USA Today reports on Cubs' outfield

According to the USA Today, the Cubs will only be as good as their high priced outfield.  That certainly was true last year -

"With Milton Bradley moping, Alfonso Soriano limping and Kosuke Fukudome whiffing, the 2009 Chicago Cubs were done in by their $214 million outfield.


Bobby Scales was called up after 10{ years in the minors and asked to save the day. Jake Fox was all-hit, no field. Sam Fuld was all-field, no-power. First baseman Micah Hoffpauir, thrown into the outfield to supply offense, batted .239.

What a mess."

Last year's result was a mess, considering the Cubs should have easily repeated as NL Central champs.  But things have changed this year.  Gone is Milton Bradley's bad attitude, replaced by the professional acting Marlon Byrd.  Soriano's knee has been surgically repaired and, according to Sori, feels great.  And the Cubs have a legitimate backup for their outfield in Xavier Nady, so if one of the starters goes down or struggles, they have a legitimate back up ready to go.

Hopefully, the Cubs' outfield will improve and, if so, so will the Cubs.

Here's the link to the rest of the USA Today's article - http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/2010-02-28-1440694430_x.htm. 

Tyler Colvin bulks up

Tyler Colvin has showed up early to Mesa for spring training.  And shown up with 25 more pounds of muscle.  Last year, Colvin was listed as 190 lbs.  He's now up to 215, which at 6'3" means he has filled out.

Will this be the year Colvin can make an impact and prove he was worthy of being a number one draft pick.  I don't know if any of you play Out of the Park Baseball.  Its a baseball simulation game that uses real life players and stats to simulate future seasons.  You get to play manager and general manager, managing the games and making trades.  I of course am the GM for the Cubs on the game and, one of the surprises on my 2009 Cubs team is Tyler Colvin.  He is batting nearly .400 and is second on my team in homers with about 50 games played so far. 

Obviously, my Cubs team is not in any way indicative of what Tyler Colvin will do this year or any year.  But it is encouraging that he is possibly not only a major leaguer but also a potential all star. 

One problem Colvin may have making the real Cubs team is that their outfield is pretty set.  Fukodome and Soriano are both signed to long term contracts with no trade clauses and now the Cubs have added Marlon Byrd to play center.  So there may just not be a spot for Colvin at this time.  But I have a feeling that Colvin may be a future star, who the Cubs will need to make a spot for.  Even if it means benching an underperforming Soriano or Fukodome.  Will that happen this year?  Probably not, since Colvin probably needs one more year in the minors before being ready for the bigs.  But you never know.  That's what spring training is for.