Bleacher Report - Articles by Tyler Franz

If Cubs Want to Stop Woes, Jim Hendry Must Go

Tyler Franz — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:30:55 -0400

I've always been a Jim Hendry fan. He took risks when appropriate, liked to utilize a combination of farm-team talent and veteran-free agents, and knew what it took to compile a winning roster.

That is, until this year.

There's been enough talk about Hendry's offseason blunders (losing Mark DeRosa, signing Milton Bradley, Kevin Gregg, Aaron Heilman, and Luiz Vizcaino). So, I won't go too much into them, but they are in fact the root of the problem.

The Cubs have been struggling, but when you look at the moves Hendry has made, how can you be surprised? Hendry took a fairly inconsistent offense from the 2008 team and made it even more inconsistent by losing one of the most consistent hitters (DeRosa) and the solid closer (Kerry Wood). He then proceeded to fill the roster with oft-injured/personality-challenged Milton Bradley and three bullpen pitchers, who have never had an ounce of success in their careers, and somehow thought that he had improved the team.

Well, as Cubs fans are finding out, he in fact destroyed the foundations of the Cubs and the end result is an erratic bullpen, numerous injuries, and suspect hitting.

Sure, the players can be blamed. After all, there's no excuse for Milton Bradley, Geovany Soto and Derrek Lee to be hitting around and under .200 at the beginning of June.

Then again, Hendry should have seen Derrek Lee declining and done something about it. And, perhaps more significantly, shouldn't have given 30 million dollars to a player who has never played more than one season on the same team and who has never put up numbers as good as DeRosa's were last year (Oh, that's right, did I mention DeRosa's gone now? What a replacement).

Furthermore, you can't blame Hendry for injuries to Bradley, Rich Harden, Carlos Zambrano, and Aramis Ramirez. Except for the small detail that Hendry signed both Bradley and Harden while knowing their vast history of injury issues.

But, hey, at least you can't blame Hendry for the bullpen's abysmal performance. Oh wait, he signed Gregg, appointed him closer, signed Vizcaino (and then promptly released him), and signed Heilman, all while knowing the sub-par careers these pitchers have had.

In short, Hendry is singlehandedly responsible for destroying the foundations from 2008 and masterminding the mediocre franchise the Cubs have become. Unless he shapes up or packs his bags, the Cubs are at his mercy and are helpless at becoming a contender again, no matter how hard they play on the field.

April Showers Bring May Flowers: Cubs Top Astros, Improve To 5-1 in May

Tyler Franz — Wed, 06 May 2009 23:01:46 -0400

Maybe, just maybe, the Cubs are back to their winning ways for good.

On a warm Houston night with the roof open, the Cubs got their fifth win in the young month of May and have won every game in May, barring Tuesday night, when Chicago was shut down by Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum.

Throughout May, the Cubs have shown a surprising amount of precisely what they lacked in April: consistency.

Hitting has improved, pitching has been solid, and most players (Milton Bradley and Geovany Soto aside) have begun to creep out of their slumps and find a rhythm at the plate.

On Wednesday night, the Cubs showed their new swagger, as seven hitters collected one or more hits, and Rich Harden tossed seven strong innings. Even the ever-precarious bullpen managed to hold up, as Carlos Marmol pitched a perfect eighth and Kevin Gregg notched the save in the ninth.

Aramis Ramirez hit his first home run since coming back from injury, and Reed Johnson, who only had one RBI all year, notched a three-run triple in the first. Aaron Miles continued his steady improvement with his fourth double of the year.

On another note, Derrek Lee was held out of the lineup with a reoccurring neck injury. If Lee doesn't recover soon, the Cubs may consider putting the three-time Gold Glove winner on the disabled list and calling up prospect Jake Fox, who is hitting .393 with 12 HR and 31 RBI in 24 games.

The Cubs improve to 15-12 overall and are in a tie for second place with the brewers in the NL Central.

Cubs Get on the Right Track, Send Jeff Samardzija to AAA and Call Up Chad Fox

Tyler Franz — Wed, 06 May 2009 20:09:21 -0400

On Wednesday, the Chicago Cubs optioned pitcher Jeff Samardzija to AAA Iowa and called up 38-year old reliever Chad Fox.

Fox is a journeyman veteran who has a career 3.60 ERA in 217 games.

Following placing Carlos Zambrano on the Disabled List, the Cubs had to look for more starting pitching options because they chose to call up Samardzija early rather than try to stretch him out to be a starter and let him develop in AAA ball. The Cubs have indicated that Randy Wells will take his spot in the rotation while Zambrano recovers.

The move gives the Cubs a new option out of the pen, as Samardzija has struggled thus far, posting a 8.10 ERA in five appearances. Furthermore, the Cubs struggled to find the right role for Samardzija, as he was clearly not fit for the setup role and couldn't be used enough as a result of his poor performances. Samardzija will have time to work in AAA, presumably again as a starter as insurance down the road.

If Samardzija continues to develop his pitches and consistency in AAA, he should be a reliable option should another Cubs pitcher (Rich Harden?) go down later in the year. Not only was Samardzija's role in the bullpen limited and erratic, limiting Samardzija's development, but Samardzija also failed to put up solid numbers when called upon.

Chad Fox is coming off of surgery that caused him to miss all of 2006 and 2007 and spend all of 2008 in the minors. Fox is slated in the sixth or seventh inning setup role and with the number of young pitchers the Cubs have in the bullpen, Fox's experience and leadership is a much-needed addition.

Overall, the move allows Samardzija to see consistent playing time in order to further develop his pitches and at the same time provides a new arm and leadership to the Cubs bullpen. Needless to say, the Cubs could use a change, as the pen has posted a combined record of 4-5 and no pitcher out of the 'pen has an ERA under 4.00.

Flying Under the Radar: Why Ryan Theriot Is So Important to the Cubs

Tyler Franz — Sat, 02 May 2009 22:55:03 -0400

When people think of the Chicago Cubs' possible team MVPs, many names come to mind: Derrek Lee, Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, and even Geovany Soto are all valid candidates for the most valuable Cub.

Amongst these superstar names, it is rare that the name Ryan Theriot is brought up. The quiet leader and role player may not have the star power that these others have, but when it comes down to it, The Riot may be more valuable to the Cubs than anyone.

While Theriot doesn't hit home runs or drive in 100 RBI per year, he has something else going for him that few other Cubs can claim.

Consistency.

Consistent offensive production has been a major team goal (and weakness) for the Cubs, and no one demonstrates consistent play better than the Riot. So far this year, Theriot is hitting .315 with three HR and 13 RBI.

His 13 RBI total is good for third on the team despite the fact that Theriot hits in the number two spot and the number eight spot normally, two of the lowest RBI positions to hit in in the batting order.

On those days when the three, four and five hitters just can't seem to reach base, the Cubs can have faith in Theriot, who constantly finds himself on base, regardless of the performance of the rest of the team.

