It's going to be an interesting offseason
By Mike J.
I'll get it out of the way- I've been doing this for 5 months now and I can't help but feel a little bothered that I've never paid more attention to baseball and the Cubs than I have this year, and they're sitting at home watching the games like I am come October. Then again, even if the Cubs did make the playoffs I'm almost positive they would've been swept in the first round given the way they closed out the season. They play 20+ games in a row without a break, and while its not an excuse to crash and burn the way the Cubs did, its still something to consider.
This blog will of course be updated less often than usual, but I'll be keeping it up during the playoffs as much as I can. Speaking of the playoffs, I'm officially rooting for the Twins (how can you not like the small-market team?) and the only way the Cardinals don't win it all is if the Astros get in their way. Maybe I should say I'm rooting for anyone in the AL, because the Central division will be representing the NL in the World Series.
Onto the possible off-season moves:
- Moises Alou should not be brought back. Sure, he had one of his best years personally, but he's slower than Sammy in left field and throws his helmet every chance he gets. There's no team leader on the Cubs? I bet part of it is because you've got a whiny vet in left who's presence discourages young players from stepping up.
- Speaking of whiny vets, Sammy Sosa was apparently seen leaving the final game of the season 15 minutes after it started by the surveillance cameras, and not in the 7th like he said. Let's be honest- Sammy Sosa has been what defined the Cubs for a good 7 or 8 years, and the man practically saved baseball along with Mark McGwire back in '98. Does that mean the Cubs should hold onto him after a season with a dismal offensive output? He's not exactly a Gold Glove candidate either. Trade Sammy, usher in Carlos Beltran (and get him for a long time), and the fans won't care. I know I won't.
- Nomar. You know, I'm indifferent here. He clearly needs to get healthy this winter, and if the Cardinals don't keep Edgar Renteria I wouldn't mind the Cubs signing him instead. Please, PLEASE no more no-offense shortstops, though.
- Matt Clement is a free agent, and if the Cubs improve offensively he could be a 15-game winner with ease if they re-sign him. I vehemently argued for keeping Clement during the shortstop trade debacle this July, simply because I knew the BoSox would make the Cubs look like fools for trading him when he won 8 in a row. Now? Meh. The Cubs have plenty of pitching prospects, and with 4 solid guys that should stay healthy (no wear and tear after this season), finding one more starter shouldn't be a problem.
Moises' contract has a mutual option for $11.5 million next year or the Cubs can buy out the contract for $2 million. Add in the $6 million you save by letting Clement go, and there's already $15.5 million to play with. Trade Sammy? Suddenly there's plenty of money to go around, money that should go towards replacing the outfielders. Carlos Beltran is the player the Cubs should sign this off-season (the man hit what, 35 homers in 6 games at Wrigley?) and in my mind is priority #1, even over the potential hole at shortstop.
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