"I don't believe in luck. I believe in blessings, and I consider myself the most blessed man on the face of the earth today. Through trials and tribulations and adversity I stand here today completely humbled and just honored to have an opportunity to take the stage in the city of Chicago, Wrigley Field, with all the history. I know its been a lot of years, a lot of pain for a lot of fans out there. I know every fiber in my being, all I wanna do is win. The Cubs have been on my radar for a while now that reason being the history of falling short. I'm a guy that I believe can take it to the next level. That's my only motivation."
Cub fans are willing to give the 2008 AL On Base % leader a clean slate. Since the last #21 to play right field left, Jeromy Burnitz, Jacque Jones, Cliff Floyd and Kosuke Fukudome have failed to solidify the position. Here's hoping the new #21 will be an upgrade over those scrubs.
Is this Cubs team better than the team that walked out of Dodger Stadium after being swept in October? Maybe. However, you can't fault Jim Hendry for shaking things up after back-to-back postseason debacles:
-Trading Mark DeRosa for pitching prospects
The beloved DeRo was in the last year of his contract and will never replicate the numbers he produced in 2008 ever again. This deal opens the door for more playing time for Mike "The Pocket Rocket" Fontenot, my personal favorite player on the team. Some would say that the acquisition of the pitching prospects leaves the door open for the much discussed Jake Peavy trade.
-Signing Aaron Miles
Miles has decent speed and is a defensive upgrade over DeRo. I do not expect Miles to start many games but should be used to give The Riot much-needed days off throughout the grueling season. The last two Septembers Ryan Theriot has shown clear signs of fatigue and giving him rest throughout the season should pay dividends down the stretch.
-Letting Kerry Wood go and replacing him with Kevin Gregg
Questionable. Wood could've came back for 1 more year at around $8-$10 million after arbitration. Hendry is gambling that Marmol will settle in as an effective closer because Gregg is a middle reliever, at best.
-Trading Jarson Marquis for Luis Vizcaino
Marquis is not the greatest pitcher. That said, he did what he was supposed to in his 2 seasons as a Cub, eat innings. He also provided a decent bat and was more than willing to pinch run on occasion. His trade opens up a spot in the rotation barring a Peavy trade. Luis Vizcaino is a middle reliever, at best.
-Signing the gameboard
Jim Hendry has done a fine job since the end of 2006, putting together good teams that are cohesive and win, and Lou Piniella is a good leader of men. I hope he will be someone who can help channel Milton Bradley's considerable passions into winning baseball. If Lou can do that for Milton -- and if Milton can stay healthy for a full season, the Cubs should win a 3rd straight NL Central Crown.
Alright here's my opening day 25 man roster (assuming no Peavy deal, no re-signing of Hank White)
Starting Lineup:
SS - Ryan Theriot
2B - Mike Fontenot
LF - Alfonso Soriano
3B - Aramis Ramirez
RF - Milton Bradley
1B - Derrek Lee
C - Geovany Soto
CF - Kosuke Fukudome
Bench: Reed Johnson (OF), Aaron Miles (IF), Micah Hoffpauir (1B), Joey Gathright (OF), Koyie Hill (C)
Starting Rotation:
RHP - Carlos Zambrno
RHP - Ryan Dempster
LHP - Ted Lilly
RHP - Rich Harden
LHP - Sean Marshall
Bullpen:
RHP - Carlos Marmol
RHP - Jeff Samardzjia
RHP - Kevin Gregg
RHP - Chad Gaudin
LHP - Neal Cotts
RHP - Luis Vizcaino
RHP - Kevin Hart
Trading Felix Fie, Ronny Cedeno, the 3 pitchers acquired from Cleveland for DeRo, and Josh Vitters to get Peavy is a deal that makes a lot of sense for the 2009 Chicago Cubs.
Get it done Hendry, you always do.
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