Chicago Cubs: Pre-Spring Training Grade

We're nearing the long-awaited day when pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in Mesa.

Rosters look to be set at this point, so why not grade the team?

Let's start with the lineup. 

Projected Starters:

1. Alfonso Soriano LF

2. Koskue Fukudome RF

3. Derrek Lee 1B

4. Aramis Ramirez 3B

5. Mark DeRosa  2B

6. Ryan Theriot SS

7. Felix Pie CF

8. Geovany Soto C

9. -Pitcher-

Raw Grade: B-

One Word Comment: Dysfunctional 

Analysis:

First of all, Alfonso Soriano is not a leadoff hitter! He had an OBP of .337, 130 strikeouts, and led the team in home runs. In the four hole, he could have possibly doubled his RBI totals (70), increased his walks, thus decreasing his strikeouts and increased his OBP.

Second, I'm not too comfortable with Mark DeRosa in the five hole. He needs to increase his RBI totals and his extra base hits, then again he did not start all season.

Finally, there are possibly four easy outs at the bottom of our lineup. Soto showed that he can hit well at the Major League level in September, but September isn't a great month to base any predictions on, Pie did not hit well for the better part of his stay with the Cubs, Ryan Theriot did not show up at the end of the year, I still have to say that September isn't a great prediction month, and obviously the pitcher is an easy out.

Ballpark Boost: Yes

Division Boost: Yes

Overall Grade: B

Bench:

Probable Players:

Henry Blanco C

Daryle Ward 1B

Mike Fontenot 2B 

Ronny Cedeno SS/CF

Matt Murton OF

Raw Grade: B+

One Word Comment: Experienced

Analysis:

Daryle Ward has been one of the best pinch hitters in the Major Leagues over the past three years, but every other player on the bench seems to lack the ability to pinch hit. Mike Fontenot had an amazing June, but once the calendar hit July he went into the hole. Blanco is notorious for not being able to hit, but he is great defensively and calls a good game (4.97 CERA on limited time). Murton is spotty at best. Cedeno has all the talent in the world and fails to show it. Spot starting is definitely the strength of our bench.

Ballpark Boost: Yes

Division Boost: Yes

Overall Grade: A- 

Rotation:

(I can't really decide, it's too wide open.) 

Carlos Zambrano RHP

Ted Lilly LHP

Rich Hill LHP

Jon Lieber RHP/ Jason Marquis RHP/ Ryan Dempster RHP/ Sean Gallagher RHP/ Kevin Hart RHP

Jon Lieber RHP/ Jason Marquis RHP/ Ryan Dempster RHP/ Sean Gallagher RHP/ Kevin Hart RHP

Raw Grade: A-

One Word Comment: Strong

Analysis:

The spots aren't set in stone as of now, but it has at least been narrowed down to a few options at the end of the rotation. I'm not to ecstatic about maybe seeing Ryan Dempster and Jason Marquis in the rotation, nor am I about seeing Gallagher in the rotation because... Well, he doesn't throw strikes consistently. The top three starters should be solid, just as long as they get run support.

Ballpark Boost: No

Division Boost: Yes

Overall Grade: A

Bullpen

Jose Ascanio RHP

Scott Eyre LHP

Bob Howry RHP

Carmen Pignatiello LHP

Kerry Wood RHP

Michael Wuertz RHP

Raw Grade: A

One Word Comment: Consistency

Analysis:

We don't really know what we're getting out of these guys. Can Eyre rebound? Can Ascanio keep the walks down? etc... If everything goes right we're in a great position with our bullpen.

Ballpark Boost: No

Division Boost: Yes 

Overall Grade: A-

Closer:

Carlos Marmol RHP

Raw Grade: A

One Word Comment: Conserve

Analysis:

This kid is great. He gets K's, doesn't walk too many people, and doesn't give up hits. The only thing that we have to watch is how much we work this kid. At the end of the year he was noticeably overworked, and he couldn't preform to the best of his abilities.

Ballpark Boost: No

Division Boost: Yes

Overall Grade: A 

Team Grade:  A-