Let’s go back, shall we, to the Burnitz trade discussed earlier. Now that it’s illegal to use MLB’s intellectual property (player statistics) without its expressed written consent and a cleared check for millions of dollars, I’m reluctant to make the point myself, but I can quote the Chicago Tribune:

Mystery man: Last summer the pressure was on Burnitz to replace Sammy Sosa’s numbers in right field. This summer, the pressure will be on (Jacque) Jones to replace Burnitz’s numbers (.258, 24 HR, 87 RBIs). With the Twins, Jones hit .249 with 23 homers and 73 RBIs but struck out more times (120-109) than Burnitz. He has been productive in the past (24 HR, 80 RBIs in 2004) so the Cubs are hoping a change of scenery will do him good.

I rest my case — Burnitz may be a “windmill,” but Jones is even worse.

Ok, to heck with the law. Burnitz did replace Sosa’s numbers at right:

2004 (Sosa) - .253, 35 HR, 80 RBIs, 133 Strikeouts
2005 (Burnitz) - .258, 24 HR, 87 RBIs, 109 Strikeouts

***

I contend that the Cubs have made a series of bad trades, Sosa being the exception.

Good players, great players and rising stars that should not have been traded or released include: Moises Alou, Matt Clement, Mark Grudzielanek and Sergio Mitre.

They said Clement wanted too much money, but we paid Nomar to do nothing.

It’s pretty much the same story all around. Let’s look at left field, for example.

In 2004, Moises Alou batted .293, with 39 HR, 106 RBI and 80 Strikeouts.

Alou wanted to stay, but in 2005 the Cubs let him go, opting instead for a combination of Todd Hollandsworth, Jason Dubois, Jody Gerut and Matt Murton. With the exception of Murton, a rising star the Cubs still don’t fully trust as a starter, the results of this decision were pathetic:

2005 Alou - .321, 19 HR, 63 RBI, 43 Strikeouts
2005 Hollandsworth - .254, 5 HR, 35 RBI, 53 Strikeouts
2005 Dubois - .239, 7 HR, 22 RBI, 49 Strikeouts
2005 Gerut - .071, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3 Strikeouts
2005 Murton - .321, 7 HR, 14 RBI, 22 Strikeouts

***

This season, while everyone else is watching short (to compare Neifi with the much-vaunted Nomar), I’m going to be monitoring the following matchups:

Sergio Mitre vs. Wade Miller
Jeromy Burnitz vs. Jacque Jones
Mark Grudzielanek vs. Todd Walker
Matt Clement vs. Jerome Williams

I’m also going to be looking for the promised dramatic improvements in leadoff hits, stolen bases and successful bunts, which are supposed to be provided by speedy newcomers Jones and Juan Pierre. I’ve said such numbers could have been achieved with existing players if we had just implemented a more consistent batting order and starting roster.

***

Overall, I have low expectations for all those previously mentioned, plus John Mabry, Jerry Hairston and most of the bullpen.

On the other hand, I must say that I’m very happy with Derek Lee, Carlos Zambrano and Michael Barrett. I’m cautiously optimistic about Mark Prior, Aramis Ramirez, Greg Maddux, Glendon Rusch and Neifi Perez, and I’m still holding out hope for Kerry Wood. I would also like to see more good things out of Matt Murton, Ronny Cedeno, Henry Blanco and Ryan Dempster.

Go Cubs.