Jim Hendry

Late last week, the Cubs traded speedy-yet-worthless urban legend Joey Gathright to the Baltimore Orioles for Ryan Freel, a player most Cubs fans would have loved to have seen at Wrigley Field four years ago.

Freel, who stands 5'9" and is 33 years old, is a versatile player who can play most infield and outfield positions.

Aaron Miles, whom the Cubs gave a two-year contract in January, stands 5'8", is 32 years old and is a versatile player who can play most infield and outfield positions.

On February 11th, three days before Valentine's Day, I expressed my lack of love for what I felt was an empty spending spree by Chicago Cubs' General Manager Jim Hendry. (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/122973-jim-hendry-the-worst-winter-in-baseball)

We're now one full month into the baseball season, and I have the underwhelming feeling I was right.

Look, I know that every team has issues in their bullpen, so this isn't an attempt to discuss the obvious.

But for a team that is supposedly the best team in the NL Central, Cubs GM Jim Hendry has built a club that is flawed in one very critical area, the pen.

Yes, the Cubs allowed Kerry Wood to leave because they figured Carlos Marmol was ready to assume the closer role, but just to make sure, Hendry acquired Kevin Gregg; who blew the most saves of anyone last year.

Gregg has not instilled much confidence thus far. Neither has many of his mates.

Hearing about the annual goat's head on Harry Caray's statue made me sick.

And to the guy who brought a goat to the game the other day, I have four words:

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE GOAT!

Look, folks, there is no curse. In fact, the only "curse" the Cubs have had is the curse of lousy management over the years.

Since Jim Hendry has become the GM, things have improved. Now, I've been a vocal critic of Mr. Hendry, but even I have to admit how much more of an intelligent baseball man he is than the other idiots that have generally mismanaged this club.

The Chicago Cubs' 25-man roster is complete.  After careful consideration, the Cubs have decided to go with Rule V draft pick David Patton and Angel Guzman. 

The odd men out are Jeff Samardzija and Chad Gaudin.  Samardzija had an outstanding rookie season working out of the Cubs' pen.  The 24-year-old Samardzija was 1-0 with a 2.28 ERA in 2008 with one save.  The Cubs believe Samardzija will eventually be a starter once he masters another pitch. 

For years Cubs expectations have been based on them being overdue to win a championship. We've all heard this phrase, "It's been 90+ years and the Cubs MUST win a championship this year." 

For the record, it's now a 100+ years but the Cubs are expected to play deep into October because they're one of the most talented teams in all of baseball.  The expectations have nothing to do with their World Series drought.