Gracias por tu mensaje. He leído cosas muy buenas acerca de Robinson. Él realmente tomó a su nueva posición el año pasado. Oneri Fleita habla muy bien de él durante la Convención de los Cachorros el mes pasado.

Estoy deseando verle en los entrenamientos de primavera.

Neil:

Nice job on the Spanish.

estamos seguro que robinson chirinos esta en el mejor momento para hacer el grado para estar en el equipo grande dele la oportunidad y el no los defraudara tiene las ganas de ayudar a los cubs a estar en la clasificacion de esta temporada

estamos seguro que robinson chirinos esta en el mejor momento para hacer el grado para estar en el equipo grande dele la oportunidad y el no los defraudara tiene las ganas de ayudar a los cubs a estar en la clasificacion de esta temporada

What I agree with:

-spending money on the stadium. It's about time, and I wholeheartedly agree with it, because the stadium was/is literally falling apart. The Cubs aren't the Cubs without Wrigley. There just wouldn't be the same ambiance, etc. ***HOWEVER, I think they should spend on the team as well, and not just the stadium***

-hiring Greg Maddux

-inviting B Jackson, Camp, and Castro to ST

-signing Snyder and Lahair to compete for jobs in ST.

-signing Diamond late in the season

-trading Bradley

-trading Miles

-trading Heilman

-letting Gregg go

Here's what I don't agree with:

-signing Byrd

-trading Fox

-drafting Parisi in the Rule 5 when they should've taken a chance on a lead-off/speed guy and/or bench player

-re-signing Grabow

-tendering a contract to Fontenot, who probably wouldn't even receive and MLB invite with another team. His likely $1 million salary could've been better spent

-accepting a trade involving Silva...especially in light of the talk that the Cubs were the ones that killed the multi-team trade involving Burrell, Castillo, Bradley, and Matthews Jr. Yes, we "saved" money in the deal for Silva that we otherwise might not have had, but getting Burrell, then flipping him and/or Castillo would've been an improvement for the team. We essentially gained nothing from the trade, and are likely to DFA Silva anyhow.

-And, perhaps my biggest beef involves the Ricketts keeping Hendry on board, even though he has proven he is NOT creative, has screwed over the franchise with no-trade clauses, long-term untradeable contracts, and poor trades.

I still think the likes of Ankiel, Blalock, and Lopez should be signed, but each of them might command between $4-5 million apiece, and we have a max of $9 million left to spend in all likelihood (perhaps even less), so it's quite likely we'd only be able to sign one of them. In my opinion, we'd need all 3 in order to make a difference.

Given all the $$ tied up in our OF, Ankiel would appear to be out of the picture, and given the fact we've already re-signed Snyder apparently, if given the choice between the two, I'd choose Snyder, because Fukudome's tied up for $14 million next season, and if you combine salaries, you'd have likely $18-19 million invested in RF, and for that money, you better make damn sure you have 40 hr, 100+ RBI production...that's getting up there in Teixeira type of compensation territory (unfortunately for us, it's also Soriano territory). With Fukudome averaging 12 hr, 50 RBI, and Ankiel in his worst year at 11 hr, 38 RBI, and best at 25 hr, 71 RBI, I think it's fair to say he should settle in the 18 hr, 50 RBI range, which probably would not be acceptable for $18-19 million combined.

Now, as for Lopez, given Baker and Fontenot's production in the past, he'd certainly be worth signing to a $4 million deal, especially given we'd have a total of approximately $6 million then invested between the 3 of them.

