As far as the 2011 outlook, there's still a decision to be made at manager. Early favorites seem to be pointing in the direction of Mike Quade, although longshots Ryne Sandberg and Joe Girardi could end up with the position. I believe Quade ends up with the job, simply because Sandberg and Girardi are smart enough to know that the Cubs won't be in position to be serious contenders for another two years. Then again Sandberg might not be that smart...
As of right now the Cubs have $103 million committed to next season, plus 7 - repeat 7 - arbitration cases which will put at figure around $110-$120 million ($94.225 million of which belonging to 6 players). The days of the Cubs spending ridiculous amounts of money on impact free agents are over for a while, so they're stuck with the hand they have.
The good news is, there is some good young talent on the Cubs with Starlin Castro, Tyler Colvin, Casey Coleman and Andrew Cashner. The bad news is they still are stuck with big money contracts they cannot get out from under, and Jim Hendry has convinced the Ricketts that he should still have his job.
Whether that will be enough to convince the sudden no-shows which are responsible for historic lows in attendance to return remains to be seen.
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