In the last two days, Theriot has hit a game-winning grand slam, another home run, and has six RBI. In comparison, the hitters in the heart of the order have a total of one RBI in the past two games.

Theriot is a true coach's player: He's scrappy, plays hard every day, and does all of the little things right. Theriot doesn't swing for the fences or worry about his stats.

Rather, he thrives off of bloop singles and hits back up the box and doesn't hesitate to utilize his speed when on base. As demonstrated by his quiet and humble demeanor, Theriot is a team player who always puts his teammates before himself.

Perhaps the Riot said it best himself.

"I feel like I can help by getting on base for the big guys and playing multiple positions and taking pride in my defense. I have embraced the role, and you got to have guys like that on teams that win," said Theriot.

Theriot does have four errors already in the young season, but can usually be counted on for solid defense in addition to his consistency at the plate.

In a season in which the Cubs are struggling to find consistency on offense, it's no surprise that they have won two in a row while being led offensively not by their biggest star, but by their most consistent player.

The Chicago Cubs April Bleacher Report Card

Tyler Franz — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:37:22 -0400

Following up on the season preview article, let's take a look at how the have Cubs fared so far. Chicago got out to a strong start but has struggled the last few weeks of April.

Injuries to key players Milton Bradley, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, and Carlos Marmol have hampered the Cubs, who have been unable to produce consistently throughout the month.

First Base: C+

Three-time Gold Glove winner Derrek Lee has been injured recently with neck spasms and has not yet found his groove this year, hitting only .200. Lee continues to show signs of decline.

Micah Hoffpauir has done a good job offensively as a backup in both the outfield and at first, hitting .308 with two home runs in limited at-bats, but needs to improve his fielding if he wants to see more time.

Second Base: B-

Mike Fontenot has been a solid fielder in his first season as the everyday 2B. Fontenot's .227 average is not reflective of his success at the plate, where he has been solid for the Cubs hitting in the bottom half of the order.

Aaron Miles has been a disappointment thus far, hitting .195 in limited at-bats. Miles' fielding has been surprisingly weak, as the Cubs have hesitated to deploy him as the utility player that he is.

Shortstop: B+

Everyday shortstop Ryan Theriot has been one of the few consistent hitters for the Cubs in 2009, hitting .308. The Riot continues to do what he does best, slapping opposite-field bloop singles and hits back up the box to get on base. Theriot is a player who does his job and can be counted on regularly.

Third Base: B+

Aramis Ramirez has had significant early success but recently has missed games due to injury and will likely end up on the DL. Nevertheless, Ramirez is hitting .358 with three HRs and 14 RBI in 2009. Ramirez is on pace to have a great year if he can remain healthy.

Unfortunately for the Cubs, one of their main issues, depth at third base, will have to be addressed due to the Ramirez injury.

Aaron Miles has been mediocre as a fill-in, and the Cubs do not have another option at third.

Catcher: C

Geovany Soto has hit a sophomore slump so far in 2009, hitting only .111 in 45 at-bats. Soto needs to produce in order for the Cubs to be successful and has a lot of work to do. Luckily, it's early, and Soto still has plenty of time to find his hitting.

Perhaps one of the biggest surprises for the Cubs has been backup catcher Koyie Hill. Hill has been a defensive catcher throughout his career but has been hot early at the plate, hitting .370 in eight games this year.

Hill has showed leadership and poise behind the plate and has been a great fill-in for Soto, who missed some time in the first week with a shoulder injury.

Left Field: A

All-Star left fielder Alfonso Soriano has been nothing short of sensational. Soriano has remained injury-free, despite multiple injuries to teammates around him, and is amongst the tops in baseball with seven home runs.

Soriano has carried the Cubs and could have an MVP-caliber year if his success continues. He has even run better this year, with three steals already, and is hitting .298.

Center Field: A

Lou Piniella is no doubt excited that CF Kosuke Fukudome had a tremendous month in April. Fukudome was in danger of becoming an overpaid benchwarmer after his abysmal second half to 2008 and Spring Training. In April, however, Fukudome hit .358 with four HRs and a team-best 15 RBI.

Reed Johnson has been solid in the platoon with Fukudome, and although Johnson hasn't yet found his stroke at the plate, he has two highlight reel catches so far, including a grand slam rob of Prince Fielder.

Right Field: D

Milton Bradley has come as advertised. Bradley has an ejection, multiple injuries, and a poor relationship with Chicago media.

While it appeared that Bradley was ready for a fresh start in Chicago, he has brought the same attitude and character issues with him that have prevented him from remaining with any team for more than one year.

At the plate, Bradley is hitting .097 and has struggled in the field as well.

Micah Hoffpauir has also underperformed in the field, and the Cubs may want to consider moving Fukudome to right with Johnson in center if Bradley's issues continue.

Starting Rotation: D+

No Cubs starter has an ERA under four with the exception of Ted Lilly and Rich Harden, who both have had several shaky outings.

Carlos Zambrano looks like the most consistent of the group, while Ryan Dempster is steadily proving that 2008 was a fluke year for him, as he has posted a 5.40 ERA without a win in five starts.

Nevertheless, the Cubs starters have shown promise and will likely turn around as the season progresses.

Bullpen: F-

The Cubs bullpen could not be worse. Closer candidates Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg both have ERAs above six, and Gregg has been slowed by his recovery from knee surgery.

Luis Vizcaino had no command and walked so many hitters that he was released.

Furthermore, no bullpen member, with the exception of Aaron Heilman, has an ERA under four. Surprisingly, Heilman has settled down after a shaky start and has been the most reliable pitcher in relief for the Cubs, not that it's saying much.

David Patton has pitched like a Class A pitcher, posting a 9.35 ERA, and even Jeff Samardzija couldn't provide support after being called up, as he has a 6.75 ERA in three appearances.

I wish I could say there's some move or change the Cubs could make, but the reality is that the bullpen needs to improve for the Cubs to have any shot of being a playoff-caliber team.

Overall: B-

Despite the Cubs' lack of consistency, they still stand at 10-10. The Cubs couldn't have played much worse and still are a .500 team. If the hitting improves and the team gets healthy, the Cubs could get back on the right track.

Having said that, there is a lot of room for improvement in both pitching and hitting, and the Cubs have their work cut out for them. This team needs its leaders to step up and carry the team.

Cub of the Month: LF Alfonso Soriano

Honorable mention: CF Kosuke Fukudome

Cub Pitcher of the Month: SP Rich Harden

Honorable mention: SP Ted Lilly

Chicago Cubs Should Keep Milton Bradley On Short Leash

Tyler Franz — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 10:53:19 -0400

The Chicago Cubs knew exactly what they were getting into when they signed OF Milton Bradley to a three-year deal: The arguments with umpires, countless injuries, and absolute quotable gems that Bradley gives out like food stamps to the media.

