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I am going to write a new article about the Cubs every month of the 2007 Cubs season. April 2007 |
Rotation
The Cubs open the season with the rotation being set up as Zambrano,
Lilly, Marquis, Hill, and Wade Miller. This looks better that last year
considering the rotation included Jerome Williams and Glendon Rusch.
The thing I hope that happens this year is the rotation eats up some
innings. The bullpen was spent last year. I think Rich Hill will break
out this year and be a stud. Also don't forget about our hurt buddy
Mark Prior. If he can come up and contribute this year that is a huge
bonus.
Opening Day Lineup
I think Murton batting second is long overdue. He is the perfect fit in
the 2hole. The Cubs lineup should pack some punch and score runs. The
fact that Lee is back and healthy is huge. I am a little skeptical
about Soriano batting first but then I think what alternatives we could
have there. Soriano does have speed which is awesome. Based on some
sort of calculation, Sports Illustrated said that Barrett would be the
Cubs ideal leadoff hitter. That is very interesting but I don't see Lou
ever doing that but who knows? The middle of the lineup with Lee and
Ramirez should provide a lot of thump. This is a solid lineup 1 through
9 and should provide more patience at the plate and score more runs
this year.
Zambrano Contract
There has been a lot of talk about a new 5 year deal for Zambrano,
somewhere around 80 million. Zambrano said he didn't want to talk about
the deal during the season but I guess they were close so he lifted
that restriction. But now the new wrinkle is because Sam Zell is buying
the Tribune, contract negotiations between the Cubs and Zambrano are on
hold. I hope the sale of the Trib doesn't force Zambrano to become an
agent and go somewhere else after this season. The Cubs need to sign
Zambrano.
NL Central
The NL Central looks pretty week this year. I don't think the Cardinals
have enough arms in their rotation do get it done this year. I hate not
picking the Cubs, but I have to pick the Brewers to win the division
this year. I think they have a nice rotation and I think guys like
Fielder and Weeks are really going to come into their own this season.
I think the Astros still have too many question marks especially
considering they lost Petitte and won't have Clemens back for a month
or two, or maybe not at all. The Pirates should be a little better this
year and I think the Reds still don't have enough quality pitchers but
I have always liked their lineup offensively.
Wood and Prior
I am so happy that we don't have to go into the season relying on Wood
and Prior. Another year is upon us and yet again Wood and Prior are not
with the team. They are hurt or rehabbing elsewhere. But this year we
have capable replacements for them and we are not relying on them to be
our #1 and #2 pitchers. I have to admit I still get excited about the
possibility of them coming back and dominating but until then we have
Marquis and Lilly to eat up some innings.