The 2007 Chicago Cubs baseball season began in a knotty situation even before the first pitch.
Following the footsteps of a disastrous 2006, the Cubs were met at the door with news that the Tribune Company was peddling the organization - suitors welcome.
Off-season changes in the front office and on the field had taken place. John McDonough replaced Andy McPhail as the Cubs’ president, while Lou Piniella was named the new skipper as Dusty Baker headed towards the sunset.
Taking the above into account I can’t help but believe the message to Chicago General Manager Jim Hendry was clear: Win now. Win big.
Big as in a minimum World Series appearance. Hendry responded with a little off-season action of his own, signing among others, big name free agents Alfonso Soriano, Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis to the tune of the well-documented $300 million.
Soriano’s big bat got the attention, but the signings of starting pitchers Lilly and Marquis signaled a new direction for the Cubs. This Chicago team was going to have bite - starting with the front office.
No longer were the Cubs going to pin their hopes on a pair of oft-injured and sore-armed pitchers. Further, adding Soriano and Cliff Floyd gave the club depth and some clout.
But even the best laid plans…
Thus far, the signings of Lilly and Marquis have been a home run for the Cubs front office. Ironically, the offensive production expected from Soriano and fellow sluggers has looked more like a swinging bunt.
Soriano’s promised power has yet to produce a single home run as we enter the final days of the month, and Floyd is mumbling, if not grumbling, about moving to right field from his customary left field post.
With six games left in the month, including tonight’s game with Milwaukee, Chicago is picking up right where 2006 ended - battling the Washington Nationals for the worst record in the National League.
It can only get better.
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