Looking Forward to 2008: Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs come into the 2008 season after going from division cellar dweller in 2006 to division champion in 2007, their first division title since 2003.

Compared to their $300M spending spree last off-season on Alfonso Soriano, Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis and Mark DeRosa, this off-season was relatively quiet, with exception to 1 big move. The Cubs signed Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome to a 4-year $48M contract, a player that was coveted by quite a few teams.

In a surprising move for the team, they released right-hander Mark Prior. The Cubs wanted to sign him to a 1-year deal with an option for 2009 but Prior did not want an option year. Prior eventually signed a 1-year deal with the San Diego Padres.

Returning to the team, however, is Kerry Wood, signing a 1-year $4.2M deal. He's one of three candidates for the closer's job along with Carlos Marmol and Bob Howry, meaning Ryan Dempster will move back to the starting rotation.

Speaking of the starting rotation, with exception to Dempster, it won't change much from 2007. Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Rich Hill and Jason Marquis round out the predicted opening day rotation, but young left-hander Sean Marshall should figure in there somewhere.

Here are the full list of arrivals and departures:

Arrivals:
RF Fukudome
RHP Lahey
RHP Ascanio
IF Omar Infante.

Departures:
OF Cliff Floyd
C Jason Kendall
OF Jacque Jones
OF Craig Monroe
LHP Ohman
RHP Prior

The outfield will definitely have new faces from the 2007. Departing are Jacque Jones and Craig Monroe, so new addition Fukudome could slide into left field if they want to keep Soriano in right with Felix Pie slated to be in center. There's also been trade rumors about young outfielder Matt Murton, who the Cubs seem to like but don't really have room for him. We could see a deal with him involved sometime during spring training next month.

On paper, this offense looks as potent as any in the National League with guys like Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano, but it'll come down to how good their rotation will be.

Prediction Time:

The Cubs won the division with a record just 8 games above .500, and the division title was partly on the shoulders of the Milwaukee Brewers who collapsed down the stretch after holding an 8 1/2 game lead at one point. Can Kosuke Fukudome make that much of a difference? I think he can.

Cubs - 90-72