Final Roster set

[Schwarber Fan]

STARTING EIGHT

SS Ryan Theriot

RF Kosuke Fukudome (L)

1B Derrek Lee

3B Aramis Ramirez

CF Marlon Byrd

LF Alfonso Soriano

2B Mike Fontenot (L)

C Geovany Soto

 

STARTING PITCHERS - RH Carlos Zambrano, RH Ryan Dempster, RH Randy Wells, RH Carlos Silva, LH Tom Gorzelanny. (Note: LH Ted Lilly, who opens on the DL, is expected to return during the April 19-22 series in New York).

 

BULLPEN - Closer Carlos Marmol, LH John Grabow, RH Esmailin Caridad*, LH Sean Marshall, RH Jeff Samardzija, RH Justin Berg*, LH James Russell*.

 

BENCH - C Koyie Hill (SW), 2B/3B Jeff Baker, OF Xavier Nady, OF Tyler Colvin (L),

1B/3B Chad Tracy (L).

 

http://blogs.suntimes.com/cubs/2010/03/cubs_roster_tracy_in_curse-bus.html

[JeffH]

On paper, one of the best hitting benches on a Cubs team in a long time.

[SouthSideRyan]

Geo as the 8 hitter is hilarious

[cardslesson101]

If Soto can be the '08 version of himself, the Cubs will have a nice year.

[jersey cubs fan]

On paper, one of the best hitting benches on a Cubs team in a long time.

 

Baker and Nady sure, but Hill is horrible, Colvin has been a pretty bad professional and Tracy has trended considerably lower the past two years.

[JeffH]

On paper, one of the best hitting benches on a Cubs team in a long time.

 

Baker and Nady sure, but Hill is horrible, Colvin has been a pretty bad professional and Tracy has trended considerably lower the past two years.

 

Sadly, none of what you said in any way refutes my assertion!

[erik316wttn]

What are the asterisks for?

[Guest]

What are the asterisks for?

 

I'm guessing rookie status, which means he needs to add one for Colvin.

[Cubswin11]

Fontenot should be hitting 8th, other than that I am OK with the lineup/roster. Any word on what the lineup v. LHP is going to be?

 

Just a guess?

Theriot SS

Baker 2B

Lee 1B

Ramirez 3B

Byrd CF

Soriano LF

Nady RF

Soto C

[Sammy Sofa]

Fukudome should be batting 1st, Byrd should be batting 2nd, Soriano should be batting 5th and Soto should be batting 6th.

[17 Seconds]

the bullpen terrifies me

[Sammy Sofa]

Wuss.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

The implosion potential in that bullpen is amazing.

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

the bullpen terrifies me

 

I think our bullpen is about league average, if not a little better. Just the absence of Heilman and Gregg is a big boost. Looks alright to me.

[UMFan83]

the bullpen terrifies me

 

I think our bullpen is about league average, if not a little better. Just the absence of Heilman and Gregg is a big boost. Looks alright to me.

 

It's hard to predict how our bullpen is going to be due to the large number of unproven players as well as the general variability of bullpens in general from year to year

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

the bullpen terrifies me

 

I think our bullpen is about league average, if not a little better. Just the absence of Heilman and Gregg is a big boost. Looks alright to me.

 

It's hard to predict how our bullpen is going to be due to the large number of unproven players as well as the general variability of bullpens in general from year to year

Well sure...I mean, you could freak out about any bullpen that ever existed since that's that case. I just choose not to. I don't see any crappy pitchers in there is all. Basically, any bullpen without Jeff Fassero is one I approve of.

[Outshined_One]

The implosion potential in that bullpen is amazing.

 

That's pretty much expected with a bullpen composed of pitchers without major league experience. However, that may not be a bad thing for the future. If everyone stinks, the Cubs know they'll need to be active next offseason. If one or two guys emerge, that should give the bullpen some stability and also keep Lou from using Marmol way too freaking much.

[JonJayCutler]

the bullpen terrifies me

 

Me too, but really the only two guys I'm concerned about are Shark and Russell. Caridad and Berg have been nothing but studs since making the move to the majors. Granted its been a very small sample size, and they'll likely have their peaks and valleys, but they should be able to maintain ERAs in the 3s and WHIPs below 1.40. Not too worried about Marmol, Grabow, and Marshall.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

The implosion potential in that bullpen is amazing.

 

That's pretty much expected with a bullpen composed of pitchers without major league experience. However, that may not be a bad thing for the future. If everyone stinks, the Cubs know they'll need to be active next offseason. If one or two guys emerge, that should give the bullpen some stability and also keep Lou from using Marmol way too freaking much.

 

I'm more worried about some of the guys with MLB experience. Marmol is too walky, Grabow is slightly less too walky, and Samardzija is just bad.

[Backtobanks]

On paper, one of the best hitting benches on a Cubs team in a long time.

 

Baker and Nady sure, but Hill is horrible, Colvin has been a pretty bad professional and Tracy has trended considerably lower the past two years.

 

Hill isn't horrible, he's a backup catcher. I'm not sure what you expect out of a backup catcher, but look around at the other teams. Colvin may just be reaching his potential and Tracy has been injured at times which might account for his lower production. Not the greatest bench in the history of baseball, but it could be very solid.

[wvcbxl]

Not the greatest bench in the history of baseball, but it could be very solid.

 

The disappearance of Aaron Miles from that bench is a step in the right direction.

[Cubs Fan Dan]

I think the bullpen will be okay, also would not suprise me if near the deadline hendry adds bullpen help anyways. So we may really just need 2-3 good months out of this bullpen.

[NeifiIsMyHomeBoy]

My biggest concern is the bullpen. Losing Guzman really hurt there. The rotation is blah. I don't think Soto will be hitting 8th for long. This team is far less hateable than last years, version. I'm not sure if that is because my expectations are are lower or because Miles is finally gone.

[C.C.]

Lilly get well soon!!!!!

 

I'm hearing mid to late April now. Please don't rush him.

 

I'm counting the days for Castro.

[Backtobanks]

Not the greatest bench in the history of baseball, but it could be very solid.

 

The disappearance of Aaron Miles from that bench is a step in the right direction.

 

Last year's bench was Miles, Gathright, Johnson, Hoffpauir, and Hill.

Baker>>>>>Miles

Tracy>>>>>Hoffpauir

Nady>>>>>>Johnson

Colvin>>>>>Gathright