Top Ten stats the Cubs need to improve in 2009

This may seem like nitpicking on a team that won 97 games a year ago, but there are several areas where the Cubs can improve in 2009. And I won’t even mention the ridiculously low wages they give those hardworking seat vendors.

10: Ted Lilly's home runs allowed

2008- 32

The reliable lefty is probably the team's most consistent pitcher, but he often runs into trouble when his breaking ball hangs over the plate. Nobody can avoid giving up long balls entirely, but it'd be nice if Lilly didn't average almost one per start.

9: Sean Marshall's wins

2008: 3

Assuming that Marshall wins the fifth starter job, this number can only go up. And if he can duplicate the 11-9 record that Jason Marquis had last year in the fifth spot, the Cubs should be in great shape.

8: Ryan Theriot's errors

2008: 14

Defense never has and never will be The Riot’s strength. But I still have bad memories of his- and the other infielders- complete disaster in game 2 of last year’s playoff series. Playing next to old friend Mike Fontenot on a full-time basis might help out this year.

7: Chad Gaudain’s ERA

2008: 6.26

When Gaudain came over from the A’s in the Rich Harden deal, everybody thought it was another clever Jim Hendry move to add depth to the bullpen. And for his first few weeks on the team, it seemed to fit. But then in August and September Gaudain got hurt, followed by him constantly allowing runs. If he’s going to be a key guy in ’09, he’ll have to improve on 29 hits and 19 runs in 27 innings.

6: Alfonso Soriano’s steals

2008: 19

I’m in the minority on this one, but I don’t mind seeing Soriano lead off. My problem with him is his reluctance to steal bases. Three times in his career has he stolen more than 40 bases in a season, and two other times he’s gone over 30; In his two seasons with the Cubs, Sori has swiped 19 bags each year. Adding another speed element to the Cubs offense will only make it even more dangerous.

5: Rich Harden’s innings pitched

2008: 148 total, 71 with the Cubs

I just want to know one thing about Harden: Are Cubs fans looking at Marc Prior 2.0? Because if so, just get him out of here. Harden has great stuff and seems to enjoy Chicago, but if he’s only going to pitch half the season, I’d rather have somebody else.

4: Kosuke Fukudome’s batting average

2008: .257

To be honest, .257 is a lot better than I remembered for Kosuke. Then again, he hit .327 in April and .293 in May, compared to .193 in August and .178 in September/October. So maybe the horrible ending just blocked the amazing beginning out of my mind. I don’t expect Fukudome to contended for the NL batting title or anything, but I’d prefer if he got better as the season went on, not worse.

3: Derrek Lee’s double plays

2008: 27

Somebody (I can’t remember who, please notify yourself if this was you to receive well-earned credit) pointed out to me that the only reason DLee hit into so many double plays is because the Cubs were so efficient in getting on base in front of him. But if that’s the case, I expect more than 20 home runs from a #3 hitter. So either cut the DP’s way down or bring the homers up. Or if you’re really feeling nice Derrek, do both.

2: Carlos Zambrano’s August through October

2008: In nine starts, 2-2 record, 47 innings, 7.25 ERA

Big Z was horrible down the stretch, which can’t happen again for the team’s best pitcher. The crazy twist to this is that one of those nine starts, one of those two wins and nine of those 47 innings were Zambrano’s no-hitter on September 14. Without that amazing game, and his numbers would be even worse.

1: Team’s playoff batting average

2008: .240

It’s hard to complain too much on this one. The .240 mark is nearly a 50-point improvement over the team’s average in the 2007 playoffs.