Baseball Guru
01-23-2005, 09:27 AM
http://www.fanball.com/bb/article.cfm/id.3336
By Ted Carlson, Senior Editor
January 15, 2005 8:00 PM ET
Spring Training Home: HoHoKam Park - Mesa, Arizona
First Cactus League Game: March 3 at Athletics
With the Red Sox kicking their curse, the Cubs and their fans now stand virtually alone when it comes to self-pity and begging for sympathy. The Cubs managed to win 89 games last season, but the total could have been much higher if injuries and ineffectiveness had not bogged down Mark Prior, Sammy Sosa, and Kerry Wood. Once the pride of this city, Sosa is now the team villain after arriving late to and leaving early from the Cubs' final game. He continues to be involved in trade rumors, and a such a deal would shake up what has been a quiet offseason for the goat-cursed franchise.
Notable offseason transactions
On the incoming side of the ledger, there's little to report on the north side. Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra signed a one-year, $8 million contract to stay in town and is reportedly working on an extension. Fellow middle infielder Todd Walker also inked a one-year deal, his being for $2.5 million and with an option for 2006. Infielder Neifi Perez, outfielder Todd Hollandsworth, and pitcher Glenson Rusch also decided it was in their best interests to stick with the Cubs. From outside the organization, the Cubs signed backup catcher Henry Blanco (a.k.a. "Hank White"), inked journeyman reliever Chad Fox to a minor league deal, and traded a player to be named later to the Diamondbacks for pitcher Stephen Randolph.
Outfielder Moises Alou led the Cubs in homers (39), RBI (106), and runs (106) in 2004, but the team opted not to re-sign him and he joined the Giants. Starting pitcher Matt Clement was another major subtraction, as he signed on with the Red Sox. The Cubs also lost second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, infielder Ramon Martinez, outfielders Ben Grieve and Tom Goodwin, catchers Paul Bako and Mike DiFelice, and reliever Kent Merker.
What to watch
Both teammates and fans were upset with Sosa following his early departure from the season finale, and assuming he's still with the club, it will be interesting to see how he is greeted this spring. Sosa has to clear the air and put any bad blood behind him if the Cubs are going to be successful. He might have to do that with his charm and charisma, as Sosa's bat doesn't appear to have the same pop of old. Sammy did hit 35 homers last season, but his all-around offensive numbers have declined sharply over the past four campaigns. As a result, Dusty Baker dropped Sosa in the order last year, and the slugger has said he's not content hitting fifth or sixth. So, there are many issues surrounding Sosa that need to be hashed out this spring, and we're sure the Chicago media will cover it thoroughly. Of course, all these questions would be wiped away if Sosa is traded.
Achilles, wrist, and groin injuries (and controversy) plagued Garciaparra last season, but the Cubs are counting on him to anchor their lineup and their infield. Once a perennial top-five fantasy shortstop, Garciaparra carries some question marks, but a strong spring should get fantasy owners excited. If he doesn't sign a contract extension, Nomar will be playing for money and that usual helps players fight through smaller injuries and post big numbers.
Centerfielder Corey Patterson spent some time with Brett Butler, a former major league outfielder for the Braves, Indians, Giants, Dodgers, and Mets. Butler was an extraordinary bunter and very solid leadoff hitter and base stealer. The Cubs hope some of Butler's traditional leadoff skills rubbed off on Patterson, a big swinger who struck out 168 times in 2004. How Corey performs in the role this spring will determine where he hits in the order and could significantly alter his fantasy value. It will also influence Walker, who would likely take over the leadoff duties if Patterson fails.
Position battles
The Cubs didn't go after a proven closer this offseason, meaning they'll be working with the arms they already have in-house. Ryan Dempster is projected to be the man working the ninth, but the depth chart is hardly chiseled into stone. After missing roughly one year following Tommy John surgery, Dempster returned to action in August and saved a pair of games for the Cubs in September. He'll need to hold off former Cub closers LaTroy Hawkins (25 saves in 2004) and Joe Borowski (33 saves in 2003), veteran setup man Mike Remlinger, and fireballer Kyle Farnsworth for the job.
Rusch posted a solid 3.47 ERA in 33 appearances (16 starts) last season, and he's slated at the fifth starter behind Prior, Wood, Greg Maddux, and Carlos Zambrano. However, we feel that Rusch overachieved in 2004, and youngsters like Sergio Mitre, Angel Guzman, or Bobby "It's My Prerogative" Brownlie could pitch well this spring and have the Cubs rethinking the fifth spot.
Alou's departure left a vacancy in left field. Hollandsworth, who fractured his left shin in 2004 and played only 57 games, thinks he's the man for the job, but youngster Jason Dubois might have something to say about that. Dubois, 25, hit .320 with 31 homers and 97 RBI in 110 games at Triple-A Iowa last season. The battle could go either way, end up in a platoon situation, or be rendered moot if the Cubs sign free agent Magglio Ordonez and move him to left.
