So what now?

As Tampa Bay and Philadelphia get ready to start the World Series tomorrow, Cubs fans are left thinking, "What now?" Well that and a few other things that would be censored in any publication. But either way, it's time to move on and see who is and isn't coming back for next year's roller coaster ride.

Catchers:

Geovany Soto - The probable Rookie of the Year will be set to make 401K next year and fulfill the same role he had this year as the prime signal caller. He is out of minor league options, but that should not be a problem.

Henry Blanco - Hank White has a $3 million team option for the 2009 season. It will likely be bought out for 300K, and he will probably be resigned for less money, closer to the amount he made this year.

Infielders:

Derrek Lee - Lee is signed at $13 million for the next two years. His numbers were not bad, but were definitely lower than most Cubs fans expected. We shouldn't expect a year like 2005, but his numbers should improve next year.

Mark DeRosa - The most versatile Cub is entering the last year of his contract, one that was thought to be foolish when it was signed. After last years 21 HR performance, DeRosa is the least of the Cubs worries. This year at least.

Aramis Ramirez - The 30 year old did last year what he has done since he got to the Cubs, get on base, slug, and drive in runs. His next two years are guaranteed with the Cubs, but has a player option in 2011. No need to worry about until then though.

Ryan Theriot - The Riot will be back next year either with an auto renewed contract or through arbitration if he qualifies as a Super Two. The shortstop would prefer the latter thanks to his career year which would substantially boost the 428K he would be set to receive in 2009.

Ronny Cedeno - Seems like it was a while ago when Cedeno was given the everyday starting job at shortstop and played in 151 games. But it was only two years ago, and he has not really been given the opportunity to reclaim the job since that year. He is only 25 but is out of minor league options, so unless he is involved in a trade, he will be back next year in the same role he had in 2008.

Mike Fontenot - It is usually hard to keep a player on the roster who is a back up and can only play one position. But its harder to send down a middle infielder whose OPS is .909. Fontenot is set to make the league minimum again next year and because of Cedeno's versatility he should be fine fulfilling his role as the backup second baseman.

Micah Hoffpauir - Next year will finally be the year Hoffpauir makes the team out of spring training. He will take over Daryle Ward's role of pinch hitter extraordinaire. He will be 29 though next year, so if he wants a spot on the team for the next few years, he needs to produce in his limited role.

Outfielders:

Alfonso Soriano - The streakiest player on the Cubs will be back next year and the year after that and the year after that and so on. His numbers should be similar in 2009. There was no reason to start worrying about his decline in production, yet.

Kosuke Fukudome - The player who went from fan favorite to Sweet Lou's dog house is due $36 million the next three years. Hendry and Piniella will be a tough spot about what to do with him considering the team's financial investment in him. He does have four minor league options which are possible. But if they acquire an everyday rightfielder, Fukudome could be moved to centerfield where his inability to hit would be easier to swallow.

Felix Pie - This is the year that Pie has run out of minor league options. He has been "given" the job the past few years only to have it taken away from him after limited playing time. He will probably compete for the centerfield job with Fukudome in spring training. Whichever player hits will most likely be given the job.

Reed Johnson - Depending on how much Johnson is looking for, he could be playing in centerfield in some kind of platoon role with Pie/Fukudome. He is arbitration eligible and can refuse any minor league assignments. However, his performance with the Cubs probably raised the interest of some teams, likely netting him a few offers in the offseason.

Brad Snyder - Most of you are asking, "Who is Brad Snyder?". The Cubs picked him up off waivers from the Indians at the end of the season. He was Cleveland's first round pick in 2003 and a top ten prospect from 2003 to 2007. He struggled in AAA in 2008 and was released. He has plus-power, plus-speed and a plus-arm but he strikes out a lot. He was also out of options which means the Cubs must keep him on their roster to keep him in the organization. Most likely, he will compete for a backup outfield job in spring training.

Pitchers:

Carlos Zambrano - El Toro is set to get paid for the next 5 years. Cubs fans know what to expect from Carlos and will probably get more of the same this year.

