Chicago Cubs: 2010 Fantasy Baseball Preview

"There's always next year" is heard after every season in Chicago after Cubs fans are disappointed with another season that fails to meet expectations.  So what do fans have to look forward to in 2010? 

There does not appear to be much hope after an offseason in which not much changed from a team that failed to make the playoffs last season.  Fans are hoping that 2010 will be a redemption story for the multitude of Cubs players that had a down season in 2009. 

Here is a look at a few of those players and their fantasy hopes this season.

Aramis Ramirez (3B)

Ramirez was exceptionally productive last season when he was in the lineup.  Unfortunately he was only able to play in 82 games because of a separated shoulder. 

When he did play, he managed to hit 15 HR and 65 RBI's with a .317 batting average.  Projected over a full season, this would make any fantasy owner pleased with their third baseman.  Ramirez is worth a shot on draft day, however make sure you draft a formidable backup if you to take on his injury risk.

Geovany Soto (C)

Soto was the biggest disappointment on the Cubs last season.  After an outstanding 2009 season in which he won the rookie of the year award, Soto only managed a .218 BA with 11 HR and 47 RBI. 

So which Soto should you count on in 2010?  Should you avoid him on draft day? 

Soto is worth a shot if Mauer and Victor Martinez are already off the board.  However, you should hold off on drafting him until the mid to late rounds. Soto is simply worth the risk since he has the chance of returning to the the 2009 form that would make him the third ranked catcher.

Alfonso Soriano (OF)

For the third year in a row fantasy owners saw Soriano's numbers plummet.  At times last season he was not even worth owning after finishing the season with a dismal .241 batting average, 20 HR and 55 RBI's. 

Owners spent the season waiting for Soriano to return to the form that netted him 46 HR and 41 stolen bases with the Nationals in 2006.  Well, wait no more because those days are over. 

Avoid Soriano on draft day because one of your idiot friends will draft him way before he should be just because of what he has done and not for what he will do.

Draft Order:
1. Aramis Ramirez (3B) - A top tier 3B when healthy.  Make sure you back him up.
2. Derrek Lee (1B) - Not a premier player at 1B–but expect 30 HR and 100 RBI.
3. Carlos Zambrano (SP) - His skills seemed to have slipped, but Big Z is a solid number 3 on any fantasy squad.
4. Ryan Dempster (SP) - A solid pitcher that will fill out your roster. 
5. Ted Lilly (SP) - see Dempster, Ryan
6. Ryan Theriot (SS) - Especially valuable in roto leagues where you can expect 20+ steals
7. Geovany Soto (C) - Is a high risk/high reward selection this season.
8. Randy Wells (SP) - A nice surprise for the Cubs last season.  Look for similar numbers in 2010.
9. Alfonso Soriano (OF) - He couldn't do worse than last year right?