Five Things I Would Like To See the Chicago Cubs Do in the Coming Weeks

The Cubs currently sit two games under .500, and 4.5 games out of first. In the wide open NL Central, they are still right in the thick of things, but they need to make their move sooner rather than later. 

After watching division foes the Cardinals acquire Mark DeRosa, a man the Cubs would love to have again now, there are a few moves, in house and on the trade market, I would like to see the Cubs make.

No. 5: Trade for Joe Biemel of the Washington Nationals.

Biemel's Stats: 34 games, 0-4, 3.52 ERA, 19-12 K-BB Ratio

Biemel is a solid veteran who was part of the Dodgers postseason run last year, so he has experience playing for a playoff team. He would provide the Cubs with that much needed second left-hander out of the bullpen and seeing as he is 32-years old, should come relatively cheap.

No. 4: Trade for Felipe Lopez of the Arizona Diamondbacks

Lopez' Stats: .303 BA, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 6 SB

The Diamondbacks are floundering right now, and Lopez would be a huge upgrade for the Cubs at second base, as he is a perennial .300 hitter and a solid fielder as well. This would allow Fontenot to return to the bench role that he thrived in last season, and would give the Cubs a much needed speed threat on the bases.

No. 3: Rest Aramis Ramirez whenever possible.

The immense struggles of the Cubs offense have shown just how valuable Ramirez' bat is. Once he comes back, I think we almost need to treat him like we do Rich Harden. If we go up by four or five runs, pull him. If it's raining, and the field conditions are getting bad, pull him. Whatever it takes to keep him healthy needs to be done.

No. 2: Resolve the Milton Bradley situation.

It has hit the point where I feel that the Cubs are best off cutting their losses and dealing the "slugger." He has some value on the trade market, as the Mets may be a possible taker with their injury problems and lack of offensive fire power.

If they are able to deal Bradley, I would then say go after Adam Dunn, the man they should have signed in the first place this off-season.

No. 1: Go With the Hot Hand at Closer.

I know as well as anyone that closer by committees rarely work, but this is the situation we have put ourselves in by relying on Kevin Gregg. A month ago, the easy answer would have been to turn the job over to Marmol, but with his recent control problems, Angel Guzman may be the most reliable arm in the pen right now.

A few games ago, against the Sox, Aaron Heilman came in and struck out the side. So I say why not throw him out there next game as the closer, let him build off of that confidence he gained. This truly is a bullpen of streaky pitchers, so let's use that to our advantage.

This is just my take on how the Cubs could get better, and I think all five points are within reason and should be fairly easy to pull off. Let me know what you think.