Season Preview: Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs has a nice balance of young talent and veteran leadership.  Kosuke Fukudome, Felix Pie, and Geovany Soto are looking at their first full season as starters and are all supposed to be tremendous talents.

They also have multiple Gold Glove winner Derrek Lee and All Stars Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano in the starting lineup.

Here is who starts where and a short scouting report on each player...

Geovany Soto, C

In 18 games last season he had a .389 avg., 3 HR and 8 RBI.

He has had a lot of action in AAA-Iowa, and he has impressed there enough to make the leap to starter for the Cubs.  In Iowa he was a consistent All-Star and was considered one of the top catchers available for that league.

Derrek Lee, 1B

Derrek Lee had his lowest power numbers (22 HR, 82 RBI) since 2001 when playing a full season. 

But that doesn't mean that he had a bad season.  He had his second highest batting average and OBP since coming in to the league. (.317 avg., 400 OBP)

He's won 2 Gold Glove Awards at first.  In 2005 he was a Triple Crown threat and won the batting title.  Since 2000, he's played in at least 150 games in all but one season.

He has been on the Cubs since he was traded in 2003, and he has been a force at that position ever since.

Mark DeRosa, 2B

DeRosa is a good defender and an average player at his position.

He hit for a .283 avg., 10 HR, and 72 RBI, nothing special, but good for a second baseman.  He should be serviceable at his position and won't hurt the team.

The problem is, can he help them?

Ryan Theriot, SS

He came into the league in 2005 and is playing very well for his age and experience.

His 28 SB last season should be a number that he should be able to top this season with more playing time and less competition at the position.

Look for him to get on base often and steal and score plenty.

Defensively he is a good prospect, but as of right now, he finishes off an average middle infield.

Aramis Ramirez, 3B

Aramis has been a staple at 3B ever since he was traded from the Pirates in 2003.

He consistently gets over 100 RBI's, and he is always a threat to take a pitcher deep.  He is one of the Cubs multiple deep threats and strikes fear into most pitchers.

He also hit for a .310 avg. and 366 OBP.  He isn't a threat to steal bases, he didn't get any last season and hasn't had more than 2 since 2002 when he had 5.

Defensively he has a strong arm and can make the diving stop.

Alfonso Soriano, LF

Last offseason he was the major acquisition that the Cubs made.  He originally played CF but this season is moving to LF to make way for upcoming center fielder Felix Pie.

He showed speed (19 SB) and power (33 HR) last season even though he missed some time due to injury.

He can get to any ball hit near him and has a strong arm.

Felix Pie, CF

He is the highly touted rookie, who is supposed to be a Cubs savior.  If he is half of what I heard of him, we are in for a great season.

He only had a .215 avg. in limited time last season but he also stole 8 bases and is supposed to have plenty of speed to spare.

Defensively he is a good prospect, but many aspects of his game remain to be seen.

Kosuke Fukudome, RF

Fukudome is thought, by some, to be the next Ichiro.  He was one of the best players in Japanese baseball, and the Cubs gave him a hefty contract after seeing what Daisuke Matsuzaka did for the Red Sox last season.

He is a great defender and can get on base with ease.  His speed should help him steal plenty of bases.  But he cannot hit for power.

He should come in to help the fastest outfield in baseball.

Starting Pitching

As a whole, this unit went 59-44 last season. 

Carlos Zambrano is the solid number one, pitches with passion and is great year in and year out.

Ted Lilly went 15-8 last season with a 3.83 ERA.  He is a good pitcher and very strong for the No. 2 spot on a staff.

Rich Hill is still very young, but after an 11-8 season with a 3.92 ERA, his future looks bright for this young pitching prospect.

Jason Marquis had a strong season, 12-9, and is one of the better late-rotation pitchers in baseball right now.

Jon Lieber was the last Cubs pitcher to get 20-wins in a season.  They hope for more magic, but starting No. 5, they aren't going to rely on it.

Bullpen

Kerry Wood looks for a fresh start after an injury plagued stretch of seasons.  He should be strong without a lot of strain on his arm.  He could be one of the better middle relievers once he gets used to the position.

Bobby Howry and Scott Eyre were strong in set-up roles last season, but showed that they can't jump into the closer position if asked.  They can keep a lead late in a game, but can't be called on to finish a game out.

Carlos Marmol had a lights out season, 5-1 1.43 ERA, and should step in comfortably to be the Cubs closer.  He will be tough to get a hit against and should finish games strong.

Outlook

The Cubs have very few holes.  Middle infield is the most glaring one, and even that isn't a huge problem.

They have a strong pitching staff and an even stronger lineup.  Look for this team to make a deep playoff run.

None of our players really look to be on a decline and we can probably keep this team through next season as well.

The Cubs could have a dynasty in the making.

This could be what we have been waiting for for 100 years.  This could be the "next season" that we have all been talking about.

I'm Joe W.