For the Cubs, Bradley's performance on the field was enough to cause them to overlook these less-than-favorable characteristics, but the time is coming (if it hasn't already) when Bradley will inevitably cross the line.

Thus far, Bradley has had two injury stints, an ejection, and has rapidly developed an extremely negative relationship with the Chicago media. Recently, there have been reports that Bradley is a negative influence in the clubhouse (shocker). In other news, he is also batting .042 with one RBI and .281 OBP.

As a Cubs fan, I was gung-ho about signing Bradley and truly wanted to believe that the old Bradley was gone and that he had changed. Even after his ejection, I was quick to praise Bradley for his competitive fire and genuine desire to win.

What changed my mind was not Bradley's lack of production on the field, not his poor relationship with the media, or his selfish attitude. For me, it was one routine ground ball to short.

During what would become the beginning of a Cubs offensive drought, the Cubs were behind in the seventh inning against the Reds with runners on base and none other than Milton Bradley at the plate. Bradley grounded to Cincy Shortstop Alex Gonzalez, who proceeded to misjudge and bobble the grounder.

Immediately, my heart leaped. He's going to beat it out!

No sooner had the thought crossed my mind than the camera panned to Bradley, who was literally walking to first. Had Bradley exhibited a fraction of the fire at which he yelled at that umpire, he would have undoubtedly reached base safely and knocked in his second run of the year.

Bradley had crossed the line. All of his attitude and off-field issues can be tolerated to a point, but as soon as Bradley's antics put his team's success in jeopardy, I lost all respect for him. Here was a guy that wasn't even batting .100 and thought he was good enough that he didn't have to hustle to beat out grounders.

If not for his own image, Bradley should have at least put his team first and tried to spark a rally.

The Cubs expect Bradley back in the lineup on Tuesday, but if I were Lou Piniella, I'd have him on a short leash. With Kosuke Fukudome's first-half success and Reed Johnson's consistency combined with Bradley's Prior-esque tendency for fluke injuries, Piniella should not hesitate to temporarily bench Bradley if his performance (and attitude) doesn't improve.

After all, this is just another one of the many instances that not only Cubs fans, but all of baseball, has witnessed with Milton Bradley.

Sometimes you just can't seem to teach an old dog new tricks.

Add One More Bull to The Pen: Cubs Should Call Up Jeff Samardzija Now

Tyler Franz — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:40:13 -0400

It's only been a week, but six games into the season, the Chicago Cubs' Achilles heel thus far has unquestionably been the bullpen.

Going into 2009, there were many question marks for Chicago, including the durability of key players such as Milton Bradley and Alfonso Soriano, infield depth, and, of course, the bullpen.

The current problem with the bullpen situation is that it's not just one or two guys who are underachieving, it's virtually everyone.

Despite being only one week into the season, Kevin Gregg has already proved Lou Piniella's decision to make Gregg the closer over Carlos Marmol a mistake.

Gregg has allowed a run in all of his appearances except one, and has an ERA of 9.00, in comparison to Marmol's 0.00 ERA. Furthermore, it is obvious that Gregg doesn't have closer stuff. Gregg's WHIP of 2.75 is abysmal, as is his opponent's batting average of .458.

Gregg isn't the only one struggling, however, as both Neal Cotts and Aaron Heilman have struggled immensely with their command and have walked far too many hitters. And don't kid yourself, based on his history, Heilman has no chance of shaping up anytime soon. Just ask Mets fans.

But hey, at least Lou puts them in the game. So far, Piniella has seemed willing to go to any lengths to avoid having to use Rule-5 man David Patton, and has seemed even less confident in Luis Vizcaino.

With the bullpen already having blown several leads and a closer giving up runs like free candy, it's time for the Cubs to consider their best option: Jeff Samardzija.

Samardzija was dominant for the Cubs in '08, posting an ERA of 2.28 in 26 games and limiting opponents to a .226 batting average against.

Furthermore, Samardzija thrived in the setup role for Marmol last year. With Marmol currently as the only consistent reliever in the pen, Samardzija would provided much-needed bullpen depth. Samardzija would be even more essential in the setup role—if Marmol were to be moved to the closer role.

For those readers who are thinking that it is too early to worry or to make such major changes, take a look at the past several seasons.

In 2008, Bob Howry was supposed to be the eighth inning man before Lou moved him out of the role after several weeks, giving the setup duties to Carlos Marmol.

In 2007, Ryan Dempster was first named the closer, then a starter, then the closer again in a matter of days. Likewise, Scott Eyre was originally intended to be the setup man first and then the closer later in 2007, and Eyre ultimately ended up being a middle-of-the-road reliever.

Both years, the Cubs sorted out the bullpen situation early on and had successful relievers for the majority of the seasons.

Having established that the Cubs desperately need both a switch at closer and an additional reliable reliever, Samardzija is the perfect candidate.

The Notre Dame grad is currently undergoing a track similar to Tampa's David Price—starting the season in AAA, but with clear expectations that he will be a major contributor to the major league club later in the year.

The Cubs should make this move sooner rather than later. With Samardzija in the rotation, the Cubs could spare the pains of having to scramble and use all of their bullpen pitchers in one game, as they almost had to do against the Astros. The move would ideally complement the promotion of Marmol to closer with Kevin Gregg as a setup option, in order to put the best pitchers in the best roles.

Unfortunately, Samardzija in the bullpen would negate the organization's efforts to stretch him out into a starting pitcher in AAA. Samardzija will likely be needed down the road if and when the injury-prone Rich Harden goes down.

Either way, Samardzija's presence will become more and more essential for the pitching-thin Cubs. Samardzija could be utilized the same way Sean Marshall is now—pitching out of the bullpen in long relief and setup until needed as a starter. Since Marshall will most likely make his first start soon, Samardzija could replace Marshall in this role.

No matter how you spin it, the numbers don't lie. The Cubs bullpen needs help, and Jeff Samardzija is the perfect man for the job. Furthermore, Samardzija's competitive fire and will to win are essential attributes for a pitcher, and will no doubt influence other players as well.

The Cubs look shaky in the late innings now, but with a couple moves the club come immediately see significant improvements.

Maybe all they need is some Irish blood.

How Things Stand: The Official Bleacher Report Chicago Cubs Season Preview

Tyler Franz — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 07:42:36 -0400

As Spring Training (finally) comes to a close and the 2009 regular season is upon us, let's take a look at how the Cubs stand at each position going into the season.

Now, as you will soon realize if you read some of my previous articles, I have been extremely pessimistic thus far, but several key factors have brought my hopes up that 2009 may, in fact, be the year.

First Base: B

Three-time Gold Glove winner Derrek Lee struggled throughout spring training while nursing a strained right calf that kept him out of the majority of the action. Lee, who grounded into more double plays than anyone else in baseball last season, has appeared to be on the decline since his career year in 2005.

