With the regular season drawing to a close and the Cubs being cellar dellewers in the National League, it’s time to start looking towards next season. Not to sounds like the real optimist, but the Cubs are pretty close to getting that team together for a playoff run. I think there are definately a few “ifs”, “ands” and “buts” in order for them to succeed next season.

First off, and the most important thing is the Cubs need resign Juan Pierre. Before you anybody start yelling at me for not mentioning Pie, hear me out. This was JP’s first year playing for real big name team. He came up with the Rockies, an expansion team. He next went to the Marlins, an expansion team. He had a horrible start off to the season, and he was always man enough to admit that he was not playing to his fullest. He leads the NL this season in hits and stolen bases, even after his slow start.

He also got his average up to almost .300 after starting out in the .100s. Not to terribley shabby if you’d ask me. He hasn’t been the most efficient base stealer though, but he’s still putting up big numbers. Now, after Rafael Furcal got the big contract from the Dodgers this season, Juan Pierre should think in his right mind that he should get something close to that. Fact of the matter is that he isn’t Furcal, and I don’t think he’s worth nearing 12-13 million a year yet. I’m guessing he’ll get offered a 3 year $28 million contract. I think it might be silly for him not to take it either.Now Pie has shown he’s not ready for the big leagues yet, otherwise he would have been part of the September callups. His average was down, he struck out a lot, and wasn’t stealing bases very well. Hopefully he can have a produtive offseason in some fall leagues and continue to work on his game. If he turns in to the five tool player that people claim him to be, you aren’t going to want him to lead off anyway.

Aramis Ramirez. From the sounds of it he’s going to opt out his contract to test the market and see what kinda of money he can get. It’s obvious many teams are in the market for a big name power hitting 3rd baseman. I don’t think ARam can carry a team by himself. He showed that when he was first playing with out DLee this season. He poured it on big tim after the All Star break, though, a smart thing to do if you are wanting to become a free agent. He’s said publicly that he likes it in Chicago and playing for the Cubs. He also will be an integral part of the Cubs lineup next season and needs to stay.

The rest of the field is pretty much set. Cesar Isturiz, who was brought over in the Greg Maddux deal is signed through this season. Jacque Jones, who put more Jones like numbers this season, because he wasn’t under so much pressure to preform, offensively, for the Twins has two more years on his contract. Barrett will be back also. The rest of the starting field and some bench players don’t have enough MLB service to file for free agency yet. Ronnie Cedeno and Ryan “The Riot” Theriot will be fighting over 2nd base assuming Izturis is heathly by seasons begin.

Personally, I like The Riot more over cedeno. He’s got more speed, he’s a better clutch hitter in his early career, and he’s always giving 110% and leaving it all on the field. He’s just one of those hard nosed players and knows he needs to fight for what he wants.

I think it’s going to be hard to keep Henry “Hank White” Blanco this offseason. He’s put up fantastic numbers as a backup catcher and has shown that he can play everyday if need be, while filling in for Barrett while he’s been on the DL and serving his suspension for punching A.J. Pierzkynski. I’d like him back, but he’s not completly necessary to be signed, unlike Pierre and Ramirez.

With the GM, Jim Hendry, on thin ice this season after he was given a contract extension, expect him to try to make some big moves. He hasn’t exactly done he best by keeping players around the past few years. Sammy Sosa was traded for Jerry Hairston Jr. who was later traded for Phil Nevin who was later traded for a minor league pitcher. Hopefully he doesn’t concentrate at going after Carlos Lee and Alfonso Soriano while that’s not exactly what they need at the moment.

It’s also obvious that the starting rotation is the biggest weak spot for the Cubs. As of right now, the only gaurenteed spots in the rotation are Rich Hill and Carlos Zambrano. It seems like its was a pretty good bargin paying Wade Miller only a million dollars to rehab his surgically repaired shoulder. Granted, he doesn’t have a win, but his ERA is under four and he’s not back to his old self whe he pitched for Houston a few year ago. It’s pretty important that he comes back too. With Sean Marshall most likely going to be in the rotation next season again, they will a harder throwing righty to give opposing hitters something different too look at.

With the Cubs again back roughing $27 million from Kerry Wood’s contract, and Greg Maddux’s contract, and with current players getting some raises, they will have quite a bit to play around with to secure one more pitcher for the rotation. You may ask about Mark Prior. Can you really even count on him any more? He, like Kerry Wood, spent most of the season on the DL. Personally and unfortunately I don’t think that Prior will be much of a factor next season again. I think he’s turning into those “coulda beens”.

I’ve been reading a lot of other people opinions and they think that Barry Zito is the answer. Listen up folks, he’s not the answer you’re looking for. The Cubs already have two pitcher that are very Barry Zitoesque in the way they pitch. Marshall and Hill both throw big hooks from the left side. Adding a third person to that will only make matters worse. Hitters will figure them out. With the starting pitching free agent pool pretty thin this offseason, I think they’ll try to trade for a 2nd or 3rd pitcher for their rotation. Even with giving up the three prospects for Pierre, they are still stocked full of good young arms.

Kerry Wood. They won’t pickup the option, but I think they’ll get him resigned as a relieve whom will take over the closer role from Ryan Dempsters. I love Demp, but he’s just had a rough year. Eyre and Howry are locked up as the setups. Since being recalled up again back in June Micheal Wuertz has been practically untouchable. I like him alot. He’s got an killer slider and was closer for the AAA Iowa Cubs. He could also become the closer next season. I think Roberto Novoa will be moved along because he’s too inconsistant. Glendon Rusch is out for an indefinate about of time with the blood clot problems and the blood thinner medication that he’s currently on. Angel Guzman and Carlos Marmol have pitched better out of the bullpen then in the starting rotation. Maybe they’ll start the season there? It’s hard to say.

The other holes they’ll have to fill a bench player. I doubt John Mabry will be back with the disappointing season he’s had. I think Scott Moore could easily fill his role. He could give ARam and DLee occasion days off if needed, and be a pinch hitter.

All and all it’s looking really up for the Cubs next season. I know I say that every year, but damnit it can’t get much worse than this season.

Oh, the look for a new coach will start right after the end of the season at the end of the weekend. Trust me Dusty won’t be back.