It didn't happen on day one, but Tom Ricketts has done a lot for the organization as a whole, despite the product on the field not being up to par. I apologize if I leave things out, but here's what I've calculated he's done:

Made improvements to Wrigley Field and renovations

Made strides to build triangle building and improve club houses, despite not getting much of anywhere

Laid groundwork for new spring training facility that would be state of the art in Mesa

Created or significantly improved training/development facility in Dominican Republic

Made a firm commitment to drafting young players by investing a lot of money in the draft and re signing Fleita

From a personal standpoint, I like that the Ricketts family has been pretty public with the fans. They're at a lot of games and usually talk to fans. We never saw anyone from the Tribune Co or Sam Zell wandering around. They seem interested in making sure fans are having a good time. 

Hired Theo Epstein as new GM

Yes, Hendry was held onto for too long. You can always look back and say he should have known. I'll say that when he was hired, coming in and firing everyone without having any grasp of what was going on would not have been a smart idea. 

I'm sick of reading about the idiocy and stupidity surrounding this team. I'm looking forward to September and 2012 already. Even if this team does nothing in free agency and Hendry is retained, we can assume a few things for next year, which should put us in a better position.

Next year's roster should look something like this

C: Soto or Castillo or Clevenger. Exciting options in the minors, I'd really love to see us trade Soto and get something back. Either a starting pitcher or some prospects. Soto is a pretty good catcher who is still under team control

1B: Who knows. I'd like to bring back Pena. I think a 2 year, $24 million dollar deal is not unreasonable. His defense alone with the likes of Castro and whoever is playing 2B makes it worth it.

2B: I'd like to to be LeMahieu but it could very well be Barney or Marquez Smith. Maybe someone else shocks management during ST. I think one of Baker or Dewitt is let go

SS: Castro. A young star who is only going to get better. I'm so excited to watch the kid blossom

3B: Bring back Aramis Ramirez. If you can get him back for cheaper than his option which IIRC is worth $16 mil, DO IT. Sign him for 3 years. His veteran presence and potential to teach Vitters and possibly a move to 1B will be worth it.

LF: Soriano. Deal with it

CF: Brett Jackson. The future. I'm stoked to see what this kid can do. A .250 season with 15-20 SB and 10-20 HRs (a large gap I realize) is a satisfying season for me. Jackson may never be a HOF'er, but he should be an all star a few times before it's all said and done

RF: Byrd. His last year in his contract. He's been more than solid for us. Starting to slow down just a tad. An excellent hustler on defense coupled with a strong arm, he should be able to handle right field at Wrigley.

Bench: Barney/LeMaheiu (whoever isn't starting), one of Baker/DeWitt, Clevenger or Castillo, Colvin/Reed Johnson/Random 4th OF.

Changes: Not much here. I think you trade Soto to a team with a big hole at catcher (Rangers, Rays, and Yankees jump to mind) and if Colvin doesn't do much the rest of this year, send him to Iowa for one more and if he blows it, cut him loose. I think you bring back Pena for cheaper than Pujols/Fielder are worth. Can't afford to give them mega deals a la Soriano. Koyie Hill is GONE which makes the team a lot better.

Rotation: Zambrano. He's really been solid for us this year and I'm happy to bring him back. You aren't going to get full value for him in a trade unless you eat a majority of the contract. 

CJ WILSON: Go get this guy. Don't spend money on 3B or outfield help. Wilson is a top end of the rotation guy and he's probably better than Z. Proven winner, great teammate from what I've read, and moving to a ball park that isn't the launching pad that Texas plays in

Garza. Still under team control. No reason not to bring him back

Dempster. Still under contract. We all love him. Hope he bounces back next year

Cashner. Give the kid a chance. I hope he isn't delegated to the pen full time

Changes: I think it's time to let Wells go. He's a fifth starter at best and could possibly bring back something in a trade. He served his time and we thank him for it. I'd rather see Cashner/Struck/McNutt get a shot here than Wells. Go use the Pujols/Fielder money on a legit pitcher for the top end of the rotation. 

Pen: 

Closer: Marmol. If you can't trade him for what he's worth, bring him back. Has the stuff to be the closer and has proven to be dominant in this league

Set Up: Marshall and bring back Kerry Wood. Pay Wood more than $5 and Marshall gets an arb raise

Others: Samardjiza, Russell, Carpenter, find a free agent

Changes: Grabow is gone. Immediate upgrade. I think the pen was solid for us this year. No real options in the minors other than Carpenter, but I say let's see what he can do.

