There might be no outbreak of Starlinsanity around the immediate horizon, but Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro figures to become the cleverest place inside a repairing season.
At 21, he grew to become the youngest player in franchise history to earn a place within the All-Star Game last This summer and handle the growing season because the youngest ever to guide the nation's League in hits.
But Castro's erratic defense and concentrate is among the five greatest issues facing the Cubs in spring training, which started Saturday at Fitch Park.
Listed here are five areas the Cubs must improve when they aspire to contend for that National League Central title.
Defensive indifference: The Cubs finished last within the NL in fielding percentage this past year having a league-high 134 errors, including Castro's 29. With Bryan LaHair changing defensive whiz Carlos Pena in the beginning, Castro's fielding is going to be under more scrutiny. The Cubs do not have a skilled backup shortstop, and Darwin Barney began only four games there this past year.
Cubs starter Matt Garza is another defensive liability, making an impressive seven errors in the 31 begins.
Beginning pitching: Garza may be the undisputed ace, and Ryan Dempster could be a solid No. 2 if he understands a method to avoid an extended start-of-the-season slump.
Newcomer Paul Maholm has got the stuff to win having a fighting team, but he has not been above .500 since going 3-one in his rookie year while using some terrible Pirates teams. Randy Wells figures to become the 4th starter, though he's yet to exhibit he is able to repeat his promising 2009 season (12-10, 3.05 ERA). Travis Wood and Chris Volstad have been in this mixture, with Wood the first favorite for rotation's fifth place.
Closing time: Of all of the offseason moves the Cubs might have made but did not, possibly the greatest was the choice to give closer Carlos Marmol another chance.
After being handed a 3-year, $20 million offer spring training this past year and being announced because the closer for many years, Marmol flopped having a major-league-leading 10 blown saves, six deficits along with a 4.01 ERA. As always, he was almost unhittable, having a .205 average against, but experienced through bouts of wildness.
Kerry Wood may be the alternative, but Wood also blew six saves like a setup guy.
Crooked amounts: The Cubs rated an abysmal tenth home based runs and lost Carlos Pena (28 homers) and Aramis Ramirez (26) to free agency. That leaves Alfonso Soriano because the only proven energy hitter, with LaHair and Ian Stewart likely to set up some solid amounts.
Exactly what the Cubs don't have any energy, they do not replace with in speed. They rated 15th in NL stolen bases this past year with 69, and 2-thirds of individuals originated from two gamers - Tony Campana (24) and Castro (22). David DeJesus adds some speed, but the thought of a "Go-Go'' Cubs team remains a fantasy.
Chemistry 101: "Nuts On Clark" was the thematic motif during the last decade, with Sammy Sosa, Milton Bradley and Carlos Zambrano supplying enough controversies to help keep the Cubs in news reports whether or not they were excellent (2003, '07 and '08) or very bad (2006, '10 and '11). A Z-free clubhouse ought to keep the extracurricular noise low, as you will find no apparent substitutes for Zambrano as resident problem child. But new manager Dale Sveum's nickname is "Nuts," so stay updated.
Post je objavljen 20.02.2012. u 05:06 sati.