I am really excited for this season of Cubs baseball. Every summer the Cubs roll around and gets the entire North Side up and moving. Popularity for baseball is still rising to levels it has never been before. Wrigley Field is a great place to hang out, eat some unhealthy food and drink a beer (soft drink), sit back and watch some great baseball. Like I do every year, I'm going to be sweeping the ticket websites for the cheapest possible way to get into the ballpark, after which I am free to move about the upper deck, hopefully getting tickets $15 a pop or cheaper. That's not such a easy task with the Cubs' ticket pricing these days, but head to Stubhub.com who have very cheap tickets, most spring games starting under $10 if you hurry.
For the actual product on the field I am excited also. Minus Rich Harden, Jim Edmonds, Reed Johnson, Jason Marquis, and Mark DeRosa and plus Randy Wells, Marlon Byrd, Tyler Colvin, and an amazing farm system are the only differences between the 2008 club and this club. I don't see a reason why we won't win some games. Here are my grades:
Starting Rotation: B+
Much will depend on Zambrano's success, Lilly's return and the #5 hole.
Bullpen: B-
There's no lack of talent, but there are too many young players to be sure of success.
Infielders: A-
Newfound depth gives us Lee, Ramirez, Theriot, Baker, Fontenot, Castro, and Soto all as options.
Outfielders: B+
Soriano is the problem, but Byrd and Fukudome are both above average.
Coaching/Management: A
Ricketts is turning the Cubs into a world class franchise, Piniella is still around and Jaramillo is a god.
Overall Grade: B+
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