The Chicago Cubs have been one of the most talked about teams in the league ever since Theo Epstien took over as President of Baseball Operations. The Cubs have possibly the best farm system EVER and all of their prospects are now about ready to make an impact at the big league level. It feels like the question isn’t if, but when the Cubs will become a dynasty and win their first World Series since 1908. They don’t quite look like they are the favorites to win it all just yet, but they are surely inching their way closer to owning the title of perennial contenders.
Here are the notable moves they made this off-season...
Additions
- Jon Lester
- Dexter Fowler
- Miguel Montero
- Jason Hammel
- Tommy La Stella
- Jason Motte
- David Ross
- Chris Denorfia
- Taylor Teagarden
- Jonny Herrera
- Adron Chambers
- Mike Baxter
- Donn Roach
- Drake Britton
- Joseph Ortiz
- Gonzalez Germen
- Anthony Carter
- Fancisley Bueno
- Jorge De Leon
- Daniel Bard
- Matt Brazis
Subtractions
- Luis Valbuena
- Dan Straily
- Justin Ruggiano
- Kyuji Fujikawa
- Carlos Villanueva
- Wesley Wright
- Marco Hernandez
- Andrew McKirahan
- Jeferson Mejia
- Zach Godley
- John Baker
Biggest Weakness – Inexperience
This writer is just as excited to see the Cubs put everything together as everyone else is, but there is the issue of team chemistry and experience. At least a lot of these guys have experience playing with each other throughout the minors, but the MLB could be a different story. All of these stud prospects will go through periods of time where they will get cold and frustrated, so it’s important that they take a mature approach to the game and make sure they can all overcome. Because all of these guys are so fresh, it may take a couple of years for them to be as good as everyone thinks they may be.
Biggest Strength – On Their Way To Being The Best Offensive Team In The League
People have regarded Javier Baez as the next middle infielder who has a chance to hit like Troy Tulowitzki and the Cubs might be forced to hit him in the 7 hole because of how stacked this team is. That says a lot right there. Kris Bryant. Jorge Soler. Anthony Rizzo. These are the guys that will be the most feared heart of the lineup in the league, and it could happen as soon as this season. The Cubs have good on base guys as well for the top of the lineup and there are no weaknesses that I can see at any of their positions. On top of everything, their farm system is still completely stacked. Cubs should be a feared lineup for a long time.
Something To Keep An Eye On – Starlin Castro And The Shortstop Position
Starlin Castro is and has been a consistent player for the Cubs at the shortstop position for 5 years now despite being only 25 years old going into 2015. He now has to watch his back for his position because Arismendy Alcantara is a good shortstop prospect already in the major leagues sitting in a utility player role. On top of that, Addison Russell could be knocking on the door as soon as this year to take his spot for good. It appears that Russell is the best candidate to play shortstop for the Cubbies long term.
He possesses better offensive and defensive tools than Starlin does, and Castro has actually been known to be less than perfect when it comes to behavioral issues. Starlin Castro was expected to do a lot more than be a league average hitter who makes bone headed mistakes defensively and it’s time for him to step up right now if he doesn’t want to lose his job.
Potential Lineup - * = Lefty, ^ = Switch
- Starlin Castro – SS
- Dexter Fowler – CF^
- Kris Bryant – 3B
- Anthony Rizzo – 1B*
- Jorge Soler – RF
- Miguel Montero – C*
- Javier Baez – 2B
- Arismendy Alcantara – LF^
Potential Bench
David Ross
Mike Olt
Chris Coghlan*
Tommy La Stella*
Chris Denorfia
Potential Rotation - * = Lefty
Jon Lester*
Jake Arrieta
Jason Hammel
Travis Wood
Kyle Hendricks
Potential Bullpen
Hector Rondon – Closer
Pedro Strop
Neil Ramirez
Jason Motte
Felix Doubront*
Jacob Turner
Edwin Jackson
Starting Season on DL
Nobody
Fantasy Bargain – Dexter Fowler
Dex is likely to bat leadoff all season this year and this team should be amongst the best in the league with regards to runs scored. He should score at least 100 runs with ok looking steal numbers and an elite on base percentage. With how much hype everyone else on the team is getting, Dex could fall late in drafts and you can snag him up late.
Overvalued Fantasy Player – Jason Hammel
Hammel has had some impressive stretches over the past few years, but this writer doesn’t like him in fantasy. Not going to sit here and say he isn’t draftable because he definitely is, personally this writer just thinks he goes a little too high. He has never been a huge strikeout guy in his career, and strikeouts are what should be chased more than anything else when it comes to pitchers. He is league average in that category, and when it comes to the other numbers he is pretty average over the course of his career as well. Draft him where he belongs, in the average player portion of the draft and don’t expect him to carry a pitching staff in any way.
Conclusion/Prediction
The Cubs still have a little more time to brew before this writer want to predict them to win the World Series. However, it is not out of the question for them to contend as early as this season. They really don’t have any serious weak spots on the whole team and they are deep with young talent at virtually every position. They should contend for the NL Central title this year and finish around 88 wins and a first round exit from the playoffs.
I interviewed Thomas Eurich @Thomas_Eurich on the radio about the Cubs. See what he had to say HERE.