2013 MLB Team Preview: Chicago Cubs
The Cubs ranked 28th in the league in runs scored last season and while they have young talent they need to be much better than last season to have any chance to contend this season. Soriano had a great season with over 30 HR and 100 RBI, but no other player had more than 15 HR.
- NL Central Odds from Bovada: +2000
- Odds to Win National League Pennant: 40-1
- Odds to Win World Series: 75-1
Key Additions
SP Edwin Jackson, SP Scott Baker , SP Scott Feldman , SP Carlos Villanueva , RP Kyuji Fujikawa , RP Hisanori Takahashi , OF Scott Hairston , OF Nate Schierholtz , IF/OF Brent Lillibridge , C Dioner Navarro , RP Dontrelle Willis , OF Darnell McDonald , OF Brian Bogusevic , SP Zach Putnam,
Key Losses
1B Bryan LaHair, SP Chris Volstad, SP Randy Wells , RP Manny Corpas , OF Joe Mather , UT Blake DeWitt
Let`s take a look at the Cubs’ offense:
Projected batting order
1. CF David DeJesus (.263/.350/.403, 9 HR, 50 RBI, 76 R)
2. RF Nate Schierholtz (.257/.321/.407, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 20 R)
3. 1B Anthony Rizzo (.285/.342/.463, 15 HR, 48 RBI, 44 R)
4. LF Alfonso Soriano (.262/.322/.499, 32 HR, 108 RBI, 68 R)
5. SS Starlin Castro (.283/.323/.430, 14 HR, 78 RBI, 78 R)
6. 3B Ian Stewart (.201/.292/.335, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 16 R)
7. C Welington Castillo (.265/.337/.418, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 16 R)
8. 2B Darwin Barney (.254/.299/.354, 7 HR, 44 RBI, 73 R)
Starlin Castro is an emerging star that is a great young player and Rizzo, who was stellar last in AAA ball for much of the season has the talent to be a 30 HR and 100 RBI guy. The top and bottom of the order is an issue and they have several veterans that are playing there until the young talented guys of Brett Jackson, Albert Almora and Jorge Soler are ready for the big time. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Let`s take a look at the Cubs’ pitching.
Projected rotation
1. RHP Matt Garza (18 GS, 5-7, 3.91 ERA, 96 K, 103.2 IP)
2. RHP Jeff Samardzija (28 GS, 9-13, 3.81 ERA, 180 K, 174.2 IP)
3. RHP Edwin Jackson (31 GS, 10-11, 4.03 ERA, 168 K, 189.2 IP)
4. RHP Scott Feldman (29 G, 21 GS, 6-11, 5.09 ERA, 96 K, 123.2 IP)
5. RHP Carlos Villanueva (38 G, 16 GS, 7-7, 4.16 ERA, 122 K, 125.1 IP)
DL. RHP Scott Baker (did not play – Tommy John surgery)
Projected bullpen
CL Carlos Marmol (61 G, 3-3, 20 SV, 3.42 ERA, 11.7 K/9)
SU Kyuji Fujikawa (48 G, 2-2, 24 SV, 1.32 ERA, 10.9 K/9 in Japan)
SU Shawn Camp (80 G, 3-6, 2 SV, 3.59 ERA, 6.3 K/9)
MR James Russell (77 G, 7-1, 2 SV, 3.25 ERA, 7.1 K/9)
MR Michael Bowden (32 G, 0-0, 2.95 ERA, 7.3 K/9)
MR Hisanori Takahashi (51 G, 0-3, 5.54 ERA, 9.3 K/9)
LR Hector Rondon (4 G, 0-0, 1.29 ERA, 11.6 K/9 in minors)
The Cubs ranked 23rd in the league last season in team ERA and only the Astros and Rockies had a higher team ERA in the NL. Edwin Jackson was the big addition to the Chicago staff and while he may not be an Ace he eats up innings and has averaged 11 wins and almost 200 innings in the last 6 seasons.
Matt Garza has the talent, but he has to stay healthy and he is in the last year of his contract, so he will be aiming for a big season. Samardzija may have been the most consistent starter last season, but he was 4 games under .500. the 4th and 5th starters are a major issue in the Windy City.
Carlos Marmo had 20 saves last season in an up and down year and if he begins to struggle he may be moved, as he is due nearly $10 million this season. Kyuji Fujikawa had a great season last year in Japan and he will be counted on to be the main setup guy. The bullpen is pretty solid, but the starters need to get them further into games then they did last season and Marmo has to cut down on his walks and be more consistent than he was last season.
2013 Chicago Cubs Prediction
The Cubs have a lot of young talent in the farm system and on the club, but that will not be enough. I think the Cubs’ offense will be better than last season, but the pitching is the major issue. Jackson was a solid pickup, but the staff really lacks an ace and the other starters do not give the team a lot of hope. With the solid offensive teams of the Brewers and Cardinals in the division the Cubs will be rocked and they will finish well under .500 this season.
