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.

The Chicago White Sox

The White Sox have shown the greatest amount of success by winning the World Series just 8 seasons ago in 2005. They made a few moves in the off season, but it appears they may have a few problems when it comes to the defensive positioning, and a weekend starting rotation. The White Sox have shown definite signs to be in a rebuilding phase.

The White Sox added Cuban slugger Jose Abreu, who many scouts say is the real deal. Some say he draws comparisons to Ryan Howard. Adam Dunn is still on the team and so is Paul Konerko. The problem here is that Abreu, Konerko, and Dunn are all first basemen. Dunn has played right field in the past, and the best way to have all three of these guys in the lineup is to have Dunn play the outfield. Dunn is also a likely trade candidate this trade deadlin
e. This is probably also the last season for Paul Konerko after a great career. Here is how the White Sox lineup will look in 2014 and let me say, it is pathetic.

1. L. Alejandro De Aza CF 95 OPS+
2. R. Alexei Ramirez      SS 86 OPS+
3. R. Jose Abreu           1B No data available
4. L. Adam Dunn           RF 103 OPS+
5. R. Paul Konerko        DH 80 OPS+
6. R. Dayan Viciedo       LF 94 OPS+
7. R. Jeff Keppinger       3B 62 OPS+
8. R. Gordon Beckham   2B  87 OPS+
9. R. Tyler Flowers          C 60 OPS+

Just from this picture look at the stress on his elbow

The pitching rotation is just as horrible for the White Sox, with the only bright spot being Chris Sale. The thing about Chris Sale is his delivery. I am just waiting for the day that his workload is too much for him and he blows out his elbow. Its going to happen, just a matter of time. Here is how the rotation looks for the White Sox in 2014.

1. L. Chris Sale           140 ERA+
2. R. Jose Quintana     122 ERA+
3. L. John Danks         90 ERA+
4. R. Felipe Paulino     84 ERA+ career
5. L. Charlie Leesman 62 ERA+

The White Sox traded Addison Reed for who knows why, traded Jessie Crain midseason, and did not resign Matt Thornton. That leaves the recognizable names of Mitchell Boggs, Ronald Belisario, Scott Downs, and Matt Lindstrom in the bullpen and options to close.

With the additions that the Twins made, its almost a given that the White Sox will finish in last place.