An Empty Feeling
Will Cubs Have Attendance Problems Next Year?

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Some people think Wrigley Field is going to be as sparse as the Chicago chapter of the Tony LaRussa Fan Club. Noting the Cubs have already had 27 games where the crowd was under 37,370, Bleed Cubbie Blue suggests the Cubs follow the Giants' model of basing prices on myriad factors, including weather, opponent, and more. "Some lowering of ticket prices... is necessary to lure ticket buyers back to the ballpark," the blog says. But Another Cubs Blog disagrees, saying, "There's no reason for anyone to think that attendance is going to drop."

Bleed Cubbie Blue: Taking attendance: A Cubs cautionary tale
Another Cubs Blog: Attendance problems?

The Sure Thing?
Can Cubs Afford NOT to Hire Sandberg?
Here's a promise: We won't write anything about the Cubs' managerial search unless it's good. This piece by Cubbie Doctor's Examiner makes the cut because it raises the point: Does the Ricketts family have the huevos to NOT hire Ryne Sandberg? "With the exception of the unlikely picks of Joe Girardi, Tony LaRussa or Joe Torre, the Cubs aren't likely to get any public relations boost by hiring anyone other than Ryne Sandberg," the blog says. So with the team at a very low point, can they afford to pick an unsexy name?

Cubbie Doctor's Examiner: What's going to happen if Sandberg doesn't get...

Turn Around, Bright Eyes
Cubs Could Contend Next Year in Mediocre Division
Everyone assumes the Cubs are going to suck next year. But CSN Chicago points out that the Cubs made some pretty quick turnarounds in years past (i.e., from 66 wins in 2006 to 97 in 2008). And believe it or not, the Cubs are still the richest team in the NL Central by far. That doesn't matter if you're signing players like Alfonso Soriano (gah). But if the team is smart about its money, the North Siders could find themselves with opportunities that Milwaukee and St. Louis can only dream of.

CSN Chicago: Cubs can rebuild quicker in weakened NL Central

Every DeRosa Has Its Thorn
Pitcher Recieved in DeRosa Trade Looks Promising
Some Cubs fans still get weepy when they think of Mark DeRosa. Well here's something to remember: Pitcher Chris Archer, one of the players the Cubs got in return for the super-utility man, is absolutely tearing it up in the minors. Archer is 15-3 with a 2.34 between Single-A and Double-A ball, and he's one of the main reasons the Tennessee Smokies are in the playoffs. At one point, he went 42 innings without giving up a run, and he's walked only 65 in just over 142 innings. Mark DeWho? Exactly.

Charlotte News Observer: Archer enjoying breakthrough year

The Ex-Cub Factor
A Look at the Dudes We Traded
It seems the taint from this painful season has stayed with everyone on the team — and off. Take Derrek Lee, for instance. He's batting a mere .250 for the Braves and already drawing the ire of Atlanta fans, according to View from the Bleachers. Ryan Theriot, Mike Fontenot... pretty much the same: Not much going on. The one ex-Cub who's doing well is Ted Lilly, who's boasting a 3.18 ERA for the LA Dodgers. Will he end up as a Cub again? View thinks no, that he'll probably end up staying in LA.

View from the Bleachers: Catching up with the recently traded

Looks like Tom Gorzelanny's injury still needs some time to heal... The movie "Ballhawks," a look at the crazy guys who stand outside the bleachers hoping to catch a homer, will show at the Music Box Theatre Saturday at 7pm... What is going on down in Tennessee with the songs and such?...

Submit your Rant on Facebook
*Don't be a Sox fan... be clever. If it's smart enough, we'll publish it here.
What's this?