Just some thoughts before things play out in ST:
Position players (probable starters listed first)
1B: Lee, Hoffpauier Lee's offensive numbers have not been spectacular lately and sounds like Bradley may bat 3rd in the lineup so this probably moves Lee down to the 5th or 6th spot now. Hoffpauier takes Daryle Ward's spot as the left handed power hitter off the bench.
2B: Fontenot, Miles Sad to see DeRo go but I think between these 2 guys defensively it's probably an upgrade and the left handed bats will definitely help even out the right handed dominant lineup. Probably a platoon position until 1 of them distances themselves as the best option
3B: Ramirez, Miles A-Ram clearly the best bat on the team and biggest clutch hitter. Don't have DeRo to give him a break this year though if he gets hurt or needs a rest.
SS: Theriot, Miles Hopefully Lou gives Theriot a shot to leadoff and puts Soriano in the 5 spot where he can still swing away and have more of an impact when he hits his homers. Miles is a solid guy to back up the position and give Theriot some more rest this year while not losing production from the position when he's sitting out.
OF: Soriano, Johnson, Bradley. Bench: Fukudome, Gathright CF is a big question because Johnson is not an everyday player and Fukudome needs to hit better to justify even being on the roster. I would not be shocked that Fukudome gets sent to the minors if he continues to struggle at the plate. Here's to hoping Bradley can stay healthy enough to play a full season in RF because he's a great addition with his bat. Gathright essentially takes Pie's spot as pinch runner and late defensive replacement.
C: Soto, Bako/Hill. Soto is a stud and rising star at his position, not much to be said there. Smart money says Bako beats out Hill for the backup C.
Rotation:
Zambrano, Dempster, Lilly, Harden, Marshall The key is Harden staying healthy as this makes the top 4 possibly the best in baseball. I think Marshall gets the edge as 5th starter right now but Heilman and Samardzija will get a look in ST here and Gaudin has starter experience as well.
Bullpen: Heilman, Gaudin, Samardzija, Cotts, Gregg, Vizcaino, Marmol. This area worries me because Cotts is not a great lefty and had struggles late, Heilman can be good but has had some struggles last year, Vizcaino is 34 and coming off a bad year in Colorado, Gaudin and Gaudin had problems staying healthy. Marmol will likely win the closer job leaving Gregg and Samardjiza as solid setup men.
Guys in spring training with a shot to make the roster: Pitchers:Jose Ascanio, Kevin Hart, Mike Stanton, Angel Guzman, Ken Kadokura. Stanton could find a way on with a solid ST as a 2nd lefty in the pen. Ascanio, Guzman, and Hart have all had stints and have shown they have the potential, and Kadokura is a wild card from Japan that would have to really impress to make the opening day roster I think.
Position players: Sam Fuld and So Taguchi. I already mentioned Koyie Hill, Fuld and Taguchi could sneak in with a good ST and if the Cubs are not happy with Fukudome's bat. Fuld can play CF and Taguchi has been a serviceable veteran with a good glove and a career .279 average. I have a hard time seeing any infield position players making a push to take a roster spot away right now. Ideally I'd love to see a trade for a proven CF and just secure that spot with an every day player.
My ideal Lineup:
1. Theriot SS (R)
2. Johnson CF (R)
3. Bradley RF (S)
4. Ramirez 3B (R)
5. Soriano LF (R)
6. Lee 1B (R)
7. Soto C (R)
8. Fontenot 2B (L)
9. P
When Miles (S) is starting at 2B you can put him at 2 and Johnson/Fukudome (L) at 8. In fact just put Fukudome at 8 whenever he is in the lineup. It's time to put an end to Soriano leading off and the 5 hole still allows him to swing away and possibly lead off some innings while having that power bat in the middle of the order where he can hit more runs in.
Rotation:
1. Zambrano
2. Dempster
3. Lilly
4. Harden
5. Marshall
I think you have to split the lefties and Harden's injury history still worries me so while he has #1 or 2 stuff when healthy I put him at 4 because those top 3 guys are consistent and usually healthy.
