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 3rd 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 1st and 3rd 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…