As for Blalock, I wholeheartedly believe that unless we sign someone like him to be a bench player, and convince him that given the health of Lee and ARAM, he'll most likely receive a ton of AB's---and if we don't sign someone like him, then our season will be lost. We need a legitimate hr/RBI threat when ARAM, Lee, and Soriano inevitably go down with injury. Sure, Snyder or LaHair might become that guy in ST...maybe even Brett Jackson for that matter (don't forget most people didn't give Beckham a shot at playing the majority of '09 with the White Sox, but he proved them wrong)...also, if Jackson ever pans out, you can mail me a HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAPING pile of crow, and I'll eat it up, because as most of you know on here, I didn't like the pick for the Cubs, and thought they should've gone after Wheeler, etc. instead. But, even while it's possible one of them might pan out....when you have 3 MAJOR injury concerns, I don't think you want to leave that type of production up to chance...I think you want proven MLB talent in there to pick up the slack, and that is precisely what Blalock brings to the table.

I realize that we're already locked in with some contracts, so I'm not going to speculate or daydream about the larger contracts, etc. and reiterate my previous thoughts about my ideal roster, but here is what I believe the roster might look like sometime during the summer due to injuries of key players previously mentioned:

SP: Z, Dempster, Wells, Gorzelanny, Samardzija

RP: Marshall, Gaub, Berg, Frasor, Parisi, Parker, Marmol

**Silva DFA'd, Lilly and Grabow DL, and Guzman traded for Frasor (BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG mistake, but so Hendry isn't it?!?)

bench: Chirinos (all you have to do is look at his stats last year and in winter, PLUS glowing reviews regarding his defense, and you'll see why, given Soto's likely offensive struggles, they might opt to let Hill go in favor of Chirinos), Castro (he is clearly the SS of the future in management's eyes...deserving or not....but Blanco is NOT going to be favored over Castro, so this makes the move likely), Snyder, Camp, LaHair.

C-Soto

1B-Lee

2B-Theriot

SS-Barney

3B-Baker

LF-Byrd

CF-B. Jackson

RF-Fukudome

**ARAM, Soriano on DL. Fontenot, Blanco, Hoffpauir, and Adduci won't be on the 40-man roster, and Lee will try to tough it out on the roster, all the while making his stats suffer because of it.

Now, here's why I think those moves will happen:

Soriano and ARAM are a given

Fontenot-fell out of favor enough for Hendry to acquire Baker, plus, it's doubtful Piniella will put up with his inconsistencies a second year

Blanco-while his glove is clearly valuable, even though he had a good winter, it's still quite clear the Cubs favor Castro, Theriot, and Baker over Blanco, and that's all you need to know

Hoffpauir-clearly fell out of favor toward the end of last year when he was demoted, and previously, when he was passed over by Jake Fox as the primary pinch hitter for us. There's a reason Hendry signed the 4 years young Bryan LaHair, who incidentally plays corner OF and 1B, thus eliminating the need for Hoffpauir.

Adduci-with Byrd, Colvin, Fuld, and B. Jackson as options in CF, Adduci becomes expendable on the 40-man roster

About the only alternative options I truly feel comfortable with on the roster (aside from the pitching options) are Chirinos (as back-up only), Snyder, Camp, and LaHair.

Jackson has only low-A experience, and Castro really only has high-A experience, and a cup of coffee at AA and AAA.

As mentioned, these guys would be very smart additions if we cannot add a FA bat like Blalock, Lopez, or Ankiel.

Camp plays 2B, SS, 3B, and all OF positions. Camp would be a lead-off candidate and offer extreme versatility and speed. A few years ago, he had 40+ SB

Snyder has played all OF spots.

accidentally hit the send button...here's a continuation...

Snyder has played all OF spots, offers excellent defense with a plus arm, and above average speed (just look at his winter league stats), plus power/RBI threat.

LaHair plays 1B, LF, and RF, and offers power/RBI threat. As I said, he would offer a better replacement for Hoffpauir. With Snyder (27), LaHair (26), and Camp (25), we'd be getting younger, which is what we really ought to be doing right now. Chirinos is also 25, and even though he's now a full-time catcher, he also offers versatility because he's played SS, 2B, 3B, and 1B in the past.

