Former Cub Jim Edmonds signs with Brewers

The Cubs former centerfielder Jim Edmonds has signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, who have invited Edmonds to spring training.

Jim Edmonds did not play last season but played part of 2008 with the Cubs and the rest with the Padres.  He batted a combined .235 with a .343 on-base percentage, 20 home runs and 55 RBI over 111 games two seasons ago.

In 1,925 career games, the 39-year-old Edmonds holds a .284 average with a .377 OBP, 382 homers and 1,176 RBI. In 16 seasons, he has played with the Angels, St. Louis, the Padres and Cubs.

First Base - Derrek Lee

Derrek Lee will once again be the Cubs starting first baseman in 2010.  One of the premier first basemen in the league, Lee is a definite force in the Cubs lineup and a mature presence in the clubhouse. 

In 2005, Lee had the best statistical season of his career, batting .335 and slugging 46 homers.  However, in 2006, Lee suffered a broken wrist that sidelined him for most of the 2006 season.  Upon his return in 2007, his power numbers dropped significantly.  His power returned somewhat in 2008 but were still off from his pre-injury numbers.

Last year, Derrek Lee seemed to return to form.  The three time gold glove first baseman hit .306 with 36 doubles, 2 triples, 35 homeruns and 111 RBIs.  The two time All Star walked 76 times and struck out 109 times. 

Had Aramis Ramirez been healthy, and had Soto and Alfonso Soriano hit to form, the Cubs would likely have made the postseason with a season like last year's from Derrek Lee.  Hopefully, Lee will get some help this year from the rest of the offiense which should lead the Cubs much closer to their goal of winning another World Series.

Xavier Nady

Cubbie fans, the Cubs have signed backup outfielder Xavier Nady to a one year contract worth $3.3 million with incentives of $2.05 million for games played.

While Nady missed all of 2009, he batted .305 with 37 doubles, 25 home runs and 97 RBIs in 148 games in 2008, posting a .357 on-base percentage and a .510 slugging percentage.  After the 2008 season, he had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. 

Nady is expected to platoon some with Kosuke Fukudome in right field and backup Alfonso Soriano in left field.

What do you think of the Cubs' signing of Xavier Nady?  I think its a good signing.  Let me know what you think.

Backup Catcher Preview

The Cubs' backup catcher will most likely be Koyie Hill. 
Koyie did well subbing for Geovany Soto last season when Soto suffered various injuries.  In fact, he made 26 consecutive starts for Soto while he was injured in early July through early August.

The Cubs avoided arbitration with Hill, who will be paid $700,000 for 2010.

Last season, Hill batted .237 with 12 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers, and 24 RBIs.  He walked 27 times and struck out 78 times.

Hill should be a quality backup for Soto.  Hopefully, Soto will stay healthy and Hill won't be needed so much this year.

Projected 25 man roster for 2010

Here's what I project the 25 man roster to look like:

1.  C - Geovany Soto
2.  C - Koyie Hill
3.  1b - Derek Lee
4.  1b - Micah Hoffpaur
5.  2b - Mike Fontenot
6.  2b - Jeff Baker
7.  3b - Aramis Ramirez
8.  SS - Ryan Theriot
9.  LF - Alfonso Soriano
10. CF - Marlon Byrd
11. RF - Kosuke Fukudome
12. OF - Sam Fuld
13. OF - Xavier Nady
14. SP - Carlos Zambrano
15. SP - Ryan Dempster
16. SP - Ted Lilly
17. SP - Randy Wells
18. SP - Tom Gorzelanny
19. RP - John Grabow
20. RP - Sean Marshall
21. RP - Angel Guzman
22. RP - Jeff Samardzija
23. RP - David Patton
24. RP - Mitch Atkins
25. CL - Carlos Marmol

I'd like to hear from you whether you agree or disagree and why!

Starting Catcher Preview

My plan is to review position by position all of the projected active roster Cubs for 2010.  We'll start with catcher.

The projected starter is Geovany Soto, who has started the last two seasons for the Cubs.  A rookie in 2008, Soto was both National League Rookie of the Year and an All Star.  Pretty good for a rookie.  Geovany is older than his years in that he handles the pitching staff well.

In 2008, Soto batted .285, with 35 doubles, 2 triples, 23 homers, 86 RBIs and 66 runs scored.  He did not have a stolen base and struck out 121 times.  He did walk 62 times.

Soto suffered from the all too common sophomore curse in 2009, seeing his batting average drop to .218.  All of his numbers were similarly down, hitting 11 homers, 19 doubles, 1 triple and knocking in only 47.  He scored 27 times, walked 50 times and struck out 77 times.  Soto also saw less playing time, as he suffered from various injuries during the course of the season.

2010 could be a big year for Soto.  He has reportedly slimmed down, losing 40 pounds over the offseason.  If Soto can return to his rookie year form, he will be a force to be reckoned with.  In fact, in my opinion, the Cubs season will be determined by how well Soto does.  Given Soto's offseason focus that has resulted in his slim new look, I expect Soto will snap back into form and put up good numbers this year.

Play ball!!!

Welcome to my new blog, Wrigley Ramblings.  This blog is dedicated to the 2010 Chicago Cubs.  I intend to discuss each player in length and follow this year's games.  I hope you will all comment on what you think about the team, the games and the managerial moves throughout the season.

I hope you enjoy my "Wrigley Ramblings"!