The Chicago Cubs are about to embark on a journey to end the curse that has haunted Cub fans for the past 100 years. The Red Sox, as well as the White Sox, have ended two of the longest dry spells in baseball history. The Cubs hope to finally end 100 years of heartbreak.
On paper the Cubs appear ready to make another playoff push and put themselves into position to at least have a chance to capture the elusive World Series Championship.
The starting staff is competitive with any other National League team, with Carlos Zambrano leading the way. Their bullpen situation is a little bit more cloudy. Young phenom Carlos Marmol is being handed the closer role. Marmol excelled in the set up role, but his limited experience closing down games is in question. Kerry Wood, and if need be Ryan Demptster (who is penciled into the starting rotation to start off 2008), will step in if Marmol isn't up to the task.
The 2008 Chicago Cubs offense appears to be solid from top to bottom. The acquisition of Kosuke Fukodome may be the missing piece to the Cubs lineup. The Cubs offense sorely lacked batters capable of putting up a high on base average. Kosuke Fukodome has nearly a lifetime .400 "OBA" during his tenure in Japan. While his power production may drop off coming over to the Major Leagues, the Cubs pressing need is to get men on base. Fukodome has the skills to make Cub baseball very exciting in 2008.
Derrek Lee is looking to continue his second half of the season success he had in 2007. Derrek Lee's wrist hampered his power production for the first half of the season, but the Derrek Lee of old began to show glimpses of his former self. Aramis Ramirez, and Alfonso Soriano also anchor a powerful 1-2-3 punch.
Geovany Soto is the young catcher that the Cubs are handing the starting role to. Many say, that Soto has the potential to be one of the top catchers in baseball within a few years. The Cubs just need him to be able to handle the pitching staff efficiently and to produce occasionally on offense down in the probable #7 hole, in which he will more than likely be batting.
The 2008 Chicago Cubs are one of the deepest, and most balanced teams to make Wrigley Field their home in memory. Whether that "potential" translates to a trip to the World Series remains to be seen.
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