Why keep one-dimensional (even borderline at that too) players like Fontenot (bat), Hoffpauir (bat), Blanco (glove)?

The problem is, Hendry most likely doesn't share that same vision. He would rather have a roster full of Loretta's, Millar's, Aurilia's, Winn's, and Delluci's.

I realize that's an overly negative view, but do we really have any reason to be optimistic about the play on the FIELD in 2010?!? Yes, off the field, we hired Maddux, which is tremendous, but as I've said before...here's what you have to think about:

In 2009, we got rid of Edmonds, DeRosa, and Pie, and replaced them with Bradley, Miles, and Gathright, respectively.

They had to replace 41 hr, 146 RBI, and the max Bradley ever had was 22 hr, 77 RBI. The max Miles ever had was 6 hr, 47 RBI, and Gathright 1 hr, 41 RBI. The funny thing is, all 3 of Edmonds, DeRosa, and Pie had done better than those numbers before, but at most in their entire careers combined, Bradley, Miles, and Gathright, combined for 29 hr, 165 RBI.

My point is that in order to have a playoff team, we need to recoup that production from somewhere, right?!?

You simply cannot expect Byrd to repeat 20 hr, 89 RBI. Even so, with those stats, he essentially replaces the 23 hr, 84 RBI we lost with Bradley and Fox. That leaves almost 20 hr, and 60 RBI to recoup just to get to 2008 levels.

Want to know who fits that description? Jonny Gomes.

I really hope we don't sign Jonny Gomes ... the guy hit .182 in 2008 and .216 in 2006, strikesout a ton, and can't hit righties.

if font or baker is are starting 2nd basemen we are in for a long season

I also think we'll see more of Blanco at ss with Theriot taking more time at 2nd.

David F...do you really think Fontenot will be with us on opening day?

SuzyS,

Here is my long answer to your Fontenot question ...

I think there are going to be some major free agent bargains come mid February. There are many quality free agents and few, if any, teams with significant money to spend. If JH is able to sign Lopez or Hudson at a bargain price (ie $3.5 million or less for one season), then I think Fontenot will not be with the Cubs on opening day. If those bargains aren't available, then I think Fontenot is our opening day second baseman. My personal view on Fontenot is that he would be a solid part time starter/bench player, but that he will not be a successful everyday player. His peripheral stats indicate that he was lucky in 2008 and unlucky in 2009 ... if used on the right role, his 2010 stats will be somewhere in between.

www.naplesnews.com Odds are now 50-50 for Cubs going to Florida for spring training reports the Naples News. Answer expected next week and as early as Monday.

i think the reason hendry isnt looking for a 2nd basemen/lo hitter is cause her has every intention of starting castro at ss and moving riot to 2nd anyone else think this too?

No, I think JH is satisfied with Fontenot and Baker and 2B unless a free agent like Lopez or Hudson falls into his lap for a low salary next month. I don't see any scenario under which Castro is the Cubs opening day SS. Even if he tears it up this spring, we won't see him in Wrigley until the summer at the earliest.

i dont know how font or baker stacks up to the rest of the leagues 2nd basemen and riot or baker arnt a true lo hitter hendry can sign felipe lopez for cheap i dont know why hendry isnt going after lopez its mind boggling

The farm system is poor for immediate position players.

But we are loaded with middle infielders who are at best mid-season help, but most likely a season or two or three away. If we don't trade away the farm, we should have players coming up through the system year after year, soon.

I don't believe Byrd will hold up a top notch player coming up. He is priced decent enough, that he could be the 4th OF (Remember that if a young guy supplants him they will be making the league minimum, kind of swapping the payroll) Byrd will also be tradeable, in years 2 and 3, if you wanted to move him completely.

Woody you got to admit thats a long shot. And like I said before the last time we went with youth 2002 I believe

The year we started with Matt Murton in left and Cedeno at SS we finished last.

