Send your questions to cubs06hit@yahoo.com, and please include your name and hometown. Mailbags will run every Monday in the offseason.

A reminder: If you or someone in your family or someone you know has Leber Congenital Amaurosis, a disease that results in loss of vision, please go to www.carverlab.org/project3000. Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee is leading an effort to get everyone tested in hopes of trying to identify the specific genetic cause of the disease. Lee's 3-year-old daughter Jada has LCA.

And a note to the e-mailer who asked about Mordecai Brown's uniform number: The Cubs did not begin wearing uniform numbers until late June 1932. Brown played his last game with the Cubs in 1916.

It seems that Joe Girardi is the obvious sentimental favorite to manage the Cubs next year, but is this the right choice? Do you think the Cubs should go outside the family or is it time to bring back a favorite son?
-- Dale G., Hanover, Pa.

I think the Cubs should go for the best man available, and if that happens to be someone with family ties -- or not -- so be it. Everyone who has been interviewed has a sense of what he's facing if he takes this job. Being a Cub insider, while possibly helpful in some situations, isn't essential. Besides, who's the real Cub insider? Girardi has been away for four years, while Bob Brenly has been with the team for the last two. In any case, it wouldn't take long for a good baseball man to catch up. How long did it take Jim Leyland to figure out the Tigers?

With mention that Joe Girardi is a Peoria, Ill., native, I was wondering who was the last Cubs manager who was an Illinois/Chicago native?
-- Sean B., Bloomington, Ind.

The last Illinois native to manage the Cubs was Jim Marshall, a Danville, Ill., native who managed from 1974-76. Phil Cavaretta, who skippered in 1951-53, is the last Chicago-born manager, yet College of Coaches head coach Bob Kennedy was the team's manager and he was born in Chicago.

Lou Boudreau was born in Harvey, Ill., and managed in 1960. Elvin Tappe, part of the college of coaches, was born in Quincy, Ill., and managed in 1961-62. Hank O'Day (1914) also was born in Chicago, and Albert Spalding (1876-77) was born in Byron, Ill.

It sounds like Aramis Ramirez would like to stay in Chicago. I think it would be ridiculous if the Cubs didn't pick up his option as well as sign him to a contract extension. Do you think this will happen? If so, how soon?
-- Jeffrey M., Waukesha, Wis.

Have a question about the Cubs? E-mail your query to MLB.com Cubs beat reporter Carrie Muskat for possible inclusion in a future Inbox column. Letters may be edited for brevity, length and/or content. First Name, Last Initial: Hometown: Email Address: Question:

We probably won't know Ramirez's decision until after the World Series ends. He will have two weeks after the final out to declare whether he'll opt for free agency, taking advantage of a clause in his contract. Cubs general manager Jim Hendry did begin talking to Ramirez's representatives in September. Ramirez has said he'd like to stay but he would be the most attractive third baseman on the free agent market if he did exercise the clause.

Do you think there is any chance the Cubs might go after free agent pitchers Barry Zito or Jason Schmidt or outfielder Carlos Lee? Or do you think the price tags will be too high? I believe any of those three would greatly help the Cubs in 2007.
-- Tim P., Tinley Park, Ill.

The Cubs do need pitching, and they do need power. Whether those are the players the Cubs will target, I don't know. I do know that one positive from the disappointing 2006 season is that the Cubs scouts had extra time to look at potential free agents, so they have a head start on some other teams. Again, players don't declare for free agency until two weeks after the World Series ends.

Would the Cubs seriously pursue Alex Rodriguez if he becomes available?
-- Jeff B., Summerville, S.C.

The Yankees have said Rodriguez isn't available, but nothing's out of the question.

I just read that Daisuke Matsuzaka, a right-handed pitcher from Japan, is coming to America. Is there any chance the Cubs will try to boost their rotation and add him? I read this quote on MLB.com: "That should set in motion quite a bidding war from some of the marquee teams who will be seeking pitching this winter, including the Yankees, Red Sox and Dodgers." The Cubs are not mentioned, but I think we need as much pitching as possible. What are the possibilities of us going after him?
-- Gil S., Orland Park, Ill.

Matsuzaka became a national hero in 1998, when he pitched Yokohama High School into the Koshien Tournament. In the quarterfinals of that year's high school baseball tournament, he threw 250 pitches over 17 innings. He also threw a no-hitter -- the first in a final -- to win the tournament. The right-hander participated in the 2004 Olympic Games in Greece, and helped Japan win a bronze medal.

He was 17-5 with a 2.13 ERA and 200 strikeouts this season for the Seibu Lions, who last week gave Matsuzaka permission to pursue a career in the Major Leagues. Under the rules, a player is put up for auction under the posting system. The highest bidder wins negotiating rights -- and in baseball, that often means the Yankees. Ichiro Suzuki jumped to the big leagues this way. The Cubs do need pitching, and are believed to be interested in Matsuzaka.

