It’s been six months since the Chicago Cubs wet the bed in the National League playoffs against Manny Ramirez and the Los Angeles Dodgers — yet another chapter in a long tome of spectacular Cubs collapses. And although the White Sox also bowed out early in last year’s playoffs to the Tampa Bay Rays, they won a World Series in 2005 and very few people expected them to be in the playoffs at that point anyway. The trauma just wasn’t the same.
But that was then. This is a new season, a blank slate for Chicago baseball.
The Chicago Cubs are definitely the stronger of the two local teams. Returning with the majority of an offense that was at or near the top of the league in every measure, the Cubs have also added the switch-hitting, quick-tempered outfielder Milton Bradley. However, infield depth could be a concern, as Aaron Miles is the only back-up at second, third and shortstop.
In addition to their offense, the Cubs return with a starting rotation that led the National League in ERA last year. The Cubs rotation is both strong and deep — they dumped their worst starter, Jason Marquis, and moved left-hander Sean Marshall to the rotation. The main concern about their rotation is the health of fragile fireballer Rich Harden, and whether they will get good seasons out of Carlos Zambrano and Ryan Dempster.
Bullpen depth is an issue for the Cubs. Relief ace Carlos Mármol is back but struggled in both the World Baseball Classic and in spring training. However, when he has his stuff, he is nigh unhittable. The departed Kerry Wood, now of the Cleveland Indians, has been replaced by Kevin Gregg who spent two seasons as a solid, if unspectacular, closer in Florida. The rest of the bullpen is a bit of a question mark though. Neil Cotts, Aaron Heilman, Angel Guzman, David Patton and Luis Vizcaino are either unproven or struggled in 2008. The team’s only true weakness is the bullpen, but it isn’t a major one. This is a team that should have competed for the World Series last year and should compete for it this year. They will run away with the NL Central division and make a strong showing in the playoffs, but more on that later.
On the South Side, things look considerably bleaker. The White Sox are still struggling to find a strong leadoff man and centerfielder and are hoping Dewayne Wise can fill both voids. Alexei Ramirez, who had a strong rookie season at a variety of positions after coming from Cuba, will start at shortstop. The corner outfielders are the best hitters on the team. Jermaine Dye is one of the most underrated players in the league, but he could be traded by the trade deadline if the Sox fall out of competition for the playoffs. Carlos Quentin, acquired from Arizona last year, had a breakout season last year, smacking 36 home runs before missing the rest of the season to an injury he suffered while slamming a bat to the ground in frustration. If the White Sox are going to get to the playoffs again, they need Dye and Quentin to have stellar seasons and get strong performances out of their veterans. Josh Fields is a touted prospect but may not be ready to start at third in the major leagues, and they will certainly miss Joe Crede’s defensive prowess at third.
The pitching staff is a mix of veterans and young, promising starters. Mark Buehrle is the ace of the staff and is always consistently solid. Gavin Floyd and John Danks both had solid rookie campaigns last year and look to improve on last year’s numbers. At the back end of the rotation, Jose Contreras is wildly inconsistent. Former ALC Young winner Bartolo Colon rounds out the rotation, but he has struggled for a few years now and is well past his prime. Bobby Jenks is the ninth inning man for the team, and he has been a dependable closer in his time with the White Sox. The rest of the bullpen could be a problem though. Octavio Dotel, Scott Linebrink and company will have to improve on last season’s numbers if the White Sox wish to compete, even in a fairly weak AL Central.
Overall, the Cubs seem to have all the pieces they need make a deep postseason run, with a strong starting staff and great hitting. The White Sox can make the postseason on the back of their great power hitters, but will need their starters and bullpen to overachieve to make any meaningful splash.