Come to Think of it...Extension Talk Has Cubs Putting the Cart Before the Horse

Excuse me, but this is not the time of the year to be discussing extensions and contracts for next year and beyond. The Chicago Cubs should be solely focused on the goal at hand, which is to win the World Series.

Of course, we all need to multi-task in our jobs. That means the Cubs can work on administrative issues while the season winds down. But when the subject of rewarding people for a job well done comes up at this time of year, I get the distinct feeling that we may be jinxing ourselves.

It's like putting the reward money up before the criminal has been caught.

Sure, Manager Lou Piniella and General Manager Jim Hendry have both done fine jobs getting the Cubs to where they are now, but the job isn't finished yet. Not by a long shot.

Recognizing that, why are we hearing Crane Kenny talking about extensions? I'd rather hear him say that "IF we complete our mission, we will reward those who are deserving of it."

Now some may say just assembling this team and winning the division deserves some reward. But look, it's not as if Hendry and Piniella's contracts are up.  They are both under contract for 2009. And anyway, we won the division last year and flamed out in the first round of the playoffs.  We must go deeper this year for it to be considered a successful season.

Remember, as fine a job as Lou has done—and make no mistake, he has done a terrific job—his boneheaded decision to remove Zambrano in last year's playoff game still sticks in my craw. Saving Big Z for a game that was never played is something for which Lou needs to make amends. 

It can be a cold, cruel world out there, full of 'what have you done for me lately' and unappreciative people. But truth be told, all Lou has done is win with the best team in the league. And isn't that what he's supposed to do?

So I say, let's table the extension talk and instead focus on what's at stake. Come to think of it, keep your eyes on the prize, Cubbies.