Sweetbob's Fantasy F/M/K - May 7th

It has been over a month since you've had your fantasy baseball draft. If you are like me, you have given your players ever chance  to succeed. This is the time of year that teams start to make roster moves and you should do the same. You probably feel dumb for drafting Carlos Marmol...so make up for it by picking up someone better! This is the first of many weekly columns to help you win your fantasy leagues.

Welcome to "Sweetbob's Fantasy F*ck, Marry, Kill"...

Before I begin, let's go over the F/M/K terminology. The guys that I list under "F*ck" are guys that are currently hot and you need to pick them up. "Marry", are guys that you need to stick with the whole season, even if they are struggling a bit. "Kill", are guys that need to be dropped for better players in the free agent pool. 

* In the player description, the "owned %" was taken from ESPN.com leagues.

3B  Pedro Alvarez - Pittsburgh Pirates - 68.1% owned - Fantasy baseball players have waited for Alvarez to produce in the Majors. He looked like he was headed back to the Minors until he started to swing for the fences. Over the last 15 games, he has hit five home runs with a .378 average. This could be just a hot streak, so keep an eye on his batting average...when Alvarez is cold, he's ice cold.

SS/3B Jed Lowrie - Houston Astros - 71.5% owned - When Houston traded for Lowrie, they didn't expect this much offense. He has already hit four home runs and is batting .338 on the year. I would expect these numbers to level out throughout the season, but he's a must-start during this hot streak.

C Carlos Ruiz - Philadelphia Phillies - 47.3% owned - The Phillies needed offense while Ryan Howard and Chase Utley are out and they are getting it from Ruiz. He has averaged an RBI a game over the last 15 games and has nearly batted .400 during that stretch. He shares time with Brian Schneider behind the plate,  but he has been batting in the middle of the order when he is in the starting lineup.

OF Gerardo Parra - Arizona Diamondbacks - 55.9% owned - After Chris Young went down with an injury, Parra started getting regular playing time. He has been a good source for steals and batting average. Although he's in a platoon with A.J. Pollock, he still gets a lot of at-bats. He is a solid start while Young is on the disabled-list.

3B Chris Johnson - Houston Astros - 14.0% owned - After Johnson was called up last season, he ended the year on a high note. He had a slow April, but he returned to form over the last two weeks. He has hit 3 home runs, drove in 14 RBI, and carried a .333 average. This could just be a spike, but he could end up as a player that you'd like to "marry."

3B Kyle Seager - Seattle Mariners - 6.6% owned - Before this week, the consensus was that Seager would soon end up in a platoon at third-base. In the last 5 games, he has drove in 10 RBI, hit three home runs, and batted over .400. I think he is playing his way into a job as an everyday starter at third. Chone Figgins is the odd man out, but could find at-bats at another position. If you pick Seager up, there is still a slight chance that he will end up sharing time.

OF Tony Campana - Chicago Cubs - 17.0% owned - Campana was interviewed this week and said that if he started every game, he would steal over 100 bases. I believe that he would do that, since he's only been up two weeks and he has seven steals. You will not get any power from him. You would only be picking up steals and a decent average. He is a AAA demotion risk if the Cubs start making roster moves.

SP Chris Capuano - Los Angeles Dodgers - 62.2% owned - I know, I can't believe that he made the list either. He has only given up a total of one run in his last three starts. He faces the Rockies next and could string together a few more stellar outings. The most surprising thing is his K/9 is hovering around 9.0.

RP Santiago Casilla - San Francisco Giants - 73.0% owned - When it was announced that Brian Wilson would need Tommy John surgery, most people assumed that Sergio Romo would fill the closer role. The Giants opted to keep Romo in the set-up role and moved Casilla to closer. He's still available in a lot of leagues and he's currently the man. It could only be a matter of time before Romo gets a shot, but he's playing very well.

SP/RP Jeff Smaradzija - Chicago Cubs - 23.7% owned - I'm a Cubs fan and even I'm skeptical if he can keep pitching this well. In his last two starts, he has only given up one run and he's struck out 16 batters. He may not rack up wins, since Chicago is really bad, but he'll give you a nice ERA and WHIP.

OF Jason Kubel - Arizona Diamondbacks - 93.8% owned - Kubel was drafted in 100% of leagues, but people are starting to drop him. He started off cold, but he has shown signs that he's adjusting to National League pitching. He was a model of consistency in Minnesota and he's going to have a good year batting clean-up in the desert.

