Some of the new faces include: OFHenry Rodriguez, 2B Mickey Morandini, SS Jeff Blauser, CP Rod "the Rock" Beck, C Sandy Martinez, OF Matt Mieske, P Kurt Miller, P Danny Jackson... just kidding, P Terry Mullholand ,P Alan Mahaffy. The new crop includes four major impact players and plenty of bench help. Bench help will be in demand for the Cubs as they lost two of the league's best pinch hitters in Dave Clark and Dave Hansen.

What was the biggest problem Cubs hitters faced last year? Well, there was a couple. The two biggest of the problems being the lack of power and on-base percentage in the everyday lineup. Without question the Cubs addressed one of those problems when they traded for OF Henry Rodriquez. But, when the Cubs traded for him they also made the strikeout problem a tad bit bigger. For the Cubs to be more succesful this year and possibly contend for the division, Sosa and Rodriguez must drastically cut down on strikeouts. It's possible the Cubs are planning on Blausers on-base percentage to equalize the strikeouts that Rodriguez will produce. Morandini will also provide good contact in the lineup for the Cubs. It looks like the Cubs will provide a sufficient amount of power in the line-up will improve with the new acquisitions, but, the Cubs probably should have addressed the strikeout problem with a little more intensity.

The Cubs, acquired a number of different role playing pitchers in the off-season. From the Marlins, the cubs traded for pitcher Kurt Miller. Miller is a great talent, and has shown good stuff in the Florida minor league system. Another of the notable acquisitions, again, was LHSP Terry Mulholland. Mulholland, did not post a great record last year, but had almost no run support from the Cubbies. Mulholland has signed a minor-league contract but will compete for a spot in the rotation with the Cubbies. Rod "the Rock" Beck, will try to step in and fill the empty shoes of superstar Mel Rojas. The Rock has a tough job ahead of him. The cubs pitching staff, though not very week last year has been strengthened with some of the Cubs acquisitions.

As longtime Cubs fans, it pleases us to see the Cubs making a strong effort to contend in the playoffs. The new acquisitions will provide hope for all Cub fans. So feel free to brag to all your friends about how bad the Cubs are going kick their favorite team's A--.

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