Off-Day Open Thread

While this season has so far exceeded my expectations (concerning record), it comes with some heavy dampers on it. I am doing a great job enjoying every moment of winning baseball I can savor, but I am far too big of a fan to be able to do that without thinking of years to come. It certainly appears right now as if this could be the best team we put out on the field for at least a few years, though saying so discredits the work Doug Melvin has done to build this 2008 team.

However, the Cubs have been having the true dream season and appear to be running the anchor of a magical 100-year journey back to a World Series championship. There’s plenty of room for the Cubs to choke (this week would be a good start) but Cubs fans have as much reason as ever to believe that this is their best shot yet. And it’s hard to refute them. Unfortunately, these two seasons have come the same year and one will have to negate the other.

Next year we likely won’t have Ben Sheets or CC, though our rotation still looks pretty strong with Gallardo, Parra, Suppan, a rejuvenated Bush who seems to be at the peak of his career, and possibly McClung as the very-early prediction. Cameron will be gone barring a re-signing (I wouldn’t be against it), our bullpen could scatter, and we’ll probably still be stuck with Weeks. So it doesn’t really seem so bad.

Now to answer the questions:
-Yes, possibly as soon as this week
-Not after Sunday
-Hm, I thought that whole minor league deal was over with when Ryan Braun was called up
-No, with Prince and CC in the same clubhouse players have already had to cut portions
-I don’t care, as long as she has to pick up a couple of tennis balls during the tournament