It's a new year, a new season to look forward to, new seats in the
bleachers, and a new mailbag.
Chicago Cubs fans didn't take the holidays off. About 600 sent e-
mails when they heard the rumors about a possible deal which would've
sent Mark Prior to the Baltimore Orioles for shortstop Miguel Tejada.
The latest gossip over the weekend was a four-team, 11-player swap
that included Tejada -- but not the Cubs.

Send your questions to cubs06hit@... (that's "06" as in 2006)
and include your name and hometown. The next mailbag will be Jan. 9.

Prior for Tejada? Is that serious? Is there any truth to the Prior
for Tejada trade rumors?
-- Joseph G., Berwyn, Ill.

Here's what I know: Tejada said he wasn't happy with the Orioles'
offseason moves, or lack thereof, and hinted he wanted to be traded.
The Cubs, who lost their bid to acquire free agent shortstop Rafael
Furcal, contacted the Orioles and said they were interested if
Baltimore decided to deal the one-time American League MVP. The
Orioles first asked for Carlos Zambrano. The Cubs said no, and
Prior's name came up. If the Cubs dealt Prior, they wanted a starting
pitcher in return, such as left-hander Eric Bedard. No deal, the O's
said. Last Thursday, Tejada said he wanted to go "somewhere where
they want to win." The O's apparently are insisting on Zambrano, and
the Cubs again are saying no. To the fans who have suggested the Cubs
trade Kerry Wood, keep in mind he is coming off surgery. He is
progressing well in his rehab, but no one knows for sure what to
expect -- which makes him untradeable.

How will the 2006 lineup shake up with the acquisition of Jacque
Jones? Obviously, Juan Pierre will be at the top of the order, but
then what? Does Dusty Baker put Jones in the middle of Derrek Lee and
Aramis Ramirez to give a righty-lefty-righty lineup, or will he have
other plans?
-- Josh P., Algona, Iowa

I'm not sure exactly what the Cubs lineup will be -- I should have a
better idea when I see Baker at the Cubs Convention -- but here's a
guess: CF Juan Pierre, 2B Todd Walker, 1B Derrek Lee, 3B Aramis
Ramirez, RF Jacque Jones, LF Matt Murton, C Michael Barrett, SS Ronny
Cedeno.

Cubs general manager Jim Hendry seems to have achieved the obvious
goals for 2006 (a pair of relievers, a leadoff man and a right
fielder), but regarding whether the Cubs were done dealing, he said
in the Jones announcement, "We're a long way from Opening Day." What
positions does he have in mind?
-- Chad P., Bloomington, Ill.

A good general manager is constantly on the lookout for ways to
improve the team -- which is why the Cubs explored the possibility of
adding Tejada even though they like the idea of Cedeno at short. If
they made that deal, Cedeno would move to second, the Cubs would have
an overload of middle infielders (Walker, Neifi Perez, Jerry Hairston
Jr.) and most likely would've done something else. Hendry needs to
fill in the bench. And the Cubs need to figure out what to do with
Corey Patterson.

Do you think Jones is an upgrade over Jeromy Burnitz? Burnitz came to
play with a professional attitude every day and his numbers were just
as good, and he wouldn't have required a three-year deal. Where does
Felix Pie fit in?
-- Ken W., Fort Worth, Texas


Burnitz hit .237 in the second half of the 2005 season, which didn't
justify picking up his $7 million option for 2006. Jones comes from
the Twins organization, which placed a heavy emphasis on
fundamentals. He should be able to hit 25 home runs, should be able
to run more, and should not bat .249 again (which he did in '05). In
this day and age, free agents usually get two- or three-year deals.
As for Pie, he isn't ready yet, and will start the season at Triple-A
Iowa.

We've all heard how great Pie is and that he's the next superstar.
Sounds familiar. I remember hearing the same thing about Patterson.
My question is this: Why take a risk with Pie when we can trade him
and get a proven player in return? We have Pierre now and he's still
young. We can sign Pierre to a four- or five-year deal and work on
another center field prospect. I can deal with watching Pie hit .330
and steal 50 bases for the Yankees in '08 if it means a World Series
for the Cubs in '06. The future is now.
-- Dave R., Mt. Prospect, Ill.

One, no team will give a proven star for a Pie who hasn't played
above Double-A. Two, for a team to have a rational payroll there has
to be a mix of well-paid veterans and young players who haven't yet
reached the $10 million a year plateau. Pie is not just a center
field prospect -- he could be something special. I don't want to
watch him play for the Yankees.

Will it still be general admission seating for the Wrigley Field
bleachers in 2006? If so, will there be any new gates for entry? The
one entry is often backed up when the gates open and by the time you
get in, the Cubs are nearly finished with batting practice. If there
are no new gates, will there be a way to speed up entry into Wrigley
to watch BP?
-- Chris E., Grayslake, Ill.

Yes, it will be general admission to the bleachers except for a
section in the right-field corner that will be reserved seating.
There will be one entrance, but more turnstyles, or ports of entry,
for fans. Tickets go on sale on Feb. 24. Later this month, the Cubs
will announce the details for purchasing tickets.

Do you think Wrigley Field is part of the Cubs' long-term issues? If
the wind is blowing in, Wrigley is a pitcher's park, and blowing out,
it's a band box. It becomes hard to build a team for a park that
changes, literally, with the wind.
-- Chandler G., Rockmart, Ga.

Fergie Jenkins said he didn't let the wind affect his pitching, and
he's in the Hall of Fame. This may sound blasphemous, but how would
the 2005 White Sox -- with their balanced offense and solid (and
healthy) pitching -- have done playing in Wrigley Field for 81 home
games? Maybe that's the answer.

How many former Cub players went on to successful managing careers?
-- Lori P., Joliet, Ill.

Here are a few: Cap Anson played for the Cubs from 1876-1897, and was
a player/manager from 1875-1898. He won five National League
pennants, and finished with a 1,296-947 career record as a skipper.
Charlie Grimm played for the Cubs from 1925-36, and was a
player/manager from 1932-36, and won four pennants. Grimm finished
with a 1,287-1,067 record. Don Zimmer played for the Cubs from 1960-
61, and went on to manage the Red Sox, Cubs, Padres and Rangers. He
compiled an 885-858 record. Chuck Tanner played for the Cubs from
1957-58, and managed the Chicago White Sox, Atlanta Braves, Oakland
and Pittsburgh from 1970-88, winning a World Series in 1979 with the
Pirates. Former Pittsburgh manager Lloyd McClendon played for the
Cubs as did St. Louis' Tony La Russa and Boston's Terry Francona.
Let's see what former Cubs catcher Joe Girardi can do with the
Florida Marlins.