Few players came further in 2007 than Geovany Soto.
His bat came alive after he got himself into shape, and he hit his way not only to an MVP award in the Pacific Coast League but to a starting job behind the plate for the Cubs. Manager Lou Piniella put him on the playoff roster, then started him ahead of veteran Jason Kendall.
This must be heady stuff for a guy who spent seven seasons in the minor leagues, but Soto played so well in September that he figures to receive some mention among Rookie of the Year candidates.
Another rookie to watch is Carmen Pignatiello. The left-hander from Providence Catholic made his big-league debut in 2007, appearing in four games. He could play a significant role this season, with Will Ohman having been traded to Atlanta, but faces competition from Neal Cotts and a deep cast of right-handed relievers. He’ll almost certainly get back to Chicago this season, even if he opens the year at Iowa.
Here’s how the rest of the team shapes up:
ROTATION
Last year: The depth of the starting rotation was the strength of the playoff team. The Cubs used only eight different starters and got a 4.19 ERA from them, second to San Diego among NL rotations. Carlos Zambrano received the $91.5 million contract, but Ted Lilly and Rich Hill had lower ERAs. Jon Lieber and Ryan Dempster will battle against Jason Marquis (who has two years left on his contract), Sean Marshall and Sean Gallagher for the other two spots.
Headliners: Zambrano, Lilly, Hill
Additions: RHP Lieber
Losses: RHP Mark Prior, RHP Steve Trachsel
Health watch: The Cubs got 32-plus starts from all of their top four starters a year ago, and none of those guys seem worse for the wear. The decision to non-tender Prior eliminated the biggest question.
X-factor: Dempster, who made 66 appearances out of the bullpen last season, has a 15-win season to his credit but hasn’t been used as a regular starter since 2003. He or Marquis could wind up as the swing man if they don’t have big springs.
LINEUP
Last year: Despite a big-ticket cast of hitters, the Cubs finished eighth in the NL in scoring. Mark DeRosa may have been the only regular who overachieved as Piniella did a lot of shuffling at every position except first and third.
Headliners: Aramis Ramirez, Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee
Additions: RF-CF Kosuke Fukudome
Losses: C Jason Kendall, RF Cliff Floyd, CF Jacque Jones
Health watch: Fukudome, signed to a four-year, $48 million contract, missed the Chunichi Dragons’ run to a Japan Series title while recovering from elbow surgery. He’s expected to be fully recovered.
X-factor: The trade of Jones to Detroit opens center field for second-year man Felix Pie, who hit .215 as a rookie. The other options include Sam Fuld, who was an MVP in the Arizona Fall League, or moving DeRosa to right field and Fukudome to center.
BENCH
Last year: Piniella got significant contributions from a shifting cast, with Mike Fontenot, Daryle Ward and Koyie Hill playing key roles.
Headliners: Ward, Ronny Cedeno, Matt Murton
Additions: None expected to win jobs
Losses: Angel Pagan, Craig Monroe
Health watch: None
X-factor: Bobby Scales. Signed to a minor-league contract, the 30-year-old switch-hitter can play all over the field (primarily second base and the outfield) and had a .373 on-base percentage in Triple A last year.
BULLPEN
Last year: The development of Carlos Marmol played a huge role in helping the Cubs reach the playoffs after their 22-31 start. Dempster wasn’t as good as his rate of 28 saves in 31 tries, which is why he will audition for a new role.
Headliners: Bob Howry, Kerry Wood, Marmol
Additions: None with guaranteed jobs
Losses: LHP Will Ohman
Health watch: Wood, who is scheduled to share the closer’s role with Howry, appears fitter than ever. But the Cubs will watch him closely in Spring Training.
X-factor: The Cubs paid Tampa Bay to select Tim Lahey for them with the first pick in the Rule 5 draft. The converted catcher is a hard thrower who joins familiar faces Angel Guzman, Juan Mateo, Chad Fox and Shingo Takatsu in camp. They’ll have to beat out right-hander Kevin Hart and lefty Neal Cotts (and maybe one of the starters) for the last spot in the pen.
