Hello Fans,
The Chicago Northsiders, a.k.a. the Cubs, are trying to turn things around for the famously longtime struggling franchise. As the Chicago Cubs’ new manager Dale Sveum and general manager Theo Epstein continue to evaluate both their Major League talent and prospects throughout the organization, there will undoubtedly be ups and downs. Currently, they are riding a three game winning streak. However, that was preceded by a twelve game losing streak. Ouch! That hurts even the most dedicated and hopeful of fans. With that being said, let’s take a closer look at the present team to determine just how bright, or dim, the future looks for the heroes of Wrigley Field.
Any rebuilding project, regardless of the depth of the overhaul, begins up the middle. The Cubs are looking good with 2008 Rookie of the Year Geovany Soto behind the plate, especially if he can continue to cut down base runners and return to his .280+ batting average from his first few years. Then of course, they’ve got current star and future mega-star, STAR-lin Castro, at shortstop. He can do it all with glove, has the strong arm needed in the hole, and can hit with the best of them. People are concerned by his 25+ errors each of first two seasons. However, the boots will decrease each year as the game slows down for him. Experience will help increase the necessary consistency on routine plays for the young player.
The middle also includes second sacker Darwin Barney, who really emerged last season and continues to make a splash. He doesn’t have much power, but is a few years from his prime at age 26, and can hit the ball around the field and make things happen on the bases. He also has above average range (fifth best in 2011 at 2B) and is currently 2nd in fielding percentage this year at .995.
A pleasant arrival who looks to be a fan favorite is first baseman Bryan Lahair. In 44 games, he’s hitting .312 with 10 bombs, 22 RBI, 21 Runs, and a .402 OBP. And at 6’5″ and 240 pounds, he makes a heckuva target for the Cub’s infielders. He turns 30 in November and in 60-plus other games in the MLB with Chicago and Seattle, he held his own with 5 HR and 16 RBI in limited duty. Perhaps he will be a late bloomer type who becomes extremely valuable in the Bigs.
One longtime Cubbie who could use some support is Ryan Dempster. He’s 0-3 with a 2.90 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in nine starts this year. That’s great stuff up the middle, but the Cubs MUST find ways to win games that are pitched that well, whether it be by Dempster or Matt Garza or former Domer wideout Jeff Samardzija (5-3 with a 3.09 ERA and 1.18 WHIP after a rough start).
All in all, I like the foundation the Cubs have in place. Plus, Epstein is a proven G.M. Granted, he inherited a very good club that was tight-knit in Boston for the 2003 season, but he signed Big Papi out of Minnesota and convinced Curt Schilling that Beantown was a hotbed. They turned into champions. I don’t think Epstein’s second season in Chicago, 2013, will be anywhere near as magical as that ’04 RedSox team was. However, there is enough pieces in place to stand by my THEO-ry that 2014 is the Year of the Cubbies. It’s based on the 1908 Cubs being the longest standing title drought. The second longest was the Chi-Sox (1917 to 2005) and third longest was the RedSox (1918 to 2004). Notice the streaks were snapped in the opposite order they started, so to be numerically consistent means that the Cubs will be victorious in Epstien’s third year in 2014. Chicago beware, you heard it here first!! And remember, it all started up the middle.
Later Fans.