2009, Chicago Cubs might celebrate their 101st year since their last World Series Title. Last 2 years(2007,2008), this team entered the playoffs just to be swept in the National League Divisional Series. But what makes last year's playoff exit more frustrating is that they entered the playoffs with the best record in Major league, amid speculations that they might break the curse of the billy goat.
This year, Cubs made their offseason moves. They prioritized pitching and a left-handed bat despite their pending sale of the team. Tribune Co, owner of Chicago Cubs, filed for bankruptcy and posted the team for sale, making team's financial stability in jeopardy. But the genius mind of Jim Hendry, fulfill the needs of the Cubs. They resigned Ryan Dempter, the co-ace of pitching staff behind Carlos Zambrano to a 4 year, 52 million contract. Here, they strengthen their pitching rotation with Zambrano, Dempster, Lilly, Harden and Marshall. They unloaded an inconsistent pitcher and his 9 million contract in Jason Marquis and acquired Luis Vizcaino. They added a left handed bat in Milton Bradley, who led the Americal League in RISP%(Runners in Scoring Position Percentage) and acquired Aaron Miles,Aaron Heilman and Kevin Gregg in seperate trade deals. Those are the acquisition of Hendry. Now,let's focus on the departures of the Cubs. In order to acquire Bradley, they decided to trade 2B/OF Mark DeRosa. They let their closer, Kerry Wood go to Cleveland, signing a 2 year deal.
Certainly, financial could be the reason for letting go of DeRosa but the question lies, is it really worth it? As of May 26, 2009, Cubs are just 21-22, good for 4th place in NL Central. They acquired Bradley to provide pop in the heart of the batting order, but he gives the Cubs an unusual stat line. He is hitting just .200 with 5 homers and 14 RBI's(Runs Batted In). What makes this worst is that they're suffering a big gap at second base, which DeRosa could have filled if they didn't trade him away. The reason they traded for Bradley is that they could have an insurance in case Fukudome struggles again. Looking at Fukudome's stat line, he is hitting .308 with 4 homers and 18 RBI's and being placed at the third hole of the batting order.
As for Ryan Dempster, he signed a 52 million 4 year contract to have an ERA close to 5.00. For a
pitcher earning that kind of amount, he has the nerve to ask for that kind of amount of money just to be a bust for a team which was dubbed as the loveble losers. Aaron Miles has been a complete bust for the Cubs, batting just .204 with no homers and just 4 RBI's. I would take DeRosa rather than this piece of crap. Kevin Gregg, their current closer, has 6 saves but has yet to show consistency closing out games compared to Kerry Wood last year. Aaron Heilman, do we still need to talk about the primary goat for the last 2 years of collapse of New York Mets?!
So far, all Hendry's move have been a bust. Bradley, Dempster, Miles and Gregg. If i were given a choice, DeRosa is the one that got away. DeRosa provides versatility and more offensive pop compared to Miles. They gave the second base job to Miles and Mike Fontenot. Fontenot has also been a bust, with his current slump of 2 for 36. With the addition of injury to Aramis Ramirez, their leading run producer, certainly makes this team more vulnerable.
Don't take me wrong. I'm a Cubs fan since my college days which was 1997. I watch Sammy Sosa smack home runs and his alleged corked bat incident. His home run duel with Mark McGwire will be the most memorable moment for me. And of course, who can forget Steve Bartman, who deflected the ball out of Moises Alou's hands in Game 6 of National League Championship Series in 2003 that cost the game for the Cubs and their hopes of entering the world series since 1945.
But this year, it simply getting more and more frustrating. Maybe, my fellow Cubs can join me as I say our favorite slogan: "Wait till next year".
This year, Cubs made their offseason moves. They prioritized pitching and a left-handed bat despite their pending sale of the team. Tribune Co, owner of Chicago Cubs, filed for bankruptcy and posted the team for sale, making team's financial stability in jeopardy. But the genius mind of Jim Hendry, fulfill the needs of the Cubs. They resigned Ryan Dempter, the co-ace of pitching staff behind Carlos Zambrano to a 4 year, 52 million contract. Here, they strengthen their pitching rotation with Zambrano, Dempster, Lilly, Harden and Marshall. They unloaded an inconsistent pitcher and his 9 million contract in Jason Marquis and acquired Luis Vizcaino. They added a left handed bat in Milton Bradley, who led the Americal League in RISP%(Runners in Scoring Position Percentage) and acquired Aaron Miles,Aaron Heilman and Kevin Gregg in seperate trade deals. Those are the acquisition of Hendry. Now,let's focus on the departures of the Cubs. In order to acquire Bradley, they decided to trade 2B/OF Mark DeRosa. They let their closer, Kerry Wood go to Cleveland, signing a 2 year deal.
Certainly, financial could be the reason for letting go of DeRosa but the question lies, is it really worth it? As of May 26, 2009, Cubs are just 21-22, good for 4th place in NL Central. They acquired Bradley to provide pop in the heart of the batting order, but he gives the Cubs an unusual stat line. He is hitting just .200 with 5 homers and 14 RBI's(Runs Batted In). What makes this worst is that they're suffering a big gap at second base, which DeRosa could have filled if they didn't trade him away. The reason they traded for Bradley is that they could have an insurance in case Fukudome struggles again. Looking at Fukudome's stat line, he is hitting .308 with 4 homers and 18 RBI's and being placed at the third hole of the batting order. As for Ryan Dempster, he signed a 52 million 4 year contract to have an ERA close to 5.00. For a
pitcher earning that kind of amount, he has the nerve to ask for that kind of amount of money just to be a bust for a team which was dubbed as the loveble losers. Aaron Miles has been a complete bust for the Cubs, batting just .204 with no homers and just 4 RBI's. I would take DeRosa rather than this piece of crap. Kevin Gregg, their current closer, has 6 saves but has yet to show consistency closing out games compared to Kerry Wood last year. Aaron Heilman, do we still need to talk about the primary goat for the last 2 years of collapse of New York Mets?!So far, all Hendry's move have been a bust. Bradley, Dempster, Miles and Gregg. If i were given a choice, DeRosa is the one that got away. DeRosa provides versatility and more offensive pop compared to Miles. They gave the second base job to Miles and Mike Fontenot. Fontenot has also been a bust, with his current slump of 2 for 36. With the addition of injury to Aramis Ramirez, their leading run producer, certainly makes this team more vulnerable.
Don't take me wrong. I'm a Cubs fan since my college days which was 1997. I watch Sammy Sosa smack home runs and his alleged corked bat incident. His home run duel with Mark McGwire will be the most memorable moment for me. And of course, who can forget Steve Bartman, who deflected the ball out of Moises Alou's hands in Game 6 of National League Championship Series in 2003 that cost the game for the Cubs and their hopes of entering the world series since 1945.
But this year, it simply getting more and more frustrating. Maybe, my fellow Cubs can join me as I say our favorite slogan: "Wait till next year".
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