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To: altair19 who wrote (48576)	12/5/2005 12:20:33 PM
From: Mannie	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 104216

A few new ones today... some of the kids at the kindergarten we built: pbase.com pbase.com pbase.com Our Friends Andrea and Bob...they sponsored the school, and a well at a nearby school: pbase.com pbase.com pbase.com pbase.com Beautiful kids: pbase.com pbase.com pbase.com pbase.com (love this one) pbase.com pbase.com Inside a villager's home: pbase.com pbase.com Black Bart Hung & Tom and Sarah: pbase.com Hung & Dad... pbase.com still more to come

To: altair19 who wrote (48576)	12/6/2005 12:51:55 AM
From: stockman_scott	Respond to of 104216

Cubs have lots of dough . . . and holes By Dave van Dyck Chicago Tribune staff reporter December 5, 2005 DALLAS -- By unofficial calculations, the Cubs will have more than $57.5 million to spend on players this winter. That's what they were willing to pay shortstop Rafael Furcal in a deal that would have covered as many as six years. And that figure doesn't even include the additional millions they would have had to pay a couple of outfielders to fill other holes. So teams gathered for the winter meetings will surely be willing to huddle with the Cubs, trying to unload some high-priced players. They will find a willing partner in general manager Jim Hendry, who was stung and stunned when Furcal accepted about $39 million from the Dodgers for three years. "We would have liked to have had him, but when you see the [Dodgers'] offer, you understand why he went elsewhere," Hendry said Sunday night. "He didn't stop us from doing other business." That business becomes even more important now because the Cubs have some glaring weaknesses they need to correct before spring training opens in just over two months. Like what? Let's take a look at five of the most important problems facing the Cubs this winter: Finding a leadoff hitter This was supposed to be Furcal, and until late last week, Hendry had counted on signing him. Hendry's Plan B appears to be center fielder Juan Pierre of Florida, but that will take young talent because the Marlins are downsizing payroll. Actually, it will take a ton of young talent because Pierre has become a darling of several teams. The leadoff hitter could come from another position, though that would be tough. Settling the middle infield Furcal was supposed to play shortstop with veteran Neifi Perez and young Ronny Cedeno sharing time at second base, probably with Jerry Hairston also in the mix. And now? Well, everything is intertwined, so acquiring Pierre could mean Cedeno is the starting shortstop, Perez and Hairston become the second basemen and Todd Walker is used as trade bait. "We need to shore up our outfield situation," Hendry said. "We would prefer to come up with a quality leadoff guy. If he's a shortstop and the right guy, that wouldn't stop us from pursuing him." Tampa Bay's Julio Lugo, who stole 60 bases last season, would fit that description. But Hendry also said, "I'm OK with the three guys [currently] in the middle." Finding a right fielder The Cubs would prefer that he be left-handed and a power hitter. Wow, that's a tough one. Be assured this will cost the Cubs Walker and at least a couple of young pitchers like Jerome Williams and Sergio Mitre, perhaps even a young position player like Cedeno. Maybe this is the right time to acquire a player Hendry has desired for years, the Mets' Cliff Floyd, who is a Chicago native. "We have a lot of good guys to deal if we want to," Hendry said. What to do with Patterson Does he stay and become a bench player? Get traded and become the star he was supposed to be as a No. 1 draft choice? Right now the Cubs are looking at including him in a trade package because he just doesn't fit their plans anywhere. He can't lead off, and the Cubs seem determined to give left field to Matt Murton. Of course, if Murton plays left field and Cedeno shortstop, the Cubs have two kid players on a team that hopes to contend for the Central Division title. Hendry said he would be comfortable with that. Whether manager Dusty Baker, known for liking veterans, would be comfortable is another story. So has Patterson seen his final days in Wrigley Field? "We all feel at 26, he still could be a real good player," Hendry said. "Being homegrown ... it's a tough balance at what's best to do. The decision hasn't been made. If we felt it was best for the Cubs and him to place him elsewhere, we would do that." In other words, it appears Patterson and Walker are headed out of town. Planning for future of rotation With the bullpen shored up by the acquisition of Scott Eyre and Bob Howry, the Cubs need to take a serious look at starters. Greg Maddux is on his last legs, Kerry Wood remains the eternal question mark and Williams and Mitre might be traded, so could Hendry be in the market for Florida's A.J. Burnett? The most coveted of the free-agent starters is young and has a golden arm, but he has been injured, has a record close to .500 and will take five years and at least $50 million to sign. "Possibly," Hendry replied when asked if he might seek a starter. "We're happy with the depth of our pen. In the right situation, I wouldn't say no to a starter." Most likely, Hendry wouldn't say no to anyone who had talent available at almost any position except reliever, first base and third base. ---------- chicagotribune.com