Can we put Michael Barrett in left and let Henry Blanco catch? Both should hit better.
-- Matt B., Chicago

Barrett is not the defensive catcher Blanco is, but he has tried other positions. He'll tell you that's why he's a catcher. I don't think left is right for him.

A few years ago, the Cubs led the league in home runs and they were in the middle of the pack in runs. So, they added some speed at the expense of power and now they are dead-last in runs. Why can't they just admit that at least part of the problem is a lack of on-base percentage? It's obvious what side of the "Moneyball" holy war the Cubs are on.
-- Andy T., Richmond, Va.

The problem isn't just the poor on-base percentage but also a lack of situational hitting. Both matters need to be addressed.

When will Part II of the Wrigley Field improvements begin? There was a big push last year to start the bleacher improvements the day after the season ended, but has the triangular building been delayed?
-- Tom L., Skokie, Ill.

The project has been delayed indefinitely because the costs have risen since it was first proposed five years ago.

With Juan Pierre's perfect fielding percentage this year, it's a shame he isn't getting mentioned for a Gold Glove. Is it possible he could be a winner?
-- Richy S., Elk Grove Village, Ill.

Gold Glove winners are based on a number of factors, such as range, arm, willingness to take risks and converting those risks to outs. Pierre had a good year defensively, but probably not good enough to overtake someone like Andruw Jones, who won his eighth Gold Glove last year. Other National League winners in 2005 were Jim Edmonds and Bobby Abreu.

Do you see any of the rookie pitchers who started for the Cubs in 2006 in the rotation next year?
-- Kathy S., Marco Island, Fla.

Rich Hill is the leader of the pack because of the way he improved from his first callup to his second. Sean Marshall also will get a look, but he has to stay healthy. As for Carlos Marmol and Juan Mateo, they were rushed up out of necessity, and might be better served with another year in the Minors, or, if they do make the big-league team, pitching out of the 'pen.

Sometime in the middle of the season, during a game against the Cardinals (I think), ESPN posted a stat that Jacque Jones was 0-for-57 (or some incredible number) when the count was 0-2. Did Jones ever get a hit when the count reached 0-2?
-- John M., Racine, Wis.

Jones was 5-for-54 with an 0-2 count this year.

Shouldn't the Cubs give the closer's job to Bob Howry? I've been a White Sox and Cubs fan for 27 years and I saw him when he was a closer with the White Sox. No doubt he has the stuff, and hasn't had the opportunity.
-- Chris D., Fort Ord, Calif.

Howry did well for the White Sox in 1999, when he saved 28 games. He has since been used primarily as a setup pitcher. I'm not sure if that's his choice, or just circumstances dictated that. Let's wait and see how Ryan Dempster looks this spring, and what the new manager decides to do. One thing is certain: Kerry Wood will not be ready to handle the closer role next year. First, the Cubs have to work out his contract to determine whether he's coming back, and second, he needs to show he can pitch effectively and be durable.

Will the Cubs wear the traditional white and gray jerseys more in 2007? I really dislike the blue tops.
-- Lee D., Austin, Texas

That's determined by the starting pitcher that day. Carlos Zambrano likes the blue tops.

I just wanted to let you know how sad everyone here in West Tenn is that the Cubs are moving to the other side of the state. Being a life-long Cubs fan, going to the game every home weekend was very exciting for me and my kids.
-- Bobby S., Adamsville, Tenn.

Thanks for writing. The Cubs' Double-A team will now be based in Seiverville, Tenn., starting in 2007. The players from the West Tenn team remain the property of the parent Cubs. They don't switch. However, the new hometown has resulted in some confusion about to how to pronounce it. Cubs TV play-by-play man Len Kasper take note:

• Seiverville is pronounced like "severe" -- it's SEH-veer-ville.
-- Derrick C., Johnson City, Tenn.

• The name of the town in Tennessee is pronounced "sa-VEER-ville."
-- Dennis B., Hudson, N.C.

• I believe the correct pronunciation is Sev-EER-ville. Named after John Seiver, the first governor of Tennessee.
-- Teri S., Nevada

• Seiverville is pronounced like "severe" -- "ville" although the natives pronounce it "suh-VEER-vull." That's Dollywood country.
-- Barry B., Franklin, N.C.

• Seiverville, Tenn., is pronounced "Seveer-vul," but the Cubs' new Double-A ballpark is actually in Kodak, Tenn. Please tell everyone there, especially Len, that it doesn't matter how they pronounce it, they're welcome to come down anytime.
-- Roberta J., Oak Ridge, Tenn.