Roundup

As has become the norm, Christian Ruzich over at The Cub Reporter does his year-end roundup of the thoughts of the Cubs bloggers on the travesty season just completed. Here are my responses:

* Let's start off with the biggest positive in an otherwise disappointing season: Does Derrek Lee deserve the MVP? Will he get it?

Deserve? Perhaps. He had as good of an all around season as anyone. Perhaps that's the problem. He wasn't far and away better than the other MVP candidates to make up for the Cubs' poor record. Because of that, there's no way he wins the MVP award.

* If you had a disposable time machine that could only travel back as far as October 4th, 2004 and was good for only one trip, plus the superhero power to change people's minds and actions - what one move, moment, play or decision from this past season would you alter?

There are so many. I don't think any one decision hurt the Cubs. But, if there was ONE move *I* would have made (obvious drumroll please), it would have been to trade Korey Patterson. To go into this season counting on this man to provide any kind of offense given his history was ludicrous.

* At what point did you give up on the Cubs this year?
May 4th. The night Roberto Novoa walked Damian Miller with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth to give the Brewers their 6th consecutive win.

* All signs point to Dusty Baker returning for the final year of his contract in 2006. But what lies ahead for Dusty? Is an extension on the way this off-season? Is he in any danger of losing his job in 2006? Should he be? Any other coaching changes on the horizon?

Dusty Baker should be in danger. The new opening in LA and the curious announcement of when and the terms of the extension of Dusty's contract (not until February and for 2 years) makes it clear what someone has to offer to get Dusty out. He might just take the lifeline.

We can only hope.

* What about Jim Hendry -- should McPhail and the Trib re-up him or is his fate tied with Dusty's?

Dusty Baker has done nothing to warrant an extension. If he is re-upped, it's a purely face saving move for Hendry and MacPhail ("We made the right move in hiring him! Firing him only shows we screwed up!"). Jim Hendry has gone into the last three seasons lacking a leadoff hitter. He's gone into the last two seasons without a bullpen. He's made excuse after excuse that the delay in trading Sosa was a detriment to this year's roster. He's yet to make the minor leagues produce. He's allowed high ceiling prospects to wither on the vine and not trade them for veterans while other teams have done so (nicely done for Derrek Lee - what about Mulder, Beltran, Hudson). He's only shown solid ability to pull of deadline deals.

By all means, re-hire him.

The focus needs to move to Andy MacPhail. That he is allowed to stay with the lack of on-field performance means that team profitability is so high as to make the Trib not care about the on-field record. Until the fans start making the Trib care, why should the Trib make any changes?

* What are the top three that went wrong for the Cubs this year, foreseeable or not?

1) Lack of leadoff hitter - Forseeable
2) Lack of effective closer - Forseeable
3) Reliance on the starting pitching (Wood, Prior) to stay healthy - Forseeable

Honorable mention - Baker's refusal to bat players where they would have maximum effectiveness (I.e. Patterson / Neifi 1-2 while Hairston rode the bench).

* How about three that went right, besides Lee's breakout?

1) Ryan Dempster, after being misused by Baker for 6 weeks, emerging as a quality closer.
2) Matt Murton showing that Theo Epstein knows what he's doing.
3) The season only having 162 games

* The free agent market is one of the weakest in years, but the Cubs look to have plenty of cash to spend on it. Should they spend, spend, spend, and if so what should their targets be? Or should they hold on to it until next year or use it to take some garbage contracts off other teams? Should they spend it on extensions for any current players?

* What are 3 moves the Cubs MUST DO this off-season?
1) Find a leadoff hitter.
2) Add a quality veteran to the starting rotation
3) Add a thumper in the outfield.

* What are 3 moves the Cubs MUST NOT DO this off-season?
1) Give Dusty control over the lineup.
2) Count on Felix Pie as a starter in Wrigley in April
3) Resign Jeromy Burnitz.

* Let's talk specific players. Should Baker and Hendry give the keys to left-field to Matt Murton or do they look for other options?
I love Matt Murton. I may let him father another child for me (inside joke if you've seen my site lately). That said, he may have a peak value in acquiring a veteran pitcher. Say you could get a Brandon Webb for him? I might make that trade.

* Is Ryan Dempster the closer next year or should the Cubs look elsewhere?
Sure. Why not. But with $50 million in payroll clearing over the next 2 seasons, adding a lefty a la BJ Ryan is required. It's actually inexcusable not to add BJ.

* Nomar Garciaparra: try to resign to another incentive-laden deal OR say thanks for the memories and the groin jokes? If he comes back, where should he play?
Back in the corner outfield and as emergency shortstop. He is not a long-term solution in the infield.

* Neifi Perez: uber-backup, starter, or agent's phone calls immediately transferred to voice mail?
Backup, only if Dusty isn't managing. If Dusty stays, then backup only if Raphael Furcal is signed.

* Can Corey Patterson's brain and/or bat be salvaged?
Do *I* have to answer this?

* Kerry Wood: bullpen or rotation?
I'd use him in the pen. Hendry's gonna have him as a starter. That means at least 1 trip to the DL and 2 rookies to fill in for him.

* Jeromy Burnitz: pick up his $7 mil option or buy him out for $500K?

Hasta la vista.

* Todd Walker: good facial hair, gimpy leg, Cubs beat writers' best friend. Pick up his option or look elsewhere?

I look elsewhere. He's just not good enough and he drives in too few runs.

* Which lil' Cubs would you like to see get a shot at a roster spot in spring training?

Angel Guzman. Before he's AARP eligible.

* Is 2006 the Year of the Cub? Why or why not?

No. Dusty managing. Hendry leaving too many holes for too many years. Too many holes (two OFs, SS, 2B) and bad too many others (C, relief).

Two year project, minimum.