2061 Cubs Preview

[Wasted Memory]

A 98 win season for the Cubs but still only finished 3rd in the AL West last season. A lot of injuries to the pitching staff and a few major contributors at the plate kept the Cubs from reaching the full potential that fans were hoping for. This off season saw a seven members of the team leave for free agency but only a few of those played any kind of key role, notable SP Michael Martin. The Cubs did not make to many moves on bringing guys in but were able to acquire another HR threat in 1B Thomas Campbell and a key SP position in Brian Bryan.


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STARTING PITCHING

Jose Rodriguez - Last seasons Tom Seaver award winner will try to at least replicate, if not exceed, last seasons numbers. The 25 year old finished with a 1.93 ERA and 9.2 WAR.

Phil Connor - Began to really show his potential, especially toward the end of the season. The 26 year old lefty finished with a 2.91 ERA and was third in the Tom Seaver award voting.

Brian Bryan - Everyone knows who he is. Bri Bry has been tearing it up in the NL the last two seasons and we hope he can continue doing the same now that he's back in the AL.

Gerald Scott - He's definitely on the decline but can provide a steady presence along with his leadership. We believe he'll be able to provide enough help from the mound while the guys at the plate win the game.

Manuel Garcia - I don't know what we're going to get. You were a bust buddy. Thanks. But he'll probably play better than Canseco.... Another guy I hope gives us juuust enough to let the bats win the game.

The bullpen has taken some hits and will really only be relying on two or three guys.

Peter Randolph - Started off really strong last season in finishing games off, but seemed to wear out toward the end of the season. He'll really need to get it together this season as we don't have the same type of pen staff as last year. It is critical that he succeeds this season.

Julio Delgado - A lefty that we'll also need to step it up from last season. If he can't, there's not really a steady presence beyond him.

The rest of the pen is trash.


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LINEUP

RF Norberto Silva - Guy is great with a bat. Lost him toward the end of the season last year (when he was threatening Dax Hix to be best leadoff hitter coincidentally enough). Need him to stay healthy as it was a real hit to the team losing their leadoff guy. Defensively he is mediocre and will probably lose some at bats late in close games.

LF Melvin Brown - Another guy that spent some time on the DL. Brown is a beast and was a great addition to the team last year. Provides solid defense, great leadership, and has a bat to boot.

C Wilson Perez - Won the Platinum Stick last season. Solid power hitter that is vital to our team. Unfortunately will start the first week on the DL due to knee tendonitis.

DH Claudio Lopez - Power for days against righties. A fan favorite that stayed on in Cookeville with a QO. Hasn't shown up during ST but we're confident he'll give us his all during the season.

1B Thomas Campbell - New addition that provided 45 HR's and 137 RBI's last year in Seattle. He's in the final year of his contract and should be looking to put up big numbers for a new one. Solid bat against both right and left handed pitchers.

3B Jose Vargo - The do it all man. He'll be the guy getting moved around to different positions when the injuries start coming in. His average went down last season but his WAR went up. He provides the defense we need at that corner position. Been rock solid during ST.

SS Natsume Mochizuki - In the final year of his contract as well. Was a key piece last season both offensively and defensively. Hoping to see him put up a solid season as he plays for his next contract.

2B Artie Davis - Replacing Maeda at the 2B spot. Very similar players with Davis being younger and cheaper. Not expecting a lot but hoping for some solid D. He gives us that I'll be pretty happy.

CF Arthur Webber - Great contact hitter, not so special defense. He has a couple youngsters sitting behind him that provide much better defense. Should his bat start to waiver then he'll find himself on the outside looking in.

There is nothing special sitting on the bench at this time but we do have a couple guys we believe will develop into something better in a season or two. Unfortunately that doesn't help us now. Health will be vital to this seasons run.


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The lineup is solid, the starting rotation has key pieces in place. This team has the potential to be very good, but again, health will be important. It's possible to see this team winning the AL West, but I believe they should finish no worse than 2nd in the division. Last seasons schedule allowed for the Cubs to get off to a hot start but they struggled against winning teams. The schedule this season will not be as favorable in the start so they must be ready for tough competition early on.

I predict a 101-61 record and will lose out on winning the division by 3 games.

[DRiccio21]

That staff is impressive. Good luck

[Cnasty]

Staff is stupid good.

The lineup....that staff is stupid good!