Handicapping the Field

Since Lou Piniella's retirement announcement, many names have been cited as possible successors as Cubs manager. So will it be Bobby Valentine? Joe Girardi? Ryne Sandberg? Fredi Gonzalez? Bob Brenly?

The answer - it's irrelevant. As long as the Cubs continue to be handicapped by a general manager who thinks it's a good idea to give multi-year contracts to backup middle infielders, mediocre middle relievers, and complete whack-jobs, the next manager is screwed.