Is this the year for the Cubs?
By Sarah Mayberry
IV Leader Sports writer, Dec 7, 2006
It hasn't been very long since the World Series ended with
a Cardinal's victory, but already much has been done throughout the baseball
community to gear up for the upcoming season.
One close to home team has been doing all that they can to
ensure a better season than the last. The Chicago Cubs did not end the 2006
baseball season on a high note, actually, they ended it back in early August.
However, as any Cubs fan or just a Chicago fan will say, "There were injuries"
or my all time favorite, "Just you wait until next year!"
If you say those, don't worry, I do too.
Cubs fans are really good at being optimistic and hoping that
"Next year is here!" However, good ol' Jim Hendry has been making some bold and
good moves towards a Northside pennant.
First of all, last season was certainly a downer in Cubs
baseball. But looking on the bright side, the team has made some needed and
welcomed changes. Right after the seasons end, Dusty Baker was fired. This was
something that many Cubs fans were happy about due to the fact that he seemed to
not care so much about the Cubs during the past couple seasons.
Along with him went his entire coaching staff. Dusty was
replaced by Lou Pinella and an entirely new staff. Sadly, even though the Cubs
were talking with Joe Girardi, ex-Cubs catcher, a fan favorite, and most
recently let go by the Florida Marlins, he was not hired.
Another acquisition that was needed was a second baseman.
Since the Cubs sent Todd Walker to San Diego at the trade deadline August 1st.
The Cubbies picked up free agent Mark DeRosa. Another plus for the Cubs' future
is that they signed third baseman, Aramis Ramirez, for five more years at 7.3
million dollars.
They also signed back free agent, pitcher Kerry Wood, for at
least another year. Hopefully, he will be healthy and when paired with Mark
Prior will do as good as they did back in 2003.
The biggest deal of the off-season so far would have to be
the acquisition of Alfonso Soriano. The Northsiders signed him to an eight year
deal worth about $136 million.
This is the fifth biggest deal in baseball history. With
Soriano, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, and Mark DeRosa the Cubs should have a
great lineup this upcoming season.