SS J.J. Hardy - Baltimore Orioles - 86.5% owned - Hardy already has six home runs this season, but his batting average has been hovering around .200. You knew what you were getting when you drafted Hardy, an extremely streaky player. His power numbers are one of the best at his position. You need to stick it out and you'll be rewarded in the end.

1B/2B/3B Daniel Murphy - New York Mets- 87.6% owned - Do you see how many positions he is available at? I don't understand why owners are dropping him. He hasn't hit for power yet, but he's worth more because of his position flexibility. He will bat for average and get his share of home runs when it warms up.

OF Alejandro De Aza - Chicago White Sox - 71.8% owned - De Aza has been a surprise for the White Sox, but owners are dropping him because he hasn't hit a home run in over two weeks. You shouldn't have expected a ton of power from him, but he's a valuable outfielder. If your league plays with .OBP, he has walked 13 times in the last 96 at-bats. He is a source for steals and runs, so go add him on your team.

1B Mark Trumbo - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - 69.4% owned - I can understand why people have dropped Trumbo, the Angels' lineup is crowded. They have Kendrys Morales, Albert Pujols, and Trumbo all sharing time at first-base. It helps that the Angels are working Morales back slowly and putting Trumbo in left field. He's getting at-bats, but he's getting left off the lineup card often. I expect the Angels to make a trade to free up playing time or send Trumbo to a better situation. Hold on to him, he is going to put up solid numbers. Keep in mind, he will soon be eligible to roster as an outfielder.

2B Neil Walker - Pittsburgh Pirates - 67.8% owned - Walker is sitting at one home run this year, but his average is at .287. By the end of the year, he'll have around 12-15 home runs and with an average near .300. He will help you get a little pop from the position and help in the runs category once Andrew McCutchen finds his power.

SP Josh Johnson - Miami Marlins - 93.0% owned - He has been roughed up this year and Ozzie Guillen openly questioned his health. He has had health issues in the past and has been on the disabled list more than any other ace. I would stick it out with Johnson and leave him on your bench for his next start. I don't think you can drop a guy this early that you've picked to be your ace. If his next two starts look iffy, start looking for a possible replacement or trade.

SP Mat Latos - Cincinnati Reds - 88.4% owned - He went from the spacious PNC Park to a little-league park in Cincinnati. Two out of his last three starts have been shutouts, so he's getting there. Latos is a guy that you drafted high, so stick with him. He faces the Cubs, Pirates, and Astros a lot this year, so he'll rack up the strikeouts.

SP Edwin Jackson - Washington Nationals - 58.9% owned - He hasn't been very consistent this year, but he's good for a K/9 rate around 9.0. Washington is a good team this year and Jackson will get his fair share of wins. He could be a guy that is always there when you rotate starting pitchers, but he should be rostered.

RP Matt Capps - Minnesota Twins - 90.6% owned - No one is excited to have him on their team, but he helps win fantasy league championships. A few people probably dropped Capps, who is a entrenched closer, for a shot at a guy who may not have the closing job for the Yankees (Soriano/Robertson). You know who is getting the save in Minnesota.

SS Erick Aybar - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim - 63.8% owned - People are finally starting to drop Aybar, a player who was drafted a few rounds too high. I have never been pro-Aybar, since I've always found a shortstop that was better than him on the waiver wire. If J.J. Hardy or Alexi Casilla are available in your league, drop Aybar and go with one of those players.

1B/DH Justin Morneau - Minnesota Twins - 55.8% owned - I really hate what has happened to him. Morneau has struggled with concussion issues and now he is having wrist problems. In baseball, it is one of the worst injuries to have and takes the longest to heal. Your bat speed and power are severely compromised with a wrist injury. I would drop him and pick up Bryan LaHair or Alex Presley.

C Geovany Soto - Chicago Cubs - 25.6% owned - People are slowly dropping Soto, since he was near 100% ownership post-draft. He has been splitting time with two other catchers (Wellington Castillo/Steve Clevenger). One of them will emerge as a better fantasy catcher than Soto. He hasn't hit for power or average in three seasons and has all but completely faded away in Chicago.

SS Alexei Ramirez - Chicago White Sox - 81.2% owned - Ramirez is a slow-starter and most owners are aware of this. You drafted him for power, steals, and eventually, average. He is batting below .200 and hasn't shown much power yet. I am not seeing a spark and if he keeps this up, the White Sox will not be afraid of pulling him out of the lineup.

2B/3B Ryan Roberts - Arizona Diamondbacks - 40.4% owned - I had such high hopes for Roberts in 2012. I picked him up last season and he helped me win a league. He had a slow start and Cody Ransom has taken over third-base. Ransom doesn't have much of a glove, but he has always been able to hit. Roberts isn't getting enough at-bats to justify a roster spot.