I think this team could win 80 games, without a lot of ifs. Assuming Soriano hits .250 with 20 homers and his awful defense, assuming Pena continues to hit .220, assuming Z and Dempster struggle, it's not impossible to think that this team could be better. Shark and Russell STAY IN THE PEN and get better with experience, as does Carpenter. Garza gets better luck. Cashner is a legit pitcher and not someone at the end of his career who has no business starting. Aramis has a .280, 20+ HRs, around 90 RBI's can be expected. 

I'd like to see Quade and Hendry gone as much as anyone but I think even an idiot could make these basic changes and make the team that much better. Use the Fuk money for Pena. Take the Silva/Grabow/Soto money to go get Wilson. You're around the same payroll but with functional players. Z has less pressure on him. A starting lineup of Castro, 2B, Ramirez, Pena, Byrd, Soriano, Jackson, C is pretty solid if you ask me.

Curious to see what your thoughts are.

The Cubs roster used to be full of names we knew and loved, full of players who could do no wrong in our eyes as fans. Some of these players moved on for various reasons (Wood, Prior), some were traded (Lee, DeRosa), some grew out of this special place (Theriot, possibly Fontenot, Soriano). The Cubs roster is full of new names with potential, but it also has several players who are there because we need somebody or is a result of overspending and mismanagement.

If you had to buy a Cubs jersey today, if you could get anyone's autograph on this team, who would you get? Money aside and assuming you were going to keep the jersey or whatever you got autographed, who would you get? It's hard for me to answer this question. Going to the Cubs convention last year I knew I wanted a few players specifically, but it seems like they've all moved on. There isn't a Ryne Sandberg or a Andre Dawson on our roster right now. There isn't a Derrick Rose or a Brian Urlacher, at least in my eyes. 

If I HAD to pick a player, I'd be split between Soto and Marmol. Both have the potential to fill this role. Both have a history of not coming through in the clutch, not always being "perfect". Now maybe this is a description that fits Sandberg and Dawson as well. I didn't grow up with them, so it's hard to say. But these seemed like players who could do no wrong. I felt the same way about Lee, Wood, even Sosa. As I look at this Cubs team, I see potential in a few players for this. But nobody who should be the face of the franchise. What say you BCB? Do you feel attached to a player like many seem to be attached to the players of old?

Well, it's after Halloween, so you know that it's "that time of the year". Usually I like to say this is the most wonderful time of the year: FREE AGENCY! However my loved ones are already asking what I want for the holidays. And honestly, I have no idea what to say.

Usually we do a "what's your favorite piece of cubs gear" thread. I figured I'd combine that with "What should I ask for" this year. What SHOULD I ask for? I have a Wood jersey and a Santo jersey (thanks to those who helped me out a few weeks ago). I have a few t shirts. What else do i need? What kind of things have you come across that really make you happy?

It's October. So?! Never too early to start looking forward to 2011. I know this is going to be the first of hundreds, if not thousands of proposals for the roster. Heck I'll probably do another two or three. I figured I'd get the ball rolling early, thoguh. I'll have a quick break down of each position then go into addressing needs.

C: Soto, Castillo. Done. Don't need to do anything. Wouldn't mind signing Hill to a AAA contract, but if Castillo can play defense and hit above .220, I'm happy. 

1B: We've really got nothing here and we need to address this

2B: I'm fine with having DeWitt and Baker split time here. Baker hits lefties well and DeWitt hits righties. Both are ok on defense, certainly better than Theriot, although DeWitt not by much. Dan Uggla is an option but I get the feeling like Florida is going to snatch him up. They will want a lot for him and I don't think he's worth it. He's the Adam Dunn of 2B, and truthfully, his defense isn't worth it. Baker and DeWitt are both excellent 2 or 8 hitters and have a little pop, that's all I ask for from 2B

SS: Castro. Done. Boom.

3B: Ramirez. Yes, we need a back up for him. Look at the bench later. He's here to stay and with it being a contract year for him, I expect big things if he stays healthy. I wouldn't mind seeing him at 1B though. Not sure how realistic this is.

LF: Soriano. We're stuck with him. To any one who says we can trade him, look at Vernon Wells. He's in Toronto to stay. Same with Aaron Rowand and SF. Yes, both of them are playing worse than Soriano, but I just don't see us getting anything for him. We were EXTREMELY lucky to get anything out of Silva for Bradley. I'm fine with him if he has a .260/20 hr/80 rbi season, which is essentially what he had this year.

CF: Byrd. Boy he was a great signing. Even if he hits .280 and has about 10 hr's again, his defense and hustle alone make him worth it

RF: Colvin and Fukudome. TRADE FUKUDOME. I'm in this camp. He had a pretty good year this year and his value is probably as high as it gets right now. Nothing against the guy but you have to see what you have in Colvin. Give the kid more playing time. Unfortunately they're both lefties. I could see this working only if you give Soriano a ton of rest and put Colvin in left and Fuk in right and a rightie is on the mound. See if you can get a 1B for him, or another OF who can play defense. 

