Cubs Management Sitting Pretty After Solid Off-Season Decisions

Going into last winter, there was a bitter taste in the mouths of Cubs' management after being swept in the NLDS by the Arizona Diamondbacks. During the off-season, management made several personnel decisions that are paying huge dividends so far this season. 

The most celebrated of these moves was the addition of Japanese star, Kosuke Fukudome, a left-handed bat who has been a main component of the Cubs' success this season. His production in his first major league season has been stellar, in addition to providing balance to a right-hand dominant Cubs lineup. 

This season, Fukudome started out extremely hot, setting the pace for a quick start for the Cubs. He has settled into a groove and has been consistent at the plate and in the field all season. This season marks the first time since the departure of Sammy Sosa that right field has been a position that the Cubs can count on for offensive production.

Another decision that a lot of people have not given Jim Hendry enough credit for is heeding the old adage "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" at second base.  Mark DeRosa has done a great job for the Cubs at every position he has played, but settling him in at second base is good for DeRosa and the ball club. 

Hendry was tempted to deal for Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts, a clear upgrade, but resisted the urge to gut the farm system in order to acquire him. Instead, the Cubs have kept their young pitching intact and DeRosa at his best position. 

Also, the Cubs now have a very deep infield with Fontenot and Cedeno at their disposal off the bench, whereas one of the two would likely have had to be dealt along with pitching to acquire Roberts. 

It is said that the best deal is sometimes to make no deal at all, and Jim Hendry certainly made the best deal for the club in both the short and long-term. 

Also, Hendry and Piniella pulled all the right strings in shuffling the bullpen and the starting rotation for this season. Ryan Dempster, former closer and converted starter, is having a monster season as a member of the rotation, while Kerry Wood is thriving as the Cubs' closer. 

Carlos Marmol, another candidate for the closer's job, has been lights-out in the eigth inning this season as a setup man.

Mark Prior, who refused a one year deal with the Cubs involving a club option for a second year, is now out for the season after undergoing a second shoulder surgery in as many seasons. 

The Cubs' scouting team had informed management that they did not think he would be a factor in 2008, and it turns out that the Cubs were very wise to let him sign elsewhere. 

Instead of pouring money into an injury-ridden black hole, they are now free to use that money to help improve the club as the trade deadline approaches.

The Cubs' success this season has been due to the shuffling of players already in the organization combined with a few key additions. The Cubs had what has proved to be a stellar off-season and have put the pieces of the puzzle together for what is shaping up to be a great run in 2008.