MLB.Com’s Jim Molony posted a great article today about the Cubs signing Alfonso Soriano and how it affects the National League. Molony wrote how the Cubs signing as helped out the Cubs but also hurt the chances of the Astros and Phillies who both were hot after Soriano. Could the N.L. Central be looking up to the Cubs if Jim Hendry is able to grab a starting pitcher or two?
With Soriano, the Cubs will have a 2007 lineup with at least three players who hit 38 or more home runs and drove in 95 or more runs in their last full seasons. A Cubs offense, which ranked 28th among MLB’s 30 teams with 716 runs scored and 677 RBIs last season, could have an Opening Day starting eight that combined for 651 RBIs in their last full season.
Soriano and a healthy Cesar Izturis (or the newly acquired DeRosa) will give Piniella an extremely potent 1-2 punch at the top of the lineup. Adding Soriano in front a healthy Derrek Lee, Ramirez, Jacque Jones and Michael Barrett gives the Cubs a batting order with a formidable blend of power, speed and on-base ability, and one that has enough of a lefty-righty break to make life difficult for opposing pitching staffs.
It looks like it will be a great off season for the Cubs, and we can only hope that it carries over into the regular season. The key thing of course will be starting pitching, and staying healthy. If the Cubs can get good starting pitching and keep the injuries and a minimum I see no reason why they will not be a playoff team next year. Oh wait, I’m a Cubs fan, I say that every off season!
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