Billy Goats, Bartman and Fuk U Do Me. The spending/hiring spree of the Chicago Cubs paid off in 2007…sort of. With new players like Alfonso Soriano, Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis and a new manager in Lou Piniella, the Cubs went from worst to first, winning the NL Central. Unfortunately, their playoff stay was short and sweet, losing in three games to the Diamondbacks. This year, with the help of an import from the Far East, the Cubs hope to exercise their century-long demons and reach the World Series…or at least win a postseason game.

Bats. On paper, the Cubs boast one of baseball’s best lineups. With the signing of Japanese superstar Kosuke Fukudome, the Cubs’ middle part of the order may be the best in the National League. At the top of the lineup, Alfonso Soriano should be more comfortable in his second year at Wrigley Field. Signed for the most expensive deal in Cubs history (8 years for $136 million), Soriano struggled early, but rebounded late in the year to finish with 33 homers and 70 RBIs. Is that sort of production worth $17 million a year? Probably not, but Soriano is still an elite player with a bigtime bat at the top of the order.

One of the Cubs’ middle infield scrappers will likely hit 2nd for this team. Shortstop Ryan Theriot and 2nd baseman Mark DeRosa were both clutch during the Cubs’ torrid summer run that culminated in them winning the NL Central. Also, look for middle infielder Mike Fontenot to take some at-bats away from both Theriot and DeRosa. Fontenot hit .278 in 86 games for the North Siders. Read the rest of this entry »