I am not an exception, for I have a few things I'd like to have myself.
All I want for Christmas is...
...for Jay Cutler to stop throwing interceptions.
Seriously, Jay ... stop yourself. Don't do it. The picks need to stop before I pay for an eye exam I don't need only because I'm convinced that you are Rex Grossman.
No more throwing into double or triple coverage. If you find an open receiver, just throw it his way. I wouldn't count on it though, for open receivers that can catch the ball are a rarity in Chicago. However, if you do not find an open receiver wearing the same color jersey as you, use that arm strength and chuck one into the stands.
Give a youngster a holiday gift he'll never forget. And who knows, maybe he will think about one day becoming one of your receivers.
...some financial restraint by Cubs GM Jim Hendry.
With Crazy Uncle Milton's ego out of the locker room, along with a $6 million gift from the Seattle Mariners, you would have though that Cubs general manager Jim Hendry would have gone nuts by now and handed out a four-year, $30 million dollar contract with a no-trade clause to a former Texas Rangers outfielder coming off a career year or a former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder coming off an injury riddled campaign.
He hasn't. Yet. (Checks sources. Comes back 15 minutes later.) Yep, still hasn't dished out that loot.
If Hendry had been more responsible with his cash in each of the last two off-seasons, the Cubs could have been in a position to sign Jason Bay, Matt Holliday or even John Lackey. Instead, Cubs fans are counting down the days until Scott Podsednik is roaming center field.
At least his wife's hot.
...a "Robin" for Derrick Rose's "Batman" act.
At one point do you start to feel sorry for Derrick Rose. He's still playing well despite opening the season injured and Vinny Del Negro being his head coach.
Luol Deng is steady, and Joakim Noah is having a stellar season, but other than that, the Bulls have been mediocre to bad. Mostly bad. Rose could use a sidekick to, you know, help ease the burden on the point guard. Bulls fans will likely have to settle until the summer of 2010 when everyone and their momma hits free agency.
Rumor has it that LeBron James and Dwyane Wade might be looking to team up next season and there would be no better spot than the Bulls.
For James, it would be the most talented supporting cast he has ever played with -- even without Wade. Noah is leaps and bounds better than the Sideshow Bob look-alike in Cleveland. And the best point guard LBJ has played with thus far is Eric Snow.
Think about that.
In the case of D-Wade, it would be a homecoming and the chance to team with Rose, who he had hoped would slip to the Miami Heat a few drafts ago. Along with his buddy from Team USA, a triple threat of Rose-Wade-James would likely lead to the next Chicago dynasty.
It would be a line-up even VDN couldn't screw up.
...the Blackhawks' role to continue through the new year.
Is there a better story than the Chicago Blackhawks? Once left for dead in a city that used to live, breathe, sleep and eat hockey, the Hawks are back on the Chicago radar and are highlighted nationally because of some smart player personnel moves and a marketing campaign led by one of the industry's elite.
There's youth, experience and good coaching on that team that just might be destined for a championship ending as long as everyone stays healthy and on task.
...Matt Holliday to be playing for any team but the Cardinals. (Also applies for Jason Bay)
Holliday hit .353/.419/.604/1.023 in 63 games (270 plate appearances) with the Cardinals en route to a NL Central championship.
So it goes without saying that I do not want to see him over the span of 600+ plate appearances. Will the Yankees, Red Sox or (ahem) Cubs please stand up.
