The 2014 Chicago Cubs Opening Day Lineup

The season starts tomorrow. We are now in year three of the Theo rebuild, but this lineup doesn't look much better than what's been run out the past two years. The waiting for the prospects bit is starting to wear thin. Hopefully there's only one more year of this.

Here's the group that will take the field tomorrow against the Pirates.

OUTFIELD...not the most intimidating group, but they all had cards in Series One

Junior Lake, left field...got off to a nice start when brought up last summer, tailed off towards the end.

Ryan Sweeney, center field

Nate Schieholtz, right field

INFIELD...Mike Olt is new at third (until Kris Bryant is ready!), otherwise its the same group as last season.

 

Mike Olt, third base, was the key to the Garza trade with the Rangers last summer. He seems to have gotten over the vision problems he and hit well this spring.

Starlin Castro, shortstop...he's got to have a bounce back season this year.

Darwin Barney, second base...I'm afraid this may be his last season as a starter for the Cubs. The prospects in the minors are going to squeeze him out. Maybe he'll stick around as a utility guy.

Anthony Rizzo, first base...same comment for him as for Castro

BATTERY...If you thought the position lineup was weak, take a look at the pitching...ouch! The Cubs have to start improving their pitching or else it won't matter how good the position players are....pitching wins titles.

Welington Castillo had a decent year as the Cubs catcher. But Topps shows him no love...he was not included in Series One, Opening Day, the Stickers, or Heritage. Where's the Beef??

Samardzija is the defacto ace of the staff. He's in a contract year, but is a bit miffed at the team and didn't work on an extension. Will he be gone before the fall? The rest of the rotation is Edwin Jackson, Jason Hammel, Travis Wood, and Carlos Villanueva

Not exactly the '27 Yankees that we're running out is it?