Thinking about Next Year

Have you ever seen a team that got so close to a World Series on which you'd like to see so many players leave? Out of the 8 position players, 5 starting pitchers and the closer, I'd like to see changes to at least 9 of those. They break down in two categories: "Will not be back" and "Should not be back."

WILL NOT BE BACK
Karros
Grudzelanek
Estes
Lofton
Alfonseca

SHOULD NOT BE BACK
Simon
Gonzalez
Sosa
Lofton
Alou
Miller
Veres

So, the entire infield, save Ramirez, should be sent packing. And I'd upgrade from Ramirez to either Lowell or Koskie after 2004. Same with the outfield. Alou is gone at the end of 2004 when his contract expires. Sosa could do everyone a favor and exercise his option and walk. Lofton could stay as a fourth outfielder, or CF if Alou could be dealt and let Patterson play left and bat 6th.

Borowski should be moved from closer to prime setup man. Veres might be back if his arm gets healthy.

And the Cubs should consider trading both Wood and Clement. Yes. Both are not dependable and cost big bux.

Here's the lineup I'd love to see in 2004.

CF Lofton
2B Vidro
C Rodriguez
RF Guerrero
SS Tejada
3B Ramirez
LF Patterson
1B Choi

Starters:
Prior
Zambrano
Vasquez
Wood or Clement
Rookie

Closer:
Open

That's a 100 win team right there. $55mm projected salary for position players. $20mm for starting pitchers. $6mm for closer. That leaves about $14mm for the remaining bench. And $10mm gets freed if Wood is gone.

Free agency starts in 2 weeks. 2004 starts 5 minutes later.