Spring Training: Top 10 Questions From Cubs Fans

With Spring Training right around the corner, the Cubs are coming off an awesome regular season, which led to an incredibly disappointing postseason. 

There aren’t going to be that many changes this year, but there will be some in the rotation, the back of the bullpen, right field, and catcher.  There are also many questions hanging over the sale of the team and the future of Wrigley Field.

10) Why isn’t Geovany Soto being talked about for Rookie of the Year?

The Cubs new everyday catcher Soto looks to have the makings of a great player.  During the stretch run last year, he was playing more than any other catcher, and he started two of the three playoff games.  In 18 games at the end of last season, Soto had 54 at bats with an OBP of .433 and an average of .389.  I think he could be the real deal, and a great addition to the lineup.

9) Which Zambrano will show up this season?

Carlos Zambrano was wildly inconsistent throughout the year.  His ERA by month was: April: 5.77, May: 4.72, June: 2.53, July: 1.38, August: 7.06, September: 3.44.  He had no consistency whatsoever, and fans really never knew what to expect when they came to the games.  Hopefully, he can get some sort of consistency, and contend for the Cy Young awards that he is capable of winning

8) Who is in and out of the rotation?

We know for sure that Zambrano and Ted Lilly will be leading the rotation, but not much is clear after that.  Rich Hill seems good to go after gaining some experience last year, and finishing the season 11-8 with a 3.92 ERA.  As for the fourth and fifth starters however, not much is known.  Jon Lieber is rejoining the team, with hopes to capture past glory.  Jason Marquis is back to figure out what happened the second half of the season.  Ryan Dempster is attempting a move back to the rotation.  Seans Marshall and Gallagher are fighting for spots as well.  With those five competing for the final two spots in the rotation, competition this spring looks to be intense.

7) Is Felix Pie the next Corey Patterson?

Pie has been the Cubs top recruit for years now, but every time they bring him up to the big league team, he falters.  It reminds me a lot of Corey Patterson’s struggle to move into the big leagues.  If Pie can’t get going at the highest level this year, I don’t think he ever will, and it will be time for the Cubs to find a different center fielder.

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