MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
1B Derrek Lee's breakout season didn't help the Cubs make it to the playoffs, but he became a quick hero in town because of his loud hitting and quiet, unassuming style. He put up Sammy Sosa-like numbers but didn't feature all of the negative baggage. Lee has one more year left on his contract, but Cubs officials will likely explore an extension for him next year. If Lee can put up another monster season in 2006, he will be a highly sought after free agent.

MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER
SS Nomar Garciaparra was paid $8 million for 2005 to prove that his injury troubles were over. Instead, he suffered a groin injury on April 20 and didn't return until Aug. 5. In that time, the Cubs missed his bat in the lineup. He came back for a tease and hit well and even switched positions to third base after Aramis Ramirez went down with an injury. But it was not enough. He was a risk to sign for that kind of money, and his absence in May, June and July burned the North Siders.

FREE AGENT FOCUS
It's hard to imagine the Cubs bringing back SS Nomar Garciaparra or picking up RF Jeromy Burnitz's $7 million option. They still need to decide if they want 2B Todd Walker back at $2.5 million next year. Those are the three key players to watch, and if all three are gone look for the Cubs to make a huge run at Atlanta free agent Rafael Furcal and try out rookie Ronny Cedeno at second base.

PROSPECT WATCH
LF Matt Murton and INF Ronny Cedeno have too much service time this season to be considered for Rookie of the Year honors in 2006, but both are prospects who could be starting for the Cubs next year and are hoping to make an impact. LHP Rich Hill, who struck out 194 minor league hitters in 2005, didn't shine in three stints with the parent club but is holding out hope he can break into the rotation next year. CF Felix Pie, who spent most of his Double-A West Tenn season nursing an ankle injury, could battle Corey Patterson next spring.

MEDICAL WATCH
The Cubs have been bitten by the injury bug all year but hope none of the setbacks from 2005 will linger into 2006. The biggest concern is RHP Kerry Wood's August 31 arthoscopic right shoulder surgery. Cubs officials are convinced everything is cleaned out and hope he is ready to open the season in the rotation next year. But it's not a given and the team will search for a starter during the offseason as insurance. 3B Aramis Ramirez missed the final month of the season because of a strained left quadriceps muscle and had various other nagging injuries throughout the season. The Cubs will have representatives monitor his progress in the Dominican Republic during the winter. RHP Carlos Zambrano also had nagging injuries that never put him on the DL but forced him to leave some starts early during the season. The Cubs will monitor him when he goes home to Venezuela and want to make sure the 265-pound Zambrano stays in shape.

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