As we build steam toward Spring Training, Cub fans are already wondering if '10 will be another lost cause almost before it even starts.  Well, I've done some searching, and not even a kick-ass sportsbook like Belmont has started laying the odds on the upcoming season, but perhaps we should consider the following facts:

• Alfonso Soriano is not over-the-hill yet, is coming back from knee surgery, and cannot possibly duplicate the crappy down-year he had in '09
• Cheer up, Rob, Geo Soto is apparently fit and fantastic
• Aramis Ramirez aught to be healthier
• Derrek Lee is in a contract season
• Milton Bradley is gone
• Dude.  Seriously.  Milton Bradley is gone.
• The rotation remains blessed, the bullpen aught to be decent, and the offense might actually surprise us and be hole-free
• Did the surprise team of '09, St. Louis, get any better?
• Did any team in the Central get better?

If those facts are indeed true -- and for the most part they can't be contested -- then the Cubs just might surprise us by making another run for it.  I don't know that I'd predict them to be World Series champs -- or even NL Central ones -- but there's no reason to assume they'll do worse.  As amazing as '08 was in terms of career years and offensive production, '09 was almost an all-round unmitigated offensive disaster.  It'll be better in '10.  You can bet on it.