Chicago Cubs
2010 Record: 75-87
685 RS, 767 RA, Pythagorean Record: 72-90

Manager: Mike Quade
GM: Jim Hendry

Free Agents:
Carlos Pena, 1B (1, $10MM); Aramis Ramirez, 3B ($14.6MM player option); Kerry Wood (1, $1.5MM).

Minor League FA:
Jim Adduci, OF; T.J. Baxter, OF; Yaniel Cabeza, C; Angel Guzman, P; Reed Johnson, OF; Bryan LaHair, OF; Braden Looper, P; J.R. Mathes, P; Lou Montanez, OF; Scott Moore, 3B; Jonathan Mota, SS; Augie Ojeda, SS; Mike Parisi, P; Scott Rice, P; Bobby Scales, 3B; Rubi Silva, OF; Brad Snyder, OF; Polin Trinidad, P; John Urick, 1B; Todd Wellemeyer, P.

Rule V Pick:
Mason Tobin, P (Angels)

Trades:
Received Michael Burgess (OF), Graham Hicks (P), and A.J. Morris from the Nationals for Tom Gorzelanny (SP); Received Robert Coello (P) from the Red Sox for Tony Thomas (2B); Received Matt Garza (SP), Fernando Perez, and Zach Rosscup from the Rays for Chris Archer (P); Received cash from the Rangers for Mason Tobin, P.

Waiver Claims:
Max Ramirez, C (from the Red Sox).

Players Lost:
Mitch Atkins, P; Russ Canzler, 3B; Jason Dubois, OF; Jeff Gray, P; Albert Hernandez, OF; Micah Hoffpauir, OF; Bob Howry, RP; Mark Johnson, C; George Matheus, 3B; Scott McClain, 3B; Mario Mercedes, C; Xavier Nady, OF; Jeremy Papelbon, P; David Patton, P; Andres Quezada, OF; Mark Reed, C; Brian Schlitter, P.

Top 15 Prospect
1. Brett Jackson, OF
2. Trey McNutt, RHP
3. Josh Vitters, 3B
4. Jay Jackson, RHP
5. Hayden Simpson, RHP
6. Chris Carpenter, RHP
7. Reggie Golden, OF
8. Matt Szczur, OF
9. Matt Cerda, SS
10. Micah Gibbs, C
11. Michael Burgess, OF
12. D.J. LeMahieu, 2B
13. Marquez Smith, 3B
14. Rafael Dolis, RHP
15. Robinson Lopez, RHP

The Cubs have done little to help their system recently. They gave up 3 guys that would have made this list for Matt Garza, but only received 1 that did from the Nationals for Tom Gorzelanny. Brett Jackson is probably the only impact player in the system. Josh Vitters still has a chance to do something, but time is running out; this will be the season that makes or breaks him.

2010 Review:
It really was a season where nothing went right for the Cubs. Declining Ace Carlos Zambrano continued to meltdown; I really don’t think they would be able to move him if they wanted to. Randy Wells took a step back from 2009.

They did see Sean Marshall take a step forward in the bullpen; he was once of the better pitchers out of the bullpen. The team also received a surprise from Carlos Silva, who was just supposed to be a way to get rid of Milton Bradley. Silva pitched much better than he had the previous few seasons.

Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano are starting to show their age. Soriano looks like one of the largest free agents busts of players with 9 figure deals. Derrek Lee’s age also caught up with him, but the team was at least able to move him.

2011 Preview:
Adding Garza was a nice pick up for the team, but he’s not the ace they need; they also depleted their system to get him. To me, the deal looked like a reactionary response to the Brewers picking up Shaun Marcum and Zack Greinke.

Carlos Pena will add power to the line up, but they did little else to really help. Many think Pena’s 1-year deal was a precursor to them going after Albert Pujols, which makes sense.

From the Bloggers:

Prediction:
4th Place.