Soriano to the Cubs... Will it Matter?

The answer to this question is both yes and no, depending on what additional moves the Cubs make.  Last time I checked, the Texas Rangers' experiment of more offense has not gotten them to the playoffs recently because baseball, in spite of fans' love of offense is all about three things - pitching, pitching, and pitching.  Whoever pitches wins.  It's that simple.  Look at the 2005 White Sox.  Underwhelming, yet productive offense.  Outstanding pitching.  World Series Champions.  The 2006 Cardinals, while not on paper as strong as the Tigers' pitching staff, pitched better than the Tigers did when it counted.  They also didn't throw the ball away whenever throwing anywhere but home plate! 

I will have to bring just a tad bit of rain to the Cubs' parade unless they can get substantial pitching upgrades.  Sure, they have Carlos Zambrano.  After that?  Mark Prior?  Will he be healthy, both physically and mentally?  Will Kerry Wood do his usual breakdown?  What will his role be?  In the bullpen?  Almost certainly not as a starter.  Then you have guys like Rich Hill, Sean Marshall and company.  Can they honesly be relied on to bring a World Championship to the North Side?  Neal Cotts is a nice addition from the 2005 World Series Champion Chicago White Sox, but he was wildly inconsistent last season, and that's putting it nicely.  He may bounce back, but only time will tell. 

The offseason has only just begun.  It is too early to tell where the Cubs might be in 2007.  Soriano is an impact offensive player who will no doubt love hitting in Wrigley Field.  But he can't pitch for the Cubs.  And pitching, not hitting, as is proven time and again, wins Championships.