how will the cubs do this year?

Question

dont give me crap about how Alfonso S. will make em great cause we said the same thing when we picked up kerry wood and now look at em, so give me an honest answer!!!

Answer 1

1) The starting pitching is not that good. Take out Zambrano, and their # 2 & 3 pitchers were a combined 52 - 54 with a 5.01 ERA over the last two years, and it does not really scare you.
2) The defensive outfield of Soriano (who has never played center field, and Wrigley is not an easy place to play that position!), Jones and Murton, and this might be the worst defensive outfield in the league.

Add this with a team that last year folded the tents after one players injury, and it all adds up to a very average team.

Answer 2

if everything goes right, the Cubs very well could be in the top 3 for best teams this year.

baring injuries the rotation will be solid and has decent depth. Lilly is coming from the AL east and going into a weak division in the NL central. Zambrano is reliable and has come close to no hitters on many different occasions. If Rich Hill has the same form he had at the end of last year, he could very well win the cy young. the wild card is Prior, if he is healthy and anything close to what he was in 2003, Good things will happen for the Cubs

The lineup has the potential to put up huge numbers with Soriano, Lee and Ramirez all capable of 40+ homeruns and Barrett, and Jacque jones capable of 25+ home runs

the bullpen is going to be good with Howry, Eyre and if dempster fails again, there is Kerry Wood who in his relief attempts back in 2004 had a sub 2.00 ERA ( if i remember correctly)

then there is the manager, the cubs will be better just because they dont have the idiot known as dustbag managing the team into the ground. Any manager that says walks clog the bases shouldnt be allowed to manage a MLB team



obviously health is the issue, but thats for each team

Answer 3

The cubs have a ton going for them. They were not as bad as they played last year! Why do I say that?

#1-Lee. Lee was out for most of last year, and was not 100% when he came back. That was a huge blow to the team, bot offensively and defensively. You lose a gold glove out of the infield and you are going to feel the pain.

#2-Ramirez. Ramirez will have to prove that he deserves the money he is making and will have to turn into a leader on the team. Lou will see to it! Unlike Dusty, Lou will not stand there saying "Well, we have talked to him about it a lot" when Ramirez decides he does not want to run out a grounder or give a good effort on a ball hit to him. Lou will get in his face and let him know that won't be tolerated.

#3-The bats. The cubs have one of the best looking lineups in baseball. From 1-6 there are no easy outs at all. They have 4 hitters who will hit for 30+ home runs, and have some decent speed on the basepaths this year. Hopefully the bats will help the cubies overcome some bad pithing. After Zambrano, they pitching really falls off drastically. Keep your fingers crossed!

I think the cubs might have a chance to go deep in the playoffs. if they can pick up a quality pitcher along the way, this could be the year!

Answer 4

The Cubs on paper actually look good, but that's on paper! The Cubs need to stay healthy... Losing Lee, Wood, and Prior didn't help their cause last year. With Prior supposedly healthy, Wood in the bullpen, and Lee back they are looking at a good team. Ramirez won't feel the pressure to be the soul producer at the plate with Lee back, and the addition of Soriano helps also. If Zambrano keeps his form with a little more offensive help he could easily win 20 games. If Lilly and Marquis can give them 15 wins... maybe just maybe they will make the playoffs...

Answer 5

Besides Soriano, they kept Aramis Ramirez (3rd Baseman) and signed some really durable pitchers like Ted Lilly and they still have Zambrano and Prior... Wood is being groomed for a Closer, less innings and hopefully more success.

Derek Lee is healthy, he'll be close to 40-50 Home runs this year again, Alfonzo will have similar numbers and Ramirez is good for 25-30 homers.

Baseball is won though with pitching and defense... Pitching is stronger this year and they have 2 gold glove winners in the infield and an improved outfield.

Not to mention they have a new coach - Lou Pinella.

Cubs are on their way to something special this year.

Answer 6

The biggest question the Cubbies had (pitching) was not answered. Lilly and Marquis are not who you want in the middle of your rotation. I like Hill though and Zambrano is in the top 5 in the World right now. They look good on paper but people have been saying that the last 100 years. The games are going to be super exciting because they will score a million runs and give up a million runs with Soriano kickin it around in Center and Marquis throwing batting practice. They will finish 3rd in the Central. Just cause the goat says so.

Answer 7

It's not solely about Soriano. It's about the entire lineup, the bench, the rotation, and the bullpen. If Dempster can return to his 2005 form, if Z can win 15 -18 games, if Lilly and Marquis can each contribute enough quality starts, if we can stay healthy in the infield (Lee, Izturis, Ramirez), and if we can get production from the bench players in critical situations, then there should be no reason why the Cubs don't win 85-90 games this year. Playoffs? We'll see about that once we see how each of the NL teams is playing but it is definitely not out of reach.

Answer 8

it all depends on the injuries or lack thereof. If they stay healthy, there is no reason they shouldn't contend for the Central as well as the NL. However, there is a lot of factors to take into mind. They will win 80-90 games this year and if they win the division should clinch the third week of September. Lee needs to be back to 100%, Aramis needs to be 100% and Z needs to keep his head clear. If those things happen, the only teams that could beat them in the NL will be the dodgers, or Mets.

Answer 9

Alfonso gives the offense a boost. The pithcing staff will be the key if they can avoid injuries.

Lou will guide them and make the a competitive team that will compete for the division.

I'm not about to crown them division winners but they win have a much better showing than last year.

Answer 10

It's not just Soriano. You have a good skipper in Pinella and you picked up a good pitcher in Lilly. If you're pitching is healthy and that's a big question then you win the division. Wood and Prior's health has been an issue for the past three years. When they are healthy they win. Aramis Ramirez ia a stud.