However, some speculate that the wrist injury that Lee suffered in 2006 has caused the drop in numbers and expect big things from D-Lee in 2009.

Even with all of the negatives, Lee is still one of the best fielding and hitting first basemen in baseball and should continue to produce for the Cubs.

Rookie Micah Hoffpauir adds a great option off the bench at both first base and left field and has the potential to see a lot of time if his numbers look anything like they did in Spring Training (led majors in RBI).

Second Base: B-

With the departure of Mark DeRosa, the Cubs acquired Aaron Miles to compete for the job with Mike Fontenot. Fontenot's 2008 numbers were impressive, as he hit .305 with 9 HR and 40 RBI in only 243 at-bats off the bench.

Fontenot played extremely well this spring, hitting .311 while playing in the majority of the games. Fontenot earned the starting spot, but Miles will no doubt be an important factor coming off the bench, especially considering his ability to play literally every position, even pitcher.

Shortstop: B

Everyday shortstop Ryan Theriot is an above-average fielder who can hit for average. "The Riot" is a coach's player, as he plays hard, is scrappy, and does the little things that can make a big difference in ballgames.

Expect similar numbers (.301, 38 RBI) in 2009 for The Riot.

On another note, this will be the first year that LSU teammates Fontenot and Theriot (together nicknamed the "Cajun Connection") will both be the opening day starters at second and shortstop respectively.

Third Base: B+

Despite fewer home runs in 2008 than usual, Aramis Ramirez continues to be one of the National League's best cleanup hitters year in and year out.

There is nothing preventing Ramy from hitting 30 HR this year and the Cubs expect him to be a leader on the field and carry them offensively when needed.

One of the Cubs' main problems going into this year is the lack of infield depth, as there is no true backup third basemen. This could potentially be problematic, especially if Ramirez goes down.

Catcher: A+

Thus far in his career, Geovany Soto has been nothing short of sensational. Despite only being a second year player, Soto is a tremendous leader with the pitching staff and in the clubhouse.

Offensively, there are few catchers who can perform like Soto, who hit .285 with 23 HR and 86 RBI in 2008.

Soto is projected to have similar numbers in '09, but throughout his career he has exceeded expectations, so don't be surprised to see even bigger contributions in the upcoming season.

The backup catcher position battle between Koyie Hill (spring .392) and veteran Paul Bako (spring .364) couldn't have been closer. Eventually, the club ended up choosing Hill, who saw significant time in 2007 with the major league squad.

Hill struggled offensively in his first stint with the Cubs and does not have the talent to be an everyday catcher. Hill is a decent backup, but if Soto goes down, the Cubs could be in trouble behind the plate.

Left Field: B+

Ah, Alfonso Soriano. Another year, another debate about whether to move the free-swinger out of the leadoff spot. Lou opted to keep Soriano in the leadoff role, as Soriano clearly prefers batting first. While Soriano doesn't fit the role perfectly, he is an offensive force and can single-handedly carry a team when he is hot. On the other hand, Soriano is also known for dropping fly balls, swinging without discretion at every pitch, and failing to get on base.

Soriano, like Lee, is in his declining stages, but nevertheless should be counted on for power and potentially speed if his hamstring holds up in 2009.

Center Field: B-

Center field is an interesting position for the Cubs. Lou Piniella clearly dislikes Kosuke Fukudome, but how can you blame him? Fukudome hit .211 this spring, hit .200 and was benched in the World Baseball Classic, and was in a miserable slump during the second half of '08.

Reed Johnson, on the other hand, has worked extremely hard and played well, too, hitting .324 during Spring Training. Although the two are expected to platoon in center, expect Johnson to see the majority of the action, especially if Fukudome continues to struggle. Lou has him on a short leash.

Joey Gathright will provide speed and fielding off the bench.

Right Field: B+

Despite Milton Bradley's controversial and injury-plagued past, it appears (so far) that he has turned over a new leaf with the Cubs. Bradley hit .500 this spring (22 for 44) with four HR, including one four-for-four game.

Bradley continues to be an offensive force and may actually end up putting up better numbers than he did in '08 with Texas (.321, 22 HR, 77 RBI). Additionally, Bradley gives the Cubs a switch hitter who can perform from either side of the plate.

He is not only extremely talented, but extremely confident, an attribute that is essential come October. Bradeley could be the difference maker for this Cubs team.

The key with Bradley, obviously, is whether he can stay healthy, especially playing in the field everyday rather than as a DH like he did with the Rangers.

Starting Rotation: A-

On paper, the rotation is tops in the National League. Ryan Dempster and Carlos Zambrano were two of the top pitchers in baseball in 2008, and Ted Lilly won 17 games.

Zambrano is expected to have a better year this year, while Dempster is expected to put up similar or slightly worse numbers.

The key in 2009, however, will be Rich Harden. Harden is absolutely dominant when he is not injured, but he has only pitched in 100+ innings three times in his six year career.

If Harden goes down, that means that Sean Marshall would be the fourth starter with Aaron Heilman being the most likely candidate to pitch fifth. Losing Harden would be a huge blow to the Cubs starting rotation and, unfortunately for the Cubs, Harden will probably spend some time on the DL in 2009.

Bullpen: A

The only thing stronger than Cubs starting pitching in 2009 might be its bullpen. Kevin Gregg earned the closer role in which he has had success in the past. That means lights-out Carlos Marmol will deal in the eighth with Jeff Samardzija in the seventh.

Marmol provides great insurance should Gregg struggle as closer, and the Cubs have all the pieces to make games six or seven innings long for opponents.

Overall: B+

The Cubs recipe for success boils down to one thing: consistency.

The Cubs clearly have the talent to make a run deep into the playoffs, but it will be essential that hitters and pitchers produce consistently and stay injury-free throughout the year.

One of the major problems with the 2008 team was a lack of consistency, and although the club won, 97 games, the problem haunted them during the playoffs.

The Cubs will also need contributions from their role players such as Fontenot and Johnson. Without success throughout the lineup, especially considering that this team isn’t as deep as it has been in previous years, the Cubs will not perform up to their potential.

Expect to see a confident Cubs team with a chip on their shoulder during the upcoming season.

QB Jay Cutler Traded To The Chicago Bears

Tyler Franz — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 17:50:34 -0400

On Thursday afternoon, the Broncos traded QB Jay Cutler to the Chicago Bears for two first round draft picks, one in 2009 and one in 2010, and quarterback Kyle Orton.

Cutler first demanded to be traded after finding out that coach Josh McDaniels tried to trade for Matt Cassell. The team initially decided to trade him, but then later announced that Cutler would be their quarterback for the 2009 season.

Nevertheless, Cutler refused to answer the Broncos' phone calls and stayed away for team functions for several weeks before the team again decided to deal him.

The Broncos finally traded Cutler to the Bears, who were among several teams interested in Cutler, including the Redskins, Buccaneers and Lions.

