FanHouse Andrew Cashner

Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2010.

Considering the Cubs were probably the most disappointing team in baseball in 2009, they definitely have their work cut out for them this offseason in order to return to being a legitimate contender. I guess Cubs fans should take solace in the fact that a winning season was considered a colossal failure -- after all, they have had a winning record in three consecutive seasons for the first time since the Nixon administration now. It's simply a sign that the bar has been raised in Wrigleyville. No longer content to play "lovable losers," Lou Piniella's Cubs are determined to win it all. New owner and lifelong Cubs fan Tom Ricketts has guaranteed the Cubs will win a World Series under his watch.

After altering the best Cubs team since 1945, general manager Jim Hendry has to find a way to get some of that magic back in 2010. He'll have to start by unloading one of the biggest mistakes of his career.

---

---

The Cubs continue to make minor tweaks to their roster as they cling to relevancy in the NL Central race. After recalling Kevin Hart and Sam Fuld in the past few days, relief pitcher Jeff Samardzija was brought back to the big leagues Tuesday. He'll replace Jose Ascanio in the bullpen.

Samardzija, the highly popular pitcher who once played wide receiver for Notre Dame's football team, came onto the scene with a solid rookie season in 2008. He worked 26 times and compiled a 2.28 ERA. Earlier this year, though, Samardzija had a rough go at the major league level. In five outings, his ERA was a large 8.10.

Wondering which young players could have an impact in the majors this year? Let MLB FanHouse guide the way in Better Know a Prospect. In this edition we look at three players from the Chicago Cubs' minor league system.

First of all, let's get one thing straight here. The Cubs are pushing all their chips to the center of the table this season. It's now or never, as far as they are concerned. In turn, they are much more likely to trade prospects for veterans to plug holes created by injuries or ineffectiveness.

Now that the exciting action of MLB's amateur draft has completed it's first round, it's time to take a look at our country's next millionaires. Here's a quick glance at the first round selections by the teams of the AL West.

Pittsburgh Pirates (2)- Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Vanderbilt (pictured)- Are you ready to live in a world where the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted the best player available to them, even though his agent is Scott Boras and he's going to command a big pile of cash? Anyways, Alvarez has some serious left-handed thump that should play almost perfectly to PNC Park and he should be on an extreme fast-track to the big leagues, as he's been compared with guys like Evan Longoria and Ryan Zimmerman. The pick is really a great step in the right direction for the Pirates new front office.

Cincinnati Reds (7)- Yonder Alonso, 1B Miami (FL)- I think this may have been the first surprising pick of the day, given that Justin Smoak was still on the board. He's a very good hitter with a good approach at the plate, but the most optimistic description of his defense I heard given was that he's "adequate" at first base. That's not exactly a ringing endorsement, which might make this pick a little questionable for an NL club. Still, Alonso CAN rake and Great American Ballpark is a great place for hitters.