Monday, March 31, 2008

Well, here we go!

Finally, 7 months after my last post, here we are at Opening Day 2008. Among my New Years Resolutions, is the desire to be more regular in blogging, even if it is just a few paragraphs. Based on recent happenings, I can tell you that there will be lots to talk about this year.

In the last month, Mrs. Florida Cubbie has informed me that she is pregnant, so around November 18-21, we will welcome a new Cub fan to the family. The debate of baby names is raging in our home, and we have both agreed to some sort of Cub themed name somewhere in there.

But let's get down to business here and discuss the Cubs. If you are a Cub fan, you are probably well aware of all the changes made in the roster this offseason. Out is Jacque Jones and in is Kosuke Fukudome, the hot-shot Japanese outfielder with a penchant for plate patience and cannon for an arm. Felix Pie gets the starting job at center field, at least for now, with recent Blue Jays import Reed Johnson waiting in the wings and probably platooning with Pie. Left field has a presumably healthy Alfonso Soriano waiting and swinging a hot bat in Spring Training.

Aramis Ramirez, of course, is at third base, and there is no reason to expect anything but stellar defense and a powerful stick at the plate from him. He has slimmed down some and appears to be in excellent shape.

Shortstop is manned by first-year starter Ryan Theriot, who practically got the job by default. Theriot had hot streaks last year, but also had some cold snaps that made a lot of fans question whether he was ready to be an everyday player. I'll say this on Theriot -- he has a fantastic passion on the field and hustles his butt off, and I think that will make us okay there. If he can hit .275 or better this year and play slick defense, then we will be just fine. He has moments of brilliance, but also has times that make you scratch your head and wonder if he has it all there. I like his hustle, and if he can keep his focus, then I think we will be fine.

Despite all the offseason rumors about Brian Roberts being acquired through a trade to be our starting second baseman, Mark DeRosa has the starting job, and I couldn't be happier. Mark is a solid player, versatile, and is a great situational hitter. He is a capable defender, and arguably the team's most valuable player last year, filling in at several different positions to keep the team chugging along during their run to the division title last season. I think this team will be fine with him in the 4 hole.

At first, is the pillar Derrek Lee. Finally, I think he has had enough time to let his wrist heal from the injury two years ago, and worked hard in the offseason to gain confidence in his swing without favoring that wrist. He will be a gold-glove defender as always, and I predict he will have a great season and post MVP numbers and raise his power production from last years numbers.

Rounding out the infield is my pick for the Rookie of the Year award, our catcher Geovanny Soto. He has tremendous potential offensively, and is a very sound defensive catcher. He has a good rapport with the pitching staff and they respect him. I look for him to be a huge contributor to this team this season.

Our pitching staff is not great, but it is very capable. Of course, we have Big Z heading it up, and he is also slimmed up and appears in better shape. Ted Lilly will be an innings eater and if he replicates his numbers from last year, then we will be in good shape also. Rich Hill had a good 2007 and had a lot of strikeouts. He was steady and there is no reason to think he won't duplicate or improve. Ryan Dempster makes the move from closer to starter, and has looked pretty good this spring. Marquis rounds out the rotation and, despite an awkward second half last season, provides a reliable starter who can chew up innings and rely on the offense to support him.

The other notable change is the movement -- nay, the WINNING of the closers job by Kerry Wood. He has looked absolutely filthy this spring, and his velocity and command is eerily reminiscent of the Kerry Wood of old. If -- and this is a big if -- he stays healthy, he could be one of the most dominant closers in baseball.

So, as I sit here taking the day off work, watching WGN and the unveiling of the new Ernie Banks statue, I am filled with hope, pride, and excitement. It's not just a feeling of hoping for a championship, but a sense of entitlement due to hard work and building a team of winners.

So, we'll see how this goes. I am about to start cooking some hot dogs and getting ready to settle in to the recliner for this game.

So, Cub fans, I will be here blogging this yearm 1000 miles from Wrigley. Now, in the meantime I am off to work on Cub names for he baby.

I wonder if she'll go for Alfonso Fukudome Sandberg Shawon Wrigley Grace Ernie, and just how old does a baby have to be before baptism by Old Style?

Go Cubs!

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