Meanwhile, the quarterback situation in Denver is unresolved, as it appears that Chris Simms and Kyle Orton are the two most likely candidates. However, the team will likely acquire another quarterback, either through the draft or through free agency.

Cutler, who is a former Pro Bowler, finished last season with 25 TDs and 4,526 yards for the Denver Broncos in 2008.

Seth Curry to Transfer to Duke

Tyler Franz — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:36:54 -0400

Liberty star and brother of Davidson's Stephen Curry, Seth, will transfer to play for Coach K and the Blue Devils.

Seth Curry will sit out the 2009-2010 season and be eligible as a 2010-11 third-year sophomore. Curry's help will be valuable to Duke in the 2010-2011 season, as Duke will lose current juniors John Scheyer and Gerald Henderson.

Curry cited the Duke education as well as the basketball prestige of the university as the two main reasons for his choice.

Curry was among the top scorers in the nation and the top freshman scorer in the country, averaging 20.2 PPG in his first year with the Liberty Flames in the 2008-2009 season.

Photo credit ESPN.com

Cubs Management Fails Again, Picks Kevin Gregg as Closer

Tyler Franz — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:17:50 -0400

On Sunday afternoon, the Chicago Tribune reported that Lou Piniella has named Kevin Gregg as the closer for 2009.

For two years, Marmol has been lights out in the setup role and looked like a shoo-in for the Cubs closer role in the future. Kevin Gregg, on the other hand, has pitched well, but doesn't have nearly the talent that Marmol has.

Most people are surprised with this decision, as the closer battle in Spring Training seemed more like a token contest rather than an actual competition for the role.

Cubs nation is plagued yet again with another poor decision by Cubs management.

It seemed impossible to mess up, but somehow the Cubs picked the wrong closer, as they will undoubtedly find out during the first few weeks of the season.

First, the Cubs balked at the opportunity to acquire Jake Peavy, an error that will become more significant when Rich Harden inevitably goes down and the Cubs end up with Sean Marshall as the fourth starter

Cubs management also failed to resign closer Kerry Wood, although this situation wasn't ideal due to contract issues.

Ultra utility man Mark DeRosa, who carried the team during some stretches last season, was dealt and replaced by Aaron Miles, who is essentially a worse version of DeRo.

Soriano stayed in the leadoff spot. Again.

Carlos Zambrano, who is 0-5 on opening day, gets the nod again this year even though a strong case could be made for Ryan Dempster.

All of these errors, combined with Derrek Lee's age, Fukudome and Soriano's inconsistency, and a lack of overall depth on the team all point to a disappointing year, despite playoff predictions.

Now, the Cubs have picked the wrong man to finish the game. Although Marmol can have a higher WHIP that the Cubs would like, he still manages to finish games and get hitters out. He has immensely more talent than Gregg and is younger.

The Cubs' saving grace might be that they play in a poor division, but management has hurt this team far more than it has helped going into 2009, and it is uncertain whether the Cubs will meet their high expectations.

Make March Madder: Abolish Conference Tournaments

Tyler Franz — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 14:03:35 -0400

There are many theories as to how to make the NCAA tournament's selection process more fair and aimed at the true best teams in the country. These ideas range from expanding the tournament field to banning mid-major teams outright.

After seeing Davidson fall in the Southern Conference tournament this year, the idea hit me.

Get rid of the conference tournaments and let the regular season winner get the automatic bid.

Think about it. Eliminating conference tournaments would benefit mid-majors because it would ensure that a mediocre team like UT-Chattanooga, who finished fifth in the conference in the regular season, doesn't get in, only to lose by 59 to a top-seeded team.

Rather, the best team, in this case Davidson, would get in and make the tournament more competitive.

Eliminating conference tournaments would benefit major conferences like the ACC, too.

Teams like North Carolina have no motivation to win these tournaments, as they already know they will receive a top seed, regardless of how they fare in the conference tournament.

Eliminating conference tournaments would allow these teams to not have to play in meaningless games and risk injuring their players before the NCAA Tournament.

Furthermore, eliminating conference tournaments would make the regular season immensely more meaningful, as teams would be playing directly for NCAA berths rather than for seeding in a conference tournament.

It is highly unlikely that conference tournaments would be eliminated for a variety of reasons, including revenue and tradition. But if the NCAA truly wants to ensure that the tournament field includes the best teams, eliminating conference tournaments is the easiest and most logical way to do so.

Derrek Lee Hurts Himself, Cubs, and Country By Declining Team USA Invitation

Tyler Franz — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:04:26 -0400

When Derrek Lee declined Team USA's second invitation to join the team, this time as a starter in the semifinals, he not only hurt Team USA, but his career and the Cubs as well.

Lee has been struggling throughout Spring Training, hitting only .179 with 0 HR and 2 RBI in 10 games.

By opting not to fill in for the injured Kevin Youkilis, Lee is hurting himself and his own image, first and foremost.

The World Baseball Classic would provide Lee with the game-like at-bats that would likely get him in a hitting groove going into the season. The WBC is a lot more realistic than Spring Training because the games are treated like real, meaningful games rather than preparation for the season.

In addition to meaningful at-bats, Lee is also missing out on the opportunity to bolster his own resumé, which has been in decline since his career-year in 2005.

While Lee's decision hurts both himself and the Cubs, it ultimately ends up hurting his country the most.

Anyone who doubts Team USA's motivation or desire to win was silenced by the dog pile that ensued following USA's ninth-inning comeback against Puerto Rico.

Lee had the chance to be part of something special, yet he decided that sitting on the bench with a "sore right quad," rather than taking meaningful at-bats in a potentially historic series, would put him in a better position to help the Cubs.

Even Lee himself said that, had this been a regular-season game, he would certainly be playing.

Wake up, D-Lee.

Team USA has a chance to do something special, make history, and will most likely be remembered far more than the 2009 Cubs team—barring a World Series win for the North Siders.

While on the surface Lee's decision seemed minor, it speaks volumes about his passion for the game. Lee's sore quad, which seems more like a Spring Training excuse to sit a couple games rather than a legitimate injury, is what is preventing him from helping his country in addition to his own career.

If Lee can't play through a sore leg for his country, what are we supposed to expect from a declining star in the '09 season?

Derrek Lee Declines WBC Invitation

Tyler Franz — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 22:51:32 -0400

On Thursday, Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee declined the invitation to fill in at first base for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

After Boston's Kevin Youkilis went down with a twisted ankle, Team USA contacted Lee, who was on the top of their list, and asked him to play in the team's semifinal game against Venezuela.

Lee was originally invited to join the team before the tournament but didn't want to be a backup.

Lee has sat out the last couple Spring Training games and cited a "sore right quad" as the reason for not playing in the WBC.

