Trouble for the Cubs

      The Chicago Cubs are in trouble. They have no leadoff man, no closer, and now may start the season with out its number one and one-A pitchers.         The first problem, the Cubs have encountered during spring training is that they do not have a leadoff man who can get on base. Last season the Chicago Cubs leadoff man was Center Fielder Corey Patterson. Patterson hit .266 and an OBP of .320 in 157 games last season.

    The Cubs have several possible options for the leadoff hitter. One option is to leadoff Jerry Hairston Jr., who was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles for right fielder Sammy Sosa. Hairston last season played second base for 12 games and in the outfield for the other 74 games of the 2004 season, which ended early for Jerry when he broke a bone in his foot. He hit .303 with an OBP of .378, last season. Another viable option the team has is to have second basemen Todd Walker leadoff. Todd had to share duties at second last year with Mark Grudzielanek, who was signed by the hated ST. Louis Cardinals. Walker hit .274 with an OBP of .352 in 129 games for the Cubs last year.

    The second problem, the Cubs need to sort out reasonably quickly is the closer situation. The Cubs don’t one reliable arm in the bullpen; everyone down there has “chocked” one time or another.

    There are three guys up for the closers spot. Ryan Dempster has the mentality to be the Cubs closer. He is coming into his first complete season following Tommy John surgery during the 2003 MLB season. Last season, Dempster was reasonably consistent on his way back from surgery but, he may be swooped into the 4th or 5th starter role pending on whether Mark Prior or Kerry Wood are healthy.

    LaTroy Hawkins is another option. LaTroy is the guy that has the stuff to be the closer. Last year Hawkins had to feel the closers role and failed to convert 9 saves and 5 of his last seven. Cubs’ management does not want to go into the season with LaTroy filling that role again. Cubs’ manager, Dusty Baker, has said that LaTroy could be a good closer in this league if he slowed down his approach.  

    The 2003 closer, Joe Borowski has the best chance to get the job. Joe is the candidate with the most experience with the role. In the 2003 season Joe converted 33 of 37 opportunities before an injury plagued 2004 season. Joe holds Cubs record for most saves in a row at 28. Look for Borowski to reclaim his starting job this spring.

    The final problem, the Cubs are facing is the problem that both of the ace starting pitchers are out with injuries, Mark Prior and Kerry Wood. Mark Prior is out indefinitely with an inflammation of the right elbow. Kerry Wood however is questionable with tightness in his right forearm.  

    However, Kerry Wood did throw off the mound on Wednesday and he “says” he feels excellent. The team has scratched Kerry from starting Opening Day at the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 4th. The Cubs are optimistic he will be able to start on the first week of the season though. Management seems to have a problem when predicting how long a player will be down, so who know how long either will be out.

    These all are problems they have to figure out by the time Opening Day rolls around on April 4th if they want to contend for the National League Central Division crown. I am very optimistic that they can sort out these problems and contend all season long.