No, “Fukudome” is not the Japanese translation for “World Series.” But the
Cubs are hoping that their prized free agent signing this offseason translates
into a World Series berth. The Cubs inked Japanese right field star Kosuke
Fukudome to a four-year, $48 million deal in December. General manager Jim
Hendry says the 30-year-old solves many problems for a team that won a
weak National League Central and was swept out of the playoffs in the first
round. “He’s exactly what we needed for our ballclub moving forward,” Hendry
says. “It changes the dynamics of our club in a lot of ways. We certainly
needed a quality player in right field to hit from the left side. He plays the
entire game so well that we’re thrilled to have him. We think we have the
whole package. We have a high average player and a high on-base percentage
player. He certainly has enough power. He can hit the ball out of the ballpark.
He’s a Gold Glove-caliber defender with a tremendous arm from right field.
And he can steal bases. He fits the bill for all of it.” But Fukudome is only
part of the equation. The Cubs hope other pieces can fall into place for a
return trip to the postseason.
Rotation Carlos Zambrano and lefthanders Ted Lilly and Rich Hill should give the Cubs a lift … but after that? Jason Marquis won 12 games but was not in the Cubs’ plans during the playoffs, and that could cause some uneasiness this year. The early plan is for closer Ryan Dempster to go back into the rotation. Dempster has only six major league starts since undergoing elbow surgery in 2003, and his durability will need to be monitored. Zambrano won a career-best 18 games in 2007 but got into fights with former teammate Michael Barrett and ripped Cubs fans who booed him. As always, it’s wise to pay close attention when Zambrano pitches, because anything can happen.
Bullpen The strong showing by Kerry Wood in spring training makes the decision to move Dempster into the rotation easier. The former starter has a closer’s makeup, but his oft-injured right arm must prove it’s up for the test of pitching on back-to-back days. Bob Howry (65 career saves) has the most experience at the end of games, but Carlos Marmol (1.43 ERA in 69.1 innings last year) has shown electric stuff in the seventh and eighth innings. Marmol struggled in the postseason, but the Cubs view that as a learning experience for the 25-year-old. The Cubs traded for Atlanta’s Jose Ascanio and picked up Rule 5 draft pick Tim Lahey from Tampa, and both righthanders will be given opportunities to round out the staff.
Middle Infield Shortstop Ryan Theriot and second baseman Mark DeRosa are a couple of versatile and dependable players who are decent on defense and provided some nice streaks on offense. They are both hard-nosed players, but the Cubs might be looking for a little more in the middle. The Cubs expect Theriot to maintain his strength throughout the season this summer. He faded dramatically down the stretch last season.
Corners This is the strongest area on the club. Third baseman Aramis Ramirez and first baseman Derrek Lee have plenty of muscle and are top-drawer defensive players. But because there is not a ton of power backing them up, it will be important for both to stay healthy for more than 150 games this year. Ramirez is slowly shaking his image of being indifferent toward the game. Lee’s home run total (22) was skimpy for a No. 3 hitter, but he made up for it with a .317 average.
Outfield Alfonso Soriano is anchored in left, and Fukudome is slated as the starting right fielder. Will Soriano continue to bat leadoff even though some experts feel he is better suited for lower in the order? Probably. He wants to bat there, and manager Lou Piniella tried moving him around the lineup a few times without success. But his legs may not hold up to stealing as much as he has in recent seasons. Without the threat of stolen bases, Soriano would be much more valuable lower in the order. Prospect Felix Pie is a defensive wizard in center, but hit just .215 in 177 major league at-bats with 43 strikeouts last year.
Catching Rookie Geovany Soto was seemingly just another September callup, but his bat (.389 with three homers and eight RBIs in 18 games) helped him make the playoff roster, and he started two of the three postseason games over veteran Jason Kendall. Soto will be given the shot at the starting job this year. He is unproven over a full season, and the Cubs are taking a gamble on him, but they believe his monster season in Iowa (.353, 26 homers and 109 RBIs) was no fluke. Backup Henry Blanco is coming off an injury-riddled season. The Cubs still love his defense.
Bench Each year, Hendry emphasizes strengthening the bench, but this year the bench appears thin. Blanco, the backup catcher, is usually a strength, but he is a question mark because of a neck injury. Pinch hitter Daryle Ward will give the Cubs quality at-bats from the left side. Outfielder Matt Murton is likely better served getting the consistent at-bats of a starter. He is a proven hitter. Cedeno’s hitting is hot in the minors but cold in the majors.
Management While the Cubs are saying they are running their business as usual, some of the people in the front office can’t help but look over their shoulders in the wake of a potential sale. Hendry didn’t spend $300 million this year but landed his top offseason priority when the Cubs signed Fukudome to a four-year deal. The Cubs were up for sale on Opening Day in 2007 and things could get finalized in the middle of the 2008 campaign. Some team executives could use a second straight playoff appearance to impress the new bosses.
Final Analysis Piniella knows his personnel better this year, but that doesn’t mean he won’t use dozens of lineups and have rotation changes going through his head all season. The guy who claims he would like consistency in his lineup never got it last year, and the early makeup of the 2008 team looks like some tinkering will be needed for most of the season. Winning a weak National League Central division was a good start to his Cubs tenure, but Milwaukee figures to be strong, and Houston and Cincinnati have made strides to improve themselves. Unlike last season, 85 victories probably won’t win the division.
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