Team USA has taken several steps to fill the void at first, specifically by signing Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria at third. This move allows Team USA to shift the versatile Mark DeRosa to first if the team cannot find a true first baseman.

Team USA takes on Venezuela in the semifinals Saturday night at 9:00 p.m. ET.

Kosuke Fukudome Vs. Reed Johnson: The Showdown For Center

Tyler Franz — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 21:25:25 -0400

As Spring Training is well under way, let's take a look at one of the Cubs' key position battles between outfielders Kosuke Fukudome and Reed Johnson.

While it is likely that the two will platoon during the season, one will undoubtedly end up with more playing time than the other. Others such as Joey Gathright could contribute in center, but the majority of the playing time will go to either Fukudome or Johnson. Which player deserves it?

Let's find out.

Reed Johnson (2008: .303, 6 HR, 50 RBI, 52 R, .358 OBP)

Upside: Johnson has significant experience in center field, playing in center 78 times in 2008. Furthermore, Johnson had 8 fewer RBI than Fukudome in 168 fewer at-bats. Johnson's career .284 is also strong.

Defensively, Johnson is outstanding and can be counted on daily to make an impact in center field. In fact, Johnson has only commited three errors in the past three years (335 games).

Downside: Johnson is not a true everyday player and it is uncertain whether he can maintain his 2008 numbers if he plays daily.

Kosuke Fukudome (2008: .257, 10 HR, 58 RBI, 79 R, .359 OBP)

Upside: Fukudome has shown enormous potential not only during his career in Japan, but also during the first half of 2008. Fukudome's ability to work the count and draw walks is exceptional, as is his fielding. If Fukudome can post numbers similar to or better than his first half numbers from 2008, he will be a shoe-in for the everyday role.

Downside: Fukudome was selected as a National League All-Star, but his numbers tailed off dramatically in the second half of the year. After the break, Fukudome only hit .217 with a .314 OBP. (.273 BA, .383 OBP before the break).

His durability and consistency is questionable and Fukudome struggles against right-handed pitching which is surprising considering he bats left-handed.

The Bottom Line: Although Fukudome has the ability to hit consistently and with above-average power, his second half numbers make him a risk and unreliable.

Reed Johnson, on the other hand, has proved to be consistent day in and day out, doing whatever it takes to win (he has been among the top five in hit-by-pitches in the last three seasons).

Ultimately, Johnson is the more reliable and productive player and although Fukudome has great potential, but his inconsistency makes him a liability.

Agree? Disagree? Let the debate begin.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Acquire Kellen Winslow

Tyler Franz — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:06:22 -0500

Only two days after releasing fan favorites Derrick Brooks and Warrick Dunn, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have already begun their rebuilding process, trading undisclosed draft picks in exchange for Cleveland's Kellen Winslow.

Winslow's career with Cleveland was marred by injuries, but the University of Miami graduate showed immense talent and potential when healthy. Winslow recorded career-highs of 1,106 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 2007, in which he played in all 16 games.

In 2008, however, Winslow was limited to only 10 games due to a combination of injuries and suspensions. Winslow finished the year with only 428 yards and three TDs.

Tampa Bay looks to use Winslow to bolster their passing game as a complement to emerging wideout Antonio Bryant.

Memo to Cubs Fans: Wake Up and Smell DeRosas (or Lack Thereof)

Tyler Franz — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:07:26 -0500

On a day when Cubs fans across the nation rejoiced in the return of America’s pastime, the Cubs win and Hoffpauir’s grand slam were overshadowed by a former friend.

Mark DeRosa, who was kicked to the curb in favor of the significantly less productive Aaron Miles earlier this offseason, blasted a go-ahead three-run home run that should have been painful for Cubs fans.

Across Bleacher Report, Cubs writers are buzzing about the 2009 season and a possible World Series ring.

My advice to you: Just wait.

I think the Cubs are going to surprise a lot of people—they’ll be surprisingly bad.

With a lineup with big names like Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, Derrek Lee, and now, Milton Bradley, Cubs fans easily forget how inconsistent these players were at times last year.

At times when Soriano struck out on three pitches, Aramis couldn’t get on base, and Derrek Lee grounded into the most double plays in baseball (not to mention Fukudome’s atrocious second-half play), one player remained a consistent bright spot when everyone else failed: DeRosa.

Mark DeRosa was the Cubs MVP last year, and I don’t mean that in the sense of best pure player, but rather in the true sense of a most valuable player.

He did it all. He played virtually every position, hit throughout the batting order, and constantly produced.

DeRosa doesn’t care where you put him in the game; he has the ability to produce in every circumstance. Even in the playoffs, DeRosa was virtually the only Cub doing anything.

While the others floundered, he was hitting a homer and doing his best to carry the team while maintaining a playoff blog on Cubs.com. Furthermore, DeRosa was one of only three Cubs with more than one hit in the playoffs.

DeRosa’s .285 average, 21 home runs (more than the three-hitter, D-Lee), and 87 RBI (third on the team, despite DeRosa hitting predominantly in the seven hole) helped the bottom half of the Cubs lineup actually produce more RBI than the top half last year.

Why? Why did GM Jim Hendry ship out the most consistent player in the Cubs lineup and fill the hole with Aaron Miles, a utility player who is little more than a worse version of DeRosa?

Losing DeRosa will undoubtedly hurt the Cubs far more than anyone anticipates. As I noted in my season recap last year, the Cubs did need help in the outfield (Bradley, Joey Gathright) and perhaps need to give Mike Fontenot more at-bats. Check.

On the other hand, I don’t think anyone anticipated DeRosa leaving.

Unlike most of the Cubs, DeRosa simply doesn’t have any major holes in his game. He is a consistent under-the-radar, dark-horsem run producer. Furthermore, the Cubs received two mediocre pitchers who have no chance of making an impact in exchange for DeRosa.

Had the Cubs acquired Jake Peavy, I would feel better about the deal, but Hendry balked at the opportunity.

Losing DeRosa won’t help the Cubs. It just makes an inconsistent lineup even more inconsistent.

Green Bay Packers' Week Seven Positional Grades Vs. Colts

Tyler Franz — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 10:50:47 -0400

Packers' Week Seven Positional Grades

Here’s how the Packers stacked up against the Colts in their Week Seven victory. We've also included season grades overall and what the season grades were prior to this week.

OFFENSE

Quarterback: A

Season Grade: A (Previous: A-)

The Breakdown: Aaron Rodgers was virtually flawless once again, as he completed 21-of-28 passes with one touchdown. He continues to show improvement and is quickly becoming a top-of-the-line NFL QB.

Running Back: B

Season Grade: D+ (Previous: D)

The Breakdown: Ryan Grant continues to show improvement, as he gained 100 yards for the first time all season. Having said this, he still only managed to average 3.4 yards per carry. However, Grant collected his first touchdown of the season and Brandon Jackson also lead the team in receptions and receiving yards.