Will be interesting to see how things shape up!
Position players (probable starters listed first)
1B: Lee, Hoffpauier Lee's offensive numbers have not been spectacular lately and sounds like Bradley may bat 3rd in the lineup so this probably moves Lee down to the 5th or 6th spot now. Hoffpauier takes Daryle Ward's spot as the left handed power hitter off the bench.
2B: Fontenot, Miles Sad to see DeRo go but I think between these 2 guys defensively it's probably an upgrade and the left handed bats will definitely help even out the right handed dominant lineup. Probably a platoon position until 1 of them distances themselves as the best option
3B: Ramirez, Miles A-Ram clearly the best bat on the team and biggest clutch hitter. Don't have DeRo to give him a break this year though if he gets hurt or needs a rest.
SS: Theriot, Miles Hopefully Lou gives Theriot a shot to leadoff and puts Soriano in the 5 spot where he can still swing away and have more of an impact when he hits his homers. Miles is a solid guy to back up the position and give Theriot some more rest this year while not losing production from the position when he's sitting out.
OF: Soriano, Johnson, Bradley. Bench: Fukudome, Gathright CF is a big question because Johnson is not an everyday player and Fukudome needs to hit better to justify even being on the roster. I would not be shocked that Fukudome gets sent to the minors if he continues to struggle at the plate. Here's to hoping Bradley can stay healthy enough to play a full season in RF because he's a great addition with his bat. Gathright essentially takes Pie's spot as pinch runner and late defensive replacement.
C: Soto, Bako/Hill. Soto is a stud and rising star at his position, not much to be said there. Smart money says Bako beats out Hill for the backup C.
Rotation:
Zambrano, Dempster, Lilly, Harden, Marshall The key is Harden staying healthy as this makes the top 4 possibly the best in baseball. I think Marshall gets the edge as 5th starter right now but Heilman and Samardzija will get a look in ST here and Gaudin has starter experience as well.
Bullpen: Heilman, Gaudin, Samardzija, Cotts, Gregg, Vizcaino, Marmol. This area worries me because Cotts is not a great lefty and had struggles late, Heilman can be good but has had some struggles last year, Vizcaino is 34 and coming off a bad year in Colorado, Gaudin and Gaudin had problems staying healthy. Marmol will likely win the closer job leaving Gregg and Samardjiza as solid setup men.
Guys in spring training with a shot to make the roster: Pitchers:Jose Ascanio, Kevin Hart, Mike Stanton, Angel Guzman, Ken Kadokura. Stanton could find a way on with a solid ST as a 2nd lefty in the pen. Ascanio, Guzman, and Hart have all had stints and have shown they have the potential, and Kadokura is a wild card from Japan that would have to really impress to make the opening day roster I think.
Position players: Sam Fuld and So Taguchi. I already mentioned Koyie Hill, Fuld and Taguchi could sneak in with a good ST and if the Cubs are not happy with Fukudome's bat. Fuld can play CF and Taguchi has been a serviceable veteran with a good glove and a career .279 average. I have a hard time seeing any infield position players making a push to take a roster spot away right now. Ideally I'd love to see a trade for a proven CF and just secure that spot with an every day player.
My ideal Lineup:
1. Theriot SS (R)
2. Johnson CF (R)
3. Bradley RF (S)
4. Ramirez 3B (R)
5. Soriano LF (R)
6. Lee 1B (R)
7. Soto C (R)
8. Fontenot 2B (L)
9. P
When Miles (S) is starting at 2B you can put him at 2 and Johnson/Fukudome (L) at 8. In fact just put Fukudome at 8 whenever he is in the lineup. It's time to put an end to Soriano leading off and the 5 hole still allows him to swing away and possibly lead off some innings while having that power bat in the middle of the order where he can hit more runs in.
Rotation:
1. Zambrano
2. Dempster
3. Lilly
4. Harden
5. Marshall
I think you have to split the lefties and Harden's injury history still worries me so while he has #1 or 2 stuff when healthy I put him at 4 because those top 3 guys are consistent and usually healthy.
Will be interesting to see how things shape up!
