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![]() Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome poses for a photo on Feb. 25 in Mesa, Ariz. Chris Graythen/Getty Images More LinksElsewhere on the WebCubs' home page on MLB.comCubs' home page on Yahoo SportsLocal coverage 2008 Chicago Cubs PreviewSpring training siteMesa, Ariz. 2007 record85-77, won NL Central, lost in first round to Diamondbacks New facesRHP Jose Ascanio (trade, Braves); IF Alex Cintron (free agent, White Sox); RF Kosuke Fukudome (free agent, Japan); RHP Jon Lieber (free agent, Phillies) Biggest offseason acquisitionThe Cubs have a lot invested ($48 million over four years to be exact) in Fukudome, hoping he's the next Hideki Matsui. He's a lifetime .301 hitter in Japan with some power (164 homers), and he had a monster year in 2006 (.351, 31 homers, 104 RBI). Gone but not forgottenThe Mark Prior era is over. He's off to the Padres, where he'll try to reclaim what's left of his career. If he doesn't, he'll go down in the crying shame category of what-could-have-been pitchers. Spring training battlesAssuming Mark DeRosa gets healthy, the lineup is basically set. The bullpen could shake out several different ways, and that's where most of the drama should lie. Kerry Wood could beat out Bob Howry as the closer if he proves he can handle the new role. Projected lineup
Projected starting rotation
Projected bullpen
Biggest strengthSoriano, Ramirez and Fukudome could be a wonderful trio of hitters at the top of the order with a few nice role players around them. Soto and Pie have plenty of potential. Glaring weaknessWhen the wind blows out at Wrigley, who besides Zambrano can be trusted? Dempster is moving from closer to starter, and Lieber wasn't exactly stellar the last two seasons in Philadelphia. More LinksElsewhere on the WebCubs' home page on MLB.comCubs' home page on Yahoo SportsLocal coverage |
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