Cubs' Pitching Woes

The Cubs problems is 2011 has come from poor pitching. Now I'm not saying their pitchers are bad, just their seasons. So the Cubs have two choices. They either have to work internally or sign free agents.
Working internally will be difficult. We'll start with their best pitcher, Matt Garza. Garza didn't have a bad season, but the Cubs were hoping for better. He had a 3.66 ERA and 197 strikeouts in 198 innings, which is pretty good, but Matt Garza has the ability to drop his ERA under 3. If he continues to mix his pitches in later innings he'll have the ability to throw another no-hitter.
Ryan Dempster was the biggest disappointment for the Cubs. He had a high ERA of 4.88, but he still had a high strikeout rate. He wasn't consistant and needs to work hard this off season to get back to the way he was. Hopefully he picks up his option and prepares to win for the Cubs.
Next is Big Z Carlos Zambrano. I personally love Carlos Zambrano, but he's has faded in the past few years. His multple arm angles don't trick anyone anymore. I suggest they work him from the bullpen as a long reliever to let him get his stuff back. I also suggest he throw away the 4-seam fastball and splitter and add a circle change. Look at how successful Roy Halladay became when he threw away the 4-seamer. If Big Z works well as a long reliever then bring him back to the rotation.
Randy Wells, is a good back end pitcher. He just needs to be more consistant with his pitches. His 4.99 ERA is not showing his best stuff. He has trouble finding the strike zone and ends up walking people. If he regain the confidence in his stuff he be a solid 3, 4, or 5 starter.
Now The Cubs have to make some choices this offseason. First decide if they should trade Carlos Zambrano. If they trade him they will have more space for a young reliever, but I'd give him one more chance.
If they focus internally the rotation should look like this.

1. Matt Garza
2. Ryan Dempster
3. Randy Wells
4. Andrew Cashner
5. Jeff Samadzija

Now Samardzija and Cashner will be converted relievers, but they've proven they have the ability to start. High velocity fastballs and good secondary pitches.
If the sign free agents they should go after two lefties.

1. Matt Garza
2. Mark Buehrle/Eric Bedard
3. Ryan Dempster
4. Paul Maholm/Bruce Chen
5. Randy Wells

This rotation will give the Cubs two great long relievers in Andrew Cashner and Jeff Samardzija.
I suggest that Theo Epstein give an offer to C.C. Sabathia. It's not likely that Sabathia would sign but that would make their rotation top notch.
If they sign Sabathia and a couple of lefties their rotation should look like this

1. C.C. Sabathia
2. Matt Garza
3. Mark Burhrle/Eric Bedard
4. Ryan Dempster
5. Paul Maholm/Bruce Chen

Now that would help the Cubs, but to be honest C.C. Sabathia is just wishful thinking.
The other problem they had with pitching was their closer Carlos Marmol. Marmol had a high strikeout rate but he had trouble findng the strike zone with his fastball. When he did find the strike zone he ended up giving up a hit. I suggest he spend his offseason working on control instead of velocity. Other than that their bullpen was solid. They just have to bring back Kerry Wood to have the veteran edge over some other clubs.

What the Cubs Need

The Chicago Cubs have been the failures of the baseball world for over one hundred years and it's time for that to change. Rebuilding will be difficult for the Cubs but now that they have a General Manager they've taken the first step. So what do the Cubs need now?
First, they need a first baseman. Idealy Albert Pujols. King Albert would bring the spark of power the Cubs need. Plus the great first base defence and a high batting average. There is a reason that King Albert is the best player in baseball. Now with a GM the Cubs have a better chance of signing Pujols.
Second, They need to fnd a place for Bryan LaHair. LaHair was the best offencive playe in the minor leagues this year with a .331 batting average and 76 extra base hits. LaHair is a first baseman by trade but has the ability to play left and right field. He has shown the ability to play in the big leagues this year so the Cubs need to get him playing time, preferably full time. In my opinion stick him in left feld. Whch will bring me to my next point.
Third, bench Alfonso Soriano. Alfonso has the ability to produce homerun power, but that's about it. Alfonso can't run anymore and has poor fielding ability. His batting average has decreased ever since his year with the Nationals. So Alfonso has two choices left, take a redused role or retire. Both choices would be good. If he retires the Cubs will have more money to chance free agents. He he takes the redused roll the Cubs will have a power bat coming off the bench.
Fourth, bring back Aramis Ramirez. Aramis has been a Cub for nine years because he's believed in the team. Aramis played his first full season in two years and rewarded them with a .306 batting average and 26 homeruns. Aramis will give consistancy in the lineup that the Cubs need.
Fifth, get Geovany Soto to start hitting again. Soto had 17 homeruns this year and alot of them came in September. So he showed he still has the ability to hit but the problem is he doesn't hit righties. If the Cubs can find a way to help Soto hit righties then the Cubs will have much more production.
The only thing left to cover is right field. If Bryan LaHair plays left and Alfonso Soriano gets bench, then they have about four options. Play Tyler Colvin and hope he produces. Play Tony Campana and figure out where to put him in the lineup. Bring back Reed Johnson and have he play right. Or sign a free agent like Corey Patterson or David Dejesus.
The lineup with Tyler Colvin should look like this.

                                              BA/Runs/Hits/2B/3B/HR/RBI/SB

1. Starlin Castro              .307/91/207/36/9/10/66/22
2. Darwin Barney            .276/66/146/23/6/2/43/9
3. Aramis Ramirez          .306/80/173/35/1/26/93/1
4. Albert Pujols               .299/105/173/29/0/37/99/9
5. Bryan LaHair              .309/100/168/43/1/40/115/2 (MLB+AAA)
6. Marlon Byrd               .276/51/123/22/2/9/35/3
7. Tyler Colvin               .150/17/31/8/3/6/20/0
8. Geovany Soto             .228/46/96/26/0/17/54/0
9. Pitcher

The Lineup with Tony Campana

1. Tony Campana            .301/51/78/11/2/1/15/32 (MLB+AAA)
2. Starlin Castro              .307/91/207/36/9/10/66/22
3. Aramis Ramirez          .306/80/173/35/1/26/93/1
4. Albert Pujols               .299/105/173/29/0/37/99/9
5. Bryan LaHair              .309/100/168/43/1/40/115/2 (MLB+AAA)
6. Darwin Barney           .276/66/146/23/6/2/43/9
7. Marlon Byrd               .276/51/123/22/2/9/35/3
8. Geovany Soto             .228/46/96/26/0/17/54/0
9. Pitcher

Now if you ask me, that lineup will win the Cubs alot of game. Next I will talk about the Cubs pitching.