Let the Chaos Begin

With the Phillies victory in game 5, the 2008 season officially ended and the rumors started circulating.

First things first, players can file for free agency.

The Cubs have had 8 players decide to test the market this off season: Ryan Dempster, Kerry Wood, Jim Edmonds, Bob Howry, Henry Blanco, Daryle Ward, Jon Lieber and Chad Fox.

My thoughts:

Blanco's option was decline, more than likely so the Cubs can resign him for a lower figure and free up some money to spend this winter.

Dempster and Wood have to be the key guys to get back. Some say Wood is expendable because we have Marmol as a closer in the wings, but with Wood the Cubs have dominate pitching for the 8th and 9th secured...Hendry needs to and has these two at the top of his winter wish list.

Howry, Lieber and Fox are gone. Lieber is getting to be old and spent much of the '08 season injured. Fox was never able to find a spot in the bullpen and will look for work elsewhere. Bobby Howry spent most of the season in Lou's dog house as he couldn't produce with any consistency. I doubt the Cubs resign him and look to other places for help in the bullpen.

The wild card is Jim Edmonds. He has told his agent he wants to play in '09 so what do the Cubs do. Edmonds was a key part to what the Cubs did in '08 and I would be tempted to see what he could do in '09 for the Cubs as well. The Cubs need left handed bats...that's Edmonds. They need outfield help....that's Edmonds. They need proven winners...that's Edmonds. At worst keep him as an insurance policy that Fukudome and Johnson don't go into huge slumps and gives the Cubs another outfield arm for Lou to use.