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2010 CHICAGO CUBS PREVIEW
The most famously cursed franchise in professional sports endured another difficult season in 2009. The Cubs were the prohibitive favorites to win the NL Central after winning 97 games in 2008 but instead fell to a disappointing 83-78 record and missed the playoffs. With so much talent in Wrigleyville, can the Cubs for once live up to expectations in 2010?
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STARTING ROTATION
On paper, the Cubs have a very strong starting rotation. Mercurial ace Carlos Zambrano (9-7, 3.77 ERA, 28 Starts, 169 IP) has always been known as one of the most talented pitchers in baseball but he has only posted one sub-3.00 ERA season in his career. Lefty Ted Lily (12-9, 3.10 ERA, 27 Starts, 177 IP) posted the lowest ERA of his career in 2009, a full run lower than his 2008 effort, but he has yet to establish himself as an elite starter. Veteran Ryan Dempster (11-9, 3.65 ERA, 31 Starts, 200 IP) has proven to be a workhorse in the two seasons since his move from the bullpen, surpassing 200 innings in both seasons and might be the best bet to have a strong season. Finally, Randy Wells (12-10, 3.05 ERA, 27 Starts, 165 IP) grabbed a spot in the rotation as a rookie last season and acquitted himself very well, giving the Cubs four strong (though inconsistent) options heading into 2009.
The 5 th starter’s spot is also up for grabs between three men. Former Pirate Tom Gorzelanny (7-3, 5.55 ERA, 22 Games) has struggled mightily since his breakout 2007 season in Pittsburgh and will compete with former Notre Dame wide receiver Jeff Samardzija (7.53 ERA in 20 Games) and veteran Carlos Silva for the final spot in what should be a solid rotation.
BULLPEN
The Cubs have had their share of concerns in the bullpen in recent years but they seem to have finally found an answer for their closing woes. Carlos Marmol (3.41 ERA, 15 Saves in 79 Games) took over down the stretch and has electric stuff. Expect Marmol to break out as a top tier closer in 2010.
The rest of the bullpen will be interesting to watch. Lefty John Grabow (3.36 ERA in 75 Games) was a pick late season pickup from Pittsburgh last season and should function as the setup man. However, the only other proven arm is long reliever Sean Marshall (3-7, 4.32 ERA in 59 Games) and that means that young arms such as Esmailin Caridad (1.40 ERA in 14 Games), David Patton (6.83 ERA in 20 Games) and either Samardzija or Gorzelanny will be relied upon to play big roles for the Cubs. While this is a solid group on the back end, the rest of the group is a concern.
INFIELD
One of the strengths on the North Side is their talented infield. The Cubs are especially talented on the corners as 1st Baseman Derek Lee (.306, 35 HR, 111 RBI, 91 R, .391 OBP) and 3rd Baseman Aramis Ramirez (.317, 15 HR, 65 RBI, .389 OBP in 82 Games) are two of the best at their position in baseball. A full season of health from Ramirez will be a big help for the Cubs in 2010 and both men are perennial All-Stars.
The rest of the infield is also strong. Catcher Geovany Soto (.218, 11 HR, 47 RBI, .321 OBP in 102 Games) had a tough 2009 season after an All-Star and Rookie of the Year campaign in 2008. However, he’s looked good in spring, so expect Soto to bounce back in a big way in 2010. The double play combination of shortstop Ryan Theriot (.284, 7 HR, 54 RBI, 21 SB, .343 OBP) and 2 nd Baseman Jeff Baker (.288, 4 HR, 24 RBI, .343 OBP in 81 Games) features two solid hitters and both men round out a very strong infield that is the strength of the team.
OUTFIELD
The top player in Chicago’s outfield is leftfielder Alfonso Soriano (.241, 20 HR, 55 RBI, 9 SB, .303 OBP in 117 Games) but he has run into some injury issues in his three seasons at Wrigley, missing 126 games over that time period. When he’s healthy he has the ability to be a 30-30 player with 100 RBI but it remains to see whether he can stay in the lineup.
The rest of the outfield is in flux. Rightfielder Kosuke Fukudome (.259, 11 HR, 54 RBI, .375 OBP) will have to compete with new acquisition Xavier Nady (25 HR, 97 RBI in 2008), who missed virtually the entire 2009 season due to injury. Whoever wins will likely function as one of the most capable pinch hitters in baseball. Centerfield will also be interesting to watch as Marlon Byrd (.283, 20 HR, 89 RBI, .329 OBP) comes over from Texas off of a career year. Can he come close to replicating his great 2009 in the Friendly Confines? Needless to say, the Cubs have a lot of questions to answer in the outfield this season.
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OUTLOOK
There’s always pressure when you suit up for the Cubbies and 2010 won’t be any different. It has officially surpassed 100 years since the Cubs won the World Series and the fans have been conditioned to expect the worst when it gets down to crunch time. With a team that has so many question marks, from consistency in the rotation to bullpen depth to the prospects of the entire outfield, the fans will be on edge all season long. Expect the Cubs to continue clubbing the baseball in hitter friendly Wrigley Field but the results won’t be much different from 2009. The Curse of the Billy Goat will reign for another year as the Cubs are going to win between 80 and 85 games and finish 3rd in the NL Central.
By Matt Baxendell
MLBcenter.com Staff Writer
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