The 2010 version of the Chicago Cubs have strengths and weaknesses. However, the weakness can be fixed with low money guys still available right now. The cubs need a true lead-off hitter, an everyday 2nd baseman, and an outfielder with some pop. The easy thing to do would be to write about a trade for Brian Roberts to fill 2 of those holes. But that is just not going to happen. So let’s get creative. First here is what they have to work with. Here are the locks, starters in italic…
Catchers:
Geovany Soto
Koyie Hill
1st Base:
Derrek Lee
Micah Hoffpauir
2nd Base:
Jeff Baker
Mike Fontenot
3rd Base:
Aramis Ramirez
Short Stop:
Ryan Theriot
Left Field:
Alfonso Soriano
Center Field:
Marlon Byrd
Right Field:
Kosuke Fukudome
That is 11 players. Under the assumption they will break camp with 12 pitchers this leaves room for 2 more position players. Looking at this you are in desperate need of depth, You need a 4th Outfielder and a guy who can play the infield. You would prefer your outfielder to have some pop. The in house candidates are…
Sam Fuld- OF- great defense can play all 3 OF spots, contact hitter. Unproven
Andres Blanco- IF- outstanding defense. Can play SS and 2B. Weak hitting
Tyler Colvin- OF- former 1st round pick. grinder type, not ready for big leagues.
Brian LaHair- 1B/OF- Can play corner spots and 1B. 27 year old minor league Free Agent, has some pop, hit .285, 26 HR, and 85 RBI in Triple A for the Mariners in ‘09. Reminds me of Hoffpauir.
Starlin Castro- SS- Cubs #1 prospect and one of the top 10 in all of baseball. 19 year old all around stud. Probably not ready for the bigs. However, a huge spring from Castro could remake this roster. ETA on Castro to the bigs will be Possibly mid year, almost certainly next year.
The Cubs have some guys who can play other positions. Baker and Fontenot can both play 3B to back up Ramirez. Baker and Hoffpauir can play the corner OF spots to add depth. However, this team is lacking a true 4th OF, and everyday 2B man. I propose the following to signings.
Xavier Nady- OF. Nady can play the corner OF spots and can hit. He has power and can be had cheap since he is still on the market, and was hurt last season. A one year deal with Nady gives you some power off the bench and a guy who can play in Right of Left everyday in case of injury or a Fukudome slump.
Felipe Lopez- 2B. Lopez will be your everyday 2nd Baseman. Lopez is still on the market and may have to take a 1 year deal for about $4-$5 million to play. However, with Scott Boras as his agent this may not happen. Lopez hits lead-off and gives you legitimate everyday player at 2nd base. Lopez hit .310 with a .383 OBP and .810 OPS. Those are great numbers. Plus this frees up Baker to enter the super sub role that the Cubs need.
There are two ways the Cubs can go. They can go cheap using internal candidates to fill these roles early and if needed turn the trade block to add depth. Or get guys for nothing now. Guys that will fit this roster perfect on low money short term deals. Just what they need. My Cubs lineup looks like this.
1. Felipe Lopez 2nd
2. Kosuke Fukudome RF
3. Derrek Lee 1B
4. Aramis Ramirez 3B
5. Marlon Byrd CF
6. Alfonso Soriano LF
7. Geo Soto C
8. Ryan Theriot SS
9. Pitcher Slot.
Bench:
Xavier Nady
Jeff Baker
Koyie Hill
Micah Hoffpauir
Andres Blanco
I send Mike Fontenot back to Iowa. I prefer to have Blanco’s defense and his ability to back up Theriot at short makes him more valuable than Fontenot.
The worst Case looks like this:
1. Ryan Theriot SS
2. Fukudome RF
3. D. Lee 1B
4. Ramirez 3B
5. Byrd CF
6. Soriano LF
7. Soto C
8. Baker/ Fontenot 2b (platoon)
9. pitcher
Bench:
Hoffpauir
Baker/ Fontenot
Sam Fuld
Ryan LaHair
Andres Blanco
This lineup gives you a weak everyday 2nd baseman. And a very weak bench with Fuld, LaHair as primary bench players.
I would live with the 2B situation of Baker/ Fontenot if the Cubs think Castro will be ready by mid year. You then slide Theriot to 2B Castro plays SS and Baker becomes supersub. Fontenot goes to Iowa. Last season the Cubs did not have a lot of depth and that was their downfall. This year let’s bring in 2 cheap veterans to ensure that does not happen again.
