Question #6

What are the top three things that went wrong for the Cubs this year, foreseeable or not? (Cub Reporter)

1. Injuries. Nomar, Wood, Prior, some really freaky like Nomar's and Prior's. If all three are healthy, the Cubs I don't think ever flirt with a .500 record and contend for a wildcard.

2. Bullpen. LaTroy should have never been the closer. Dempster should have been and Rusch should have been a starter. Hindsight is always 20/20 and I was never sold with Dempster being the closer before he was installed. But, LaTroy has always been a set up guy, Rusch has always been a better starter, and Borowski was injured at the start of the season. Dempster was the best option then.

3. Tie- Patterson vs. Neifi and Macias. Corey Patterson's decline was dumbfounding and dissapointing. Neifi and Macias got too many at-bats not allowing the rookies to pinch hit or play every day.