2008 Chicago Cubs preview

100 years. The last time the Cubs won the World Series was way back in 1908 behind the strong pitching of Mordecai Brown and Ed Reulbach. Well snapping back into the future it would seem like the Cubs will have a good chance to bring a championship to Wrigley for the first time ever.

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The Cubs went 85-77 last year winning the NL Central however they lost in the NL Divisional series to the Diamondback in 4 games. To get the team to the next level GM Jim Hendry brought in some new faces to hopefully help win the pennant this year for the Cubs. Hendry brought in some young arms to challenge for bullpen spots in Angel Guzman and Jose Ascanio as well as LF Japanese product Kosuke Fukodome. Fukodome is the big catch replacing Jacque Jones (traded to the Tigers) having hit .294 with 13 HR and 48 RBI’s in only 79 games for the Chunichi Dragons last year. The year before however Fukodome hit .351 with 31 HR and 104 RBI’s and won the MVP in the Central League in Japan. Fukodome should bring a steady bat to the Cubs everyday lineup.

2008 Cubs Starting Pitchers

The Cubs return all 5 of their starting pitchers from last year, however one may not hold his place in the rotation this year. Carlos Zambrano (18-13, 3.95 ERA) is the Ace of the rotation. Zambrano signed a 6 year $91 million extension with the Cubs last year making Chicago his home through 2013 season. Ted Lilly (11-8, 3.83 ERA) along with Rich Hill (11-8, 3.92 ERA) give the Cubs 2 very good LHP who they can rely upon to eat innings and be solid #2 and #3 starters. Jason Marquis (12-9, 4.60 ERA) is the #4 starter and with his sinkerball will try to make it 9 straight years that he has been on a team that has made the playoffs. The #5 spot is up for grabs with veteran Jon Lieber (3-6, 4.73 ERA), last year's closer for most of the year Ryan Dempster (2-7, 4.73 ERA, 28 SV) and last year's #5 starter Sean Marshall (7-8, 3.92 ERA). Marshall should get the nod because of his talent and his performance from last year.

2008 Cubs Bullpen

The Cubs had a decent bullpen at the end of last year but that was due mostly to two pitchers who carried the 'pen. Kerry Wood (22 G, 3.33 ERA) came back from injury late last year and showed that he could be a reliable pitcher out of the bullpen. Carlos Marmol (5-1, 1.43 ERA, 69.1 IP) got called up before the All Star break last year and showed that he is a closer-in-waiting much like Jonathan Broxton from the Dodgers. Along with Bobby Howry (6-7, 3.32 ERA) the trio will be one of the best late inning crews in all of baseball. All three should get a good look at for the closer's job however only one can win. Look for Howry to win the job out of spring training and Marmol to take over mid-year. Forming the middle of the bullpen will be lefty specialist Scott Erye (2-1 4.13 ERA) and right hander Michael Wuertz (2-3, 3.48 ERA). The last two guys out of the pen should be the two losers of the #5 starter’s job. Anyway that shakes out, 2008 Cubs team will be better. Marshall has shown that he can contribute while Dempster pitched out of the pen last year, and Lieber is very flexible and would be a great spot starter.

2008 Cubs Infield

The Cubs infield is an old, traditional infield; power on the corners and defense up the middle. Derek Lee (.317 BA, 22 HR, 82 RBI) is one of the best defensive 1B in the game but also is a very good hitter as you can see. Mark Derosa (.293 BA, 10 HR, 72 RBI) is the 2B. Along with SS Ryan Theriot (.266 BA, 45 RBI) they form one of the best double play combos in baseball. At 3B is the cleanup hitter Aramis Ramirez (.310, 26 HR, 101 RBI), a great hitter who comes through in the clutch. Youngster Geovany Soto (.389, 3 HR, 8 RBI) takes over for Jason Kendall as the starting catcher. The reigning Pacific Coast League MVP did well in a late season call up and will start the year as the starter.

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2008 Cubs Outfield

The Cubs outfield was a mess last year. Alfonso Soriano (.299 BA, 33 HR, 70 RBI) was the only sure thing. CF time was split between this year's starter Felix Pie (.215 BA, 20 RBI) and the departed Angel Pagan. With more experience under his belt Pie should do fine being the #8 hitter as well as a guy who will steal a few bases. In RF will be the aforementioned Kosuke Fukodome who will give the Cubs another middle-of-the-order bat who can get on base. Fukodome will also give the Cubs good defense out in the tricky RF corner of Wrigley field.

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2008 Chicago Cubs Outlook

The Cubs overcame the Brewers late last year to win the division, and they should repeat again this year. The Brewers lost closer Francisco Cordero to division rival Cincinnati but signed former All Star Eric Gagne to a 1-year, $10 million contract. The Cardinals treaded water with the trade of 3B Scott Rolen for 3B Troy Glaus but also picked up P Matt Clement. The Cardinals should still be a step behind the Cubs and Brewers though because Ace Chris Carpenter is out until at least July. The Reds brought in Cordero to sure up the bullpen and with heralded prospects Jay Bruce, Edison Volquez, Homer Bailey, and Joey Votto the Reds should be greatly improved. The Astros made two big trades in the off-season bringing in closer Jose Valvarde and SS Miguel Tejeda. Surprisingly, to get two All Star players the Astros gave up no pieces of the puzzle on the team that could help them contend right now. Last the Pirates as Pittsburgh should repeat as 90+ game losers after not bringing in help for this year despite needing a lot of it.

2008 Chicago Cubs Record - 90-72 1st in the NL Central

By Austin Champagne
ProBaseball-fans.com Staff Writer

> View all of the 2008 MLB team previews from Pro Baseball Fans