MLB 30 Teams Preview: Chicago Cubs

[Gunther]

Manager

Rick Renteria, first season as MLB Manager, replaces Dale Sveum

Recent Club Notes

• The Cubs last haven't finished over .500 in the last five seasons, the longest such franchise streak since the 1980's.
• Last season club stats: 28th in Runs (602), 27th in BA (.238), 28th in OBP (.300) and 17th in SLG (.392)
• Having spent an average of $111M over the last ten seasons, the Cubs will see their payroll dip to the $70M-ish range this season as they continue a massive rebuilding project that started two years ago.
• Wrigley Field celebrates it's 100th anniversary this year, look for much pageantry and celebration along the way.

Key Departures

SP Scott Baker
OF Julio Borbon
RP Kevin Gregg
RP Matt Guerrier
C Dioner Navarro

Key Acquisitions/Extensions

C John Baker
IF Emilio Bonifacio
SP Jason Hammel
SP James McDonald
RP Jose Veras
RP Wesley Wright
OF Justin Ruggiano


Today's Opening Day Lineup

1. CF, Bonifacio, E
2. LF, Lake, J
3. SS, Castro, S
4. 1B, Rizzo, A
5. 3B, Olt, M
6. C, Castillo, W
7. RF, Schierholtz,
8. 2B, Barney, D
9. P, Samardzija, J

If you are a glutton for punishment and want to see the Cubs' 2013 stats, CLICK HERE.

Rotation

1. Jeff Samardzija
2. Edwin Jackson
3. Jason Hammel
4. Travis Wood
5. Carlos Villanueva

Bullpen

CL - Jose Veras
RP - Pedro Strop
RP - James Russell
RP - Wesley Wright
RP - Justin Grimm
RP - Hector Rondon
RP - Brian Schlitter

Best Case

For a rebuilding team with few marquis players, it is important for Jeff Samardzija to have a bounceback season. In addition, young studs Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo need to take big steps forward in their development, both having had a rough 2013 campaign. But with six players in the BA Top 100 prospects list, there is hope for the future, if not immediately. Likely, the Cubs will not begin the season with a fast start, as they have the last two seasons before losing talent at the trade deadline, but if the vision of Theo Epstein/Jed Hoyer comes to fruition, perhaps they can count on a late-season surge as their young players begin to "get it". Even if this occurs, however, the Cubs will have an uphill battle trying to contend this season.

Worst Case

Samardzija and Castro continue last season's mediocrity, the young talent pool does not click as expected, and the Cubs lose over 100 games. Being likely two more seasons from the "contending" portion of their rebuild, expectations for this season must be tempered, but their youth must continue to develop in order for the plan to succeed.

Prediction

The Cubs will finish last in the NL Central with over 90 losses, but there will be fun moments late in the season as we see young stars begin to emerge. Last season, Junior Lake made his debut. This season, Mike Olt made the opening day roster, and later this season we will probably see the likes of young SS Javier Baez and pitchers Kyle Hendricks and Arodys Vizcaino. Other names that will be worth watching in the minors are C.J. Edwards, Kris Bryant and Albert Almora. And there are still other youngsters who have yet to make a blip on the radar screen who may emerge. The future should be bright, but the future is not quite now.