Predicting the opening day roster....again

OK, I was just a bit outside as Bob Uecker would say in reference to my first go round with Predicting the 25 man roster.  So here is what I predicted the 25 man roster would be back on February 13^th.

 

Pitchers

 

Jeff Samardzija

Travis Wood

Jake Arrieta

Edwin Jackson

Jason Hammel

Jose Veras

James Russell

Arodys Vizcaino

Carlos Villanueva

Zac Rosscup

Wesley Wright

Pedro Strop

 

Position Players

 

Welington Castillo

Anthony Rizzo

Darwin Barney

Starlin Castro

Mike Olt

Junior Lake

Ryan Sweeny

Nate Schierholtz

Justin Ruggiano

Donnie Murphy

Luis Valbeuna

George Kottaras

Josh Vitters

 

Ok I had 4 bad calls which included Josh Vitters, Zac Rosscup, Jake Arreita, and Aroydis Vizcaino.  But not too bad for playing the guessing game back in Feb.

 

Now here is my prediction for the 25-man roster including the starting lineup for Opening Day.

 

Starting Pitchers: (note the starters may not be in rotation order)

1.     Jeff Smardzija

2.     Travis Wood

3.     Edwin Jackson

4.     Chris Rusin

5.     Jason Hammel

 

Bullpen

6.     Jose Veras CL

7.     James Russell

8.     Pedros Strop

9.     Carlos Villanueva

10.   Wesley Wright

11.   Alberto Cabrera

12.   Hector Rondon

 

Starting Lineup

1.     Emilio Bonifacio 2b

2.     Starlin Castro SS

3.     Anthony Rizzo 1^st

4.     Mike Olt 3b

5.     Nate Schierholtz RF

6.     Junior Lake LF

7.     Welington Castillo C

8.     Ryan Sweeney CF

 

Bench

9.     George Kottaras C

10.   Justin Ruggiano OF

11.   Donnie Murphy IF/OF

12.   Luis Valbuena IF

13.   Ryan Kalish OF

 

Notes from my new 25 man roster prediction:

-       I still think it is possible that Nate Schierholtz and Darwin Barney both get traded but I think Barney being traded is a give in.  There are several teams looking for depth, upgrade, or a replacement in the middle infield.  Barney will not be on the Chicago Cubs roster by Opening Day.

-       Chris Rusin wins a rotation spot.  They guys has been effective from last year to this spring.  This could also build his trade value plus most managers love to have at least two lefties in the rotation.

-       Bonifacio starting?  Oh yeah he is a legit leadoff guy the Cubs want and he bring something special to this team.

-       Olt wins the 3^rd base job.  He will not get the playing time he needs at Iowa with Christian Villanueva starting there.  Keep in mind Olt could play 1^stin Iowa but that does not help him get reps at 3b that the Cubs want.  He will get those reps in Chicago plus his bat will keep him on this team.

-       Ryan Kalish is the surprise this spring and he will nail down the 5^th outfielder spot.

-       Hector Rondon and Alberto Cabrera win a bullpen spot over Justin Grimm and others.  Grimm has options and Cabrera does not.  I also think Rondon nails down a spot.

 

Now let’s see how close I am to being correct.

 

Until Next Time…