OF Jeff Francoeur - Kansas City Royals - 47.8% owned - He had a great 2011 season, but historically, he doesn't string together good seasons in back-to-back years. Francoeur was drafted fairly high, but being able to pick up a player with higher upside (Bryce Harper or Mike Trout) is the smart play. He is not contributing to any roto category.

OF Alfonso Soriano - Chicago Cubs - 37.7% owned - I really don't know why I have to tell people that they should drop Soriano, but you have to drop Soriano. He is literally collecting dust and rotting in the left field. I can't explain how he accumulated a stolen base, but I'm guessing that the pitcher must have rolled the ball to home. His skills have diminished greatly and he is barely a borderline start in an NL-only league.

SP Ubaldo Jimenez - Cleveland Indians - 80.0% owned - In 2010, he was lighting up the league with his masterful pitching performances. He has fallen back to Earth and has averaged over six walks per nine innings in 2012. His control is what made him dominant in Colorado. I don't see him being a permanently rostered pitcher and barely deserves a spot-start.

Clay Buchholz - Boston Red Sox - 45.6% owned - He has started six games and has allowed at least five runs in each game. Buchholz should thank his offense for his 3-1 record, because he doesn't deserve it. His ERA (9.09) and WHIP (2.02) are astronomical, plus his strikeouts are down (20 in 32 innings). Can the Red Sox put him on the disabled-list and list his injury as "broken curveball"?

SP Max Scherzer - Detroit Tigers - 58.3% owned - If you desperately need strikeouts, hold onto him...but your ERA and WHIP will take a nasty hit. Detroit has a few arms in the Minors waiting for their debut and if Scherzer continues to struggle with command, he is a candidate to get replaced or bumped. I would rather roster a pitcher like Ross Detwiler, Jason Hammel, or Jake Westbrook in the short-term.

2011 Fantasy Baseball: Catchers

The catcher position looks fairly top-heavy this year in fantasy baseball. You have a young group on their way up and a few prominent catchers that look to be transitioning into a designated-hitter role. I ranked the top 20 catchers and added some sleepers and busts to help you in your draft.

My rankings are based on a standard 5x5 league. If you have any specific questions about a different league, email me bobbymcrib@gmail.com.

1. Joe Mauer - Minnesota Twins - This was the easiest pick. He is the overall best player at this position and can't argue against it. He will be taken in the first-round of your draft.

2. Brian McCann - Atlanta Braves - Some people are a bit cold on McCann this year, but I have owned him the last three years in my NL-only league and he hasn't hurt me. There are some durability issues, but I think he has a great year.

3. Buster Posey - San Francisco Giants - He showed what he can do in the playoffs last year and his stock is high. You might have to take him rather early to own him, but if you're in a keeper league, he could be worth holding onto.

4. Carlos Santana - Cleveland Indians - His season was cut short due to a nasty injury at homeplate last year. He was the best prospect in the Indians farm system and excelled during his short time in the Majors. He will have a solid year and worth an every day start in your league.

5. Geovany Soto - Chicago Cubs - He has been up and down since he was promoted to the Majors. He bounced back and had a good year last season and I feel like he will improve on those numbers in 2011.

6. Victor Martinez - Detroit Tigers - ESPN has him at #2 in his rankings, but I fear that the move from Fenway Park to Comerica Park will hurt his numbers. He isn't surrounded with the same kind of talent as Boston. I would worry about taken him as the #2 catcher off the board, but feel like he is still a smart option at catcher.

7. Matt Wieters - Baltimore Orioles - Is this the year that Wieters finally puts it all together in the Majors? He was the best prospect in the minors a few seasons ago, but it hasn't translated to dominance yet. The Orioles line-up is much better and he has more protection around him. I think this is the year he becomes an All-Star candidate.

8. Miguel Montero - Arizona Diamondbacks - He missed a few months last season with a knee injury, but came back strong to finish the year. You could draft him later than some of the catchers below him in my rankings. He will give you solid power and .270-.280 batting average.

9. Mike Napoli - Texas Rangers - He won't be an everyday catcher for the Rangers, but he will find his way into the lineup. He will be moved around and play catcher, first-base, outfield, and maybe DH. It's scary to think about what kind of numbers he could have hitting in the small park in Arlington. He could have a career year without even getting 400 at-bats.

10. J.P. Arencibia - Toronto Blue Jays - He isn't a household name yet, but he put up great power numbers in the minors. The Blue Jays seem sold on him and I think he could be a steal of the draft if you get him late.

