Chicago Cubs Baseball

America, rest easy. That resounding thud heard across the nation Tuesday afternoon was the collective jaws of Chicago Cub baseball fans hitting the floor as we watched the non-waiver trade deadline pass silently by.

Anticipating shock and awe, Cubdom got handed schlock and yawn. Chicago general manager Jim Hendry and the cast of “How Far Can We Stretch This Penny” opted for the path of least resistance when opportunity begged otherwise.

In other words, Hendry did nothing.

“Jim tried,” Cubs manager Lou Piniella said in support of his boss. ”He was hopeful that he could do a couple things to improve our team, and it just didn’t work out. Am I disappointed? No. I like our ballclub. We’ve just got to go out and continue to grind like we have.”

It’s difficult to say whether Piniella’s statement reflects his confidence in the current roster to win it all or the Tribune Company’s contentment to just win enough. Judging by Aramis Ramirez’s comments in that same article, Piniella has more faith in his club than his own players.

‘Especially when you’re in a pennant race, you want to upgrade your team,” Ramirez said. ”But I don’t know what position we can upgrade. We’ve got good players. And I don’t know how much money they can spend.”

Putting money aside, let me help you out, Ramey. When the Cubs only hit a little more than a handful of homers in the month of July, my bet would be the team could use another stick. As for starting pitching, Jason Marquis and Rich Hill are as unpredictable as the Chicago winds. And for relief, Hendry and the Cubs organization continue to hold onto the promise of yet another Kerry Wood comeback.

It begs the question, is Hendry and group practicing blind faith or praying for blind luck?

This is a year when the National League pennant is open for the taking. The Cubs have the nucleus to challenge. But I doubt whether the job can get done with the Cubs relying on the likes of Ronny Cedeno, Matt Murton and a revolving door of minor league relievers.

Tell me, Jim. What’s one more check to write after you’ve spent $325 million?