Chicago

The 2003 season changed Cubs' fans lives forever.

We all know about Steve Bartman, Moises Alou, Alex Gonzalez, Mark Prior, and Dusty Baker in Game Six of the 2003 NLCS.

Each of them had a role in the epic collapse, and each has left a sour taste in the mouths of Cubs fans.  

The one man who nobody talks about is the GM at the time, Jim Hendry.  

All is quiet on the northern front in Chicago baseball so far this winter.

Which is odd, because Jim Hendry's last few winters have been highlighted by more big game hunting than a weekend with Ted Nugent.

When a guy's resume includes bringing in names like Alfonso Soriano, Ted Lilly, Kosuke Fukudome and Milton Bradley, and when you consider how public Hendry's courtship of each player was, the fact that there hasn't been much of a peep from Hendry so far in November is intriguing to say the least.

When it comes down to numbers, right-handed pitchers have an easier go of it in Major League Baseball.

Only about one-quarter of all batters in the league hit left-handed, meaning right-handed pitchers can expect to have the platoon advantage over 75 percent of the hitters they face (removing the admittedly estimable impact of tactical maneuvering).

Lefties, however, always seem to garner the most attention when it comes time to construct or evaluate a team's pitching staff.

For Cubs fans, the Verducci effect is an old and familiar foe, even if they have never heard of it. First set forth by Sports Illustrated baseball guru Tom Verducci , the theory concerns escalating innings totals for young pitchers.

When a team identifies a weakness in their lineup, whether offensive or defensive, there are three avenues through which the club can attempt to augment their efficiency at that position.

First and most common, the club can look to the free-agent and trade markets to find a suitable upgrade.

Second, they can replace from within, by promoting a highly-touted prospect.

It's closing in on Thanksgiving and baseball circles are starting to heat up with discussion about players moving from one city to another.

The wonderful part of being a fan at this time of year is the speculation that comes with rumors, whispers, and just throwing junk at the wall to see what sticks.

In the spirit of discussion, I present to you an idea for discussion: the Cubs should explore trading third baseman Aramis Ramirez to the Phillies.

First, let's walk through the foundation of why this deal would even be a consideration for either side.

Various media outlets are reporting that 43-year-old Omar Vizquel, a potential Hall-of-Fame shortstop, is close to agreeing to a one-year contract to join the Chicago White Sox.

Vizquel would reportedly join the White Sox in a reserve role.

The White Sox have already made some changes to their infield this winter. Sox GM Kenny Williams dealt young second baseman Chris Getz and third baseman Josh Fields to Kansas City for Mark Teahen, and said he plans to play Teahen at third base in 2010.

Not sure if anyone read the latest foot-in-mouth interview from Chicago's North Side, but this time it isn't one of the usual suspects.

No, it wasn't Milton Bradley talking about how racist the fans were. And it wasn't Geovany Soto talking about the proper way to pack a bong during the World Baseball Classic.

This time, it was closer-to-be Carlos Marmol. And he was jumping all over the hot stove.

The Chicago Cubs took the first concrete steps toward crystallizing their team in 2010 today, trading right-handed pitcher Aaron Heilman and re-signing would-be free agent John Grabow. 

Those steps were preliminary, though, and general manager Jim Hendry knows that in order to make more drastic and necessary changes, he must first resolve the single most dauntingly enigmatic question that faces Chicago during this offseason: To whom will Hendry send outfielder Milton Bradley?

In a move that restores all hope to Chicago Cubs fans, GM Jim Hendry found someone dumber than himself and made a trade.

The Cubs dealt Aaron "The Gas Can" Heilman to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday for minor leaguers Ryne White and Scott...who cares. Heilman's gone, people! Party!

In a related story, the bag of balls that had been rumored to be dealt to Chicago for Heilman is relieved to be staying in Arizona for the winter.

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