2008 Chicago Cubs Expectations: Next Year Is Here!

March 31st is less than a week away, and on that day the Chicago Cubs take the field against the Milwaukee Brewers. 

Just as in the last 100 years, the Cubs will begin their quest for the World Series title with 32 other teams.  This year, the Cubs will also begin their first division title defense in five years. 

The expectations are high for a Cubs team that spent a good deal of money upgrading their lineup.  The spring has brought a nice preview to what lies ahead for the Cubs, with the exception of a bottom tier spring record. 

The Cubs seem to have a closer, a lineup (which was an adventure every day last year), and a starting rotation set for opening day. 

The bullpen should be fine if Kerry Wood continues his strong spring, Bob Howry learns to throw strikes again, and Carlos Marmol does what he does best.  An injury to Scott Eyre puts the role of left-handed setup man in question.

Hopefully, for the Northsiders' sake, Sean Marshall can hold this position down.

The rotation should be near the top of the National League if Carlos Zambrano decides to pitch the way he did after May.  If Zambrano does live up to his potential then 15-18 wins should be a very achievable goal. 

Ted Lilly should continue to improve as a pitcher, and should be able to approach 12-15 wins. 

Ryan Dempster is a mystery.  He could return to his old Florida Marlins days and win double digit starts, or he could throw like a veteran starter who is over the hill. 

Rich Hill is also a great mystery.  Expect him to take a step back as the managers and hitters have had an entire offseason to dissect his abilities. 

Jason Marquis is a nice, overpaid fifth starter.  If Marquis decides to concentrate and care for an entire season, then great things can happen for the Cubs.  However, if he decides he does not give a darn then every fifth game will be decided by the end of the second inning.

The Cubs' lineup should be improved with a somewhat healthy Alfonso Soriano, and a second helping of several of last year's prominent first year players. 

However, the lineup is heavily right handed, and the second year players are prone to the infamous sophomore slump. Below are some expectations for the first eight hitters in the Chicago lineup.

Ryan Theriot 

If he can approach the numbers prior to September and continue to steal bases, then the Cubs may have a leadoff hitter for the first time since Kenny Lofton.

Anyone that can get on base more than the Tampa Bay Rays' winning percentage will be an upgrade for the top of the order.

Projected: .280 BA  3 HR  46 RBI  29 SB

Alfonso Soriano 

When it comes to the second spot in the lineup, the first thing Soriano must do is get and stay healthy.  If he can do that the Cubbies will be fine here, even if he is not your typical No. 2 hitter.

Projected: .292 BA  39HR  96 RBI

Derek Lee 

As for Derek Lee in the third spot, he just needs to come back and continue hitting for average and bring up his power numbers.  If he plays like he did in August and September, the Cubs will score some runs.

Projected: .314 BA  36 HR  110 RBI

Aramis Ramirez 

He just needs to be healthy and be Ramirez—enough said here.

Projected: .308 BA  47 HR  119 RBI

Kosuke Fukodome 

The Cubs do not need this fifth hitter to be Superman.  They just need some good outfield production. 

Expect Fukudome to struggle coming out of the gate, just as he has during the spring, but come May and June he will start turning it up a notch.  However, any production is better than the revolving door out in right from last year.

Projected: .298 BA  17 HR  75 RBI

Mark DeRosa 

The Cubs definitely need a solid performance from DeRosa in the six position.

Projected: .275 BA  15 HR  63 RBI.

Geovany Soto 

As seventh in the lineup, he must avoid the dreaded sophomore slump and continue to be a consistent hitter for Chicago.

Projected: .270 BA  7 HR  68 RBI

Felix Pie 

Lastly, the Cubs just need Pie to get on base, so the pitcher isn't leading off the next inning every time after he hits.  If he gets on base, it will be a bonus.  If he doesn't, then nothing new for the Cubs from the eight hole.

Projected: .250 BA  1 HR  22RBI

And as for the ninth spot in the rotation, when Marquis or Zambrano are hitting here, it might be a better spot than the eight hole!

Projection for the Cubs: Win the Central with a record of 89-73

Go Cubbies!