The Blah List

The Sun Times does their second piece on the 2005 post-mortem. Included is a list of the 2006 Potential Cubs. Here's the list of names:

RAFAEL FURCAL, Braves shortstop
NOMAR GARCIAPARRA, Cubs shortstop
MARCUS GILES, Braves second baseman
ALEX GONZALEZ, Marlins shortstop
MARK GRUDZIELANEK, Cardinals second baseman
ALFONSO SORIANO, Rangers second baseman
MILTON BRADLEY, Dodgers center fielder
JOHNNY DAMON, Red Sox center fielder
CLIFF FLOYD, Mets left fielder
JOEY GATHRIGHT, Devil Rays center fielder
BRIAN GILES, Padres right fielder
AUBREY HUFF, Devil Rays right fielder
TORII HUNTER, Twins center fielder
JACQUE JONES, Twins right fielder
CARLOS LEE, Brewers left fielder
KENNY LOFTON, Phillies center fielder
PRESTON WILSON, Nationals center fielder

What an underwhelming list. Only Carlos Lee would be a guy that I would really want off this list. Marcus Giles, while a great pickup, will not be available in any scenario that can be envisioned. And Johnny Damon? Right. Let's get Johan Santana, too, ok?

But, if you want the biggest danger signals for 2006, all you need to see is this line:

Hendry and Baker base their optimism for 2006 on a pitching staff that hasn't lived up to expectations the last two seasons.

This team goes nowhere in 2006 without, at least, one additional veteran starter. If DeLuca is right, and Hendry is optimistic because of Zamboni, Wood, Prior and Maddux, then it's time for Hendry to head back to Creighton.