Predicting the Cubs 25-man roster

Time for my Pre-Spring Chicago Cubs 25-man roster prediction.

 

Starting Pitchers

 

Jeff Samardzija

Travis Wood

Jake Arrieta

Edwin Jackson

Jason Hammel

 

The starters are pretty set in stone unless Shark gets traded before Opening Day.  Not a great but a solid rotation for the Cubs in 2014.

 

Bullpen

 

Jose Veras

James Russell

Pedro Strop

Arodys Vizcaino

Carlos Villanueva

Zac Rosscup

Wesley Wright

 

Bullpen has some question marks and some guys you can flip around but I think this year the Cubs going with a more balanced pen will be key. By adding Rosscup and Wright with Russell it provides them with better situation pitching.  I also feel Vizcaino will make the team out of ST and be the CL in the wings if Veras can’t hold the role all year.  Add in the long man and great teammate Villanueva plus surprise from 2013 Pedro Strop and the pen looks pretty tough.  Especially considering the depth they will have in the minors as well.

 

Starters

 

Welington Castillo

Anthony Rizzo

Darwin Barney

Starlin Castro

Mike Olt

Junior Lake

Ryan Sweeney

Nate Schierholtz

 

Again as long as Barney or an outfielder is not traded this looks the Opening Day lineup for the Cubs.  I feel pretty confident that Olt will take the 3^rd base job before ST is over with leaving Valbuena and Murphy coming off the bench.  Plus the Cubs need Olt to produce because they need a power bat in this lineup.

 

Bench

 

Justin Ruggiano

Donnie Murphy

Luis Valbeuna

George Kottaras

Josh Vitters

 

The only surprise here is Josh Vitters.  I think Ryan Kalish is a strong possibility to maybe take Vitters spot but Vitters has more power and can play 1^st and 3^rd in a pinch.  He is no longer in the “make sure he gets playing time” protection status that he was in when he was a top prospect.  They will now utilize his strength which is his bat off the bench in Chicago.

 

 

 

Until Next Time…