Bench: Castillo, Barney, and Dewitt/Baker start it off. I loved what I saw from Barney and if he can hit .230 that's fine by me. That's probably what he's going to hit for a career but he can play every position and has a spot on an MLB roster. After that I propose bringing back Nady if he can handle a 1-3 starts a week role. I liked what I saw. If he isn't available, I'd go after an OF who is looking to revamp his career or is getting old. Ryan Church, Melky Cabrera, Coco Crisp, etc. 

Staff: Z, Dempster, Gorzelanny, Cashner, Wells. Keep Wells on a short leash and have someone in Iowa or in the pen to step in. Other than that, leave it alone. Let Z hang out there and if he proves to be what he has been in the past, trade him or send him back to the pen. 

Bullpen: Marmol (CL), Marshall (SU), Russell (LOOGY), Scott Maine or John Grabow (if he proves he can throw again), Silva (LR). This leaves 2 spots open in my eyes. I'd go after some veteran righties. First off, bring back Kerry Wood. The guy can be had for decent money but nothing like his last contract. He still has it and would be a great set up potion. Plus I get to wear my jersey again. I have absolutely no idea who is out there for relievers just yet, but I'm sure there's someone who can be had for cheap. I'd love to leave this spot for Caridad or Guzman but you can't rely on guys who have been on the DL that long. 

Look this team isn't going to win 100 games next year but it'd be nice if they could reach .500. I'd be happy with that. Bring Brett and Jay Jackson up in 2012. Maybe Vitters makes some big leaps forward. Their are pieces in place that don't require lots of money or fantasy league trades.

One thing I'd like to see them do is go after Adrian Gonzalez, given that he signs an extension. Here's a great club house guy who produces, and whose numbers are only going to get better at Wrigley. Start off with Vitters, Colvin, and Jay Jackson, and see how much more they want. 

That's about it. Give me your two cents

With Jones going down for the year with a torn ACL and his career in jeopardy, one of the best switch hitter in league history might be hanging up his spikes for the last time. Always in the discussion for MVP although only a winner once (1999), his numbers are impressive, despite rarely being a league leader. This may be due to being clean (as of this fanpost) in an era where players who used found lots of success.

He hit the 30 HR mark 6 times in his career, his high being 45 in that '99 season. He finished second in the ROY voting (losing to Hideo Nomo). He was an all-star 6 times. He has a career plagued with injuries. He helped lead the Braves to the ridiculous 14 straight playoff appearances. He's 9 RBI short of 1,500 and 10 hits short of 2,500. I'd vote for him simply on the numbers in a steroids era. What say you?

It might be a faux pas to put the bottom line first, but I'm doing it: Tyler Colvin needs to play more

I know, that's a pretty bold statement. 

Colvin has had an excellent start and hopefully it will continue. However he's only had 51 AB's and I think you need to give him more. I've been impressed with his hitting so far and even if that falters, his speed and pretty good defense should keep him on the big league club. 

The biggest reason why he hasn't had a lot of playing time is the success of the other outfielders on the Cubs. Soriano has been playing better than any of us imagined, Byrd has been great, and Fukudome is actually hitting. If Colvin keeps hitting like he is now though, it will be hard to imagine keeping him in the pinch hitter/one start a week/defensive replacement role. 

My solution is to trade one of the current outfielders we have. In a perfect world, we trade Soriano for Pujols, Joe Mauer, and Mariano Rivera. In a realistic world, I think you can trade Byrd and Fukudome. So whom to trade? 

Personally, I think Byrd is the way to go. As great as he has been so far for this club, I think you're going to get more for him than you would Fukudome. Fuk is our best defensive player behind Lee and he has saved a bunch of runs. Hopefully Byrd can get us a reliever and maybe a prospect. I have no idea who would take Byrd at this point but I know the Nationals were looking at Fukudome. He might be easier to trade. What say you BCB?

Mike Parisi, the Rule 5 pick from the Cardinals is in a tough position. He's had a good spring but not great. He has a 4.05 ERA in 6.2 IP and 2 HR's given up. He also has four strike outs compared to one walk. I don't think he's good enough to make the rotation but I think he deserves a spot on this team. While you don't want a David Patton situation to occur, Parisi has some good stuff and I think with some work with Rothschild, he could be a good bull pen arm to have. Given the shortage of arms, Parisi is a RHP who has some experience (albeit he was far from lights out in 2008) in the majors. What say you?