C: Geovany Soto
It was what all reigning Rookies of the Year worry about that got Soto, the sophomore slump. He was on the long list of MLB players thrown off their spring schedule with the WBC and also the fact he had tested positive for marijuana at a drug test. Combined with the fact he gained some more weight showing up at Spring Training (which the Cubs weren't too pleased about), it was set up to be a bad year for Soto. He got off to a terrible start, got hot for a few brief stretches, but remained cold for most of the year. Soto is a big rebound candidate for 20 HR and 80 RBI after he lost an impressive 40 lbs. over the winter while still not reducing any of that power. Look for a big bounce back in 2010.
1B: Derrek Lee
Lee, an undoubted cloubhouse leader of the Cubs, is a free agent after 2010. I think resigning him should be our first priority next offseason because of what he offers to the team, on and off the field. Lee has 20+ home runs in five of his six seasons in Chicago, after losing most of the 2006 season to the wrist injury that contributed to the Cubs losing the most games in the National League. He also has 80+ RBI in those same five of six seasons. His defense is Gold Glove worthy and he is clearly the defensive leader on the infield. He is a critical part of the Cubs' offense that needs to rebound from 2009.
2B: Jeff Baker
A midseason pickup from Colorado last year, Baker hit for a very high average while playing solid defense. He will need to keep his game elevated to keep his job because there are a few other candidates, but the competition will be motivation for sure. I really like this guy, especially after he was able to consistently get on base no matter if the rest of the Cubs were being shut down offensively. The game that always comes to mind for me is when the Cubs were in San Francisco in September, Baker hit a two-run go-ahead homer against closer Brian Wilson. This delayed the Cardinals' NL Central championship party for another day. Even with the Cubs out of the playoff race, such as effort is quite a standout.
3B: Aramis Ramirez
Another important cog to a potential offensive rebound, Ramirez missed more than two months becoming the biggest injury in a season full of them for the Cubs. His production was greatly missed, and his underappreciated defense now was a problem as well. The Cubs were stuck with putting the 5'9" Mike Fontenot at the hot corner so he didn't come close to 6'1" Aramis' big play ability. Ramirez is a near lock for 25 HR and 100 RBI, but his upside still could reach 30 and 115. I like Ramirez's range on D, I see he loves stabbing liners bound down the left-field line. His arm isn't quite as excellent because his strength sometimes takes away accuracy but Lee does a good job of masking that by digging out errant throws most of the time.
SS: Ryan Theriot
One of few underrated Cubs, Theriot is an opposite-field single smacker. 139 singles highlight a season in which Theriot was relied upon for offense more than expected. A surprising power surge got him greedy and he began to lose much of his plate discipline, one of the skills that had made him a successful contact hitter. His strikeouts rose by 35, his walks fell by 22, and his OBP lost 44 points. A move to the leadoff spot should encourage himself and Cubs personnel to help him find that skill again. Theriot is a guy who hustles hard every time he gets on the field, an attribute always good when found in speedy shortstops. I still think he defense is underrated and although he won't make all the highlight reel plays, he is quick to dive up the middle and his throws under pressure of a quick batter are usually very accurate and the speed of a bullet.
UTIL: Mike Fontenot
Possible second baseman, I wouldn't have him at second if I were the Cubs. After going on big hot streaks during 2007 and 2008, 2009 exposed a lot of weaknesses in his swing and defense. His height is a minus defensively. His power, which appeared to be an impressive 15 HR over a full season type after hitting 8 in limited action in 2008, has gone flat after hitting just 8 last year with many more at-bats. I don't like Fontenot much because of his streakiness. There are at-bats when you can watch him and just know there isn't a chance he is getting on base. He could be used for trade bait at the deadline.
UTIL: Andres Blanco
A product from the minor league system, Blanco took the Cubs by storm on the field. Bob Brenly even called him "the best defensive infielder the Cubs have seen this decade," referring to the 2000s. I saw plays where Theriot, his double play partner, didn't try hard to make a quick toss because he knew they wouldn't get a double play but Blanco would turn it so quick and whip it to Lee they would get two anyway. Blanco's offense is a bit below average but he showed the ability at times, I just think he was overwhelmed by major league pitching for the first time. A backup at SS and 2B mostly, watch for Andres to be a late-inning replacement.
Backup 1B: Micah Hoffpauir
A favorite in Spring Training 2009, Hoffpauir was projected to have a nice rookie season off the bench. His hot bat in that spring led to a quick start in the big leagues, but he struggled down the stretch to a .239 AVG. In 234 at-bats (roughly half a season), Hoffpauir hit 10 HR and 35 RBI. He filled in for Derrek Lee most of the time. In early 2009, it looked like Micah could hit anything. However, it seemed like big league pitchers figured him out and easily handled him with good breaking pitches. His swing, messy and unkempt to begin with, got messed up by the constant change of speed and he was never able to completely adjust. His popularity has fallen a bit in favor of other prospects like Starlin Castro, but he could still get some good playing time.
Backup C: Koyie Hill
His mediocre .237 AVG and 24 RBI in half a season wouldn't show it, but Hill made great strides at the plate in 2009. He made some big adjustments to seeing big league pitching on a regular basis and continued to hit at an acceptable rate for a catcher the entire year. He was able to adapt his swing to accommodate many pitches. He also enrolled his status as one of the top defensive catchers in the National League, throwing out 40% of potential basestealers. He became a big key on the field while Soto was on the DL for about a month. Hill fills Henry Blanco's former role as a defensive minded backup catcher. Koyie's contributions on both sides of the ball make him a useful part of the 2010 Cubs.
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