The Cubs will introduce Jed Hoyer as their new general manager during a Tuesday afternoon news conference.
He'll be joined by scouting and player-development chief Jason McLeod. That will complete the reunion of the Boston "band," as both will work under newly hired baseball president Theo Epstein in Boston.
They seem like a smart bunch, so let's assume these guys know what they're getting themselves into.
Even so, the new front office is inheriting a huge job in getting this big-market baseball team back to some semblance of respectability.
In fairness to everybody, Epstein and Hoyer should make it their first priority to decide once and for all the fate of field manager Mike Quade, who has played the good soldier by lying low and not fielding media inquiries. A source close to the situation said Monday that Quade has met with Epstein and Hoyer.
Many on-field issues remain. Let's examine a few of them.
The Ramirez situation:
Third baseman Aramis Ramirez quickly turned down his half of the $16 million mutual option he and the Cubs held for 2012. The Cubs picked up their part of the option Sunday night, but Ramirez wasted no time declining.
That will save the Cubs a $2 million buyout, but it leaves them with a gaping hole at third base, with Ramirez unlikely to return.
"I don't think so," Ramirez's agent, Paul Kinzer said Monday of a possible return. "It's probably better for everybody now. They (the Cubs have some adjustments to make. At this point, we want a multiyear contract, and I don't see that happening (with the Cubs.
"It's tough on him. It's the end of an era. He loved it in Chicago. "
After a slow start to the 2011 season, Ramirez wound up with good numbers. He had a hitting line of .306/.361/.510 with 26 homers and 93 RBI. All but 2 of his homers came after May, and by that time, the Cubs were buried in the standings.
If Ramirez does not come back, the Cubs may have to look for a veteran stopgap until former No. 1 draft pick Josh Vitters is ready. Vitters made strides this year at Class AA Tennessee, and he's currently playing in the Arizona Fall League. DJ LeMahieu played 11 games at third base this year, but he has only 60 major-league at-bats.
The Zambrano situation:
Pitcher Carlos Zambrano remains in limbo after being placed on the disqualified list following his Aug. 12 walkout and threat of retirement.
Zambrano reportedly will begin pitching winter ball in his native Venezuela. His grievance against the Cubs is pending. Zambrano, 30, has one year and $18 million (with a vesting option for 2013 left on his contract.
Here's an interesting stat on Zambrano: Since he returned from his first suspension, in the summer of 2010, he is 17-7 with a 3.71 ERA. He went 8-0 with a 1. 41 ERA down the stretch in 2010 before going 9-7 with a 4.82 ERA this year before being placed on the disqualified list.
Zambrano still must approve any trade the Cubs attempt to make.
The rotation:
With Ryan Dempster, as expected, having exercised his $14 million player option for next year, the Cubs have a top three, at this point, of Matt Garza, Dempster and Randy Wells.
Casey Coleman had a rough go as a starter, and veteran Rodrigo Lopez was more of a fill-in.
Andrew Cashner, who missed almost all of the season because of a rotator-cuff injury, is pitching in the Arizona Fall League, but he has been slowed by an oblique injury, and the jury is still out on whether he will start next season or head to the bullpen.
If Zambrano comes back, the Cubs still would need to look for at least one more starter either through a trade or free agency.
Relievers Sean Marshall and Jeff Samardzija both have expressed interest in starting again.
On Monday, the Cubs declined the $3 million option on Samardzija. He remains under club control and is not eligible for salary arbitration, meaning the Cubs can renew his salary for up to a 20 percent pay cut if they so choose.
The corners:
In addition to Ramirez, the Cubs have a possible hole at first base, as Carlos Pena has declared free agency. Right field remains a problem.
Tyler Colvin hit just .150 and spent 50 games in the minor leagues. Bryan LaHair, who turns 29 on Saturday, hit 38 homers at Class AAA Iowa before coming up in September and performing creditably. But he's far from a proven major-league commodity.
In left field, Alfonso Soriano still has three years and $54 million left on the eight-year, $136 million contract former GM Jim Hendry and previous ownership gave him in 2006.
Soriano hit 26 homers this year, but he turns 36 in January, and his skills continue to decline. If the Cubs trade him, they'll likely have to eat a good portion of his salary.
With the hiring of Epstein, things already have changed dramatically for the Cubs. The picture should become more clear beginning with Tuesday's news conference.
• Follow Bruce's Cubs reports on Twitter @BruceMiles2112.
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