The Chicago Cubs

The Cubs are having a pretty low key off season but added some interesting pieces. They finished low in the standings in 2013 and are probably going to finish in a similar position in 2014. They did add Jason Hammel and Jose Veras.

The lineup for the Cubs is pretty well balanced lineup with a few young stars in Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo. With a few other important parts in their lineup their lineup may be able to compete with front of the division teams. Jorge Soler the Cuban prospect may make his Major League debut sometime in 2014. Here is how the lineup for the Cubs may look.

1. L. Ryan Sweeney LF 109 OPS+
2. R. Starlin Castro SS 72 OPS+
3. L. Anthony Rizzo 1B 101 OPS+
4. R. Mike Olt 3B not enough data
5. L. Nate Schierholtz RF 107 OPS+
6. R. Justin Ruggiano CF 90 OPS+
7. L. George Kottaras C 98 OPS+
8. R. Darwin Barney 2B 56 OPS+

The pitching rotation for the Cubs is nothing above average, in fact the five that comprise the rotation pitching just near league average. Here is how the rotation for the Cubs may look in 2014.

1. R. Jeff Samardzjiza 91 ERA+
2. R. Edwin Jackson  79 ERA+
3. R. Jason Hammel 85 ERA+
4. R. Jake Arrieta  85 ERA+
5. R. James McDonald 62 ERA+

The bullpen has the new addition of Jose Veras as closer for 2014. Other notable names in the bullpen are Kyuji Fujikawa, Pedro Strop, and Wesley Wright. A pretty uneventful roster for the Cubs, but they will play hard and probably still lose close to 100 games.