11. Kurt Suzuki - Oakland A's - He had a great first-half of the 2010 season, but dealt with an injury the second half and only his .223. He is a safety pick if you reach and go after a risky catcher. He will give you double-digit power and his batting average won't kill you.

12. Jorge Posada - New York Yankees - Is this the last year for Posada to be fantasy relevant? He can still rake at the plate, so he will get most of his time as the DH. He will still log some time behind the plate, but his defensive liability will keep that from happening much. He is s risky pick, but could be a nice value pick of other players in your league is scared off by his age.

13. Chris Iannetta - Colorado Rockies - Iannetta is a streaky player and difficult to rank. He even landed in the minors for a bit to work on his mechanics. The guy has power, but only hit .197 last season. He has the starting job in Colorado, but I wouldn't say that he has a complete stranglehold on the position. This is a risky pick, but I think he will hit 20+ homers this season.

14. Carlos Ruiz - Philadelphia Phillies - He is a very under-rated catcher that doesn't get much love from fantasy baseball players. He is kind of a one-trick pony with his batting average. The rest of his stats won't help you much, but won't hurt you either. If you draft a power hitter that struggles with batting average (Ryan Howard, Carlos Pena), you may want to pick up Ruiz to help balance out your batting average damage.

15. Nick Hundley - San Diego Padres - In only 273 plate appearances last season, he hit 8 homers and batted .249. He had a K/BB ratio of 66/25, which means that he has a decent eye at the plate. In a full season, expect 18 homers, 80 RBIs, and a better batting average than .249.

16. John Buck - Florida Marlins - Don't expect the same production out of Buck this season as last year in Toronto. He was swinging for the fences every time he was up at the plate in 2010. I'm hoping that the Marlins hitting coach will adjust a few things and make him become more of a complete hitter. He struck out 111 times in 409 plate appearances, but still amazingly hit .281. He's a risky pick, but could be a decent back-up catcher on your team.

17. Rod Barajas - Los Angeles Dodgers - He should benefit for playing a full season with one team. He joined the Dodgers mid-season from the Mets. He will give you some power, but average stats in the other categories. He won't hurt you in any of the other categories.

18. A.J. Pierzynski - Chicago White Sox - He isn't a guy that you should circle before a draft. He is a catcher that you will end up with at the end of your draft if you still need a backup catcher. He will hit 8 or 9 homers, hit .270, and drive in 50 RBIs. You know what you're getting with Pierzynski, you won't get any more or any less.

19. Miguel Olivo - Seattle Mariners - His home/away splits last season with Colorado has a gap as big as Bartolo Colon. It's a big red flag coming into the 2011 season, since Safeco Field isn't Coors Field. This is a risky pick, but he'll add a handful of steals to your team, if you choose to play him on those days.

20. Russell Martin - New York Yankees - I have owned Russell Martin in a keeper league the last three seasons. He never hurt me until last season. His numbers have declined every year that I have owned him, but I think he is worth a late-round pick. There isn't much pressure on him to produce in the Yankees line-up. He will even get you some steals, which isn't a category that you expect to help you in.




Busts
Jason Varitek - Boston Red Sox - He's a flashy name that people know and you could even bait another owner to draft him early if you wanted. He isn't going to play much of the season. He still has some pop, but I don't see him getting as many at-bats as he has in the past.

Chris Snyder - Pittsburgh Pirates - He is another player that has helped teams in the past. He moves to the Pirates and will add power to your team, but his batting average will kill you. Not worth the risk by drafting Snyder.

Yadier Molina - St. Louis Cardinals - He's another known player and is a better player in real-life than he is in fantasy. He will help your average, but there isn't any other category that you will benefit from starting Molina.

Sleepers
Jesus Montero - New York Yankees - He is worth taking a flyer at the end of the draft and holding on to him. He could pay off or turn into a trade chip. The Yankees current backstops are Jorge Posada & Russell Martin, both are injury risks and the Yankees love Montero. He is their catcher of the future and possibly a keeper for you in your league.

Brayan Pena - Kansas City Royals - You won't find many people that will draft Pena this year. He will be the starting catcher this season over Jason Kendall, but he will share time. He was serviceable in his short time up with the club last year and could turn into a solid backup.

Ryan Hanigan - Cincinnati Reds - It's not 100% that the Reds will give Ramon Hernandez the starting job out of spring training. Hanigan showed the same offensive skills that Hernandez has put up so far with the team. If you were thinking about draft Henandez as your backup catcher, I would hold off and wait for this position battle to show a winner.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia - Boston Red Sox - Salty will get his shot this season with the Red Sox. He only had 24 at-bats last season with the team, but he will be in a time-share with Varitek. He's only 25, but this is his third team and he is running out of chances. His back is against the wall and I like guys with something to prove. I think he runs with this opportunity and earns his spot on the team.

