Health & Fitness
2013 Cubs Preview
This website completely screwed up the visual i had so that is why there are a bunch of random names and stats.
The approach of the baseball season inevitably starts with the boisterous boasts of Chicago Cubs fans claiming that this is their year. Unfortunately, for the last 105 years Cubs fan’s bold predictions have failed to materialize. Realistically, 2013 will be another rebuilding year for the Chicago Cubs with the primary focus on developing the players and seeing improvement. Below is a comprehensive preview of what might be expected of the 2013 Chicago Cubs.
Projected Opening Day Line-up
Find out what's happening in Wheatonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
David DeJesus
Played RF in 2012
Find out what's happening in Wheatonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Nate Schierholtz
1 year $2.5 million contract
Jeff Samardzja: Cubs Ace
Alfonso Soriano
2012 32 HR
Starting Pitching:
Edwin Jackson: 4.03 ERA
Carlos Villanueva: 4.16 ERA
Matt Garza: 2nd best team pitcher
Analysis
- Javier Baez headlines a group of promising young prospects currently in the Cubs minor league system. Scouts speculate that Javier Baez is currently better than Cubs star shortstop Starlin Castro.
- Brett Jackson spent the offseason improving his swing. In 2012, he struggled mightily with his swing and struck out way too often. Coaches have helped him increase bat speed which should promote a higher percentage of contact and thus reduce strike-outs.
- Many games last year were blown by the sub-par relief pitching by the Cubs. The Cubs addressed this problem by picking up overseas help in the form of Kyuji Fujikawa and Hisonori Takahashi. Carlos Marmol, the Cubs closer, stays with the team despite continually shaky performances.
- Thirty seven year old Alfonso Soriano has become the subject of many trade rumors. The Cubs certainly want to shed his 8 year $136 million contract for both younger and cheaper players.