The Fourth of July is supposed to be a celebration of joy and independence. For the Chicago Cubs, the Fourth marked the end of a march to a 40-41 half-season record. And for us Cubs’ fans, the only cause for celebration is Derrek Lee’s amazing first half performance. Everything else? Oh, not so much.

Injuries, an inconsistent lineup, a consistently below average bullpen, and the sucktastic managing of one Dusty Baker have led to the underachieving team we have seen on the fields of the National League so far in 2005. Really, all this team has done is prove it is a repeat of the 2004 squad. Except worse.

So, what to do about this team? I don’t claim myself to be a baseball expert, but I think there are seven choices, both short and long-term, that could lead to this team and this organization towards being better overall, both in 2005 and in the future. And, even if the Cubs don’t make the 2005 postseason (“Playoffs? What are you talking about? PLAYOFFS?!?!?”), the future could be hugely successful if some good decisions are made now and in the 2005-06 offseason.

SHORT-TERM CHOICES

1. Buyers or Sellers?

Decide now, then stick to it. If GM Jim Hendry thinks this team can make the playoffs with one or two additions, plus the Nomar Garciaparra and Scott Williamson additions that many think will happen sometime in the second half, then Hendry needs to act with force in the next week rather than wait until the July 31 trade deadline to add pieces. If Hendry doesn’t think the playoffs are in reach, then certain parts need to go and the team needs to build for 2006 and beyond. Jeromy Burnitz, Todd Hollandsworth, Mike Remlinger, Corey Patterson, and Glendon Rusch are five players that could reap future rewards with prospects the Cubs can get while trading them. Trading these players sooner will also raise the price teams will pay for these players. However, the same theory applies if the Cubs wish to be buyers. But, as I will explain in the next segment, I don’t think that consideration is as important for the Cubs as it is for most other teams in MLB.

2. Use the Minor League System

The Cubs have a highly-considered farm system, and many pitchers in the system are considered possible future stars. But, you must give up something to get something. Even with the somewhat recent deals of Jon Garland and Dontrelle Willis from the Cubs’ system, the Cubs should not be cautious when considering trading prospects. Indeed, they should be aggressive. Potential talent begets current talent, even if that potential occasionally comes back to bite you.

3. Fundamental Flaws?

The Cubs have not been very good in the fundamental and execution department lately. Just last night we saw a sacrifice bunt attempt fail and another baserunning mistake. Almost as bad as the constant baserunning errors and defensive miscues are the facts that manager Dusty Baker doesn’t demand better and that the Chicago press simply doesn’t call out Baker or the players on the Little League-esque mistakes.

BOTH SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM CHOICES

4. Hitting Approach

Simply put, the plate approach the Cubs have displayed in 2005 and in some of the years past has not been good. The organization as a whole must focus more on patience and not so much on the long ball. Building a successful offense for a team playing 81 games at Wrigley Field requires a team which can consistently score runs no matter the wind direction. The key for doing this: Line-drive hitters. Power hittings swinging for the fences find many of their Waveland shots when the wind blows out land in a glove at the warning track when the wind blows in… Players that hit mostly line drives will nullify the effect of the wind, but if balls can’t land in the bleachers then it’s best for them to be hit on a line. However, with the high number of days the wind blows out, these hitters must also show at least occasional pop in their bat. The prototypical players, in my opinion, for this kind of approach are Johnny Damon and Todd Walker from the left side, with Derrek Lee and Mark Loretta from the right side. It is pure coincidence that two of these four are on the Cubs now, one was almost a Cub, while the other player is rumored to be a free-agent target of the Cubs in the 2005-06 offseason. Demanding a better approach now (and in the future) should result in wins FROM the offense, for once.

5. The Future of Dusty Baker

The Cubs are in a tough position with Dusty Baker. A big contract plus a good sport-wide reputation means a premature jettison would not play well in baseball circles and also cost the franchise extra money. However, a watcher of the Dusty-led Cubs in the past two and a half years would see, for the most part, a team that plays without emotion, has next to no clue at the plate or on the bases, and often simply looks out of control in many areas. There is no accountability, the execution is average at best, and while I don’t doubt Dusty’s will to win, it definitely is NOT showing up enough publicly for an organization that isn’t exactly known for its successes. If not for the fact Houston and St. Louis struggled mightily in 2003, Baker might not be the Cubs’ manager right now. 2003 bought Baker extra time, in my opinion. But, in baseball, talent and execution and even luck are needed to get the World Series crown. So, if Jim Hendry thinks Dusty Baker is the best long-term option as the Cubs’ manager, then that needs to be made clear as soon as possible. A possible storm next year over Dusty’s future will only work to hurt the team. If Hendry doesn’t think Baker is the man for the job, then he should cut the losses and let Dusty go after the season ends. Or sooner, if need be.

LONG-TERM CHOICES

6. Build a Successful Bullpen

The Cubs’ attempts over the years to build a good bullpen have simply not worked out. From Rojas to Hawkins, Williams to Gordon, Aguilera to Alfonseca, the so-called “closer” position has been a trouble spot. And to double the frustration, the organization has not done a good job of getting MLB-caliber relievers up to the big club that could get outs consistently. The best model for a revampment of the bullpen, in my opinion, is to look at what Atlanta has done for most of their recent success. The Braves often have rebuilt parts of their bullpen from year to year, with a revolving door of cheap veteran pitchers (Who were good with inherited runners and opponents’ batting average, even if their strikeout numbers were not so good…) going with a young pitcher or two that showed potential for strikeouts and getting big outs even if they were inconsistent. This made the offseason Kolb pickup go against their own pattern of success. And that move, of course, has not worked out. How interesting…

Anyway, with Ryan Dempster currently looking capable of holding down the closer spot for a few years, I think a new Atlanta-like approach could work to the Cubs’ benefit long-term.

7. Keep the Starting Pitching, but Defense Wins Championships, No Matter the Sport…

Prior, Wood, and Zambrano are the team, the franchise. The future of this team depends on those three staying with the team and being put into the best positions to succeed. Why not allow for a team which could field everything put into play? Building an outfield that can cover a lot of ground, especially with Wrigley’s deeper than normal corners, would mean that opposing teams would get fewer hits off the pitching. Fewer hits would lead to fewer “pressure” pitches. And fewer “pressure” pitches, combined with a good bullpen, would lead to more pitch-efficient outings and lead to better health. The same advantages would apply to a strong defensive infield. You can’t completely sacrifice offense for defense all the time, but I think the Cubs should do it more than they are right now. A good defense wouldn’t only help the Cubs win. It would help the Cubs keep their most prized possessions, their young power pitchers, healthy.

It is not easy to admit, but changes need to be made. I don’t expect my thoughts to be read by GM Jim Hendry, or anyone else high up in the Cubs’ organization for that matter. And, even if they did, I am not egotistical enough to think any of my thoughts would be followed. But, as a Cubs’ fan, I have to speak up and talk about my frustrations with the current team and what I think might help improve it. I think it is clear now: Changes are needed to win. And it is good for my soul, anyway, to say that.