Chicago Cubs

Contrary to popular belief, right fielder Kosuke Fukudome of the Chicago Cubs is not a bad hitter. Though just a .258 career hitter, Fukudome's on-base percentage in two Major League seasons is a more than respectable .367.

Popular belief has a funny way of creeping into Chicago's front office, however, and so GM Jim Hendry went out this winter and procured reinforcements.

Xavier Nady, 31, played in just seven games last year before a serious elbow injury claimed his season.

Clubhouse chemistry seems to be a bit of the "chicken or the egg" debate. Does winning breed good chemistry or does good chemistry lead to winning?

Last year, manager Lou Piniella lamented a lack of chemistry, and many observers pointed the finger at recalcitrant right fielder Milton Bradley for poisoning the well.

Spring Training is literally a day away, so what better time than now to make some bold predictions about the 2010 season for the Chicago Cubs.

The signing of Matt Holliday by the St. Louis Cardinals made them the overwhelming favorites to win the NL Central and they might be the team to beat in the National League. However, the Cubs made several moves as well, and look to be a better team than they were last season. How much better remains to be seen.

What follows are 10 predictions that I would say fall into the category of bold.

In the bleak mid-winter of February in Chicago, it is hard to imagine that baseball's Opening Day is less than seven weeks from this gray, wintry afternoon on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Such is the case, though, and so, as pitchers and catchers congregate in Arizona to prepare for the upcoming 2010 season, it is time to look at some of the most pressing questions facing the Cubbies this year.

Aramis Ramirez has played 150 or more games only once as a Cub. If his shoulder is not 100 percent this season, this statistic will be repeated, and the Cubs offense will struggle.

While that may seem like an all too obvious conclusion, it is the truth. I keep hearing about how "as Soriano goes, so go the Cubs". And while a return to respectability for the Fonz would certainly go a long way to improving the Cubs offense in 2010, I say Rami's contributions will matter even more.

What? They're still looking?

With less than a week before the official start of spring training, the Chicago Cubs are still looking to fill arguably their greatest off-season need: a reliable right-handed setup man for their new closer Carlos Marmol.

After "kicking the tires" on a host of potential candidates such as Frasor, Park, and Gregerson, Chicago is left with no better solution than they had at the end of the '09 season.

White Sox general manager Kenny Williams is known for saying, "He better stay out of Chicago White Sox business." That was a reference to Frank Thomas commenting on the team when he was no longer playing for them.

Perhaps Kenny should tell his hypocritical owner, Jerry Reinsdorf, to stay out of Chicago Cubs business.

Amongst the minor league free agents the Cubs have signed, two names stand out: Kevin Millar and Chad Tracy.

Millar helped the Boston Red Sox break their World Series Championship curse, and Tracy was once considered one of the elite young corner infielders in the game, but both these things were half a decade ago.

With spring training on the horizon, the Cubs have a need for a solid starter until Ted Lilly can return, and for a veteran right handed setup man for Carlos Marmol. John Smoltz could fill both needs, while adding a solid veteran presence to the clubhouse.

On the evening of March 31, 2008, Kosuke Fukudome was the toast of the Chicago baseball world. The Cubs stood at 0-1 after a heart-breaking loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Fukudome, however, had overwhelmed in his American debut: he went three-for-three, with a walk, a double, and a game-tying three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning.

One game into his four-year, $48 million contract, Fukudome seemed poised to become a star. The 323 games since have not gone nearly so well.