2008 Record: 97-64 .602
Run differential: +184 (1st)
2008 payroll: $118,345,833
Last season the Cubs had the best record in the NL and the best run differential in the majors on their way to breezing to the NL Central crown. But their Cubbieness came out of hiding in October as the Dodgers sent them home by sweeping them in the first round of the playoffs. As disappointing an ending like that is, the Cubs should be confident going into the 2009 season.
There were several changes made to the roster during the offseason. Kerry Wood was let go in free agency so the younger and more talented Carlos Marmol close games, Jason Marquis was sent packing to Colorado, and Mark DeRosa was traded to Cleveland for some middling minor league pitchers. These moves allowed the Cubs to sign right fielder Milton Bradley who immediately brings a new intensity to the team. DeRosa’s positional flexibility will be missed but he had what is most likely to be his career season offensively last year. Health issues have always been a problem for Bradley but hitting has not. Aaron Heilman, Luis Vizcaino and Kevin Gregg were acquired in separate deals to provide a link from one of the National League’s best starting staffs to Marmol.
The new lineup really isn’t much different than last seasons. Disappointing free agent Kosuke Fukudome will be moved to center where he will platoon with Reed Johnson. While neither of these guys should be expected to excel defensively, this platoon should maximize their offensive strengths as they replace Jim Edmonds’s torrid half season in Wrigley. The expected Mike Fontenot and Aaron Miles platoon at second base should allow the Cubs to get the most offense out of this position of any team in the division.
If the Cubs can get 140 innings out of Rich Harden--and that is definitely a big if--this team should have no problem retaining their crown as division champs. And as we see each year, once you make the playoffs anything can happen.
Likely opening day roster:
| Pos. | Name | Salary | How Acquired |
| C | Geovany Soto | $.401M | Drafted 11th rd 2001 |
| C | Paul Bako | $.725M | Signed as FA 1/30/09 |
| 1b | Derrek Lee | $13 M | Acquired in trade w/ Fla 11/03. Resigned 4/06 |
| 2b | Mike Fontenot | $.405M | Drafted 21st rd 1999 |
| 3b | Aramis Ramirez | $15.65 M | Acquired in trade w/ Pit 7/03. Resigned 11/06 |
| SS | Ryan Theriot | $.5 M | Drafted 3rd rd 2001 |
| LF | Alfonso Soriano | $13 M | Signed as FA 11/06 |
| CF | Reed Johnson | $3 M | Signed as FA 3/25/08 |
| RF | Milton Bradley | $5 M | Signed as FA 1/6/09 |
| Inf | Aaron Miles | $2.2 M | Signed as FA 12/31/08 |
| Of | Kosuke Fukudome | $11.5 M | Signed as FA from Japan 12/07 |
| Of | Joey Gathright | $.8 M | Signed as FA 12/16/08 |
| UT | Micah Hoffpauir | $.39 M | Drafted 13th rd 2002 |
| SP | Carlos Zambrano | $17.75 M | Signed as FA 1/15/09 |
| SP | Ryan Dempster | $8 M | Signed as FA 1/21/04. Resigned 11/08 |
| SP | Ted Lilly | $12 M | Signed as FA 12/06 |
| SP | Rich Harden | $7 M | Acquired in trade w/ Oak 7/8/08 |
| SP | Sean Marshall | $.327M | Drafted 6th rd 2003 |
| Cl | Carlos Marmol | $.575M | Signed as amateur FA from D.R. 1999 |
| SU | Kevin Gregg | $4.2 M | Acquired in trade w/ Fla 11/13/08 |
| RP | Luis Vizcaino | $3.5 M | Acquired in trade w/ Col 1/6/09 |
| RP | Chad Gaudin | $2 M | Acquired in trade w/ Oak 7/8/08 |
| RP | Aaron Heilman | $1.63 M | Acquired in trade w/ Sea 1/20/09 |
| RP | Neal Cotts | $1.1 M | Acquired in trade w/ ChA 11/06. |
| RP | Angel Guzman | $.401M | Signed as amateur FA from Venezuela 1999 |
Payroll obligations to former players: Jason Marquis
Say hello to: Kevin Gregg, Joey Gathright, Aaron Miles, Luis Vizcaino, Milton Bradley, Paul Bako, Aaron Heilman
Wave goodbye: Kerry Wood, Bobby Howry, Mark DeRosa, Jason Marquis, Jim Edmonds
Rookies: Jeff Samardzija
Non-Roster Invitees to Watch: Corey Koskie, So Taguchi, Mike Stanton, Chad Fox
Potential breakout: Micah Hoffpauir
Welcome to Earth: I don’t see Milton Bradley playing 140 games again
Likely to rebound: Kosuke? I’m not sure anyone will really have a better season but if I had to pick someone I’d pick Fukudome.
Strengths: The Cubs have one of the league’s top offenses and rotations to go with an intelligent manager.
Weaknesses: Several guys with injury issues and very few left handed hitters.
Optimal batting lineup (position, name, bats, Avg/OBP/Slg, HR, SB, EqA):
SS Theriot R .307/.387/.359 1, 22 .267
LF Soriano R .280/.344/.532 29, 19 .291
RF Bradley B .321/.436/.563 22, 5 .337
3B Ramirez R .289/.380/.518 27, 2 .300
C Soto R .285/.364/.504 23, 0 .291
1B Lee R .291/.361/.462 20, 8 .282
2B Fontenot L/Miles B .305/270
CF Johnson R/Fukudome L .270/.263
Prediction: 1st place. NL Champs
1 comment:
I'm tired of the platoon decision regarding Reed Johnson. The guy deserves to have a shot at center full-time. Just because Hendry made a huge blunder in signing Fukudome, doesn't mean Reed (true gamer) needs to sit half the season so cheesy fans can where their Japanese headbands.
As for the comment about Marmol having more talent than Wood. I don't necessarily agree. Wood was special and Marmol is good but now he stands out there alone. I dont care how much Hendry tries to sell me on Gregg.
This team is weaker than last year's squad and the only reason they are getting picked to win the division is because its so putrid.
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