The Chicago Cubs and 5 Possible First Basemen to Take on the Position in 2012

The Chicago Cubs have always had great first basemen.  This offseason, the Cubs will once again be looking into their right corner of the infield.  

The Cubs have a lot of tradition at first base, and their decision on who will take over the position, or continue there, will have some big shoes to fill.

The Cubs have in house options, but also they have a chance to grab some over the top talent.

Feel free to add suggestions as this is merely a short list of possible names that have been brought up.

Carlos Pena

Carlos Pena may not be the hot commodity he was a few years back, but if the Cubs want to stick with solid and cheap, Carlos Pena may be their guy.

Pena took a pretty nice pay cut to play in Chicago and prove he can still play like he did.  His numbers have yet to show this.

He is currently batting .225, but with 23 home runs and 67 RBI, it can be argued that Pena may be worth the risk if he comes on the cheap.

Pena is also known to be a solid fielder.  He has had a higher number of errors this season then usual, but he also has a young Starlin Castro at shortstop who has been nothing less then inconsistent in the field this year.

The Cubs may have not played their best this season, but it is going to be interesting to see what they do about Pena if he continues to put up the good power numbers.

Aramis Ramirez

I believe that Aramis Ramirez is one of the most talented offensive players in the MLB. It would really be tough to see the Cubs just let him walk.

Ramirez may not be as quick as he once was on the field, but perhaps a move to the other corner wouldn't be a bad move. There wouldn't be as much action off the bat either, so Ramirez would't have to rely so much on his defensive skills. 

Ramirez needs to be pushed to play well. That may not be a good trait of his, but look at the tear he went on after the Cubs threatened to wanting to move him.

Ramirez wants to stay in Chicago, and if he is willing to talk a good contract, I don't see why this couldn't be a possibility for the club.

Ramirez needs to continue to show his commitment to the Cubs organization and play well down the stretch.

Tyler Colvin

Has Tyler Colvin proven he can be an everyday starter in the MLB?

No.

But he has shown promise in the past, and he may get his chance next season at first base if the Cubs want to start saving money. Either way, he will either be starting at first or in the outfield in the three or four spot of the rotation.

I am not a huge believer in Colvin at this point, but perhaps he has yet to show his full potential.  Maybe he is just Corey Patterson 2.0 with the hype he has grown.

If Colvin comes into the 2012 MLB season being the Cubs' starting first baseman, the Cubs will have a very young infield consisting of Colvin, Starlin Castro, Darwin Barney, and perhaps a replacement at third for Aramis Ramirez (maybe even Josh Vitters).

Chances are, Colvin will be in the outfield and will be playing to finally show that he deserves to play everyday.

Albert Pujols

The drum never stops beating on this story.

Albert Pujols is the player that most Cub fans want to see wearing Cubbie Blue in 2012. I just don't know how likely this is.

The addition of Pujols would do nothing but add talent to the Cubs, and it would be assumed to correspond with a shift in the division.  St. Louis is not likely to let Pujols just walk, especially such a short one over the Mississippi.

My only fear with Albert Pujols is that he will be 32 years old when next season comes around, and I would hate to see the Cubs shell out another huge paycheck to a player who could be underachieving to his contract.

Yes I know, "no risk, no reward", but I am getting tired of the Cubs risks.

If the Cubs do sign Albert Pujols, I don't see myself complaining much, but it would be wise of the Cubs to seriously scout the situation.

Prince Fielder

The Prince Fielder/Albert Pujols debate will go on until these guys sign their contracts for next season. I think Fielder may be the better option if the Cubs are going to spend the money.

I think both these guys will be asking for around the same money, perhaps Fielder will ask for a tad less. Nonetheless, Fielder posses the better option to the Cubs simply because he is a lefty.

The Cubs potential lineup for next season consists of maybe one lefty, Tyler Colvin.  Putting a guy like Fielder at the four spot in the lineup will allow the Cubs to break up their righty hitters a little bit.

With the Milwaukee Brewers recent success in the NL Central, I don't see Fielder leaving a contender. It will also depend on how the Brewers end up doing in the post season, if they make it.

Coming up short on the playoffs or an early exit for the Brewers will give the Cubs their best chance at landing a guy like Fielder.