The team may still be called the Chicago Cubs, but that’s about the only thing remaining the same. Joe Maddon is the new manager. Three new players could crack the starting lineup and Jon Lester is the new ace of the program. Change was needed. The Cubs haven’t won more than 75 games since 2009 and haven’t made the postseason since 2008.
ALSO SEE: TEAM PREVIEWS ARCHIVES
Key additions: Tommy La Stella, Miguel Montero, Jon Lester, Chris Denorfia, Dexter Fowler, Jason Motte, and Jason Hammel
Key losses: Justin Ruggiano, Luis Valbuena, Kyuji Fujikawa, and Carlos Villanueva
Projected Lineup
Miguel Montero could be the oldest player in the batting order (minus the days when Jason Hammel has to bat) and he’s only 31-years-old as of this post. While a team full of youth can be scary for some organizations, the Cubs have enough talented and experience players to capitalize on their situations…Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo combined for 46 home runs and 143 RBI last season. For Rizzo, he set a career-best with 32 homers and a .286 batting average. Castro tied a career-high with 14 home runs…Dexter Fowler returns to the NL after a one-year stint with the Astros. In the hitter-friendly Coors Field, Fowler batted .300 with 13 home runs and 53 RBI in 2012. In 2014, his home field was still amiable (Houston), but the talent that surrounded him was not. This year, it seems as though Fowler is part of a legitimate contender with a lineup that can produce top to bottom.
Projected Rotation
Closer: Hector Rondon
It is a fantasy baseball owner’s dream to see a successful American League starting pitcher move to the NL. That’s the case for Jon Lester. Another point in Lester’s favor is that the Cubs play the most day games. In Lester’s career, he is 34-21 (3.21 ERA) in 74 day games. He has a 3.74 career ERA in 179 night games…Jason Hammel started the 2014 season with the Cubs, but ended the year on the Oakland A’s roster. This year, Hammel returns to Wrigley. In his seven starts at the friendly confines last year, Hammel tallied a 4-1 record with an astounding 2.35 ERA…One situation to monitor in Chicago is the closer role. Hector Rondon successfully slammed the door 29 times (2.42 ERA) in his first year as a closer. The Cubs are building a roster to win today. If Rondon stumbles under the pressure, Maddon might be quick to pull the trigger.
Fantasy Sleeper: Jason Hammel
(See above)
Top Prospects
Kris Bryant, 3B – Bryant ate a roster spot on many people’s fantasy baseball roster last year. His transition from AA to AAA was seamless. In his 2014 campaign in the minors, Bryant batted .325 (back-to-back seasons with a batting average over .300) with 43 home runs and 110 RBI.
Jorge Soler, OF – While playing in 24 games (89 ABs) with the Cubs, Soler held his own. He batted .292 with 20 RBI. With the minor league affiliates, Soler had a batting average of .340 with 15 home runs and 57 RBI in 62 games. It seems as though Soler will get his chance to be an everyday starter in the bigs in 2014.
Addison Russell, SS – Russell was a key part that involved a trade between Jeff Samardzija and Oakland. In 258 at-bats in the minors last year, Russell acquired 76 hits (.295 AVG). Among those knocks, 13 left the yard. It’s hard to see him earning the starting job over Starlin Castro. But, it’s good to know that Chicago has a stud waiting in the wings just in case a drastic situation occurs.
ALSO SEE: TEAM PREVIEWS ARCHIVES
