Missed Shot

Before we get to the Cubs, Mike Greenberg was shouting on ESPN Radio this morning that yesterday's three losses by Big East teams in the NCAA Tourney are irrelevant to the debate that they either did or did not belong there. While that's true, it misses the point that people are going to make today. That point is: Billy Packer got his foot shoved down his throat and out his duodenum.

All Packer's yapping that more power teams belonged in and fewer mid-majors should have been invited is now rendered laughable.

Then again, all Packer's yapping is laughable all the time.

The Stomach Rotation

Now that Mark Prior is out at least the first 7 to 10 days of the regular season, we look to the rotation. And that look reminds us of an old Rodney Dangerfield joke.

Rodney goes to his doctor, Dr. Vinnie Boom Botz, and says, "Doc. I wake up every morning and I look in the mirror and I wanna throw up. What's wrong with me?"

"I don't know," say Boom Botz, "but your eyesight is perfect."

Here is the Cubs 2006 starting rotation:

Calros Zambrano
Glendon Rusch
Greg Maddux
Jerome Williams

Yes, that's the backbone of a $100 million payroll baseball team.

When a fifth starter is needed, they will look to Rich Hill, Sean Marshall, Angel Guzman and Jae Kuk Ryu.

Pardon me a moment as I breathe a sigh of relief that my investment portfolio does not include Cub tickets held to be scalped for profit.

What's so laughable about this is that it further demonstrates the area of Jim Hendry's incompetence. While I think Jim is a good guy to work out trades, he clearly has blind spots when it comes to creating his roster. He went two straight years (2004 and 2005) without getting a leadoff hitter. He failed to add to his bullpen help when he needed it (2003 and 2004). Now, he's failed to get additional starting pitching help. How does Kevin Millwood in a Cubs uniform look now?

Some dopes can argue that Millwood was too expensive. Right. As of right now, instead of spending an extra $12 million on Millwood, the Cubs are blowing a full $100 million on a team headed to 3rd place. As a "sage" said, "It's not the amount spent, it's if you spend it wisely."

Knowing that Kerry Wood, Wade Miller and Prior were all doubtful to start the season, spending the $60 million over 5 years on a Millwood would have been wise and prudent.

Now, it will may cost Hendry his job.

That may be a good thing.