April 03--Here's how the Cubs rate in five key areas on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest.
Starting pitching
The addition of Jon Lester gives the Cubs an established ace with postseason experience and an impressive resume that includes six 200-inning seasons.
Having Lester at the top of the rotation allows the remaining starters to match up more favorably against opponents. Jason Hammel sported a 2.35 ERA in seven starts at Wrigley Field before he was traded. Jake Arrieta can take another step toward reaching elite status if he can stay healthy. Arrieta allowed only five home runs in 1562/3 innings last season. Kyle Hendricks seems immune to talk that he doesn't throw hard enough or isn't durable enough. It wouldn't be surprising if Hendricks reaches the 200-inning mark this season.
With Tsuyoshi Wada and Jacob Turner on the disabled list and Dallas Beeler recovering from arm issues, the Cubs need a dependable start from left-hander Travis Wood. The hope is that Wood can initiate more contact early in counts and stay away from walks that haunted him in 2014 after a 2013 All-Star season. Wood will benefit most among the pitchers if manager Joe Maddon elects to bat the pitcher eighth.
Rating: 6.
Relief pitching
President Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer were wise in adding insurance to a bullpen that pitched exceptionally well despite its youth.
Because Maddon stresses versatility over specialty, newcomer Phil Coke will be asked to retire right-handed batters as well as left-handers -- his specialty. Closer Hector Rondon converted his final 15 save opportunities and posted a 0.62 ERA in 29 games after the All-Star break. Pedro Strop has one of the sharpest sliders among National League relievers and has a knack for getting a strikeout in key situations.
Justin Grimm won't be used as much early as he was last year under Rick Renteria, and left-handed hitters' .188 batting average against Grimm last season fits well with Maddon's style. Neil Ramirez had a rocky spring after a dominant rookie season. Former Cardinals closer Jason Motte's velocity was back to 95 mph this spring. Brian Schlitter, like Grimm, should be more effective with less usage.
Middle relief, however, could experience some streaky moments. Armando Rivero was one of the first cuts of spring training but could be one of the first promotions if he gets in better pitching shape after attending to a family matter this winter.
Rating: 7.
Hitting
The trade for center fielder Dexter Fowler addressed a need at the top of the order, and at least one scout believes Maddon could bring out the best in Fowler's hitting and running talents. The addition of catcher Miguel Montero gives the Cubs a much-needed left-handed batter.
Under new hitting coach John Mallee, the Cubs must find a way to reduce their franchise-record 1,477 strikeouts and improve their .300 on-base percentage. Maddon favors a blend of left-handed and right-handed hitters throughout the lineup, so you can expect some alignment of Starlin Castro, Anthony Rizzo, Jorge Soler and Montero in the middle. But Maddon averaged 137 lineups in his last five seasons with the Rays, so the lineup will be fluid depending on the opposing pitcher and hitters' strengths and weaknesses.
Whoever plays second base -- Arismendy Alcantara or Tommy La Stella to start -- probably will bat toward the end of the order. But the No. 9 spot when the pitcher bats eighth is important to Maddon because of the potential to line up RBI situations for Castro and Rizzo. Castro went from June 21 to Aug. 6 without a home run, and he doesn't steal bases nearly as much as he did three years ago.
The long-awaited promotion of Kris Bryant should give the Cubs as much power as any team in the NL, but they will be challenged to cut down on their strikeouts.
Rating: 5.
Defense
There weren't enough refresher courses in 2014 after games in which the Cubs fielded poorly. Maddon's re-emphasis on fundamentals is a strong reminder that careless mistakes won't be tolerated.
Soler's arm is as strong as any right fielder's in the NL, but he needs to take more precise routes on balls hit to the alley. Fowler will have less ground to cover in center field at Wrigley than he did at Coors Field or Minute Maid Park. The Cubs are covered adequately in left field with Chris Coghlan and Chris Denorfia, but there could be a change there later this season.
Mike Olt has shown improvement at third base. Castro's defense at shortstop will be under scrutiny with youngster Addison Russell close to being major-league-ready. Castro can't let early miscues affect the rest of his game, one scout pointed out. The same goes for second baseman Javier Baez, who will start the season in the minors. Rizzo fields well and is using better judgment on throws to first base.
Catching bears watching as Montero knows the league as well as any catcher but won't play as much as he did with the Diamondbacks. David Ross will get his share of playing time despite his age (37) and weak bat. Welington Castillo will still stick around until a catching-needy team seeks his services for the right price.
It's conceivable Bryant eventually could end up moving from third base to right field, with Soler sliding to left.
Rating: 4.
Baserunning
One of Maddon's missions is for the Cubs to be more aggressive on the basepaths, particularly advancing from first to third base on singles. This was a staple of the Angels teams he coached.
The Cubs will continue to rely on the home run, but Alcantara could play a bigger role for a full season in enhancing the running game. Fowler hasn't stolen more than 19 bases since 2009. Castro has failed to reach double digits in stolen bases in each of the last two seasons. Soler hasn't shown any lingering effects of the leg problems that sidelined him last season.
Maddon already hinted that he could pinch-run for Montero, which would create more opportunities for Alcantara.
Rating: 4.
