As it stands, are we better now than we were last year?

[savant]

DeRosa, Dempster, Soto and Theriot are the only people on the team that I would say had career years last year. DeRosa is gone Dempster is not going to forget how to pitch, Soto can still get better, and Theriot is what he is. Harden in a contract year, and Milton Bradley with something to prove for an entire season have the ability to be true difference makers. One of these years Ramirez is finally going to have his career year. Fukudome is not as good as he was in the first two months, but he really is not as bad as he was in the second half either. Edmonds excellent offensive production came at the price of terrible defense in centerfield. I really like the potential of everyone the Cubs have mentioned as possible candidates to be the fifth starter. On paper this is the most talented Cubs team I have ever seen as it is currently constructed.