Come To Think of It...Cubs Have To Break the Cycle of Insanity

If you subscribe to the definition of insanity as doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results, then you understand what this article is all about.

Because, for Jim Hendry and the Chicago Cubs, another offseason like the last one will produce basically the same team we have now. And what good is that?

I mean, aren't we expecting different results?

Hey, a win or two in the playoffs would be nice for a change. And for whatever reason, and there are a million of them floating around the blogosphere, the Cubs' current talent assembled is good during the regular season but can't get it done beyond that.

Therefore, logic dictates that Hendry needs to do more than some simple "tweaking" of the roster this offseason. They need to change the mix so that Cubs fans have hope that we'll see better results next October.

The dilemma, of course, is that first you have to get there. And the irony is the Cubs, as currently constituted, have the team that can get there. Too bad we can't run out two separate teams. Like a bowler who carries a strike ball and a spare ball, the Cubs need a regular-season team and a postseason team.

Alas, that's not within the rules, nor the budget constraints for that matter. So what do the Cubs need to do?

Well, for one, they still have the same problem they faced last year at this time: The offense is too right-hand dominant. They need a solid lefty hitter who can drive in runs, preferably with power.

They hoped Kosuke Fukudome would be that guy. I don't think he's going to ever be that guy, and we don't have time to wait around to find out.

So we need to get a center fielder or right fielder who fits the profile. I had mentioned Carlos Beltran before and was almost run over by an angry New York mob. There is Adam Dunn, who certainly won't play nearly as strong defensively as Kosuke in right field but can hit the long ball. And he's a lefty.

Raul Ibanez might be another option. Or Aubrey Huff from Baltimore. 

Next, let's break up the three-headed monster of Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, and Derrek Lee. All are right handed, and all fail to hit when the pressure is on. Soriano is a "look at me" type player, like Sammy was; Aramis is aloof; and D-Lee is sleepy. More reasons to make a change.

Soriano is likely untradeable because of his contract. And third basemen are hard to find. So let's trade Lee and perhaps get a left-handed power hitter in return. You may have to throw in a couple other players or make it part of a larger deal.

For example, go get Peavy from San Diego and swap Derrek Lee for Adrian Gonzalez, as Barry Rozner suggests. It's a long shot, but worth a try. Or sign Dunn and have him play first base instead of the outfield.

That still doesn't necessarily solve the heart-transplant issue, so go out and get a Kevin Millar as a free agent, or someone like that, who is a strong clubhouse presence and character. And if you can add a pitcher like Derek Lowe, who has a proven track record in the playoffs, as a starting pitcher, that would help come October.

Adding a Peavy or Lowe would likely mean not signing Ryan Dempster. But so what? Yes, he had a fine season, but there's no guarantee he can do it again. Plus, he looked like a deer in the headlights in October.

If you can somehow trade Jason Marquis, that opens almost $10 million of payroll room. Likewise, if you don't re-sign Kerry Wood, and use a combination of Carlos Marmol and Jeff Samardzija in the closer role, you will save even more dough.

That's money that can be spent fixing the offense and the character issues on the team.

Next, get a real leadoff hitter, someone with speed to energize the team. A spark plug who can get on base. I know we're all tired of hearing about Brian Roberts, but he would be perfect. Rafael Furcal will likely re-sign with the Dodgers, but how about a Randy Winn or Chone Figgins? Anyone, other than Soriano.

Finally, we need the Lou we thought we were getting when we first signed him to show up. The Lou I had envisioned would never have put up with guys admiring a home run, or refusing to bat anywhere other than leadoff. Maybe he's too old for this, but I want the fiery Lou to tell Hendry where to stick his Fukudome.

Remember, insanity is just a state of mind. Come to think of it, if the Cubs don't do something differently, it might be the fans who go nuts. Can they build a psycho section in the bleachers?