There was no Bartman to blame, just an incredibly hot Tacoma team that left the Chicago Cubs one win short of the World Series last season. But the Cubs are back with their eye on reaching the Championship here in Season 7.
They bring a good mix of experience and youth, with some of their top players of the past moving into lesser roles. Samuel Flanagan, five time all-star and fifth all time in OPS moves to a reserve role to make room for young stud Ruben Torres. Bryan Jones and his 74/93 L/R splits take over the right handed portion of the C platoon for recently traded Jose Julio. Another diaper dandy Ricardo Guerrero gets a full time role in CF. Four time all-star Julian Lee, Vance Pierre (top 10 all time in Runs) and Lee Becker --#4 all time in RBIs/Runs and #5 all time in HRs -- remain in the starting lineup to round out a big time offense.
The pitching staff is moving into its prime, with ace Garrett Niekro carrying on his family's proud history of pitching excellence. Wilfredo Amaro continues to grow into those lofty projected ratings, even after his 28th birthday. The Cubs expect great things from him this year. Best of them all may be 22 year old Willie Santos, just waiting to break out. And if anyone struggles, newly acquired Dale Morton and Tanyon Snelling are waiting in the wings in AAA.
It should be a great year. Nothing short of a championship will satisfy the folks in the owners box at Wrigley Field.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment