Remember the 2008 Chicago Cubs? Sure you do. They had a great season...waltzed into the playoffs...choked immediately? Yeah, those guys. Well, I hope you took a picture, because Jim Hendry spent the winter months breaking up the band.
In some cases, this was a good thing. We dumped a drummer who couldn't keep time (Rich Hill) and a much-hyped guitarist who fooled people for a while, but actually only knew three chords (Felix Pie).
At the same time, there were some questionable moves, too. Why would you get rid of Mark DeRosa? The guy can play any instrument you hand him, the fans adored him and he spent last season driving the band's van to every successful gig. But enough with the tired musical analogy. Let's just look at the facts.
HE GONE:
Jon Lieber
Ronny Cedeno
Felix Pie
Mark DeRosa
Henry Blanco
Jason Marquis
Michael Wuertz
Rich Hill
Kerry Wood
(among others)
WHO WE GOT:
Paul Bako
OK, so we got some other people, too. Most notably, troubled outfielder Milton Bradley. Between this acquisition and the Cubs Spring Training invitation to So Taguchi, we have now affiliated ourselves with two of the best names in baseball. Perhaps not the best players, but definitely among the best names.
But let's get back to Bradley. I will join the chorus on this one and say that it makes little sense to relieve ourselves of clubhouse leaders and classy, old-school gentlemen of baseball like Kerry Wood and Mark DeRosa only to replace them with Milton Bradley. The man has the self-image of Sammy Sosa with a fraction of the home runs.
I sleep at night by convincing myself that, although the Cubs are hundred-year losers, they are lovable because they try hard and respect the game. It's hard to convince myself that Bradley fits that criteria and I can't help but think he will drastically throw off the chemistry of a team that just traded away its outspoken leaders. I hope I'm wrong.
Also, where is Jake Peavy? Maybe Paul Bako can be his personal catcher. it worked for Maddux...
I will close this rather disjointed post by addressing my favorite off-season acquisition: Tom Ricketts. When everyone else was high on Mark Cuban, I wanted the Cubs to land in the pocket of a true fan, and that's exactly what Ricketts is. The man loves this team and knows what his blue-and-red-clad brethren are waiting for.
This is the year? I don't feel that way just yet and I'm still leery about everything I mentioned above, but I'm sure my tune will change when Arizona warmth is pouring out of my radio and Pat and Ron lead me once again to believe that 101 years is where the futility buck will stop.
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Matt Paolelli
Matt Paolelli has been root, root, rooting for the Cubbies since before he could stand on his own during the Seventh Inning Stretch. More
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Don't forget the mighty additions of Aaron Miles and Joey Gathright.
In all seriousness, though, I've been generally pleased with the Cubs' moves this offseason.
the cubs are making some pretty bad decisions...getting rid of Mark DeRosa, wtf were they thinking.
Let the first year of the second Suck-tennial season begin!
Hendry has done some amazing things for the Cubs, even if the players themselves didn't always pan out (cough**Nomar**cough). But coming off of a year when we made the playoffs, I feel more uncertainty about the Cubs' lineup than I have in a long time. The next few weeks should be fairly illuminating.
wow, this is strange, it is crazy to see a team that did so well last season, with so many changes, i know they did poorly in the postseason, but that can happen, i wouldn't think it would take this much change to get ready for the next season.
mark derosa gone? seriously how dumb are we he was a great utility player clutch and a leader on and off the field. and as far as milton bradley as an addition he was healthy for one season, hes been hurt the previous 5 and hes definatley not going to be worth the money when he strains his acl in spring training knock on wood that doesnt happen but hey we can just count on soriano aramis and dlee to do it all
mark derosa gone? seriously how dumb are we he was a great utility player clutch and a leader on and off the field. and as far as milton bradley as an addition he was healthy for one season, hes been hurt the previous 5 and hes definatley not going to be worth the money when he strains his acl in spring training knock on wood that doesnt happen but hey we can just count on soriano aramis and dlee to do it all
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