By Ted Carlson, Senior Editor
January 15, 2005 8:00 PM ET
Spring Training Home: HoHoKam Park - Mesa, Arizona
First Cactus League Game: March 3 at Athletics
With the Red Sox kicking their curse, the Cubs and their fans now stand virtually alone when it comes to self-pity and begging for sympathy. The Cubs managed to win 89 games last season, but the total could have been much higher if injuries and ineffectiveness had not bogged down Mark Prior, Sammy Sosa, and Kerry Wood. Once the pride of this city, Sosa is now the team villain after arriving late to and leaving early from the Cubs' final game. He continues to be involved in trade rumors, and a such a deal would shake up what has been a quiet offseason for the goat-cursed franchise.
Notable offseason transactions
On the incoming side of the ledger, there's little to report on the north side. Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra signed a one-year, $8 million contract to stay in town and is reportedly working on an extension. Fellow middle infielder Todd Walker also inked a one-year deal, his being for $2.5 million and with an option for 2006. Infielder Neifi Perez, outfielder Todd Hollandsworth, and pitcher Glenson Rusch also decided it was in their best interests to stick with the Cubs. From outside the organization, the Cubs signed backup catcher Henry Blanco (a.k.a. "Hank White"), inked journeyman reliever Chad Fox to a minor league deal, and traded a player to be named later to the Diamondbacks for pitcher Stephen Randolph.
Outfielder Moises Alou led the Cubs in homers (39), RBI (106), and runs (106) in 2004, but the team opted not to re-sign him and he joined the Giants. Starting pitcher Matt Clement was another major subtraction, as he signed on with the Red Sox. The Cubs also lost second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, infielder Ramon Martinez, outfielders Ben Grieve and Tom Goodwin, catchers Paul Bako and Mike DiFelice, and reliever Kent Merker.
What to watch
Both teammates and fans were upset with Sosa following his early departure from the season finale, and assuming he's still with the club, it will be interesting to see how he is greeted this spring. Sosa has to clear the air and put any bad blood behind him if the Cubs are going to be successful. He might have to do that with his charm and charisma, as Sosa's bat doesn't appear to have the same pop of old. Sammy did hit 35 homers last season, but his all-around offensive numbers have declined sharply over the past four campaigns. As a result, Dusty Baker dropped Sosa in the order last year, and the slugger has said he's not content hitting fifth or sixth. So, there are many issues surrounding Sosa that need to be hashed out this spring, and we're sure the Chicago media will cover it thoroughly. Of course, all these questions would be wiped away if Sosa is traded.
Achilles, wrist, and groin injuries (and controversy) plagued Garciaparra last season, but the Cubs are counting on him to anchor their lineup and their infield. Once a perennial top-five fantasy shortstop, Garciaparra carries some question marks, but a strong spring should get fantasy owners excited. If he doesn't sign a contract extension, Nomar will be playing for money and that usual helps players fight through smaller injuries and post big numbers.
Centerfielder Corey Patterson spent some time with Brett Butler, a former major league outfielder for the Braves, Indians, Giants, Dodgers, and Mets. Butler was an extraordinary bunter and very solid leadoff hitter and base stealer. The Cubs hope some of Butler's traditional leadoff skills rubbed off on Patterson, a big swinger who struck out 168 times in 2004. How Corey performs in the role this spring will determine where he hits in the order and could significantly alter his fantasy value. It will also influence Walker, who would likely take over the leadoff duties if Patterson fails.
Position battles
The Cubs didn't go after a proven closer this offseason, meaning they'll be working with the arms they already have in-house. Ryan Dempster is projected to be the man working the ninth, but the depth chart is hardly chiseled into stone. After missing roughly one year following Tommy John surgery, Dempster returned to action in August and saved a pair of games for the Cubs in September. He'll need to hold off former Cub closers LaTroy Hawkins (25 saves in 2004) and Joe Borowski (33 saves in 2003), veteran setup man Mike Remlinger, and fireballer Kyle Farnsworth for the job.
Rusch posted a solid 3.47 ERA in 33 appearances (16 starts) last season, and he's slated at the fifth starter behind Prior, Wood, Greg Maddux, and Carlos Zambrano. However, we feel that Rusch overachieved in 2004, and youngsters like Sergio Mitre, Angel Guzman, or Bobby "It's My Prerogative" Brownlie could pitch well this spring and have the Cubs rethinking the fifth spot.
Alou's departure left a vacancy in left field. Hollandsworth, who fractured his left shin in 2004 and played only 57 games, thinks he's the man for the job, but youngster Jason Dubois might have something to say about that. Dubois, 25, hit .320 with 31 homers and 97 RBI in 110 games at Triple-A Iowa last season. The battle could go either way, end up in a platoon situation, or be rendered moot if the Cubs sign free agent Magglio Ordonez and move him to left.