Ted Lilly - Lilly is entering the third year of his four year deal. He has been pretty much what the Cubs have expected. He's pitched over 200 innings the past two years with his ERA right around 4.00. Next year at 33, his numbers may start to decline but there's no reason to believe it will be by much.

Rich Harden - The Cubs picked up Harden's $7 million option after the season ended which was a no brainer. There's no reason to expect him to start 30 games, but if he can start around 20, he should definitely be worth his salary. If you were wondering, he started 25 games last year with a 2.07 ERA.

Jason Marquis - His contract is nearing its end with the Cubs, finally. He has been a below average starter his last two years, despite only giving up 37 homeruns the past two years, only 2 more than his last year with the Cardinals. He will be making $10 million next year, $3 million more than Rich Harden.

Rich Hill - So what to do with Rich Hill? He's finally out of minor league options which means he's either here to stay or he's gone for good. He will still be making the minimum in 2009, so financially it isn't a big dilemma. The dilemma is possibly getting rid a pitcher who showed flashes of being a top tier pitcher. In 2007, he pitched 195 innings with 183 strikeouts and a 3.92 ERA. In 2008, in the minors he walked 44 batters in 39 innings. He also struck out 57 in those 39 innings. Which Rich Hill will show up in 2009? He's not young anymore, so if does flop, it might be a little easier to cut ties with a pitcher who will be 30 after the 2009 season.

Chad Gaudin - The other piece in the Harden deal, Gaudin is arbitration eligible and out of options. He could compete for a starting job next year, but most likely he will end up in the bullpen to be a middle reliever.

Neal Cotts/Michael Wuertz - Both pitchers are arbitration eligible and out of options. Both have also had below average years for the Cubs. Because of the Cubs lack of left handed options, Cotts will probably be offered arbitration while Wuertz will most likely be moved.

Kevin Hart/Jeff Samardzija - Both young pitchers performed well at time during the season however both have two minor league options left and could be sent down to work on some things. Chances are though, that unless they are blown up in the spring, they will both be back in the pen.

Sean Marshall/Angel Guzman - The two pitchers could be competing for the fifth spot in the rotation that has been occupied by Jason Marquis the past 2 years. Marshall has proved to be adequate as a back end of the rotation guy while Guzman has proved to be injury prone. Both have one option left, but Guzman is more likely to end up in AAA to start the regular season.

Carlos Marmol - The most important bullpen member will be part of the biggest question going into the season, "Who is the closer?". Of course, it all depends on whether the Cubs will bring back Kerry Wood. If they do, for how long? And will Marmol ever close while Wood is still on the team. It'll be interesting to see what the Cubs decide to do.

Free Agents:

Ryan Dempster - The Cubs All-Star pitcher will be in demand because of the lack of starting pitching on the free agent market. It seems both Dempster and the Cubs want the same thing, and will probably sign him to a deal with each side giving a little more than they'd like.

Kerry Wood - The longest tenured Cub took less money to stay with the Cubs because he felt it was the right thing to do after all his injuries. Will he feel the same way this offseason? In the end, I feel the same will happen with Wood, possibly taking less money for more long term security to stay on the North Side.

Jim Edmonds - The in-season addition of Edmonds ended up working out for both sides. The Cubs were able to fill a hole and Edmonds was able to prove he could still play. It is most likely that both sides will part ways next year, with Edmonds possibly retiring.

Bob Howry - Howry's first two years with the Cubs worked out very well, but the last one did not. He struggled all year and at 36 next year it is hard to imagine bringing him back.

Daryle Ward - Injuries plagued Ward all year, and with a younger, cheaper player in the minors, there's no reason to bring him back.

Of course, anything can change at any time in professional sports but as of now, this seems to be the team we will be bringing back next year. It being only October 21, I'm not quite sure how I feel about it, but I'm sure there will be changes before the season starts. All I know for sure is it will be a long offseason.