2009 Un-All-Star Team - Revisited

Back in the middle of June, I made a list of players who should have better numbers, but off to a bad start. My 2009 Un-All-Star Team had all of the usual suspects, Ortiz, A-Rod, Lidge, etc. Check to see who made the team and see how they fared since I posted this in June.

Some of these players helped their team make the playoffs, while others are the reasons their teams didn't live up to their potential. I vote the few Chicago Cubs that made the list as my person Least Valuable Players on my Un-All-Star team.

The Batting Average next to the players names were as of June 21st, 2009.

Catchers
Kelly Shoppach .194 - currently at .223 - He never got it together this season
Dioner Navarro .218 - currently at .219 - Seems like he's been consistently bad
Geovany Soto .222 - currently at .219 - He's been on the DL on and off all season

First Base
Conor Jackson .182 - currently at .182 - He been on the DL all 2nd-half of the season
Carlos Guillen .200 - currently at .258 - He's the definition of a 2nd-half player
Chris Davis .200 - currently at .229 - He's a strikeout machine
Jason Giambi .212 - currently at .206 - Giambi is now on the Rockies, but eating some bench
Lance Berkman .241 - currently at .269 - He turned his season around, a bit

Second Base
Alexi Casilla .180 - currently at .196 - Not good, not at all
Dan Uggla .216 - currently at .238 - He has power, but swings at anything
Howie Kendrick .231 - currently at .298 - Has had a great August, finally found his swing
Kelly Johnson .227 - currently at .220 - He lost his starting job

Third Base
Garrett Atkins .205 - currently at .222 - Lost his starting job and barely plays
Alex Rodriguez .212 - currently at .285 - His hip has healed up nicely

Shortstop
Mike Aviles .183 - currently at .183 - Has been on the DL since June
Khalil Greene .213 - currently .204 - Seldomly used on the St. Louis bench
Jimmy Rollins .223 - currently at .247 - His power came back with his swing
Orlando Cabrera .235 - currently at .276 - Has had a fantastic 2nd half with Minnesota

Outfield
Ken Griffey Jr. .220 - currently at .214 - It might be time to hang it up, Junior
Grady Sizemore .223 - currently at .248 - The Indians have already shut him down
Alfonso Soriano .229 - currently at .241 - Back on the DL again for Fonzie
B.J. Upton .229 - currently at .238 - Has started off bad and never got it
Ryan Ludwick .234 - currently at .270 - Once Holliday arrived, he started to hit
Pat Burrell .236 - currently at .225 - Overpaid and Underwhelming

Designated Hitter
David Ortiz .207 - currently at .235 - At least his power came back

Starting Pitchers
Chien-Ming Wang 12.30 - currently at 9.64 - He came down with a "mysterious injury"
Oliver Perez 9.97 - currently at 6.82 - He was really, really bad this season
Scott Kazmir 7.69 - currently at 5.06 - Pitched much better since trade to Angels
Fausto Carmona 7.42 - currently at 6.62 - He's better, but still bad
Ricky Nolasco 7.15 - currently at 5.28 - Nolasco has been good at random times
Andy Sonnanstine 6.60 - currently at 6.94 - He amazingly got worse
John Lackey 6.10 - currently at 3.77 - He returned to his regular form
Francisco Lirano 5.91 - currently at 5.88 - Pretty consistently bad

Bullpen
Brad Lidge 7.27 - currently at 7.51 - Bad, plus factor in 11 blown saves
Troy Percival 6.35 - currently at 6.35 - He has been on the DL
B.J. Ryan 5.71 - currently unemployed - His career could be over
Manny Corpas 5.40 - currently at 5.88 - Bounced between minors and Colorado
J.J. Putz 5.22 - currently at 5.22 - Injury hit him as well

I Give Up: A Manifesto Of A Pissed Off Cubs Fan

This post may be epic and wordy, but I have a lot to get off of my chest. I have stuck by the Cubs through thick and thin, but I am at a point where I may sell my "fanhood" to another team, just like the Cubs have tried to sell the team for the past 24 months. In the following post, I am going to explain why I'm pissed, what the Cubs can do to win me back, why I'm allowed to question my loyalty as a fan, and what the future holds for the Chicago Cubs.

