In 2004, the Boston Red Sox won their first World Series title since 1918. It was excruciating to be a Cubs fan in Chicago as the crosstown White Sox won it all in 2005, their first championship since 1917. The Cubs haven't won the World Series since 1908.
Could 2006 be the Cubs' year?
It depends. (YES)
The offense, which had trouble scoring runs in 2005, will have a new look, starting at the top with Juan Pierre. Acquired from the Florida Marlins for three young pitchers, Pierre is a bonafide leadoff man and fast, exactly what Cubs manager Dusty Baker has coveted.
Pierre stole 57 bases in 2005 with the Marlins, and said the size of the ballpark doesn't affect him, just the infield dirt. The grounds crew had better get started smoothing the area near first base.
The happiest Cub this Christmas has to be Derrek Lee, and not just because he's still celebrating his first National League batting title. Lee and Pierre were together in 2003, when the Marlins won the World Series. Maybe there's some good karma left.
On Dec. 20, the Cubs signed free agent Jacque Jones to a three-year, $16 million deal to complete the outfield. The Cubs outfield will now be more athletic, better defensively and have a whole new look from Opening Day 2005.
"If you're a good hitter, I'm not worried about everybody being able to hit 40 home runs," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said. "I think Jacque Jones is capable of hitting 25-plus home runs. Aramis [Ramirez], with a healthy year under his belt, can hit more than 30. [Michael] Barrett has a little pop as a catcher. I think we're more versatile, more athletic, I think we'll run a lot better and we'll play better defense."
This offseason, Hendry addressed another need by adding veteran setup relievers Scott Eyre and Bob Howry. They should make it easier to get to Ryan Dempster, who led the NL in save percentage in his first season as a closer. They should also help Michael Wuertz and Will Ohman, who both proved they are ready for the big leagues. There will be some healthy competition to fill the other bullpen spots.
As for the rotation, Baker has right-handers Carlos Zambrano, Mark Prior, Greg Maddux and Jerome Williams and lefty Glendon Rusch lined up. Kerry Wood is coming back from arthroscopic shoulder surgery, and isn't expected to be ready by Opening Day. When Wood is right, the Cubs hope they'll have too many starters instead of having to deal with injuries, which may be the biggest reason the team has not advanced to the postseason. A healthy Zambrano, Prior and Wood would definitely give the Cubs the edge in the NL Central.
The 2005 season was the first sans Sammy Sosa since 1991. Jeromy Burnitz did OK, hitting .258 with 24 homers and 87 RBIs. Jones can hit 25 home runs, but the Cubs will be happy with a higher average. Jones has played his entire career with the Minnesota Twins, who emphasized good fundamentals and doing the little things. The Cubs could use more of that.
Baker finally has two quality youngers to play in Matt Murton and Ronny Cedeno. Murton, a last-minute throw-in in the Nomar Garciaparra trade, will start in left in his sophomore season, while Cedeno is projected as the starter at shortstop.
Wrigley Field will have an additional 1,800 seats in the bleachers after an offseason renovation project. The ballpark will have a slightly different look, and so will the team. After finishing 79-83 and in fourth place, change was needed.
"We want to win. I always want to win," Baker said during the Winter Meetings. "It's a big year for all of us, a big year for the organization, a big year for the city, a big year for the staff, me, different guys on the team. There's no more pressure than usual."
I can feel it Cubs fans, this season will be one for the ages and God knows we could use a World Series trophy for the North Side of Chicago.
