Chicago Cubs Short Checklist

If the Chicago Cubs want to prevent bad weeks like the previous one in the future, there are a few things that all Cubs fans should expect from the team:

• No. 5 starter — Jason Marquis has been, is, and always will be a bad Major League starter.  Get rid of the guy through any trade for absolutely anybody.  We have plenty of starters available in the organization. 

• Closer — Kerry Wood has been inconsistent.  Is Marmol ready?  He sure looks ready.  This is more of a thought than a necessity at this time. 

Before the year is over, Kerry could either straighten himself out or find himself   pitching in the eighth.

• Brian Roberts — This guy is talented and is perfect for this Cubs team. 

I'm sure Baltimore would jump at the chance to get a major league starter and a second baseman in either Gallagher or Marshall and Cedeno. 

Cedeno's trade value couldn't get much higher right now.  A trade for Roberts would inevitably lead to...

• Move Soriano — Soriano would be the No. 5 or 6 hitter in the lineup.  But let's face it.  This won't happen unless the trade for Roberts occurred. 

• Acquire another left-handed bat — This is arguably the most important thing in order to ensure the continued success of the offense. 

Right now Fukudome is hitting fifth, splitting a predominantly right-handed hitting lineup in half. 

If the Cubs could get a left-handed hitting power hitter to hit behind Ramirez, Fukudome could move to the No. 2 hole where he would be most productive. 

This and the Roberts trade won't both happen.  It's up to the Cubs to decide whether to get Roberts or a left-handed hitting power hitter.

• Remake the rotation — In the long run, one would like to see Big Z, Lilly, Dempster, Hill, and Marshall/Lieber in the rotation. 

Marshall would give them three left-handed starters, but with Eyre coming back, there is more of a need for Lieber in the bullpen to be the long man rather than Marshall.