I love the guys that say lets count on all these young guys that are coming from one of the worst farm systems in the league before they even prove themselves. Minors, College ball, definitly HS ball success doesn't mean anything.

The pitching staff had a lot to do with the finish that year.

What if Brett Jackson comes into spring training and does as well as Gordon Beckhum did for the South siders last year? We are now locked into Byrd for 3 years. These guys coming out of college are light years ahead of high schoolers in the draft. Look at Prior when he was coming thru, he blazed thru the system.

If Jackson does outstanding in spring training, does that mean he should earn the center fielder spot? I believe if he earns it, he should - but as long as Lou is managing this team it won't happen. And he will be ruined in the minors for the next three years. I still hold to it that Byrd was a horrible signing.

Woody, Byrd came from the lower ranks...and his salary reflects it.

I agree with you re young players...I listened to a thing on the SCORE today...

They quoted a Sabre statistion that said

statiscally the Cubs would be better off

with Fuld over Reed Johnson.

But because the Cubs were ill managed,

(not my words, guys) they expected the Cubs to sign ReJO.

The point is...we do have several young players that could do the job...and not get the opportunity.

i have a gut feeling that reason why hendry not getting a 2nd basemen and lo man is cause he plans on putting castro at ss and move riot to 2nd i think he has his mind made up anyone else think the same?

Bullpen pitchers are second tier pitchers anyway. They would be in the bullpen if they didn't have problems. Even the closer usually has one or two pitches and on a second time around would probably get nailed. And it is hard to put together a good bullpen, probably the hardest thing to do for a GM. But its do-able. I just dont like a lot of youth in my bullpen especially in key spots and we got a lot of it.

If the Cubs want a RHP for the back of the pen...they should go back to Pittsburgh and see if Ascanio is healthy...and try to reacquire him.

Marmol

Guzman

Ascanio

Gaub...(will supplant Grabow ny season's end.)

Caridad

Grabow

You pickem...Silva, Gray. Marxhall/

Diamond/Gorzelanny/ or whomever is traded

for.

In addition, some people have projected

Cashner to be up by midseason.

While Marmol, Guzman, and Ascanio are somewhat young...they ARE veteran's tested by fire.

If you want to scare the %$#% out of the other team bring up Dolis to throw heat...but he won't know where the ball is going.

I think the pen will be a lot of fun to watch this year...once we dump Silva...

and move Grabow to the middle of the pen...not the back.

Name them...

What you think they will cost - years and $$$

Why would they come to Chicago to be set-up guys or even middle relief? Don't say Valverde to pitch the 8th as that is not likely.

Why they are better options, rather than the young guys we have, that give us flexibility, and cost 400k?

Like I said, if we could get Bell at a reasonable price, stick him as a closer, move marmol to setup, guzman and grabow for 6th and 7th. That not bad.

But I agree that there is not nuch we can do and were stuck with what we got.

But to say we got a good bullpen is not true.

I'm not saying that there is much we can do about it(other than maybe the Bell trade)I'm saying that we dont have a good bullpen.

Even Bell would probably cost us Guzman or Marmol. Guzman I wouldn't mind but Marmol no.

I dont want somebody elses failed closer like Gregg last year. I want an establish guy. As for Bell, I'm going off of the games I saw him last year against the Cubs when he looks pretty impressive.

I'm just not confident with those guys and I dont think that Guzman is a good setup man or Marmol is ready yet to be the closer. Not until he has better control. He's hard to hit but you cant walk people like he does and be a closer you can conunt on. I do like Bell but I think the Padres would try to reem us a new one to get him. And I agree there aren't many other options.

The bullpen will be aproblem for us. Probably the whole pitching staff.

Relievers are like woman. You see one that looks good, seems great, but I guarantee you there is guy who is sick of her crap.

Any lady's please reverse the genders and you will laugh to.

Some of them might develop into those rolls but I would rather have pitchers that already fit that roll.

