Being the eternal optimist that I am, the Chicago Cubs' 4-12 record to start 2012 isn't the be all and end all of this young season. Yes, it does make for another long summer on the north side of Chicago, but people out there in the media act like we aren't used to it by now. And yes, we're all aware that it has been 103 seasons since the Cubs won a World Series and 66 since they've played in a World Series, dating back through the 2011 season.
The answers aren't going to necessarily going to come this season in the first year of the Theo Epstein/Jed Hoyer era in the Cubs front office. These things don't happen overnight, unfortunately. We just have to come to grips with it and deal with it for the time being.
Let's quickly analyze what's going on at each position...
Starting Rotation
Opening Day starter Ryan Dempster just started his first DL stint of the year. Randy Wells took his place in the rotation on Sunday, April 22 and threw well for five innings during his season debut. As of today, Monday, April 23, the rotation looks like this. Matt Garza moves up to the #1. Jeff Samardzija slides into the #2 slot. Chris Volstad, Paul Maholm and Randy Wells round out the bottom 3.
Bullpen
16 games into the season, I would say that the Cubs' bullpen is sub-par at best. James Russell, Rafael Dolis, Luis Castillo, Shawn Camp, Scott Maine and newly signed Rodrigo Lopez all contribute to middle releft roles in the bullpen. Carlos Marmol is the current closer, but we all know that he can be a bit shaky, even with a lead.
Catcher
Geovany Soto is going to be the main starter behind the plate, but there are going to be some games when backup Steve Clevenger will start, due to the fact that his left-handed bat will match-up better against the opposing pitcher.
First Base
Jeff Baker started two of the first three games of the season in the opening series vs. the Nationals at Wrigley, but it was mainly because of pitching match-ups and I don't think that manager Dale Sveum was fully sold on the combination of Bryan LaHair's bat and glove being in the lineup at the same time. The two will share time at first base until one shows more promise, which more than likely will be LaHair.
Second Base
Darwin Barney, enough said. The guy is coming into his own fully and is trying to bring Castro with him when it comes to working their way to becoming on of the best double play combos in the league.
Shortstop
Starlin Castro is setting records for hits by a player his age and he's only going to get better. His only problem is his fielding. He committed 35 errors in 2011 and seems that he's well on his way to that total and possibly beyond, if he keeps it up.
Third Base
Ian Stewart was brought here from Colorado to "replace" Aramis Ramirez. To be honest, you don't just replace a guy like Aramis. I'm guessing that Stewart, Joe Mather and Jeff Baker will all have their turns at the "hot corner" throughout the season.
Left Field
Alfonso Soriano is the guy in left until his contract is up, that is. He needs to get his bat going and quit chasing pitches that are out of the zone and he'll get back to the Soriano of old and be hitting the ball at a .300 clip again.
Center Field
With Marlon Byrd now a member of the Boston Red Sox, it will be a daily wonder of who's gonna patrol the grass out in center. Tony Campana was just recalled from Triple-A Iowa this past weekend. He will also share time with Reed Johnson, mainly, and Joe Mather.
Right Field
David DeJesus was brought to Chicago from Philly for many reasons. I couldn't figure them out during the off-season, but he's now showing why. He's turned into a good leadoff hitter and a great fielder. Hopefully more good things to come out of DeJesus in his first season with the Cubs.
Only time will tell what will happen with the 2012 Cubs. Yes, they're 4-12 to start, but there are still 146 games left in the regular season. Epstein will make some moves.
Go Cubs Go!
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