Chicago Cubs

Even with an MVP calibre season from Derrek Lee and, on paper, one of the most gifted rotations in baseball, the Cubs struggled to a 79-83 record for fourth in the Central...maybe those pitchers can make it off the paper and onto the mound.

Pitching

Every year it’s the same thing, if Kerry Wood and Mark Prior stay healthy then the team has a chance to win the division. They are both as good as anyone around and capable of dominating any line-up on any day. Of course the question is how will Dusty Baker use Wood as rumours are abound that he will work exclusively out of the pen and if that’s the case then it will be formidable with Scott Williamson, Glendon Rusch and Will Ohman helping to set up Ryan Dempster who looked excellent once placed in the closers role.

With Wood in the pen the Cubs rotation isn’t as great on paper as it has been in previous years but a healthy Prior and the oft forgotten Carlos Zambrano still gives them as good a one-two punch as anyone around. Zambrano has been a stabilising and consistent force over the last few years while all those around him seem to fall and expect another year of 15 wins, 200 K’s and an ERA below 3.50 but this time lets give him credit for it.

Greg Maddux is a first ballot Hall of Famer who has seen and done it all but he’s at the back end of his career now. You can still count on him to throw 200+ innings and he still won’t walk many but his amazing streak of 15 win seasons ended at seventeen last year (a truly incomprehensible record) and a 4.24 ERA is a long way from the sub-2.00 marks he used to hit in his prime. He’ll give you a chance to win but he can’t do it by himself any more.

Is Jerome Williams ready to be a full time starter? He showed glimpses that he is last year but he’s still young and you wonder if he has the endurance to stay around for 30 starts.

Defence

An outfield of Juan Pierre, Jacque Jones and Felix Pie won’t leave Chicago lacking in range. Jones is back in his favoured position in left where his average arm is less of an issue and Pierre is lucky he has serious gas because his reads and routes are not good and he needs that speed to recover. Pierre has no arm.

The infield boasts tremendous talent at the corners with the always improving Aramis Ramirez at third and some of the softest hands in the business at first with Derrek Lee. Neifi Perez has always been a quality fielding shortstop but could find himself at second if Ronny Cedeno earns a starting spot and Cedeno can certainly make the plays at short.

Todd Walker at second moves only enough to let us know he is still awake.

Henry Blanco is a strong defensive catcher with a great arm and surprising mobility behind the dish but Michael Barrett isn’t far off being a star in this league. He calls a great game, moves well in the armour and his footwork allows his above average arm to be a weapon.

Offence

Juan Pierre and Ronny Cedeno should give Chicago a presence at the top of the order they haven’t had for a good while. Both have great speed and plenty to prove.

Aramis Ramirez is emerging as one of the best RBI men in baseball and his 92 RBI in just 123 games is testament to the ability he has. If the guys get on ahead of him I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets close to 140 RBI this year but then that also has a lot to do with if Derrek Lee is taking away the RBI opportunities ahead of him with an encore performance to his monster 2005 season. I’m not convinced he can continue to hit 60 points above his career average but if he keeps hitting over .300 then the Cubs will be happy.

Walker, Pie, Jones and John Mabry give some depth to the offence.

Rookie Watch

Felix Pie is the very definition of a guy with tools and they have been sharpening those tools since he was 17. He has great range and a strong arm in the outfield and while he figures to end up in centre eventually, he can easily adjust to right field to accommodate Pierre.

Pie has a reputation for being a tad reckless at the plate because he has so much confidence in his ability to make consistent hard contact. He has nothing left to prove in the minors and there is plenty of room for him in the Cubs outfield.

Ronny Cedeno is a slick fielding shortstop with a cannon arm and great athleticism. It took him a while to find himself with the bat but so long as he doesn’t get too overeager he should do OK and help the ball club.

Keep an eye out for lefty Rich Hill, he has a great 12-6 hook that could land him in the rotation.

Management

Dusty Baker is one of the most respected managers in the game but the lack of success in Chicago has lead many to question how good he is with younger players. He’s a steady presence who expects the best from his players and if he wants to make his point, he knows how to make sure you hear him.

General Manager Jim Hendry has put together a strong team and can’t be blamed for the injuries that have hampered the progress of the side. The collection of talent in their minor league system is also formidable with a lot of focus placed on scouting youngsters from all over and taking their time to develop them.

Outlook

Its all about the health of the rotation, if Prior can stay healthy all year and they can get some starts out of Wood down the stretch then they will be there or thereabouts come September. If the starters falter then the offence definately does not have the clout to carry them through.