"For all the talk about the big contracts the Cubs want to move before next season, the biggest one of all isn't going anywhere.

And for the first time in more than two years, the size and scope of outfielder Alfonso Soriano's contract -- eight years, $136 million -- don't seem to be enraging the Cubs' faithful.

Maybe that's because Cubs fans have so many more topical affairs to be enraged about. Maybe it's because Soriano can't be blamed for the Cubs' problems this season. Maybe it even has something to do with his strong and healthy comeback season, which has included his most inspired, if still imperfect, play in the field.

Regardless, Soriano is poised to be the last man standing from the Lou Piniella era when the Cubs finish their transition into a new era built around youngsters such as Tyler Colvin, Starlin Castro and Andrew Cashner.

And not even he can grasp how different the roster and team philosophy might look as he heads into the final four years of his contract, especially compared to the veteran teams the Cubs have fielded his first four years in Chicago.

''I can't imagine,'' he said. ''But it's going to be a very good team. Those young guys are going to be more veteran. They're going to be better. And maybe we add two or three more young guys next year, and I think we might be in good shape. ... So maybe in two more years, this team can be like maybe the Yankees -- young guys, but a lot of talent.''

When Soriano became a regular with the New York Yankees in 2001, Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada were all homegrown players still in their 20s."