Hendry optimistic about 2011 season

The Cubs drew criticism this year for depending too much on "if this happens" or "if so-and-so rebounds with a good year."

Some of those "ifs," such as catcher Geovany Soto, came through, but they weren't enough for a good season. After Saturday's 7-3 victory, the Cubs are 70-84.

They may be in the same boat next year, especially if the Ricketts family cuts player payroll at the major-league level as has been speculated.

General manager Jim Hendry acknowledged the disappointment of this season but tried to sound optimistic for next year.

"Obviously, it was very disappointing the way we played the first couple months," Hendry said before Saturday's game. "A lot of things went wrong. We didn't play very good baseball for a long period of time. Certainly by the (all-star) break, we knew we were pretty much out of it.

"So then you just have to roll up your sleeves and get to work and make some trades to move forward and also get ready to prepare for the off-season and see what you have possibly going into spring training. We're in the process of doing that and finalizing that, so that part of it's been good."

Hendry earlier this year said the Cubs don't need a massive rebuilding job, that "three or four moves" would put them back into contention.

But there still appear to be a lot of "ifs" once again heading into 2011.

"I think our young players have shown enough," Hendry said. "A lot of them can come in and compete and hopefully win jobs next year. Obviously, if you look at the game here the last five, six, seven years in major-league baseball, a lot of clubs have gone from fourth or fifth right back to the top.

"You see what the Padres did. Just by finishing strong last year, the Reds (improved this year). Everyone picked the Cardinals to win and probably not too many people picked the Reds to come in second. But they set the tone for where they were going the second half of last year, and they executed it well. It takes good fortune and a few solid moves and your young people to keep developing. And you stay healthy and you get right back in it."

Although some high-priced players such as Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez will be a year older and not necessarily better next year, Hendry cited the development of youngsters Starlin Castro, Tyler Colvin, Andrew Cashner and James Russell.

"There are some positives to build around, and there are certainly enough younger players and younger pitchers now to have an optimistic view of the future," he said.