Post by lax on Aug 10, 2007 17:54:59 GMT -5
The Chicago Cubs are sick of being the lovable losers. The Tribune was finally convinced to open up its pocketbook and spend some cash this off-season.
The big ticket acquistion this off-season was Todd Helton, who needs to provide some much needed help to Sammy Sosa. For the first time in Sosa's career he has a legitimate battery mate. Sosa will provide Helton with some much needed protection, unfortunately there is no one left to do the same for Sammy.
The Cubs lineup will need huge production out of their 3/4 hitters in order to contend this year. The rest of their lineup is a mish mash of overpaid players who have proven little over their careers. Corey Patterson needs to step up and find creative ways to get on base and the contingent of players who bats in the 2 spot needs to find a way to move him along the basepaths and get into scoring position for Helton and Sosa. If they can do this, theres a chance that the offense could be passable.
The staff is much as the same as it was last year. Carlos Zambrano has been temporarily replaced with Victor to refine his skills in AAA, Shawn Estes will likely be the odd man out when Carlos is ready to return the the big leagues. Kerry Wood and phenom Mark Prior should be able to carry this rotation to respectability, if Clement, Estes can be solid and just eat innings until the next time Wood and Prior pitch, this team will do well. Having potentially the best bullpen in the league won't hurt and will receive a huge boost when Antonio Alfonseca returns from the DL in about a month.
In the end it will all come down to luck, hopefully 2003 will be the first time in 95 years the Cubs have some luck on their side.
The big ticket acquistion this off-season was Todd Helton, who needs to provide some much needed help to Sammy Sosa. For the first time in Sosa's career he has a legitimate battery mate. Sosa will provide Helton with some much needed protection, unfortunately there is no one left to do the same for Sammy.
The Cubs lineup will need huge production out of their 3/4 hitters in order to contend this year. The rest of their lineup is a mish mash of overpaid players who have proven little over their careers. Corey Patterson needs to step up and find creative ways to get on base and the contingent of players who bats in the 2 spot needs to find a way to move him along the basepaths and get into scoring position for Helton and Sosa. If they can do this, theres a chance that the offense could be passable.
The staff is much as the same as it was last year. Carlos Zambrano has been temporarily replaced with Victor to refine his skills in AAA, Shawn Estes will likely be the odd man out when Carlos is ready to return the the big leagues. Kerry Wood and phenom Mark Prior should be able to carry this rotation to respectability, if Clement, Estes can be solid and just eat innings until the next time Wood and Prior pitch, this team will do well. Having potentially the best bullpen in the league won't hurt and will receive a huge boost when Antonio Alfonseca returns from the DL in about a month.
In the end it will all come down to luck, hopefully 2003 will be the first time in 95 years the Cubs have some luck on their side.