I think are offense will be fine. They seem to be counting on Soriano and Soto making a come back. Soriano I dont see any reason why he wouldn't. Last year was his only bad year, had a lot of injuries early in the year. Same with Soto. But Soto we will have to see if his first year is going to be the norm or lsast year. But once again, if I remember correctly, didn't he hurt his wrist early in the season which would of hampered his readiness for the season. I can see where that could linger through the season. And, of course, Lee and Ram doing what they do. We can drag the 2B position through the season which will be the only position that we should be weak. Remember just two years ago we had the best offense in the National league, at least one of the best.

Now the pitching staff is a different story. We definitly took a step back there.

The loss of Harden, Zambrano is, at best, an OK ace. Probably better number two. Lilly's hurt, I cant see Wells continuing what he did last year, and the 5th starter take your pick. Bullpen to me is not impressive. Seems like a bunch of role players and Marmol. Who needs to improve his accuracy before I would consider him a good closer(Until last year I would of said that he was great but last year he lost his control or hitters laid off his mistakes or they picked up something in his delivery ex. Demptser.

Yes we are hampered by the money that we have already spent. Plus I'm sure ricketts doesn't want to dish out too much money just after spending millions to buy the team.

but it doesn't cost that much to get a few decent relievers to strengthen the bullpen. And if Marshall or Silva can step up for the 5th spot in the rotation, or Sheets(cheap) we might not be that bad.

Couldn't disagree more about the bullpen. It's a crap shoot each year. That is why you need to have no more than 3-4 spots tied up with vets (guys you can't shuttle back and forth to Iowa). You need to be able to keep fresh arms and guys who are throwing good in the bullpen.

Marmol

Guzman

Grabow

Marshall

Silva

Until they eliminate Silva, they don't have the room for another vet in the pen. We have listed many bullpen arms that are viable options this year, more than enough to keep the pen full of young live and fresh arms. Remember the roster is constantly changing. We won't have the same 5 starters and 7 bullpen arms all season.

So your happy with this bullpen? Sure they will bring people up and down but the ones you listed are the best we got. You bring people up and down because you cant count on the pitchers in the bullpen that you got, so you have no choice but to go with the hot hand.

A good pen has a 7th and 8th inning specialist to setup the shutdown closer at the least. We got a 8th inning guy(Marmol) closing(maybe will eventually be a good closer) and a no real set up guy dont trust Grabow or Guzman or any other name you might throw up there.

Teh great teams have these positions in place and the pitchers know there roll

Happy - no. I'd rather have Rivera in the 9th with Papelbon in the 8th, etc.

But Marmol is the closer and I haven't seen anyone on the market that I'd rather have.

Grabow and Guzman are the set-up guys.

One I didn't mention is Gray - he will take up a spot as well.

Caridad, Berg, Atkins, Gaub(didn't forget him this time), etc, will fill the bullpen out.

How many relievers are good, year after year. The FA relievers, that get the money are coming off of a good year. There is no guarantee that they will be good this year. Most of these signings, the team wishes they didn't have by year 2 or 3, sometimes year 1.

Bottom line, without hand-cuffing our bullpen (having no flexibility) we have no room for another guy that is going to be there all year. Show me one team that has the same 6 or 7 bullpen guys all year. It doesn't happen. Take the hot hand.

Last year at this time, did anyone have Guzman being a good late inning option. I don't think so. Don't hand out the jobs in January!!!

I agree with the fact of; why is there any hate directed at the Ricketts. Even comparing them to the McCaskey's, give me a break. Not wanting to overpay to sign free agents, doesn't mean they don't want to win. To me, it means they have a plan on building a organization, not just a one year wonder. Spending money in their first year on the park, they will be spending money on the park every year. The McCaskey's family income comes from the Chicago Bears. The Rickett's doesn't come from the Chicago Cubs. Even more, they have said they will be reinvesting all money into the team and it's facilities.

