Oct 4, 2009 - 3:00 PM
0 shoutsBy RICK GANO AP Sports Writer
CHICAGO(AP) -- Cubs manager Lou Piniella is looking forward to 2010, when he hopes to get Chicago back to the playoffs under new ownership.
Without a World Series title since 1908, the Cubs won their division their first two seasons under Piniella but stumbled this season and fell to second in the NL Central.
Piniella's four-year deal expires after next season.
"I don't want to talk beyond next year," Piniella said while sitting in the dugout before Sunday's season finale against Arizona. "I've been very appreciative that I could come to a wonderful city like this, a wonderful franchise like this and get a chance to close out my career. It's been everything I've bargained for and even more, it really has been."
The Cubs have had three straight winning seasons - for only the second time in 70 years - and they'll have a new owner when after the Tom Ricketts family is approved by baseball owners.
"I'm going to come here next year and do the best job humanly possible," the 66-year-old Piniella said. "I love the opportunity of working with a new owner and to bring him the start of a lot of success here."
Chicago started spring training with high expectations but faltered with poor play and injuries. They were still tied for first on Aug. 6, then lost six of seven and faded.
"Next year is an important year for this organization," Piniella said. "We fell back this year. We need to get it back to that next year and that's basically what I'm going to try to do."
How much money the Cubs will have will be a major question with Ricketts taking over. They began this season at $135 million, third in the majors behind the New York Yankees and Mets.
If they trade mercurial outfielder Milton Bradley, they might have to remain responsible for the some of most of the remaining $21 million in his $30 million, three-year deal. Bradley had only 40 RBIs, was booed by the fans at Wrigley and then suspended the final two weeks after criticizing the negativity surrounding the team.
"Right now he's still a member of the Cubs," general manager Jim Hendry said Sunday. "It will be a long process to get a roster that we think is better obviously than what we did in the standings this year. But until people come or go you have to play the cards you have right now."
