A Look Ahead: 2014 Cubs 25 Man Roster

A look ahead at the possible 2014 Cubs 25 man roster just using what they have right now-

Lineup

1. Matt Szczur RF
2. Brett Jackson CF
3. Starlin Castro SS
4. Anthony Rizzo lst
5. Josh Vitters 3^rd
6. Bryan LaHair LF
7. Junior Lake 2b
8. Welington Castillo C

Bench

9. Steve Clevenger C/1^st/3^rd
10. Adrian Cardenas IF
11. Tony Campana OF
12. Darwin Barney IF
13. David Sappelt OF

Rotation

14. Matt Garza
15. Jeff Samardzija
16. Trey McNutt
17. Travis Wood
18. Dallas Beeler

Bullpen

19. Rafael Dolis
20. James Russell
21. Blake Parker
22. Robert Whitenack
23. Frank Batista
24. Kevin Rhoderick
25. Ryan Searle

That would be my system 25 man roster for the 2014 season. I do realize the Cubs will pick up veteran pieces, trade players, release players, extend players and sign high profiled free agents between now and then. But this shows you the Cubs strengths and weakness as a club both currently on the 25 man roster and in the farm system. Their everyday lineup I really like with some current weakness in the farm at 3^rd base and 2^nd. Junior Lake my grow too big for infield all together so 2^nd base seems like a concern to me. The Cubs also have to hope Castillo can put it together in the ML or else we will see Clevenger take that starting job from him. The Cubs are also pretty weak off the bench. Their only legit power hitter would be Clevenger so you know they are likely to pull in a strong power hitter for the bench. The Cubs weakest area is starting pitching in my opinion. Unless some of the young guys starts carving up batters in the minors the Cubs are going to have to address the starting rotation from now and until then. Oddly enough the Cubs biggest strength is solid bullpen arms likely to be ready in the next year or so. Dolis and Russell have shown they can handle the majors and players like Blake Parker and Frank Batista are showing they maybe ready sometime this year. The Cubs have a lot of other good arms left off this list like Chris Rusin, Alberto Cabrera, and even Dae-Eun Rhee. So the relief pitching is strong.

One thing for sure the Cubs minor league youth and talent is incredibly encouraging. Seeing stuff like this on paper gets you really excited for the direction under Theo and Co.

Until Next Time..