2007 Chicago Cubs Baseball
Soriano and Piniella Will Make Chicago Cubs Baseball Fun To Watch
The off-season additions of Alfonso Soriano, Lou Piniella, Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis will lift the Cubs out of the basement in the 2007 NL Central Division.
The Chicago Cubs haven’t won the World Series in 99 years. In an effort to avoid the first ever century-long championship drought in baseball history, the Cubs made wholesale changes to their pitching and management during this off-season. Oh, and they added a pretty good hitter too. Here is the 2007 MLB Preview of the loveable losers from the Windy City.
2006 Season Record
66-96, Last Place in the National League Central.
Significant Additions
Alfonso Soriano: In 2006, Soriano became the fourth player in baseball history to hit at least 40 home runs and steal at least 40 bases in a season. This year, playing in the friendly confines of Wrigley Field, he could flirt with the first ever 50-50 season. Soriano joins a lineup that features Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez, and he will add a lot of pop to an offense that finished fifteenth in the National League in runs scored last season.
Ted Lilly: It’s only fitting that Chicago’s newest pitcher is named Theodore Roosevelt Lilly. The last time the Cubs won it all, in 1908, Teddy Roosevelt was the President of the United States. Lilly brings much needed tenacity and durability to the team’s starting rotation. He’s averaged 30 starts per year over the last four seasons, and shows his competitive spirit every time he takes the mound. Although he is only a .500 pitcher over the course of his career, Lilly should benefit from playing in the lighter hitting National League. He is a strong addition to the team.
Jason Marquis: The Cubs are hoping that he can be a solid Number 3 starter after Zambrano and Lilly. Marquis is also only a career .500 pitcher, but he will give the Cubs 200-plus innings and will keep them in most games, which is exactly what Chicago needs from its starting pitching.
Lou Piniella: Still one of the best managers in the game, Piniella should be rejuvenated now that he is managing in the Major Leagues again, after three seasons with the Double-A Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Famous for his hot head and his temper tantrums, Piniella is still a players’ manager and a great strategist. This World Series-winning manager is a significant upgrade over Dusty Baker, and it will show on the field and in the standings.
Burning Questions
Will Kerry Wood and Mark Prior Stay Healthy? In 2003, the Cubs almost reached the World Series behind the pitching of these two young and talented starters Since then, it has been all about injuries: Wood has averaged fifteen starts over the past three years, and Prior has averaged just nineteen. The Cubs moved Wood to the bullpen in an effort to preserve his health, and are hoping that Prior can regain at least a portion of his early-career form. If these two can stay healthy all year, which is a big if, the Cubs will challenge in the NL Central.
Who Will Close Games? Last season, Ryan Dempster did not get the job done. Over the last five months of the season, he blew nine save opportunities and posted a 5.52 ERA. That is not very Mariano Rivera-like. Dempster’s biggest weakness is his control. He simply walks too many batters to be an effective closer. With Kerry Wood waiting in the wings, Dempster's reign as closer may be nearing an end.
Prediction
With it upgraded offense, manager and starting pitching, the Cubs will win at least 80 games. If Wood and Prior are effective, however, they could win as many as 90 and compete in the Central all year long.
That's your 2007 MLB Preview for the Chicago Cubs.
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