Holy Cow! Central Division Dominator

Once again the Cubs appear to be the favorite to win the Central Division for an unprecedented (in the modern era) third straight year. Only time will tell if the changes made in the off-season will improve a team that was already darn good. Most experts agree they needed another solid left handed bat in the lineup. They addressed that deficiency in acquiring Milton Bradly. On the downside, they let go Mark DeRosa, their best utility guy, who could play any position in the field in a pinch (no pun intended). By doing so this enables Mike Fonteno, who will replace DeRosa as the starting second baseman, to get more playing time. Fonteno was the college teammate of starting shortstop Ryan Theriot. This makes for a very cozy middle infield flanked by solid corners in Derrick Lee and Aramis Ramirez. They have the best starting pitching rotation in the division, a hitting corps that led the league in runs last season, and a great manager in Lou Pinella. I guess my point in all of this: It’s a great time to be a Cubs fan. If only Harry Cary were around to see his Cubbies vie for a 3rd straight division title. We miss you Harry!

How Many Wins for the Cubs in ’09? Your “Second Guess” is as Good as Mine.

Recently, I read news Lou Pinella has a fresh outlook on this season’s Cubs and is going to be changing his approach by experimenting with his line up. The last time he started tinkering with his lineup, his division winning Cubs were swept by a redhot Dodgers team. Lou is a great manager, but if he has a weakness, it is that he changes the way he manages when he gets to October. His determination to “mix it up” has had Cubs fans mixed up the last two postseasons. My advice to Lou is to not change a thing. Play your everyday players, sit them when they need a day off and find your hot 6, 7, and 8 hole hitters and rotate them to the front of the order on occasion. By the time August and September rolls around you should know your lineup and your pitching rotation and go with it. Send your guys out there in October with confidence. The team that’s loose and has a little swagger will always have success in October. The Cubs have been tight and tentative under Lou Pinella in the playoffs; why, because Lou is tight and tentative. You feed off your manager in baseball, more so I think than any other sport. Lou should just be Lou. Toy with media, curse relievers on the mound, talk smack about your struggling starter in Larry Rothschild’s ear, but don’t change your approach. Oh and Lou, don’t seek any more advice on winning in the postseason from Tony Dungy. You are Tony Dungy, a regular season legend. What’s next, you and Bobby Cox discussing where to put all your World Series rings?

Mark Cuban Saves Ricketts $400 Million

Last Thursday, January 22, 2009, The Ricketts Family reportedly won the bid to purchase the Chicago Cubs for the bargain price of $900 Million. Last summer, Dallas Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban, was the early favorite with a bid of $1.3 Billion. In November, Cuban was charged by the SEC with insider trading, which arguably knocked Cuban out of the running to purchase the Cubs. Just a few months later, $900 Million is quite a steal. I think with Cuban out of the picture, albeit in the midst of an economic crisis, the selling price went down giving the other bidders more leverage. I hope the Ricketts family has their thank you card in the mail to Cuban for saving them $400 Million.
No matter the reason for the discount, let’s hope with fresh ownership in addition to the acquisition of a few lefties in the lineup (a serious hole in last year’s roster) translates into a few more post-season wins. I still think “the riot” should lead off instead of Soriano but that’s for another post.
Important Dates to Remember:
February 20-Regular season tickets go on sale
February 25-Cubs spring training begins
April 3-4-Cubs exhibition games at New Yankee Stadium (first ever games in stadium)
April 6-Cubs first regular season game