Listen, I am 28 years old, I've been through some thin years as a Chicago Cubs fan. I know some people older than me have had even worse experiences than me, but you got to enjoy Jack Brickhouse and Harry Carey longer, so we're even. The last six years, as a Cubs fan, have been probably some of the best years an Cubs fan could realistically ask for. A few division championships, a few playoff wins, but not one World Series appearance. I know that if a Cubs fan rarely believes that his team has a chance to win the World Series. There is always hope, but you have visions of Steve Garvey, Ivan Rodriguez, and even Augie Ojeda go through your head and grounds your hopes.

This is why I am pissed off. Jim Hendry started off his career as a GM very well. He got pieces that the fans wanted and made everyone excited about the future of the Cubs. We finally had someone that wanted to go out and win right now. That may be the underlying problem with everything that is wrong with the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs haven't manufactured any great talent out of their farm system in years. Mark Grace was the last great player to come through the farm system. They have lacked the expertise to develop their own players, so they traded their young pieces away for mediocre talent in return. If a team is always in the playoff race, young talent will not have the time to develop at the Major League level. My examples are Rich Hill and Felix Pie, I know neither of them are winning post-season awards right now, but they didn't have time to develop. Rich Hill bounced around the minors and Chicago the last few seasons. He dominated in the minors and had trouble pitching in Wrigley. Pie also bounced around between Iowa and Chicago and was mostly kept around to make Alfonso Soriano comfortable. They were both traded to the Orioles for scrubs and I hope they flourish in Baltimore.

Which leads me to another reason that I am pissed. Why does Jim Hendry always trade with Andy MacPhail in Baltimore? I know that MacPhail was his boss when he was first with Baltimore, but this personal relationship has severely damaged the Chicago Cubs. If they are such good friends, why was it so difficult to pry Brian Roberts away from him? A rumor floated around for about two seasons that they were in trade talks, but nothing ever happened with that, but somehow we ended up with Ryan Freel and Garrett Olsen? Hendry needs to quit being so chummy with MacPhail and talk with other teams when trying to improve the Chicago Cubs.

Ownership changes have drained this team of any emotion. The players knew that they had to play the entire season with the players already on the team, since they couldn't add any more payroll because of the sell of the team. Injuries hit the team and Geovany Soto, Derrek Lee, Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramirez, and Carlos Zambrano were all missed time at the beginning of the year. The team lacked emotion and even a Lou Pinella rant couldn't bring them out of their funk. They attempted to get Jake Peavy from the Padres, but couldn't take on his salary, which lead to the White Sox getting him at a discounted rate near the trade deadline. I'm not saying that Peavy would have won the NL Central for Chicago, but it could have showed the players that management wanted to do everything to win. With no major additions to the team at either trade deadline (I'm sorry John Grabow doesn't count), the Cubs slipped down the standings as the Cardinals added Mark DeRosa and Matt Holliday. This ownership change happened at the absolute worst time, since this team was a right-fielder and a dominant closer away from at least a Wild-Card spot.

The Cubs have one of the worst farm systems in all of the Major Leagues. They have been signing Type-A and Type-B free-agents the last few seasons and don't have many blue-chip prospects. Josh Vitters could be their lone future star, but Wellington Castillo and Tyler Colvin both look promising. The problem there is that Vitters plays 3B and Castillo is a catcher, two positions that the Cubs have a small need for. Colvin could turn into a player that they could use, but they are currently tied up in a few bad contracts in the outfield and there isn't any room for him. John Grabow, Rich Harden, and Kevin Gregg are all Type-A free agents and if they sign with a team, the Cubs could get that team's first-round draft picks. Jim Hendry was smart in keeping them, even if they have no interest in re-signing the trio. This could help restock the farm system and build this team from the ground up. If only they had the minor league managers and instructors that could develop any of that talent.

I am allowed to question my loyalty to the Chicago Cubs. They are the only team that I have ever rooted for, but they have let me down in a way that I wasn't ready for. Selling the team at this point, when their team has elite talent, is such a horrible ending to this team's arc of improvement. I believe that they need to blow up the team. I said it, I didn't think that I would get to this point, but just ride out the contracts, trade the pieces away that you can get young talent in return, and give me a product on the field that I can feel good about myself while cheering for you. Milton Bradley's attitude and racially-filled paranoia added with Zambrano's lack of focus and his inability to sound like he even cares, has made me dislike this team. Give me players like Kerry Wood, who was willing to take a pay-cut to stay with the Cubs out of loyalty. I don't know if I am at a point where I can see the greed in the players eyes, but there is something that I don't like about this team.