I'm sure someone can come up with an example that this isn't true, but most teams that have World Series seasons, have some young homegrown talent that comes up and produces (at low cost). We don't have that happen very much at all. Our best players that come up and produce have been from our Pittsburgh AAA team or even from our South Florida AAA team.

We need to be able to produce major league talent through our system to be able to have a team that has a chance to make the playoffs, year in and year out. That is how you win a World Series, by being in it every year. Not going all in like a fool.

Also on FA. Don't assume that any of these FA, get it. Yet. They still think they are going to get what their agent has promised them. Supply and demand dictates price. The supply of aging veterans is high, meaning their price needs to go down to compensate that teams aren't biting at the carrot their agents are dangling. Be patient and we might get a good 1 or 2 year deal. Of course, JH has not shown he is good at this style market, just the overpay and add an extra year, for good measure market.

I agree with the fact of; why is there any hate directed at the Ricketts. Even comparing them to the McCaskey's, give me a break. Not wanting to overpay to sign free agents, doesn't mean they don't want to win. To me, it means they have a plan on building a organization, not just a one year wonder. Spending money in their first year on the park, they will be spending money on the park every year. The McCaskey's family income comes from the Chicago Bears. The Rickett's doesn't come from the Chicago Cubs. Even more, they have said they will be reinvesting all money into the team and it's facilities.

I'm sure someone can come up with an example that this isn't true, but most teams that have World Series seasons, have some young homegrown talent that comes up and produces (at low cost). We don't have that happen very much at all. Our best players that come up and produce have been from our Pittsburgh AAA team or even from our South Florida AAA team.

We need to be able to produce major league talent through our system to be able to have a team that has a chance to make the playoffs, year in and year out. That is how you win a World Series, by being in it every year. Not going all in like a fool.

Also on FA. Don't assume that any of these FA, get it. Yet. They still think they are going to get what their agent has promised them. Supply and demand dictates price. The supply of aging veterans is high, meaning their price needs to go down to compensate that teams aren't biting at the carrot their agents are dangling. Be patient and we might get a good 1 or 2 year deal. Of course, JH has not shown he is good at this style market, just the overpay and add an extra year, for good measure market.

I know I am going to confuse people, but this is actually me and these are actually stats:

Thomas Diamond in the Mexican Pacific League

2-0 0.64 ERA 14IP 8h 1R 3BB 15K's Opp Avg .167

Shark

2-0 2.25 ERA 24IP 22H 10R 8BB 22K Opp Avg .256

Looks to me statistically that he is back to form and hopefully that means recovered from his injuries (Plural and one had to do with a sprinkler...tough luck) and able to reclaim the promise that made him a First Round draft choice.

And just because I am on a kick:

Here is statiscally why I feel Brad Snyder has hit his stride...

Also from Mexico:

.375 Avg/40 G/152 AB/57 H/10 2B/1 3B/7 HR/36 RBI/23BB and 29K's

I know these are developmental leagues and we have to see for real in ST but good numbers are good numbers.

Another reason not to overspend on aging veterans and see what we have in spring training.

Kind of what I'm talking about. Nobody is saying that either of these guys are going to contribute big this year. But that is what it is going to take is players, finally meeting their potential. I for one, think Samardzija, needs a full year in the minors as a starter to see if that is his going to be his role in the majors.

I like Diamond too, but we should consider that every major league teams passed over him twice ... once when we put him on waivers toward the end of last season and a second time when has was available in the Rule 5 draft. I tend to trust 29 major league teams' analysis of players over mine!

David F. Point well taken...BUT he just started pitching towards the end of last season after an injury plaqued couple of years.

He's proven nothing yet...and hence little interest...But it's not unreasonable to think this is his year to shine. It usually takes the second year back from injury before a pitcher finds his groove.

On topic...

I cannot wait for Spring training to start. It is going to be very cool to see what we have in Castro and Brett Jackson.

