Cubs Positional Breakdown: Outfield

LF: Alfonso Soriano
Entering the 4th year of his enormous contract, Soriano is still looking for a full season.  Cub Nation has been very disappointed in the former 40-40 outfielder.  Playing just 135, 109, and 117 games in the last three years, respectively, he has only put up 82 HR and 47 SB.  He has also become a liability in left field.  His infamous hop catch has become the subject of much controversy surrounding his injury risk and arm.  His bat is prone to hot and cold streaks.  I have liked Soriano from the day he was signed, but have frequently been frustrated with him.  His bat is very potent and I think he should not be in the #6 spot in the batting order.  Leadoff isn't the answer either, but I just think #6 is too low.  This will be the most important season yet for Alfonso to produce before he loses all faith from the Cubs.

CF: Marlon Byrd
Byrd, nearly acquired before the 2009 season, is a fantastic replacement in the clubhouse for Milton Bradley.  A more reliable power bat, Byrd can also surprise everybody with slick defense by a big guy in center.  He will even steal a few bases.  I really like this signing because it is a perfect fit for the Cubs.  His deal was not outrageously expensive while the center field prospects can still be given plenty of time.  From what I've seen, Byrd's swing appears more slump-proof than that of Soriano's or Kosuke Fukudome's.  He can be a guy to keep the offense moving when everyone else is stuck, kind of like how Jeff Baker does.

RF: Kosuke Fukudome
A former MVP from Japan, Fukudome has yet to live up to his contract.  He had an 'effective' year by most fans' standards, but I have not seen enough.  In Japan, he used to be a 25 HR, 100 RBI, .300 AVG player but has yet to come close to any of those stats in America.  Fukudome has targeted a .300 AVG for his goal this year, but what about the power?  Fantasy-wise, Kosuke offers little to no value.  On the Cubs, he has offered great defense and a strong arm, but no power and some hitting slumps.

UTIL: Xavier Nady
Nady, a 25 HR hitter in 2008 with the Pirates and Yankees, was the perfect choice for a fourth outfielder.  He is still recovering from Tommy John surgery, so it is good that we aren't relying on him to be an everyday outfielder.  If he does in fact stay injured, we have a surplus of minor league outfielders ready to make the leap.  Nady is still a notorious BP hitter who lauches fly balls out.  His fly ball hitting style will be welcomed at Wrigley Field.

UTIL/AAA: Tyler Colvin
Colvin definitely got on the Cubs radar when he got a late call up in September.  He also put on some pounds to increase his power output, possibly the only flaw in his game.  He can steal some bases and impress in the field.  I haven't seen much of this guy, but his reports sound good.  I say bring him up!  He is in competition with Sam Fuld for the fifth outfielder spot.  I give the spot to Colvin.  Find out why in Fuld's description.  Colvin should be a ready and able fifth outfielder for the Cubs who all of a sudden have more outfield depth than they've had in at least a decade.  Look for him as a spot starter and late inning replacement.


UTIL/AAA: Sam Fuld
Fuld saw more time with the Cubs than Colvin did in 2009, all the more reason for Colvin to get more time.  However, Fuld will make it a tough decision for Lou Piniella and the Cubs brass.  Easily the best defensive outfielder for at least the last half decade on the Cubs, Fuld also surprised some with an average that hung around .300 for his limited at-bats.  He played in 65 games for 97 at-bats with great plate discipline but only two RBI, both of which were collected in the same game.  He will need to improve on that number.  I think with the outfield bench logjam of Nady, Colvin, and Fuld, I think that unless Fuld can move to another position or become a Mark DeRosa-type utility player, he doesn't fit into the 2010 Cubs puzzle, but I do hope to see him around in the future.