I'm not asking for a World Series, I'm not asking for an NL Central crown, just give me a team that looks like they are trying and you will have me as a fan of your team for as long as you'll have me. If any players read this, go out there, run out ground balls, slide hard into double-plays, dive for foul balls, and have fun out there. The season is officially over at the end of the regular season, you'll have plenty of time to be lazy this off-season.

Are The Cubs Finally Making A Run?

The Cubs may not be making any huge trades over the next 24-hour period, but their current players have finally started to hit. What would happen if Milton Bradley actually starts to produce for the Cubs? Can they keep pace with the Cardinals, who added Mark DeRosa and Matt Holliday over the past couple weeks? Geovany Soto and Ted Lilly are both on the DL, but with Ryan Dempster and Aramis Ramirez coming off, this could be the beginning of a nice second-half of the season.

Alfonso Soriano, who has battled a leg injury for most of the season, has finally started to swing the bat well. They moved him down to the sixth spot, and since then, he has been hitting .383 with 5 homers and 15 RBI. I'm not sure if the move down in the order sparked this offense, but resting during the All-Star break could have added to his numbers. I like him hitting behind Ramirez, Fox/Hoffpauer platoon, and Bradley, they have all found their numbers have increased. Ramirez has had an extra base-hit in 9 straight games and Bradley hit is eight homer of the season this afternoon. If they get their pitching in order, maybe they can keep pace with the Cardinals. Adam Wainwright and Cris Carpenter are the only Cardinals who has pitched well after the All-Star break, with Ryan Franklin finally looking human. If the Cubs can get a mid-level bat or someone like John Grabow over the next day, it could help their cause.

Geovany Soto has not had a great season this year, but he is expected back in a couple weeks from an oblique injury. He started to hit well before his trip to the DL, but I like the way Koyie Hill has called games for the pitching staff. Randy Wells has looked great and even Kevin Hart has looked like a professional over the last two weeks. It wouldn't be the end of the world if Soto is out longer than expected, but I would like him to get a couple weeks of regular season activity at the end of the season, if the Cubs make the playoffs, I don't want him rusty.

The rest of the league are scouring the league for trades, but the Cubs can't afford to do that, nor should they do so. If their line-up starts to hit to their potential and Zambrano doesn't eat someone's face off, they will be in the race. The Cubs don't have any blue-chip prospects other than Josh Vitters, who they hope will develop into something great. He's a third-baseman, so he'll either be an insurance policy for Aramis Ramirez, or a possible position change to first base, if Derrek Lee's performance begins to decline.

I have really turned the wagons around the last few days concerning the Cubs season. If the Brewers get desparate and trade their lot of prospects away for Roy Halladay, I could head back the other way, but it looks like Doc Halladay isn't headed into these parts anytime soon.

Chicago Cubs - A Year-End Report - Batters

It was another roller-coaster ride for all the fans of the Chicago Cubs. They nearly won 100 games this season and yet couldn't even garner a single win in the post-season. The Los Angeles Dodgers was just a better team and the Cubs didn't show up at all. I don't really know how to take the last two post-season exits. There wasn't anything that screamed "curse," "Billy Goat," or "Bartman. The Diamondbacks and Dodgers were teams that turned it on at the right time and clearly the Cubs were content with just making the playoffs.

I'm going to be commenting on the Outfielders and Infielders on the 40-man roster of the Cubs. I will be evaluating their year and possibly if they are needed for next season.

Alfonso Soriano - The Cubs paid a great deal for him a season ago and over the past two years, he hasn't been completely healthy. I am not sure if he will ever be a 35/35 guy again, but the power numbers should still be there. Soriano needs to be pushed down to the 2nd, 3rd, or 6th in the order in order for the Cubs to turn the corner in the playoffs. He has demanded being kept in the lead-off spot, but something needs to be shaken up. The Cubs needs to acquire a left-handed lead-off bat with a high .OBP.

Kosuke Fukudome - Fukudome started out the season on fire, he was nearly batting .400 much into the first month. He hit a wall around the All-Star break and batted around .200 the rest of the way. His defense kept him in the lineup, but he clearly hurt the Cubs down the stretch. The Cubs would be much-improved if they went out and got a power bat to play right field and used Fukudome off the bench. Fukudome was a bit of an oddity, most Japanese players tend own pitchers in the States for a high .OBP. Fukudome has proven that he has a decent eye, but he sometimes looks horrible while striking out.

Jim Edmonds - Edmonds played well for the Cubs, but he isn't a long-term fix for their center field position. He would be nice to hold onto next season for some at-bats, but clearly shouldn't be a starter next year. He can hit homers, when needed, but his average will be around .250, at best.

