Here We Go Again

Jim Hendry gave a group interview yesterday where he began to outline his vision for the 2006 Cubs. He highlighted several points:

1) Felix Pie and his decaying, misdiagnosed, stump of a foot will be given a chance to be the starting center fielder next year. Trades for centerfielders will also be considered. "Things happen out of nowhere. We never went into the '04 offseason looking for a first baseman (and ended up with Derrek Lee from Florida)." Funny that Hendry mentions the trade with Florida at the same time he notes the possibility of a trade for a centerfielder. This will certainly upset SoCalBob.

2) Korey isn't even guaranteed a roster spot. "It doesn't mean Corey can't rebound from (a bad year). But it also means you address that he's going to have to get back on the track we hoped he'd be on." That implies that he could be sent elsewhere, either in trade, non-tendered, or to the minors again to work on his game.

3) Kerry Wood is not being counted on as a starter for 2006. "(Wood's surgeon, Dr. Timothy Kremchek) feels that Woody may well return to the type of guy he was at end of '03 and maybe be better than that. But we would look into (getting another starter) if we could... we need to augment the pitching." The daily Herald suggests that Kevin Millwood, AJ Burnett and Matt Morris are possibilities. Please, no, to AJ and MM.

4) Dusty Baker returns in 2006, but will be on a short leash. "Dusty will put a stronger emphasis in spring training of trying to get out of the gate better." So, a slow start could mean a departure for #12.

5) Matt Murton and Ronny Cedeno will both "get a good look next year." That frees a lot of salary to be spent on the outfield and pitching.

6) Decisions on which coaches will return for 2006 will be made by early next week. Clearly, someone or someones is/are going. The question is "Who and how many?"

What Hendry failed to talk about was the bullpen. Now, maybe the brain trust that is the Cubs beat reporters didn't ask about that area of the team that Hendry has failed to fix during his tenure here. Maybe Hendry doesn't think it needs any fixing.

This team needs two outfielders, a middle infielder, a starter and two relievers AT MINIMUM just to be considered a contender. You probably need a second starter and a new catcher to beat St. Louis.

Jim has a lot of offseason work to do. Too bad he has no history of doing offseason work of this magnitude.