Cubs writeup

The Chicago Cubs will likely not conted in the 2006 season. New owner and GM Dave Gerken has targeted 2009 as the year his team will be competitive by. The recent blockbuster trade with Milwaukee sent Derek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Mark Prior, and Bobby Howry in exchange for a number of prospects, Geoff Jenkins, and Tomo Ohka. Jenkins will most likely fill a bench role for the Cubs and Ohka will be the #2 starter behind Zambrano. Also included in the deal was Corey Hart who will probably compete with John Mabry for the 1B position. Among the prospects included in the deal were Vince Perkins who looks to break into the rotation in 2007 and Rolando Pascual who is probably at least 3 years away but projects to be a #1 or #2 starter. The Cubs also received solid prospects in 3B Ryan Braun, RF Jason Place, and SP Yovani Gallardo. Perhaps the biggest positive in the deal was the fact the Cubs were able to shed $24 million in salary between Lee and Ramirez. This will allow the Cubs to possibly sign Zambrano to a long term deal or just provide flexibility during their rebuilding. Among the issues still facing the Cubs GM include finding someone to play 3B and possibly trading Pierre. It has been rumored the Cubs are considering returning C Michael Barrett to 3B, a position he played with the Expos. Interest in Pierre has been lukewarm and the Cubs are not against keeping him in CF this season. He is a free agent at the end of the year and will likely not be resigned with top prospect Felix Pie waiting in the wings.

The big bat in the Cubs lineup this year will be RF Jacque Jones. He will get some support from Michael Barret and maybe Matt Murton but the Cubs do not look very good offensively. In the rotation stud Carlos Zambrano will anchor a weak starting five followed by Tomo Ohka, Wade Miller, rookie Sean Marshall, and Sidney Ponson. Rookie Rich Hill also figures to see some starts. The bullpen looks to be one of the Cubs bright spots with closer Ryan Dempster and setup men Will Ohman, Scott Eyre, and Kerry Wood. The Cubs have considered a return to the rotation for Wood but for now he remains in the bullpen.

One thing to keep an eye on will be how the Cubs handle Carlos Zambrano. He is eliglible for arbitration at the end of the year and will likely command upwards of $10 million. Although the Cubs would like to sign him to a long term deal it is unclear if that will happen. The Cubs will have $24 million in expiring contracts with Pierre, Ohka, Wood, and a few other becoming free agents at the end of the year. That money could go to Zambrano or the Cubs could try to go with cheap players to save money.

Nice write up