FML I'm a Cubs fan

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, the Cubs get 1-hit by the mighty Randy Wolf and his career 1.33 WHIP. This season is obviously over. I think so, you think so, Bob Brenley practically has one foot out the door waiting for the offseason.

There is a bigger problem for the Cubs future. We have no flexibility in the next 3 years to fix the heaping mess that Jim Hendry has assembled. Lets start with Soriano's 8 year contract that still has 5 disappointing years remaining. He has been demoted to the 6th spot in the lineup and may not reach double digits in steals for the season. So there goes left field for the next 4-5 years at $18 mil per.

Fukudome has 2 years left on his $12 mil per contract. He has actually proven to be a capable everyday player, especially at the top of the order, but if he continues to play out of position in center field, where his career UZR/150 is 24 points lower than right field, any offensive contribution will be counterbalanced with below average outfield defense. What was wrong with keeping Edmonds until he proved he could no longer walk without a wheal chair? A .244 iso with a 14% walk rate from the left side couldnt hurt, especially with Fukudome in right field.

Right field is covered for the next 2 years at $10 mil per by the combustible Milton Bradley. His power is gone considering he has a lower iso than Marco Scutaro. Even his outfield defense has become below average after being a constant positive throughout his career. Is a 16% walk rate worth 20 million dollars? It better be cause that is all you get from the monopoly man

Third base is locked up for 2-3 more years at $15 million per. Ramirez is a beast when healthy, but this year has been a giant disappointment with the dislocated shoulder and subsequent injuries. He may have a decrease in power, a la Derek Lee following the broken wrist, so who knows how his off season surgery will affect the rest of his contract years.

Short stop is in the hands of Theriot for at least 2 more years. He is one of the only players to play to his maximal potential on a daily basis. He's not the best top of the order guy or smoothest SS, but he is very reliable every game. Signing a high priced free agent at short, not named Hanley Ramirez, would be a grand mistake.

Given Hendry's history, Jeff Baker will be the Cubs starting second basemen for next year. Hendry gets fooled easily by players who over perform in small sample sizes(Neifi Perez, Aaron Miles, Koyie Hill, Milton Bradley, Mike Fontenot) and will probably give Baker 5 million to stay with the Cubs.

Derek Lee is only signed for 1 more year at $13 million, which is a shame considering he is the one guy I want to stay with the Cubs. He is a pure hitter, with resurrected power, that plays great defense at first base. He would be my top priority to resign after the 2010 season

Soto is still young and cheap and was the rookie of the year last season so he will have a second season to prove that he isnt a fat, lazy, pot smoking retard.

Only the bullpen will have open spots to fill following the season. I would get rid of people like Gregg and Heilman and replace them with minor leaguers. Triple A is full of good young arms that can do the job. Since the Cubs let Peavy go to the White Sox, it is essential to resign Harden to have any chance of competing in the years to come.

As you can see, Hendry's loyalty and overzealous contracts have put the Cubs into a deep whole for years to come. The best the Cubs can do is put together a better bench for next season, though Fox, Hauffpauir, Fould, scales, and Johnson is good enough for me. If I was Tom Ricketts, first order of business would be to fire Jim Hendry. He is a good guy, but his propensity to sign friend, negotiate horrible contracts, and draft bad prospects from his old Dunedin High School warrants his termination. Could we make Eckstein the GM. I'm sure he would take it over law school