2005 Record: .488 (79-83), 4^th place in NL Central

2004 Record: .549 (89-73)

Who’s Out: Jeromy Burnitz (OF), Nomar Garciaparra (INF), Chad Fox (P), Corey Patterson (OF), Todd Wellemeyer (P)

Who’s In: Scott Eyre (P), Bob Howry (P), Jacque Jones (OF), John Mabry (OF), Wade Miller (P), Nate Spears (INF), Carlos Perez (P), Lincoln Holdzkom (P), Zach McCormack (P)

Notes: The Cubs made an effort to improve this winter, but I honestly don’t anticipate much increase in wins or runs scored. Jones and Pierre are both good players, but neither is a huge upgrade over Burnitz. Eyre and Howry are good additions to the bullpen, which was lacking quite a bit last year (save for Dempster, I suppose), but the starting rotation is shaky at best. Prior, Wood, and Miller will all be out for most of April (if not more) on account of various injuries, and Zambrano simply can’t carry the team alone.

Labels: 2006 team profiles