The Chicago Cubs are in the midst of a radical rebuilding process.Former stars Carlos Zambrano and Aramis Ramirez are already gone, and a new era is beginning in Chicago. More moves are coming.Only Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo appear to be untouchable going forward.The following 10 players may be the next to go.Begin Slideshow
The team that won back-to-back division titles in 2007 and 2008 has become a mess. However, a rebuilding operation is underway, and it will be more exciting and rewarding to watch than their recent downfall was.While the Cubs will not likely be an October force in 2012, there are still plenty of reasons to watch this young club develop.Here are ten reasons to watch the Cubs in 2012..Begin Slideshow
The Cubs received two good prospects in the Sean Marshall/Travis Wood deal. Here is a closer look at what these two players can bring to the Cubs. Dave Sappelt:Sappelt is a very good contact hitter. In 2010, he was both the Reds' Minor League Hitter of the Year and the Southern League's Most Valuable Player. He batted .361 with an on-base percentage of .416 in the Southern League that year. That performance was not a fluke either; his 2011 numbers are also good: Sappelt hit .313 with an on-base percentage of .377. Sappelt also brings speed and defense ...
The departure of Aramis Ramirez leaves the Cubs without a strong source of power. Chicago will need to remedy this situation before they can even think about contending again.Besides Prince Fielder, most of this offseason's biggest names have already been signed. However, there are still many good hitters available. How the Cubs deal with this situation could impact their playoff chances for years to come.Here are five hitters who could replace Aramis Ramirez in the three-hole next year.Begin Slideshow
Alfonso Soriano is widely acknowledged as one of the baseball's most immovable players. Once an elite player, Soriano has diminished at the plate, lost his speed and is now a liability in the outfield.Wherever Soriano goes, the Cubs will have to eat a a sizable portion of his contract.Still, Soriano has some pop left. If he continues to hit 25 home runs and knock in over 80 RBI then he is actually a good option at DH.Here are a list of teams who might be interested in the Cubs' slugger.Begin Slideshow
David DeJesus has quietly joined the Cubs this offseason; he has not inspired a wealth of excitement. Right field has been a problem for the Cubs for years, as Kosuke Fukudome, Tyler Colvin and Tony Campana have failed to consistently produce. Fans are already grumbling about DeJesus, whose .240 batting average last season does not make him seem like a desirable solution.But there are reasons for Cubs fans to embrace this deal. Here are five reasons to be optimistic about the Cubs' new right fielder.Begin Slideshow
With the Cubs attempting to make their way back into contention, many are calling for a culture change in Chicago. But what is Chicago Cubs culture, precisely?The Cubs are an old team, old enough to have its own legends and mystique. But it is time to separate fact from fiction. Here are three pervasive myths about the Chicago Cubs and their fans.Begin Slideshow
Jose Reyes poses an intriguing option for the Cubs.He seems like a natural fit with the direction the Cubs are going in—he is young, quick and talented. A left infield featuring Starlin Castro and Jose Reyes would be one of the most dynamic in baseball.The same two would form a formidable one-two punch at the top of the batting order and would create unbelievable pressure on the basepaths.But there are a few problems with making this move.First, the Cubs would have to move Starlin Castro to third base. Though Castro displays a youthful sloppiness (as his 29 errors last season ...
The Cubs have a good deal of work to do in order to succeed in 2012. Luckily, there is a deep free agent pool this offseason, especially on offense. If the Cubs choose wisely, they could be a contending force. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer will weigh their options carefully—their choices this offseason will affect the Cubs well into the future. Here are the top 10 most important free agents the Cubs could pursue.Begin Slideshow
