Quality starter should be next on Cubs' list

By the time they took the Dome off Wrigley Field on Wednesday -- a Fukudome, that is -- GM Jim Hendry had turned his attention to more pressing matters.

He got the position player he most wanted in Kosuke, and now he's probably thinking about his pitching staff.

Sure, he'd like to get Brian Roberts from Baltimore, and he might yet, but Hendry has between now and Opening Day to discover a World Series quality pitching staff, knowing the team that swept the Cubs in October got better last week.

While steroids dominated the news, the Diamondbacks were acquiring Oakland ace Dan Haren, giving them two No. 1 pitchers in Brandon Webb and Haren, to go along with Doug Davis and Micah Owings.

And then there's 284-game winner Randy Johnson, who's again coming off back surgery and intends to be healthy enough to make a run at 300 in 2008.

Before sliding awkwardly and injuring his back again last June, Johnson had returned to form, going 4-0 in a 5-start stretch with a 1.52 ERA and 42 strikeouts vs. only 4 walks.

If that Johnson finds his way back next season, Arizona figures to be a frightening opponent come October.

Even without Johnson, Arizona is better and still a team that embarrassed the Cubs in the playoffs.

That has to have Hendry examining his own rotation, which at the moment consists of enigmatic ace Carlos Zambrano, a solid Ted Lilly, a progressing Rich Hill, an inconsistent Jason Marquis and -- as it stands today -- Sean Marshall or Ryan Dempster.

That rotation has some wondering if Kosuke and the Cubs' improved lineup is enough to overcome a staff that doesn't completely inspire confidence.

However, a deal for a front-end starter to slip in behind Zambrano or after Lilly might change that feeling, and there's plenty of talk on the Left Coast that the Athletics also will deal Joe Blanton, who has averaged 14 wins, 208 innings and a 4.04 ERA the last three years.

It's not exactly Hall of Fame stuff, but someone like Blanton, or preferably better, would give the rotation some quality insurance.

You have to believe Hendry is thinking along those lines as the calendar turns and spring training looms.

It's 102 days to the home opener, not that anyone without a snow blower is counting.

UnBearable

Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner is getting a lot of heat, and it's hard to argue with most of it.

On the other hand, at least Turner can point to terrible quarterback play, no offensive line, awful receivers and zero running game as reasons for his vanilla playcalling.

But if Bears coach Lovie Smith dumps Turner, Smith might also be forced to explain why he chased defensive coordinator Ron Rivera out of town in a power play and put in place his guy, Bob Babich.

The defense, which also has suffered from injuries, has been just as bad as the offense, so if Smith fires Turner -- or allows GM Jerry Angelo to whack Turner -- Smith's going to have to answer questions about Babich, who moved from the sideline to the booth in the middle of the season due to ineffectiveness or outbursts, depending on whom you believe.

Some firings appear inevitable, because there always are scapegoats after a season like this one, but it was such a total failure in every way that the entire staff and front office should be grateful they got lucky last season and hit the lottery with new contracts after the Super Bowl.

Or they'd all be out looking for work right now.

Scrooged

Any minute now, baseball boss Bud Selig is going to move the discussion from drugs to dollars and say that the game has never been better for the Have-Nots due to revenue sharing.

Meanwhile, the Haves fight over Torii Hunter, Johan Santana, Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis, Dan Haren and Kosuke Fukudome, sucking the life out of the Have-Nots in the process.

Yes, the game is perfect -- and drug-free, too, now that Selig has declared the performance-enhancing era over.

Ivan Boldirev-ing

You have to hand it to Rocky Wirtz and John McDonough not just for bringing back Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita but also for recently sending a letter to as many Blackhawks alumni as they could find, essentially inviting all ex-Hawks to return to the UC, where they will be welcomed with open arms.

For all the reasons you already know, many former Hawks have not felt at home in the building for a long time, and some will still be uncomfortable as long as certain members of the organization remain employed.

But this is nevertheless a very positive step.

The numbers

For what it's worth, the Bulls were 8-14 after 22 games this year, after being 12-10 last year, 11-11 in 2005-06, and 7-15 in 2004-05. They made the playoffs in each of those three seasons.

Flying low

Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "According to the NFL Network, which is now seen on 12 TV sets nationally, the Eagles were asking for three -- three! -- first-round draft picks for Donovan McNabb at the trade deadline. See, that's the difference between real life and Fantasy League. In one league I'm in, an owner is offering McNabb 'to anyone who wants him for any marginally useful player.' ''

East Coast pious

Sportspickle.com, on whether Roger Clemens' career is tainted: "No. He played for both the Red Sox and the Yankees. Therefore, he is one of the most important and greatest humans ever.''

And finally …

Comedian Alex Kaseberg, on the Chargers winning their division: "Clinching the AFC West is like being the girl with the most teeth at an Arkansas bar at last call.''

brozner@dailyherald.com