Kuzul

Last week I wrote about my hope for the 2011 Cubs. For the first time in a long time, I look at the Cubs organization and see reasons to be optimistic about their short and long-term future.

Almost immediately after posting that story to Facebook, I got a message from one of my college buddies—and fellow long-suffering Cubs fan—that was, uh, not so optimistic. He stopped short of calling me a total idiot, but did suggest rather strongly that I needed to immediately go outside, turn around three times and spit.

It’s not that he thought I was an idiot for being hopeful, just for saying it publicly.

This is how most Cubs fans are wired. They are like that girl in high school who had her heart broken one too many times and overreacts at even the smallest male indiscretion. Everyone understands, but no one wants to be the next person to cross her.

Logic says I should be more guarded like my college buddy, but for me, hope springs eternal.

They won’t be on anyone’s list of favorites this season, but I think the Cubs can win the NL Central.

Here are five things that will help get the Cubs back on top.

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Heading into the start of last season, the Cubbies had the third largest payroll in baseball, but had just 75 wins by the end of the year to show for it.

During the offseason, Chicago went out and got a power pitcher and hitter in Matt Garza and Carlos Pena.  They also added Kerry Wood to provide punch in the back of the bullpen.

This is a squad that won 97 games just three years ago.  They’re capable of making a run, but inconsistency has hampered their chances the past two years.  Plus, the NL Central has improved dramatically since 2008.

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Ryan Dempster, who is no more than a number two or three on most contending teams, will be the Cubs opening day starter on April 1st at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates. No, this is not an April Fool’s joke.

In truth, this decision by Mike Quade is less of an endorsement for Dempster as a true number one than it is recognition of the fact that the starter with the most talent is a head case.

Still, it is fitting that the manager the Cubs decided to hire, Quade, would tab another good guy and  consistent performer in Dempster. They both may lack celebrity qualities but both have earned their lot in life and baseball.

Quade was picked by Jim Hendry to manage a big market ballclub after years of celebrity names like Dusty Baker and Lou Piniella despite a resume that had never sniffed a big league manager’s office.

And he was picked over a Hall of Fame player and Cubs legend in Ryne Sandberg for the job. Recognizing that, it is easy to see the similarities in how a guy like Dempster was chosen over the bigger names on the Cubs staff.

If this is a precursor to how Quade is going to manage this club, then I’m all for it. If he is willing to look Zambrano’s ego in the eye and scoff at the notion of a seventh consecutive opening day starting assignment, then what he is really saying to the team carries much more weight. 

In truth, he is telling the rest of the team that he doesn’t care what your name is or how many zeroes are on your contract, you will be treated based on performance and nothing more.

How refreshing if that turns out to be true.

Carlos Zambrano may have finished 2010 with an 8-0 record, but that does not forgive the sins from the first part of the season. Big Z was a big baby who stomped around and held his breath until he turned blue in the face and guess what?

He still didn’t get what he wanted.

Look, that’s how you discipline children: you create consequences for their actions. Likewise, this is how you handle a bully: by standing up to him.

In one fell swoop, Quade did both.

No, Dempster isn’t a great pitcher but he is a solid clubhouse guy and teammate who gives his all and acts his age. Sure, he can be a clown, but in a good way.

He loosens the clubhouse; he does not try to tear it apart.

Meanwhile, Matt Garza is the new kid on the block and has to earn his stripes. He may very well end up being the Cubs top starter this year, but he doesn’t deserve the opening day start.

That job belongs to Ryan Dempster. And like Mike Quade, he’s earned it.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

While baseball is America’s Pastime, the game has extensive roots and deep tradition in the country to its north as well. The first documented evidence of baseball in Canada dates back to 1838 shortly after it became popular in the United States. As has been stereotyped, we Canadians are certainly very proud of our fellow compatriots in the game.

Today, the tradition lives on as in the past five years, two Canadians have won an MVP Award: Justin Morneau in 2006 (AL) and Joey Votto (NL) just recently. Larry Walker won the NL in 1997 and is perhaps the best Canadian batter in major league history, while Ferguson Jenkins is without question the greatest canuck pitcher ever.

Here is my compilation of the Ten Best Canadian Players in Baseball Today.

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With Lou Pinella announcing he will retire at the end of the Chicago Cubs season, all I hear is conjecture regarding who people think will be the Cubs’ next manager.

There are multiple candidates, but for now, it’s all speculation, and that’s all it’s going to be until it actually happens.

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The All-Star break is fast approaching and it is safe to say that the Cubs should be sellers at this season’s trade deadline.

In my opinion, it’s time for a good old fashioned fire sale.

The Cubs have a very strong minor league system, and it could be made even stronger if they were to clean house and deal anyone of any value not named Colvin, Cashner, or Castro.

So if we are in fact in full scale fire sale mode, here are the six Cubs that have the most value on the trade market, and should be dealt before the deadline hits.

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Happy Canada Day to all!

For most Americans, Canada is the wilderness to our north, a place of moose and mounties. But in more recent times, Canada has also been a hotbed of baseball talent, giving us a Hall of Famer pitcher in Ferguson Jenkins and some great sluggers, like Larry Walker.

Today, Canadian ballplayers are some of the headliners on MVP ballots, Cy Young races, and could one day see Hall of Fame consideration. Who is the most talented Canadian major leaguer today? Here are the top 10.

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Recently, Lou Pinella said he had to start the players who were swinging the bats the best. So he promptly started Xavier Nady’s glistening .222 batting average (though he has been getting better lately).

However, just looking at overall season performance, here’s the best possible offensive lineup for the Cubs.

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With Josh Beckett sidelined for yet another start due to back issues, it’s time to take a look at 10 current pitchers in the majors whose backs SHOULD be hurting them.

Carrying the load for a MLB team can be a burden, and aces such as right-handers Zack Greinke (Kansas City Royals) and Roy Oswalt (Houston Astros) know that all too well.

Today, we’re going to quickly glance at 10 guys who are doing everything in their power to carry the team, but in most cases it’s to no avail.

And with the Astros leading the charge from the cellar, we’ll begin today’s slideshow with Oswalt and his remarkable ERA once again this season in Houston…

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