Spring training site
Mesa, Ariz.
2008 record
97-64, won NL Central, lost to Dodgers in NLDS
New faces
OF Milton Bradley (free agent, Mariners); RHP Kevin Gregg (trade, Marlins); RHP Aaron Heilman (trade, from Mets via Mariners); RHP Luis Vizcaino (trade, Rockies); IF Aaron Miles (free agent, Cardinals); C {Paul Bako (free agent, Reds); OF Joey Gathright (free agent, Royals)
Biggest offseason acquisition
Bradley has seemingly been ready for a breakout season for a decade now. A year removed from knee surgery, he'll be the starter in right field after an All-Star season in Texas last year. Gregg is a close second - he should certainly stabilize the late innings out of the Cubs' bullpen.
Gone but not forgotten
RHP Kerry Wood (free agent, to Indians); IF Mark DeRosa (free agent, to Indians); RHP Jason Marquis (trade, to Rockies); OF Felix Pie (trade, to Orioles); RHP Bob Howry (free agent, to Giants); C Henry Blanco (free agent, to Padres); LHP Rich Hill (trade, to Orioles); IF Ronny Cedeno (trade, to Mariners); RHP Michael Wuertz (trade, to A's); 1B Daryle Ward (free agent, released by Reds)
Spring training battles
Gregg and Marmol were fighting for the closer spot, and Gregg unexpectedly won it. Center field could be a fluid situation as Kosuke Fukudome, a disappointment as a rookie last season, is being pushed by Reed Johnson for playing time.
Projected lineup
- LF Alfonso Soriano
- CF Kosuke Fukudome or Reed Johnson
- 1B Derrek Lee
- RF Milton Bradley
- 3B Aramis Ramirez
- 2B Mike Fontenot
- C Geovany Soto
- SS Ryan Theriot
Projected starting rotation
- RHP Carlos Zambrano
- RHP Ryan Dempster
- LHP Ted Lilly
- RHP Rich Harden
- LHP Sean Marshall
Projected bullpen
- RHP Kevin Gregg (closer)
- RHP Carlos Marmol
- RHP Aaron Heilman
- LHP Neal Cotts
- RHP Chad Gaudin
- RHP Luis Vizcaino
- RHP Jeff Samardzija
Biggest strength
The starting rotation is one of the best in baseball. Zambrano ran out of gas last season, but two through five are all very good, especially if Harden can finally stay healthy.
Glaring weakness
The Cubs have to be concerned about their investment in Fukudome, who is in the second year of a four-year, $48 million contract. He was voted an All-Star Game starter, then hit .217 with just 22 RBI in the second half.