Reed Johnson - He was a spark plug for the Cubs after they acquired him mid-season. I watched many Cubs games and in the games that he played, he always made a big catch or had a key hit. I like him better than Edmonds in center, but Pinella didn't use him down the stretch this season. I am not sure if he is in Pinella's doghouse or if he trusted Edmonds more as the season progressed.

Felix Pie - Pie has speed and can cover a lot of ground in center. He hasn't figured out major-league pitching yet and I'm starting to lose hope. He was sent down to Triple-A mid-season and he did very well, even showed some power. He could be trade bait this off-season, but I would like to see him get a chance in spring training and prove he deserves a spot.

Sam Fuld - He didn't show up in the majors this year and probably best known for running full speed into the brick wall at Wrigley in 2007. Pie beat him out of a center field spot in spring training and Fuld struggled at the plate and a hand injury troubled him. He will be at spring training to see what he can bring to the team.

Ronny Cedeno - Lou Pinella seems to be high on this guy. He is mostly used as a pinch-runner, but Cedeno was in the line-up a little more than he should be. He started out the year pretty well, but fell off at the end. He is trade bait with the emergence of Mike Fontenot and Ryan Theriot playing so well.

Mark DeRosa - He has done everything for the Cubs, I'm surprised he hasn't been called upon to work the front gate at Wrigley. I like him as a full-time replacement in right field, but I'm unsure of Mike Fontenot can play everyday at 2nd. DeRosa can play nearly every infield spot and has proven himself as a potential big-money free agent after next season. The Cubs need to make sure they work on a contract to keep him around.

Derrek Lee - I'm not saying that he had an off-year, but the expectations were definitely high coming into the year. The wrist injury that hampered him the last few seasons was 100% healed and a few even picked him as possible MVP candidate going into this year (John Kruk). He hit nearly 20 homers and had a batting average that fluttered around .290-.300 all season. Maybe this is the real D-Lee that the Cubs got from Florida, not the player that tore up pitchers a few season ago. I am just not sure which player will show up from here on out.

Mike Fontenot - This guy looks like he should be a jockey, but could he possibly turn into Dustin Pedroia? He has had moments where he looks like a starter, but it is still unknown if he could put up numbers as an everyday player. For a guy of his stature, he has a swing that could hit 20+ homers a season. It would be a risky move to give him the starter's job at 2nd and move DeRosa to right field. If this team was a .500 team, it would be easy to give the keys to the car to a young player, but the Cubs have high expectations and Fontenot may be a victim of not being given a fair shot.

Micah Hoffpauir - He is a proven minor-league player and was given a shot near the end of the season to come off the bench and had a few shot at starting. He is a natural 1st basemen, but with Derrek Lee secure at the job, Hoffpauir could be moved to right or be trade bait. He clearly has the ability to play in the Majors, but unless an injury, he could be stuck.

Aramis Ramirez - He was the leader of the Cubs this season and was the MVP of the team. He didn't show up in the playoffs, but he did so much for the team this year. Ramirez has the ability to be a 40/120 guy, I think he should keep improving. It may take a contract year to get that productivity out of him, but he will be a top 3 third -basemen in this league. His defense is suspect, but his bat makes his errors go away a little.

Ryan Theriot - He's a .300 hitter, steal bases, has a decent .OBP, but somehow he isn't the lead-off hitter. If the Cubs don't acquire a pure lead-off guy, Theriot needs to be at the top of the lineup. He kind of fell into the shortstop position, but I don't see him losing the job anytime soon. Theriot looks like a future all-star and should be in Chicago for awhile.

Daryle Ward - He is the Lenny Harris of the Chicago Cubs. I can't say that he is a great pinch-hitter, he doesn't get a lot of chances to get into games. I don't know an adequate replacement for Ward, but any power bat that doesn't have an ego will do.

Geovany Soto - He is a clear winner of the National League Rookie Of The Year Award and did a great job behind the plate. His defense got better as the year went along, but his ability to call a game needs to improve. I see him as a possible 1st basement later in his career, but for right now I like him as the starter.

Henry Blanco - He is making over 3 million a season to play a handful of games. I want his job. I don't think the Cubs will pick up his option for next season, but could re-sign him for a lower amount. He has a decent bat, but doesn't have a certain pitcher he catches, unlike a few seasons ago when he was the catcher for Greg Maddux.

Koyie Hill - He nearly cut his hand off in a freak accident a year ago. He got to play some at the end of the season, but I have always been a fan of game calling ability. He seemed to rejuvenate the pitching staff a season ago when he was brought up from the minors. Hill may not play long-term for the Cubs, but I like him as a player and could see him having a decent career on another team.