Tight End: A

Season Grade: B (Previous: B)

The Breakdown: Donald Lee had two receptions for 23 yards and a TD and continues to emerge as a red-zone threat.

Wide Receiver: B+

Season Grade: A (Previous: A)

The Breakdown: While no receiver had a breakout game (or a touchdown for that matter), eight different players had at least one reception. Jackson, a running back, led the team with six receptions and 35 yards.

Offensive Line: B

Season Grade: B- (Previous: B-)

The Breakdown: A better effort this week from the O-line, but run blocking still needs improvement. The line’s most notable achievement was not allowing a sack during the game.

DEFENSE

Defensive Line: B-

Season Grade: C (Previous: C-)

The Breakdown: Again, this unit showed improvement this week but managed to allow a backup running back to rack up 73 yards and two TDs. Granted, the last touchdown didn’t matter and was scored in the closing minutes of the game, but the defensive line has yet to recover from the loss of DE Cullen Jenkins.

Linebacker: A

Season Grade: C+ (Previous: C+)

The Breakdown: Despite the fact that Green Bay was in the nickel for most of the game, backup linebacker Brandon Chillar was an absolute ballhawk, recording nine tackles in the game. Nick Barnett also contributed with six tackles, and the linebackers looked comfortable operating out of the nickel scheme.

Secondary: A+

Season Grade: A (Previous: B+)

The Breakdown: Green Bay’s corners and safeties lead the NFL with 13 interceptions and returned another two for scores this week. What was most impressive was that Colts' QB Peyton Manning was not able to take advantage of backups Aaron Rouse (99-yard INT TD) and Tramon Williams, who both tied for second-best on the team with seven tackles each.

Special-teams specialist Will Blackmon also contributed on the defensive side of the ball, and Nick Collins continues to be one of the best free safeties in the league, as he returned another interception for a touchdown.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicking/Punting: B+

Season Grade: A- (Previous: A-)

The Breakdown: K Mason Crosby could have been better, as he missed a seemingly easy make from 39 yards. On the flip side, Crosby also made two field goals in the game. Punter Derrick Frost was excellent, averaging 55 yards per punt with a long of 59 yards.

Kick/Punt Returning: C

Season Grade: B (Previous B)

The Breakdown: Nothing great from a special-teams standpoint this week. Charles Woodson had the lone kick return for –2 yards and Will Blackmon averaged 8.7 yards per punt return on three returns.

Green Bay Packers' Positional Grades at the Trade Deadline

Tyler Franz — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 08:06:21 -0400

Packers' Trade Deadline Grades

Here is a look at how the Green Bay Packers performed throughout the first six weeks of the season.

OFFENSE

Quarterback: A-

The Breakdown: Aaron Rodgers has been phenomenal. He has showed excellent poise and knowledge for a first-year starter and has basically done no wrong, except for one crucial interception against Atlanta. He has also demonstrated his extreme toughness while playing brilliantly through a shoulder sprain.

Running Back: D

The Breakdown: Ryan Grant has 359 yards and zero touchdowns. Furthermore, the back that scored eight touchdowns in 10 games last year is averaging only 3.4 yards per carry. Brandon Jackson has scored the Packers' lone rushing touchdown by a running back, but has fewer rushing yards than Rodgers. While the running game has shown improvement, it is far from where it should be.

Tight End: B

The Breakdown: Donald Lee has the third-most receptions on the team and has scored once. While he hasn’t been spectacular, his quickness and above average receiving ability has made him a valuable asset for the Packers. New addition Tory Humphrey has also been a major contributor at tight end so far, especially against Atlanta, where he totaled 67 yards on the day.

Wide Receiver: A

The Breakdown: Donald Driver has two touchdowns, one more than his season total last year. Greg Jennings continues to shine, as he leads the league in receiving yards and has totaled four touchdowns. Rookie Jordy Nelson has been impressive so far, and Rodgers is clearly becoming more and more confident throwing to the rookie.

Offensive Line: B-

The Breakdown: Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton have been solid as usual, despite Clifton battling injuries. Scott Wells has not played as well as he typically does, but he too, has been injured. Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz have been mediocre at guard, and substitute Tony Moll has been subpar.

DEFENSE

Linebacker: C+

The Breakdown: A.J. Hawk continues to emerge and veteran Nick Barnett has been decent, but the unit as a whole has failed to stop the run throughout the season. Brandon Chillar has been a valuable addition to platoon with Brady Poppinga. Look for the Packers to use their young linebackers more aggressively in order to improve their run defense.

Defensive Line: C-

The Breakdown: This grade would be lower if not for Aaron Kampman’s six sacks. Overall, the unit has failed to stop the run and has been extremely vulnerable with Cullen Jenkins out for the season.

Secondary: B+

The Breakdown: Despite key losses at strong safety—Atari Bigby's still out—and at corner—Al Harris is still missing significant time—the Packers have managed to put together a functioning secondary that leads the NFL in interceptions and defensive touchdowns. Charles Woodson has been the most prominent with an NFL-best four interceptions, and fill-ins Tramon Williams and Aaron Rouse have been solid all year as well.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicking/Punting: A-

The Breakdown: Mason Crosby has been efficient as usual, and is among the top of the NFL in average kickoff length, touchbacks, and field goals. Green Bay almost allowed Crosby to kick a 60-yarder against Seattle. Derrick Frost has been better than he was in Washington and is among the top punters in net average.

Kick/Punt Returning: B

The Breakdown: Will Blackmon continues to improve. While he is not among the NFL’s best kick returners, he ranks eighth in average punt return yards and had a 76-yard return for a score earlier this year.

Packers' Victory Over Seattle More Than Just a Win: The Pack Is Back

Tyler Franz — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 07:57:00 -0400

Even though they faced third-string QB Charlie Frye, the Packers’ win over the Seahawks was a resounding one that made a statement to the rest of the league: the Pack is back.

Throughout the season, Green Bay has suffered from seemingly endless injuries, and it’s shown. The running game has been shaky all year, the defense has been poor without Cullen Jenkins and Al Harris, and the passing game hasn’t been extraordinary due to Aaron Rodger’s sprained shoulder.

Against Seattle, however, the Packers seemed to find their rhythm, injuries, and all.

A running game which has been dormant all year (only one TD) continued to improve as Ryan Grant rushed for 90 yards on the day. Furthermore, Grant showed that his hamstring injury may finally be behind him, as some of his explosiveness and play-making ability from last season emerged at times during the game.

While Grant has steadily improved throughout the year, he has yet to have a breakout game. Based his most recent performance, however, Grant is going to get hot, and soon.

Defensively, the Packers made major strides, despite being without run-stopper Cullen Jenkins and lockdown corner Al Harris, both most likely out for the season. Against Atlanta, Michael Turner ran all over a Packers defensive line (ranked 27th in rushing defense) that could not begin to stop the run or the pass, as QB Matt Ryan was hardly hurried during the game, let alone sacked.

