Here come the Cubs
By Ian Haan
Alright. So we all the Cubs are only a half game out in the NL Wild Card. But look out for some big changes come this off season. Chicago Sun-Times writer Jay Mariotti reported today that the Cubs will have some money to spend. How so? Well, Mariotti reports that Sammy Sosa's and Moises Alou's $11.5 million option will not go into effect. This means the Cubbies will be $11.5 million richer, and can now pursue free-agent to players such as J.D. Drew, Magglio Ordonez, and more expensively, Carlos Beltran. The Cubs will definately have some money to toss about. There has even been talk of releasing Nomar Garciaparra, with his injury problems. Cub’s GM Jim Hendry tells the Chicago Sun-Times that they will be looking to acquire Armando Benitez of the Florida Marlins, who has a 1.16 ERA in 56 games this season.
So what should the Cubs actually be looking for? In my opinion, the Cubs can deal with their offense for now; even though it has its flaws. However, the Cubs need pitching more than anything right now. Even with the big names on the rotation such as Dempster, Maddux, Wood, and Prior, all except one of Chicago’s pitchers have an ERA over 3.
But all that is in the future. For now, as the weather cools down and the playoff tension heats up, watch for some teams to start emmerging; and don’t count the Cubs out.
Sources:
www.mlb.com
www.cubs.mlb.com
www.prosportsdaily.com
