2007 Chicago Cubs Predictions & Season Preview


June 5, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

The 2007 Chicago Cubs have been receiving much of the hype around the Major Leagues this season. After going 79-83 in 2005, the Chicago Cubs entered the 2006 season with high hopes. They didn’t expect to again lose Kerry Wood and Mark Prior. Injuries derailed the Cubs hopes, with Wood and Prior combining for a 2-10 record and 63.1 innings pitched. MVP candidate Derek Lee then fractured his wrist on April 19th and missed 112 games during the season. Aramis Ramirez was a bright spot for the Cubs with 38 homers and 138 RBI’s. Jaque Jones had good numbers as well, hitting .281 with 27 home runs and 81 RBI’s. The Cubs, despite having the fifth-best batting average in the National League at .268, were next to last in runs scored with 716. This spelled the end of the line for manager Dusty Baker and opened way for a proven manager in Lou Piniella to take over the ship. General Manager Jim Hendry made three key signings; second baseman Mark DeRosa for three years and $13 million, outfielder Alfonso Soriano for eight years and $136 million, and Ramirez for fiver years and $75 million.

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For the first time in years, the Cubs’ pitching rotation isn’t built around Prior and Wood. Wood is in the bullpen and Prior could be the fourth starter. Carlos Zambrano became the unquestioned ace of the staff last year, going 16-7 with a 3.41 ERA and 210 strikeouts in 210 innings. Free agent signee Ted Lilly, who was 15-13 with Toronto, will be the No. 2 and another signee, Jason Marquis, who was 42-37 over the previous three years with St. Louis, will figure into the rotation. With Wood coming out of the bullpen, this starting rotation will have a lot more confidence in the relief pitching than they have had in years. Ryan Dempster has proven he can close games and Scott Eyre along with Bob Howry have to step up in relief to set up Dempster. Pitching will be the only question marks for the Cubs in 2007 because their batting line-up is as solid as they come this season.

Michael Barrett returns at the Catcher position after having a career year in 2006. He hit .307 with 16 home runs and 53 RBIs. His arm need some work as he threw out just 19 percent of batters, but that stat is kind of hampered by a young pitching staff that needed to learn more about holding runners on. The Cubs’ infield has a lot of corner offense with Derek Lee returning at first base and Aramis Ramirez returning at third. If they stay healthy, the Cubs can expect 35+ home runs and 100+ RBI’s from each. Adding Mark DeRosa at second base coming off a career year was huge. He his .296 with 13 home runs and 74 RBIs for Texas. Cesar Izturis, who came over from the Dodgers in the Greg Maddux deal, will bring his Gold Glove to shortstop. Ronny Cedeno will back up DeRosa and Izturis if either struggles this season so they have insurance in him to fall back on.

The Cub’s outfield got a much needed lift as Alfonso Soriano brings his 46 home runs and 96 RBIs from 2006 into the starting line-up. His speed on the basepaths – 41 steals last year – should help offset the loss of Juan Pierre. Matt Murton, coming off his first full season in the majors and a .297 batting average, will be in left and Jacque Jones in right. Prize prospect Felix Pie is knocking on the door. If the Cubs are going to get over their World Series slump of nearly 100 years, the 2007 season should be their best chance since blowing it in the postseason a couple years back. Pitching will be key as their offensive firepower will not be an issue. Look for the Cubs to do big things this season.

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