The Window on This Cubs Team Has Closed

After another disappointing loss today, and an upsetting series against Milwaukee. It is team that all Cubs fans come  to the realization that the window for the core group of players on the Cubs has closed. To be honest, the window may have closed after the 2008 season when the Cubs were swept out of the first round by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Cubs are quite simply a bad baseball team right now, and barring any unforeseen turnaround this season, their probably will be sweeping changes to the roster as well as the front office starting this season at the trading deadline.

The Cubs have yet to discuss any major trades, mainly because they have yet to determine whether they are buyers or sellers. However, it is likely that by July 1st the Cubs will have a game-plan set for how to approach this year’s trading deadline. As of now, it is likely that they are going to become sellers, and look to hopefully ship off some of the costly veterans of this team.

Among players that could potentially be put on the proverbial “trading block” are Derrek Lee, Ted Lilly, Aramis Ramirez ( Those three are free agents after the season), Tom Gorzelanny, and Kosuke Fukudome. If you ask me the Cubs would trade Carlos Zambrano in a heartbeat, the only hold up is his no trade clause, and the fact that no one wants to take on the bloated contract that comes along with Zambrano’s mediocre pitching.

On a personal note to Cubs fans, do not be upset at the Cubs for trading favorites like Lilly or Lee. The Cubs are not a good baseball team, and with Lilly and Lee both becoming free agents after the season, the Cubs should without question trade both of them now and get what they can for them.

As for the changes to the front office, I think it is beyond a reasonable doubt that the Cubs need to fire Jim Hendry and let manager Lou Piniella walk after the season. Even though Hendry had a good offseason this past year, he has handcuffed the Cubs payroll situation with the overpriced contracts and no trade clauses. As for Piniella, I think the time has come for the Cubs to get a new voice in their clubhouse. Despite belief from Cubs fans, I don’t think that voice should come from former Cub Ryne Sandberg. The Cubs would benefit more from a veteran manger who has been around the manager such as a Bobby Valentine, Eric Wedge, or even current Cubs broadcaster Bob Brenly.

The time has come for Cubs fans to wave goodbye to memories of the 2007, and 2008 Cubs, and open up a new chapter for the Cubs organization.