Hi Jason! Thank you for the compliment. Please stay away from the Diamondbacks...but at least you have Spring Training. I really think they tried in 2004, at least they had a winning season...too many injuries. 2005 that was a huge mess. I think the Sosa contract really hurt their progress. I think that was the reason they lost Matt Clement, they could not find anyone to dump Sosa on and when they did...Jerry Hariston, Jr. was all they could get. I agree with Juan Pierre and somewhat to Furcal, I do not like A.J. Burnett and I think they should pass. He has a history of arm problems and that is the last thing the Cubs need is another starting pitcher always on the DL. The Walker trade would really depend on what happens with Furcal. They have to have left handers in the lineup and Walker can hit, he just cannot field. I really like Ronny Cedeno and if he is half as good at 2B as he is at short, then the Cubs have something. If the Cubs go trading for an outfielder, I think it should be Aubrey Huff and not Kevin Mench. Huff has similar numbers and is a lefty and the Devil Rays do not think as highly of Huff as the Rangers do with Mench and the Cubs might have to part with less, maybe a Todd Wellemeyer and/or Cliff Bartosh. I like your defensive ideas with Pie...let him learn on the job without all the pressure...good point. I think you forgot about Jerome Williams...I see him being the 'wild card', depending on what happens with Woody, I think Williams will beat out Rusch for the 5th spot and they will either trade Rusch or send him to the bullpen. And I agree about the budget, Hendry has to put a winner on the Northside this year. With the pressure from the 'Wrongside' winning the World Series, they have to make the playoffs.

Hi Neil. Great site you have here! Moving to AZ has not altered my following of the Cubs (besides, the alternative is the Diamondbacks...) so I have been enduring the frustration of the past two years along with the rest of Cub fandom. The addition of Maddux, Lee, Barrett, and Nomar in 2004 created a mountain of expectations that were never met. In fact, it seems like the team didn't even attempt to climb the mountain in 2005, but rather hung around the base of the mountain playing Bocce ball or jarts and commenting on the weather. Look at the carnage of 2005; Nomar's injuries, Clement's departure (who, exactly, was the Cubs 5th starter last year...anyone know?), a mediocre right fielder, Grud's departure, the departure of any semblance of middle infield defense, Aramis' lower body, Corey Patterson's brain and batting average, no left fielder (until Murton late in the year), Borowski, the entire bullpen....yikes! Look, I don't miss Sosa or Alou's defense more than anyone else does, but Hendry really dropped the ball last year, by not offering adequate replacements. You don't want to pay Clement? Fine...but don't rely on Rusch to duplicate a career year. (deep breath...) Wow. I feel better now. Ok, so 2006, here is what we do. I hope Hendry is reading: sign Furcal, Pierre, Burnett. Trade Patterson to Japan for some teryaki chicken, stock the bullpen with arms from the minors again (it is the only way to know if they will be good in the future), have Guzman ready to go when Wood/Prior break a nail, trade Walker, and trade for Kevin Mench. So here is the lineup and batting order; Pierre CF, Furcal SS, Lee 1B, Ramirez 3B, Mench RF, Murton LF, Cedeno 2B, Barrett C, Non-Injured Starting Pitcher. You have Pie on the Bench, coming in for defense for Murton and Mench, and spotting Pierre sporadically. You relieve pressure off Cedeno and Murton by keeping them back in the lineup, but their high OBP allows Barrett to get more RBIs before the pitcher bats to end the inning. Angel Guzman will get plenty of starts as Wood/Prior/Burnett/Maddux/Zambrano will either get hurt, die of old age, or get suspended at various points of the season. Guzman can also be long relief and middle relief, along with Rusch. You have Neifi in his rightful place at backup, you are strong defensively up the middle and in CF. You have high OBP, and strong starting pitching. The only money you spent was on Burnett and Furcal, as Pierre and Mench will be had with prospects, and with Sammy's contract long-gone, I don't want budget excuses this year. Congratulations, you have just won the World Series. *note to Red Sox organization...I can also make these types of decisions for your fine club, and I will do it for 50% of what you would have paid Theo

Hey Nick, I agree about Pierre and Furcal in the same lineup. I heard today that the Yankees have gotten into the Furcal sweepstakes, I hope they stay away. The Yankees are talking to him about playing centerfield. I think all Cubs fans are getting very excited about Pierre being a Cub (I know I am), but I still think the Cubs should not forget about Kenny Lofton. There is still something there. Also on Furcal, I read his agent has said 4-6 years in the $50 million dollar range...wow!! And they will not make any decisions until early December. Hopefully George will realize he needs pitching, signs and over pays for Burnett and leaves the other free agents alone. Look for trades to happen before the free agent signings.

how are you, i think that pierre would be a great addition to the team, plus if you add furcal to the mix talk about speed. that is one thing i think the cubs really needed to work. If you add those two they will always be a threat to steel, we did not run the bases well. I think go after those two and maybe a pitcher and definalty find an outfielder if Nomar leaves. i agree with you on Burnett, if a team tells a guy they don't want him on the team something is wrong. I am getting anxious i hope they start signing people soon, that way i don't have to check ESPN.com, MLB.com and the cubs.com every minute.