After two years of playoff disappointment, the Chicago Cubs are gearing up for another World Series run. The Cubs are the most balanced team in the NL, if not, in all of baseball.
Last year as a team, the Cubs batted .278 and had and on-base-percentage of .354. As a staff, the Cubs had a 3.87 ERA. All of these stratistics lead to them winning the NL Central for the second season in a row. Here is a closer look at each of the positions for the Chicago Cubs.
Catcher
Geovany Soto
The defending Rookie Of the Year, has the position all locked up. He will be contending with Russell Martin of the Dodgers and Brain McCann of the Braves for the top catcher spot in the NL. Last year Soto was fourth among all catchers in batting average (.285).
He tied for the lead in home runs (23) and was second in RBI (86). The one downfall to Soto is his plate discipline. He struck out 121 times last year. Bringing down this strikeout number will allow him to establish himself as one of the top in the league at his position.
First Base
Derek Lee
Derek Lee’s power numbers have been down the past two years. Last year, he finished the season horribly. After the All-Star break, he batted .266 and hit only five home runs. However, he is arguably the best fielder in the National League, and this can be seen in his three Gold Glove Awards. Lee was the eighth best hitting first basemen last year, while hitting .291.
His power numbers were below average, being the 22nd first basemen in home runs (20), and the 17th in RBI (90). The Cubs do not need Lee to hit tons of home runs as many fans believe, they need him to get on base and drive in runs. He needs to show his ability to drive the ball into the gaps for doubles before he will convince me that he is one of the top 1st basemen in the game.
Second Base
Mike Fontenot
With the loss of Mark DeRosa, the Cubs have an empty hole at second base. That hole will, hopefully, be filled by Mike Fontenot, but free agent acquisition Aaron Miles will also split time. Between Miles and Fontenot there is not much power, but a sure ability to get on base and not make too many outs. Fontenot showed some pop in his bat towards the end of the 2008 season, and it would be nice for him to continue right where he left off.
Third Base
Aramis Ramirez
Ramirez is becoming one of the best third basemen of the decade. He has hit 25 plus Home Runs in six straight seasons, and has drove in 100 runs in five out of the last six seasons...Last year, Ramirez struck out to many times (94), and this high total is very uncharacteristic of the slugger. He was also tied for sixth in home runs (27), was second in RBI (111), and fourth in batting average (.289).
He has the potential to hit over .300, drive in 120, and hit 30 plus home runs in 2009, if he stays healthy. Many feel that Ramirez's biggest weakness is in his defensive game, which drastically worsened last year after a stellar 2007. Hopefully Ramirez will be able to stay focused on the diamond and make less mistakes at 3rd base.
Shortstop
Ryan Theriot
Last year, Theriot emerged as one of the best offensive shortstops in the majors. He hit .307, which was good enough for second among shortstops, and he stole 22 bases. Theriot can be the leadoff hitter the Cubs desperately need. Soriano will lose this spot.
If he keeps the same production as last year, the Cubs will be in good shape. Like Ramirez, Theriot was criticized for his defensive game, and he will need to improve his range and arm to help the team succeed.
Outfield
Alfonso Soriano
Soriano has yet to live up to his big contract. He has yet to steal 20 bases for the Cubs, and has struck out over 100 times both seasons. He has also not driven in more then 80 runs. He needs to be moved to third in the batting order for him to reach his potential as a run producing power hitter.
Another key for Soriano is his health. He has not been healthy in his two seasons in Chicago. His postseason performance has also been lackluster. Soriano’s performance will make or break the Cubs season.
Reed Johnson
Johnson was a key addition to the Cubs in 2008. He batted over .300 and helped the Cubs make the playoffs. He has a good glove, and can be the potential leadoff man for the Cubs. If he struggles early on, expect the Cubs to bench him for Fukudome.
Milton Bradley
Bradley was the key off-season addition for the Cubs. His key is staying healthy. Last year in just 126 games, he batted .321. Also, despite his high batting average, Bradley is a strikeout machine, registering 112 strikeouts.
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Bench
Aaron Miles
Miles is another key addition the Cubs made this season. He hit .317 last year as a Cardinal. This year, he will not be starting, but if Fontenot does not perform will, don’t be surprised if he is put in the starting role.
Kosuke Fukudome
Fukudome had a very disappointing year last year, after signing a major contract. He will start the 2009 season on the bench. He will have to prove himself, in order to start.
Starters
Carlos Zambrano
Zambrano has to control one thing, his emotions. If he does that, he can be as good as anybody in all of baseball. He had only 14 wins last year, but he was hurt for a month. Zambrano is 27-years-old, and is nearing his prime. He needs to bring down his ERA for him to be a Cy Young contender this year.
Rich Harden
For Harden, it's all about health. If he stays health, he is the best pitcher in baseball. Harden started 25 games last year, won 10, and posted a 2.07 ERA. He also strikes people out at an unheard of rate, striking out 181 batters in 148 innings.
Ryan Dempster
Dempster was probably the biggest surprise last year. He got moved into a starting role, after closing the previous four seasons. If he provides the same numbers as last year, the Cubs will have the best rotation in the majors. Dempster can also be a Cy Young contender, if he keeps his ERA under 3.00. This will give the Cubs three potential Cy Young contenders.
Ted Lilly
Lilly had a good season last year, despite his high ERA. He stroke out over 180 batters, and won 17 games. He will be overlooked because he is the fourth starter in this rotation, but he can be the No. 1 or 2 starter on many other teams. If Lilly brings his ERA down to sub 3.5, he can be a 20 game winner.
Sean Marshall
It appears Marshall has won the fifth spot after a solid spring training. Marshall will be the difference between the Cubs being an great team and an elite team. Marshall has the potential to win over 10 games this season, and he gives the Cubs another left handed starter.
Bullpen
Carlos Marmol
Marmol was the best non-closer reliever last year. He will be moved into the closers role this year, for the first time. Marmol had a 2.68 ERA last year, and a 1.43 ERA two years ago. Marmol stroke out 114 batters in only 87 inning last year.
Kevin Gregg
Gregg was acquired from the Marlins this offseason. He will most likely be the set-up man to Marmol. If Marmol struggles early, expect Gregg to step in as the closer.
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