Against Seattle, on the other hand, Green Bay looked significantly better, as Aaron Kampman sacked Frye twice and Charles Woodson came up with a sack as well.

Speaking of Woodson, the former Heisman trophy winner now has an NFL best four interceptions on the season after he picked off Frye in the fourth quarter. The rest of the secondary looked solid too as Tramon Williams, who is filling in for Al Harris, sealed the win for Green Bay with an interception.

Despite playing with a third-string strong safety and a backup corner, the secondary finally looked sharp for the first time all year.

Finally, Aaron Rodgers continues to excel despite a shoulder sprain. Rodgers threw for 208 yards and two touchdowns on 21 completions in 30 attempts. Maybe some of Favre’s toughness wore off on Rodgers, who has played exceptionally while injured.

A win against Seattle was more than a win against an injured team playing with a third-string QB.

Yes, the Packers were able to win a crucial game, but it was how they won the game that made the biggest statement. Despite numerous injuries, the Packers looked again like a team that could become dominant in the NFC North. For now, it appears that the lowly Packers that lost three consecutive games have once again become a serious playoff contender.

Most importantly, for the first time all season, everything seemed to click for Green Bay, as the Packers were great on all sides of the ball.

The real test, however, comes next week when Indy comes to town. Green Bay won’t be facing any third-string passer, either, so the entire team needs to continue to progress in preparation for Peyton Manning and the Colts.

Rich Harden Back With Cubs in 2009

Tyler Franz — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 08:34:58 -0400

The Chicago Cubs announced that they will pick up Rich Harden’s contract option, worth $7 million, for the 2009 season.

While the Cubs are thrilled about keeping one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, they are undoubtedly concerned that Harden might become the next Mark Prior.

The 26 year-old righty will be back with the Cubs after posting a 10-2 record with a 2.07 ERA in 148 innings with the A’s and Cubs in 2008.

Harden was acquired along with reliever Chad Gaudin in a six player trade on July 8, and went unbeaten in his last ten starts of the season, including a 5-1 record and a 1.77 ERA with the Cubs.

Harden set a career high with 181 strikeouts and led all pitchers in batting average against, as hitters batted only .183 against him in ‘08. Harden’s 25 starts in 2008 were second best to his career high of 31 starts in 2004 with the A’s.

Now, the Cubs hope that the injury-prone Harden can stay healthy, something he has struggled with throughout his career. In 2008, despite any serious setbacks, Harden was scratched from starts mysteriously several times and was often taken out of games prematurely due to injury concerns.

Chicago hopes that it can get its money’s worth by improving the pitcher’s durability and consistency during winter and spring workouts, and is optimistic that Harden can continue his success from last year during the 2009 season.

Despite Powerful Lineup, Cubs Must Rebuild

Tyler Franz — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:06:07 -0400

100 years and counting. For Cubs fans, the almost cliché phrase “wait ‘til next year” is getting old fast. How, we wonder, does a team that had the best record in the N.L. going into the postseason get swept in the first round?

Furthermore, how (and why) have the Cubs been swept in two consecutive postseasons and gone 0-9 in the playoffs since the infamous “Bartman game?”

In recent years, the Cubs' postseason woes have boiled down to the lack of offensive production in postseason games. This year, the Cubs averaged two runs per game in the postseason, as opposed to 5.6 in the regular season. Additionally, only three Cubs (Lee, DeRosa, and Theriot) collected more than two hits during the playoffs, and leadoff hitter Alfonso Soriano went an abysmal 1-for-14. The result: an embarrassing early playoff exit for the North Siders.

It wasn’t just hitting that went awry, however. Fielding hadn’t been a problem all year, but in Game Two the entire infield, including three-time Gold Glover Derrek Lee, committed four errors, including back-to-back errors in the second inning that ultimately gave the Dodgers an insurmountable lead.

Pitching struggled, too, as go-to pitchers Ryan Dempster and Rich Harden failed to keep their team in the ballgame.

Coming off of back-to-back seasons in which the Cubs have been swept in the first round, Chicago will need to reevaluate their personnel during the offseason. Pitching-wise, the Cubs look great. The starting rotation could use another middle-tier pitcher to add depth, but overall is one of the best in the game.

The bullpen is phenomenal, with lights-out set-up men Jeff Samardzija and Carlos Marmol leading the way for closer Kerry “Kid K” Wood in the ninth.

Defensively, the Cubs were solid all year (minus game two of the postseason). Kosuke Fukudome, Jim Edmonds, and Reed Johnson were all reliable outfielders throughout the year, and the infield was better than previous years, though not spectacular.

The Cubs’ struggles ultimately come down to hitting. First and foremost, Alfonso Soriano is not a leadoff hitter, no matter how many times he insists that he is. His 1-for-14 playoff statistics combined with a regular season .344 OBP indicate that Soriano is in no way fit for the leadoff role.

In fact, his OBP was the lowest among starters on the team. How can a team expect to be successful in the long run if its leadoff hitter gets on base less frequently than every other hitter in the lineup? Soriano has been a major and consistent problem, from dropping routine popouts to swinging at every pitch within seven feet of the strike zone.

The Cubs need to address this situation immediately. Either move Soriano to the back of the lineup or ship him out. Having said this, Chicago also needs to acquire a legitimate leadoff hitter to bolster their lineup. In 2008, the bottom half of the Cubs' order actually knocked in more runs than the top half.

While Soriano is the main problem, he is not by any means the only problem. Fukudome showed in the second half of the year that he clearly can’t hit big-league pitching right now and is better suited on the bench than in right field.

Mike Fontenot, who was a backup all season, ended up with more RBI, doubles, home runs, and a higher OBP than everyday shortstop Ryan Theriot, despite playing in 30 less games and starting in even fewer of those games. He has shown that he is ready for big-league ball and can play as an everyday player.

Here’s my solution:

Bring in another solid starting pitcher, whether it’s Rich Hill or someone from outside the organization. Either ship Soriano out or move him lower in the order and acquire a legitimate leadoff hitter. Start DeRosa in right field and start Fontenot as the everyday second baseman, at least until they find a better long-term solution (perhaps resurrect the Brian Roberts deal?).

And finally, if necessary, ship out fan-favorite Derrek Lee. Yes, as much as I love D-Lee, it would be good to acquire a solid player (perhaps leadoff hitter?) for him while his trade value is still relatively high.

Lee’s career is in its declining stages and with up-and-coming slugger Micah Hoffpauir knocking at the door, it would appear that Lee’s days as a Cub are numbered. Therefore, even if the Cubs don't move Lee (which I guarantee you they won't), the team should at least think seriously about giving Hoffpauir more reps at first during the regular season in '09. If the Cubs make these minor adjustments and continue to build on the impressive foundation they already have, we should see an improved and more mature Cubs lineup in the 2009 season.