewers lose to the Padres. The Cubs won their first title since 2003...

Lou Piniella's crew was coming off their best month of the season, despite all of the changes and drama that surrounded the club....but it would only get better in July. The Cubs played their best ball of the season over those 31 days, in large part due to a tremendous month by Carlos Zambrano. Ted Lilly was spectacular as well. The southpaw posted a 5-1 record in 6 starts with a 2.52 ERA. Lou Piniella and Jim Hendry kept tweaking the roster and traded for Jason Kendall to try to solve their catching woes.

August was full of injuries and a little more difficult than July. The Cubs slumped in the summer heat and some thought the "swoon" had come a month early.

The Cubs stumbled into June 7 games under .500 and 6 1/2 games back of the Milwaukee Brewers. Lou Piniella had to figure out a way to turn around the season. The Cubs frustration hit the boiling point on the first game of June against the Atlanta Braves. Carlos Zambrano and Michael Barrett slugged it out in the dugout, in full view of the cameras, but ended it in the clubhouse. Barrett ended up with stitches, both he and Zambrano apologized the next day....just hours before Mount Lou erupted.

According to reports on ESPN and Fox Sports, Mark Prior has agreed to a 1-year deal with the San Diego Padres. The Major League deal does not include an option for 2009 and with incentives could pay Prior more than $3 million in 2008.

With 2007 coming to a close, the CCO will take one final look back at last the Championship season over the next several days. What a year it was. After a horrible start, Lou Piniella's crew supplied the Faithful with a daily dose of drama for an entire month. Piniella and Jim Hendry made one roster move after the other, trying to create chemistry and a winning attitude. Once they did, the Cubs played some of the best ball in the league for the final four months of the season.

Lou Piniella said 2007 was just the beginning....well here is how it started.

It is hard to believe it is December 25th and there is only a week left in the year. The Cubs Convention is around the corner, pitchers and catchers report to Mesa on February 14th and Opening Day at Wrigley is just 97 days away....the 2008 season will be here before we know it.

Merry Christmas from everyone here at the CCO!!!! Here is a little twist to an old favorite....

While Jim Hendry and Lou Piniella appear to be satisfied starting Spring Training with the pitchers they already have on the 40-man roster, the rumor mill is saying otherwise. Erik Bedard has been a target of Jim Hendry in the past but a new name has popped up that could be just as effective.

If Spring Training started next week, Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly and Rich Hill would be the only locks in the rotation. Sean Gallagher, Sean Marshall, Kevin Hart, Ryan Dempster and Jason Marquis would battle it out for the remaining two spots with Marquis and Dempster having a slight edge in the competition based on reports this winter. If Gallagher were moved to Baltimore, possibly along with Sean Marshall, for Brian Roberts, the competition for the final two spots would obviously have fewer possibilities.

Rich Hill could single handedly make the top of the Cubs' rotation one of the best in the league if he is able to "figure it out" in 2008. Hill has the talent to challenge Carlos Zambrano for the title of staff ace. But with all of the questions behind Hill should Hendry make a move to strengthen his rotation and add a legitimate third or fourth starter?

Both Steve Stone and Dave Kaplan mentioned the name Joe Blanton last week, but do the Cubs have enough to give Billy Beane for Blanton, and if so, could he help Lou Piniella win ballgames?

All appears to be quiet on the North Side of Chicago as baseball executives take a break for the Holidays. Kenny Williams was on ESPN 1000 with Bruce Levine on Saturday morning and he stated he only takes Christmas Day off. In the age of email, Blackberries and iPhones, general managers are awarded with as much time away as the rest of the professional world.

Andy MacPhail let it be known on Saturday that Erik Bedard would likely be his Opening Day starter. Is MacPhail using the press to run up the price of Bedard? Or are the Orioles on the verge of announcing a new contract for Bedard? The right package will pry the talented southpaw away from Baltimore and the same goes for Brian Roberts....whether MacPhail is "in the office" or not. Remember last year, Jeff Suppan agreed to terms with the Brewers on Christmas Eve.

So, here are a few blasts from the past with only two days left before the jolly ole fellow makes his annual journey....