Why the 2007 Cubs Are Nothing More Than a Tease

"Wait 'til next year" has been the mantra of Cubs fans for as long as memory serves. When Dusty Baker was signed Cubs fans could be heard yelling "Next year is Here!" or "In Dusty we Trusty", and as idiotic as these slogans were, they seemed to inspire Cubs fans to a renewed hope in their forever futile ballclub. In years past the Cubs organization would never spend money for high-priced free agents or big-time players, they always settled for the cheaper, less attractive guys that could fill holes but really not contribute anything of value to the team. 2007 is no different despite all the hype and publicity the Cubs offseason splurging has garnered. Yes, the Cubs have spent more this offseason than ever before, in fact over the last few years under GM Jim Hendry's regime, the Cubs have actually been quite active in the free-agent and trade markets, they just haven't spent their money all that wisely, and this coming year will prove to be just as futile as those in the past.

2007 has brought with it huge expectations for the Northsiders with the hiring of legendary manager Lou Piniella, the signing of the most sought after free-agent position player in Alfonso Soriano, and the re-signings of stars Aramis Ramirez and Kerry Wood. Not to mention the addition of starting pitchers Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis, reliever Neal Cotts coming over from the White Sox, and utilityman/supersub Mark DeRosa being signed to start at second. These new additions plus the continued development and maturation of youngsters Rich Hill, Matt Murton, Ryan Theriot, and Sean Marshall and Cubs fans may have something to cheer about, but not into late October. This team simply has too many holes to actually consider them a viable contender for the World series.