Cubs GM Jim Hendry Putting Team Ahead of Fan Favorites

Whether you like it or not, Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry's plan is close to being completed.  

Once the playoffs came to an abrupt end in October, Hendry was faced with a lot of decisions.

The first decision regarded former Cubs closer Kerry Wood. While many Cubs fans don't want to hear this, the decision was made last September.  

Despite what anyone tells you, letting Wood go might have been the easiest baseball decision for Hendry. Wood, who led the NL in two- and three-run saves, struggled during the second half of the 2008 season.

After a successful first half, Wood appeared in 21 games in the second half, going 1-for-2 with 10 saves and an ERA of 3.74.  He gave up 22 hits in 21 innings, and opponents batted .250 against him.  

Meanwhile, Carlos Marmol was one of the best relief pitchers in baseball in the second half.  Marmol appeared in 33 games, going 0-for-1 with four saves and an ERA of 1.29. Marmol gave up just 12 hits in 35 innings, while opposing hitters batted .103 against him.  

Kerry Wood has always been a class act, and while I believe he would've returned for a one-year deal, I don't believe he would've accepted a demotion to setup man. 

The Cubs will be a better team with Kevin Gregg setting up and Marmol closing.  It sure wasn't a popular move, but it is the smart move.

Marmol will give the Cubs much more flexibility than Wood did with occasional multi-inning saves.  He won't be asked to rack up the 87 innings as he did a year ago.  

On Wednesday, Hendry made another move that upset many Cubs fans.  He traded fan favorite Mark DeRosa to the Indians after signing Aaron Miles to a two-year deal.

Trading Mark DeRosa was one of the most difficult things for Hendry to do.  

DeRosa played five different positions for the Cubs, while hitting .285 with 21 home runs. Replacing someone like DeRosa is almost impossible, but the Cubs need to get more left-handed bats.

On paper, these moves don't look very good, but in order to win in October you need to have a balanced lineup.  

Hendry will also announce the signing of Bradley sometime next week, and I wouldn't be shocked to see the Cubs add another pitcher before spring training.  

I don't see this Cubs team being a 95-or-more win team, but if they stay healthy, they're much more balanced to make a run in October.  

Other news:  Jeff Moorad has resigned as CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks in attempt to purchase the Padres, along with a small group of investors.