5 Questions: Chicago Cubs

As we get closer to spring training, I will provide posts on the Cardinals’ counterparts in the NL Central where Fanball Sports Network correspondents from the other five teams in the division will answer five questions concerning the team that they cover.

You can view KissMyAstros.com correspondent Scott Barzilla’s answers HERE.

Next up is CubsPack.com correspondent Mark Sherrard:

1. With the acquisition of Xavier Nady, what is the outlook for Kosuke Fukudome and his playing time?

I think Fukudome should definitely be worried about losing playing time.  The Cubs may be cautious initially with Nady, who is coming off his second Tommy John surgery.  However, he is likely to start the season in a platoon with the lefthanded Fukudome. Nady is a career .295 hitter against lefthanders (Fukudome went 9 for 55 against lefties in 2009).

However, Nady has shown the ability to hit righthanders as well, improving his overall stats against righties each year from 2006-2008.  He hit .263/.312/.424 in 2006, .274/.322/.479 in 2007 and .317/.359/.529 in 2008 against righties.  So, he is very capable of stealing the starting job from Fukudome.

2. Who do you see coming away with the final spot in the Cubs rotation?

The race for the 5th starting spot is pretty wide open.  The candidates are Sean Marshall, Tom Gorzelanny, Jeff Samardzija and Carlos Silva.  However, I think that Lou Piniella would like to see Samardzija win the job.  He probably prefers Marshall in the bullpen and Gorzelanny is a good swing man who can fill in while Ted Lilly recovers from offseason surgery on his throwing shoulder (he could miss the first month of the season).  If Carlos Silva ends up as the Cubs 5th starter, its going to be a long season for the Cubs.

Look for Samardzija and Gorzelanny to both be in the rotation until Lilly returns.  The one that pitches the best will probably retain the job (for the record, my money’s on Samardzija).

3. Do you see Jeff Baker and Mike Fontenot splitting time pretty evenly at second base or could Baker run away with the job?

I think that Mike Fontenot played himself out of the job and with Baker playing well down the stretch, he seems the likely candidate to start at second.

However, if Baker and/or Fontenot struggle, do not be surprised if the Cubs call up uber-prospect Starlin Castro to play either second or short (with Theriot moving to second).

4. If Carlos Marmol fails in the closer role, will it be Angel Guzman or someone else that gets the first opportunity to replace him?

Maybe the better question is “When Carlos Marmol fails in the closer role…”.  After his struggles with his control last year, I do not think Lou Piniella has a lot of confidence in Marmol and he will be on a pretty short leash.

Thus, the Cubs have been pursuing every decent reliever on the free agent market in hopes of landing a setup man/backup plan for Marmol.  The lastest rumors have the Cubs interested in Kiko Calero and Chan Ho Park.  Calero is certainly capable of being a major league closer.

As for internal options, Guzman is certainly a possibility and John Grabow has been mentioned as a possible backup plan as well.

5. Which position player and pitcher that are unlikely to crack the opening day roster could make a significant impact by the end of the year?

As mentioned above, I think that Starlin Castro has the best chance to make a significant impact.  He will likely start the year in AAA and probably won’t be recalled until May, at the earliest, so that the Cubs can avoid “Super Two” status.  But, when he’s called up, chances are he’ll be up for good.

As for pitchers, the Cubs have some good minor league starting pitchers who could get a look in 2010 should any of the current rotation struggle.  Jay Jackson is likely first in line for a call up and Andrew Cashner is not far behind.

In the bullpen, keep an eye on hard throwing lefty John Gaub.  He could be a deep sleeper for saves.