Cubs not fine in 2009!

Here it is April Fools Day and our topic couldn't be better, the Chicago Cubs. The team that's been playing a joke on it's fans for 100 years and counting.

Last year the Cubs won the World Series, in February. Remember the fans celebrating like crazy. Fukudome and Carlos Zambrano hugging each other. Shouts of the curse being over. Finally the Cubs had won the championship after 100 long years of waiting. The season didn't start until April however.

Last year by all accounts the Cubs had a very good ballclub. They won 97 games and had the second best record in baseball. They were ready to steamroll right to the Series. For the second straight year they couldn't even win one playoff game.

Here we are in 2009 and on paper the Cubs once again look like they'll blow through the NL Central like a tornado in Will county. The fans are more subdued so far but again many think it's in the bag. Well Cubs fans it's not your year again. As a matter of fact you'll be downright sorrowful when they finish 81-81.

This team still has plenty of talent but if injuries occur they have nothing of value or talent in the minors. Injuries and the loss of Mark DeRosa are what bring this team down.

In spring training there have been rumblings that Derek Lee has been hurt, Rich Harden is still having problems with his shoulder, and even Zambrano hasn't been quite right. They signed Milton Bradley who always gets hurt or suspended. Even their supposed god like closer, Carlos Marmol, is wounded. His ego is anyway as manager Lou Piniella named Kevin Gregg his closer. Marmol thought the job was his but I guess he forgot how The Netherlands knocked him around in the WBC. So now he'll sulk but I like Lou's approach to Marmol, "Quit yer cryin' and pitch."

DeRosa being gone will be their biggest loss. When Fukudome sucked DeRosa filled in at right. If Aramis Ramirez was tired or hurting he'd go to third, or short, or second. He always seemed to get the big hit. This year they don't have anybody close to him. Aaron Miles is solid but not even close to DeRosa.

Piniella also needs a different lineup. Here's mine: Ryan Theriot, Mike Fontenot, Soriano, Ramirez, Lee, Bradley, Geovany Soto (great catcher), Reed Johnson, and let Zambrano hit everyday. Lee has killed many big innings batting third by hitting into far too many double plays and Soriano should avoid the double play better.

The central may have a surprise the veteran heavy Houston Astros. Veteran teams are dangerous. Sorry Cubs fans but your .500 team won't be good enough. Cardinals or Astros.