I believe Thomas Diamond and Brad Snyder will emerge and be on the opening day roster.

Let's get to some games so we can stop talking about philosophies and hot stove stuff. I am soooooo looking forward to a Talking Cubs baseball and it all starts with...

Looks like I sparked some controversy...

Gramps...thanks for the endorsement but I defer to Aaron as far as my CCO choice for GM.

1967, Man, you do not know how bad I want to be in your boat! Championship at all costs. I do not know who Carol Slezak is but I'll trust your ringing endorsement that she is one of the worst. That being said, how is that you trust her reporting? How is it that I need to figure something out when she seems to say something that sounds very editorialized and seems to genuinely fit into what you believe? I am sure I can find a few articles that say that Ricketts is doing a fine job.

It's cool, we differ on our approach to how this team should get to where 99.9% of living people have not seen. But I have to ask... did Tom Ricketts step on your puppy or something? You have been railing him from the start. Would it have been directed at any new owner? Or is it the lack of a New York Yankee esque spending spree landing all of the top free agents that has you so purplexed? You have to admit that Wrigley needed some work right? You would have to admit that the new owners were going to have to put in that work right? You have to admit that work is not free right? I don't understand. Payroll is increased, they got the hitting coach, they got a CF, they re-signed most of the people they wanted to. I don't get where the Rickett's mean fest is coming from. Oh well, opinions vary. I hope that either your way or mine or somewhere in between we get to the promised land.

Go Cubs!

I like your opinions because you are more optimistic about the future. Do I have to withdraw my endorsement now? LOL

here's my biggest frustration w/ the new owners:

raise tix prices for the 3rd year in a row; but the 1st time monies not being spent on the team; but the johns.--wtf?

i'm the first one to say wrigley is a dump; but it;s been that way for 50 plys yrs; the cubs payroll has no flex for 2 yrs; after that only demp, Z (both 1 yr) and sori will be left long term as of now; so 2010/2011 should be about spending on 1 or 2 yr deals to augment the inflated payroll.........not stoppping to fix the johns.

tejeda/garland/hudson/sheets(although not at 6M per year-try half) all will get 1 or 2 yr deals so why not take the 14.48M from the tix prices and use in on the team; the crappy johns can wait.

2012 could be a major rebuild year; so fix the johns then.......how can fans have waited 101 yrs and be told the johns will be nice.......sorry we had to stop spending money now on the team.(short term deals only).

castro-vitters are barely 20....they can wait 2 yrs.......look how pie and patterson did when they were rushed.

not sure if the ricketts noticed the empty seats last sept; gonna be more this year and next if they are not in contention........once the "vacationers and yuppees" stop coming; will any of the diehards care when its yr 106, 107 etc and no championship?

cubs1967, give the new owners time to get their feet wet. They did not have anything to do with the past 101 years. I don't think it is fair to jump all over them when even 1 season has not passed in their regime. Chill.

Thank you for clarifying and your frustration is understood. I personally feel that the influx of youthful talent in 2011-2012 will be a good thing and the start of a new era. I believe in this teams upside a bit more after the departure of the paychecks that currently hamstring us.

Further, I know that if it hits year 106 etc... I will still be there as I have for years 74-101...and beyond. As long as the team plays the right way! I think the stands being empty last September was more an indictment on the team that was the 2009 Chicago Cubs. Bradley, Gregg, Heillman, Lou's "What can I do", Miles etc etc. Not one of the more popular teams in Cubs lore.

Keep in mind this in no way an endorsement to the way that the offseason has gone, or the lack of funds for players, I just place blame for that elsewhere. And believe me when I say that my expectations are as high as anyone's here, and complacency for a mediocre team is out of the question, even if Wrigley is a fun place.

I'm pretty excited to see what Castro is able to do at this level. Maybe he will surprise and be a young player that actually makes it to the major leagues and plays well on schedule instead of most highly touted Cubs prospects.