With the house cleaning trade of Jake Fox and Aaron Miles I would like to provide some thoughts about the Chicago Cubs. I like the new owners and believe they are going to try to get a Cubs fans a winner. The Ricketts family are smart people and they will learn fast what they should and should not do with the franchise.
I would have liked to see Lou Pinella retire after this season. I am tired of listening to him act like a doddering old man who can't get his thoughts straight. It doesn't look good for him or the team. It doesn't seem like he has the energy to try new things to help his players perform better. That being said he still can manage a baseball game very well. I would like to have see Ryne Sandberg replace Pinella when he leaves. I think Sandberg has earned the shot at managing with his years of experience in the major leagues and managing experience in the minor leagues. I think Sandberg will be good at it.
During his tenure, Jim Hendry has made some very good moves and some poor moves as well. In 2003 Hendry practically "stole" Aramis Ramirez from Pittsburgh. Ramirez is probably one of the top clutch hitters in baseball and is an above average defender at third base. On the other end Hendry brought in Milton Bradley who has been a disaster on the field and in the clubhouse. Hendry deserves another shot at fixing this team anyway he can.
To start off Bradley has to go one way or another. I understand they don't want to pay a lot of his salary but you took on this risk knowing his baggage that he came with. Go get Curtis Grannderson to play center field. He had a bad year with the bat but should rebound with the switch the the National League. I am not sure you should have an untouchable prospect when you haven't won the World Series but consider giving up one of your prized prospects to get him.
Hendry may want to consider finding out what he can get for Zambrano and/or Soriano as well. Zambrano may get more interest around the league and he needs to go. Carlos is has become the prima dona that Sammy Sosa was. It's time to move on because you can't count on Zambrano in a big game situation. If you can get rid of him, take a look at Roy Halladay or Lackey. Soriano has been a disaster but his contract is so bad that no team would want him or his contract. If by some miracle that he could be traded, the team should pick up Matt Holliday.
The Cubs need to have Soriano and Ramirez come back next year completely healthy and put up big numbers. Lee has to play like he did last year. Theriot has to play smarter, Fukodome has to be more consistent and Soto has to return to his rookie form. The starting rotation could use another veteran arm but has a couple young guys that can possibly do the job. The bullpen looks solid but could use another veteran.
Baseball will hold it's winter meetings next week and hopefully the Cubs can get a lot done in regards filling their holes. I have faith that Jim Hendry can do the job to fix this team and get them to the World Series.
