Hey, it’s 2015. As everyone in the world knows, and has stated several times, that means the Chicago Cubs are set to win the World Series, as indicated by Back to the Future II. While it obviously will not be over Miami, is it really that far-fetched to think this team could pull that off? After all, their offseason haul featured, arguably, the game’s top manager and the top free agent target on the market. Of course, even when you take Joe Maddon and Jon Lester, as well as the acquisitions of Dexter Fowler and Miguel Montero into account, and the stable of prospects that includes Kris Bryant and Jorge Soler (among so many others), and the presence of Anthony Rizzo, Jake Arrieta, and Starlin Castro, it’s difficult to project a World Series title this season.
Nonetheless, this is a team that has acquired a strong group of talent, both in the field and on the bump, and that should start to be reflected in the standings this season. With the prospects arriving, those who were already in Chicago, and the addition of Maddon as the manager that will take to them into the next phase of this extensive rebuild, the Cubs are set to be a ton of fun to watch this season, even if it doesn’t quite yet result in the ultimate goal in 2015.
Depth Chart (as of 3/9)
C: Miguel Montero
1B: Anthony Rizzo
2B: Javier Baez
SS: Starlin Castro
3B: Mike Olt (until Kris Bryant mania officially begins)
LF: Chris Coghlan
CF: Dexter Fowler
RF: Jorge Soler
SP: Jon Lester
SP: Jake Arrieta
SP: Jason Hammel
SP: Kyle Hendricks
SP: Travis Wood/Edwin Jackson/Tsuyoshi Wada/Jacob Turner
CL: Hector Rondon
New Faces: Jon Lester, Miguel Montero, Dexter Fowler, Jason Hammel, Drake Britton, Jason Motte, Tommy La Stella, Chris Denorfia, David Ross, Jonathan Herrera, Donn Roach, Taylor Teagarden
Departures: Luis Valbuena, Dan Straily, Kyuji Fujikawa, Carlos Villanueva, Josh Vitters, Arodys Vizcaino, Wesley Wright, Justin Ruggiano, Ryan Kalish
MESA, AZ – MARCH 2: Kris Bryant #76 of the Chicago Cubs poses for a portrait during Photo Day on March 2, 2015 at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Rich Pilling/Getty Images)
Impact Rookies: Jorge Soler is the guy that will immediately make an impact as a rookie. His plate approach and incredibly high offensive upside have many pegging him as the early frontrunner for NL Rookie of the Year, perhaps even over Kris Bryant. Bryant himself will arrive likely toward the end of April or early May. Addison Russell could make an appearance at some point, though it remains to be seen as to where he’d actually fit into the lineup.
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 03: Edwin Jackson #36 of the Chicago Cubs pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on August 3, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
Position Battles: The fifth spot in the rotation is the most notable spot up for grabs. Travis Wood is currently battling Edwin Jackson, Tsuoshi Wada, and Jacob Turner, as well as potentially Felix Dubront for the final spot in the starting five. One would imagine the hope would be that Jackson or Wood would be the guy to take it, as the others could serve long relief roles, but it’s anybody’s ballgame at this point. Second base could be a bit up in the air of Javier Baez continues to struggle with the strikeouts. We could see Arismendy Alcantara or Tommy La Stella occupy that spot until he figures it out in Iowa. Until Kris Bryant arrives, the hot corner is also available. Mike Olt is likely the front runner, especially if he has another strong spring. But the duo of Alcantara and La Stella are expected to log some innings there as well.
ST. LOUIS, MO – AUGUST 29: Jorge Soler #68 of the Chicago Cubs rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run at Busch Stadium on August 29, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cubs beat the Cardinals 7-2. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
Injury Concerns: Jorge Soler, while extremely exciting, has fought off some nagging injuries in the last couple of years. Beyond him, the lineup and rotation each appear to be pretty durable at this point. The team has acquired plenty of resources, particularly in the pitching staff, to prepare themselves in the event that that situation changes.
PHOENIX, AZ – JULY 18: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs hits a two run home-run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fourth inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on July 18, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Most Important Player: Anthony Rizzo has transformed into the face of this franchise in the last couple years, last season in particular. He had a brilliant season last year, reaching base at a .386 clip and hitting 32 home runs. He’s emerged as a leader and the primary offensive presence in the middle of the lineup. Even when the likes of Bryant and others arrive, Anthony Rizzo will remain the go-to offensive weapon for the Cubs.
CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 11: Starting pitcher Jake Arrieta #49 of the Chicago Cubs delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field on August 11, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Brian Kersey/Getty Images)
X-Factor: Jake Arrieta. Can he build off of a spectacular 2014 season? The TCU product is coming off of a season in which he struck out 9.59 hitters per nine, and walked only 2.36. Chris Bosio certainly worked his magic in that regard, and Arrieta had his best pro season as a result, taking multiple no-hitters deep into ballgames. While a slight regression is likely to be expected, Arrieta will have to maintain that form as a frontend starter that he demonstrated last year if the Cubs are to meet the suddenly renewed expectations in 2015.
MESA, AZ – MARCH 6: Joe Maddon #70, manager of the Chicago Cubs is seen in the dugout during the game against the Cincinnati Reds on March 6, 2015 at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona. The Reds defeated the Cubs 5-2. (Photo by Rich Pilling/Getty Images)
Key Question: What type of impact will Joe Maddon’s ‘zen’ ways have on the Cubs? We can skip the questions about prospects. Kris Bryant will be up soon. Addison Russell isn’t far behind. But Joe Maddon’s arrival in Chicago was one of the key storylines of the offseason. He brings with him a completely different mentality than anything that has been seen on the bench for Chicago Cubs baseball in any of the last several years. He’s a high profile manager with a track record of success. He also brings a laid back mentality to the table, while at the same time holding players accountable. Everything in camp indicates that they’ve embraced it, but how far will that really go? Will we even be able to quantify it?
CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 15: Anthony Rizzo #44 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates his walk-off home run in the ninth inning against the Cincinnati Reds on September 15, 2014 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago Cubs defeated the Cincinnati Reds 1-0. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
Best Case Scenario: Even with the wealth of positive attention swirling around the Cubs, predicting a division title for this club still seems pretty lofty. Nonetheless, it’s not like it’s something that couldn’t happen. Joe Maddon’s presence alone has made a tremendous difference. Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta can lead a dynamite rotation, Anthony Rizzo has another monster year, with Kris Bryant exploding onto the scene in late April, while he and Jorge Soler battle for Rookie of the Year. Starlin Castro continues to do his thing as one of the game’s top offensive shortstops, while Dexter Fowler and Miguel Montero prove meaningful contributors on a playoff team. The bullpen comes through with their wealth of power arms. Again, it’s lofty but none of these things are entirely out of the realm of possibility.
Worst Case Scenario: When you’re the Cubs, the worst case scenario is always there lingering in the back of your mind. Maybe Joe Maddon’s new zen mentality doesn’t work out. Maybe Kris Bryant struggles. Maybe Jorge Soler can’t stay healthy. Maybe Jake Arrieta isn’t a raging success like he was last year. There are a lot of things that could go wrong, and Cub fans are likely prepared for many of them.
Realistic Prediction: The Cubs are going to be a lot of fun this year, there’s no doubt about that. While the newly found optimism on the North Side has led to some fans set to declare a World Championship for the first time in over a century, this team likely isn’t quite there yet. They could, however, absolutely be in the mix for a wild card spot when it’s all said and done. Anything around .500 and setting themselves up for a big year in 2016 seems pretty reasonable.
