Fans: Confidence in the Cubbies?

EVANSTON, IL - Although the Chicago Cubs spent over $300 million this offseason, their league-worst 66-96 record has left some fans weary of high expectations for 2007. With preseason games set to begin, an informal poll of Evanston residents indicates that some fans are more confident in the new-look Cubs than others.

“I really don’t know what to expect,” said Alex Obal, 19. “I mean, they lost 96 games last year. That said, they added a lot of talent through free agency and they play in the least threatening division in baseball.”

In a 2006 season marred with injuries, the Cubs hobbled to their worst record in 7 years. Mark Prior and Kerry Wood, two of the most prominent pitchers on Chicago’s roster, combined for only 13 starts. Derrek Lee, who had won the batting title the year before, missed 112 games after fracturing his wrist in April.

The Cubs were very active this offseason in an effort to avoid another horrid season. Chicago’s winter shopping spree was highlighted by the signing of Alfonso Soriano, arguably the biggest bat on the market, to an 8-year, $136 million contract. The Cubs also added starting pitchers Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis for a total of $61 million, and signed Mark DeRosa to play second base.

“Personally, I’m psyched,” said Chenfei Lu, 21. “Last year a lot of things went wrong, but most of it was uncontrollable. If the pitching stays healthy, the addition of Soriano can really bring the Cubs to the next level.”

Pitching health seems to be a key issue among even the most optimistic of Cubs fans. Rhine Misso, a self-proclaimed Cubs enthusiast, says that if Prior and Wood can stay off the disabled list, he expects the Cubs to be playing in October.

“Realistically, with a healthy pitching staff, they should have a 20-game win increase,” said Misso, 20. “Saying that, they had 66 wins last season. 86 wins should be good enough to win the [National League] Central or put them in a wildcard spot.”

Healthy pitchers or not, many fans are only cautiously optimistic about the 2007 season, with last year’s 96 losses still lingering in their minds. The Cubs, after all, have not won a World Series since 1908.

“They had a great offseason, but it’s the Cubs, so I try not to get too excited,” said Ashley Lipinski, 19. “I like our odds, but odds have gotten the better of this team for almost 100 years.”

Scott Gannon, a lifelong Cubs fan, shares similar sentiments, and recalls other occasions when the Cubs seemed to have all the pieces together.

“They’re heartbreakers, man,” said Gannon, 23. “The Soriano pickup is huge, and [new manager Lou] Piniella is a great leader. Realistically, I think they can win 85 games. You want them to win, but it’s hard to put any money on it after all that has happened.”