Chicago Cubs Outfield Situation

For the upcoming season the Chicago Cubs are looking to piece together their outfield. There are many different combinations that could be used. The one spot in the outfield that is solid is left field. Left field will be occupied by past All Star Alfonso Soriano. Soriano was hindered last year and the year before by injuries while still producing big numbers for the Cubs. If he can piece together 145-150 games in 2009 the sky is the limit for Soriano. His bat will be a huge part of the Cubs' success. Though one down side to Soriano is his lack of All Star fielding. I believe if he could piece together an injury free year we would see his errors go down and putouts go up.

In right field we have a new option named Milton Bradley. Bradley was signed by the Cubs this off season and should be a great improvement both in the field and at the plate for the Chicago Cubs. He just might be the left handed bat Piniella has been looking for. Bradley is also a very crafty fielder. His only down side is the mental part of the game. He has been seen as a bother in some clubhouses but Piniella usually handles these type of players well. Micah Hoffpauir will be the secondary option for both right and left field. Hoffpauir really came into his own element last year doing very well in pinch hit situations. If he continues to progress he should be a great asset for the Cubbies.

Now we come to the big battle over center field. This battle will be between newly signed Joey Gathright, Kosuke Fukudome, and Reed Johnson. Joey Gathright has all the tools to be a great player for the Cubs because of his lightning quick speed and great fielding ability. If anything he will be the Cubs best option for a pinch runner as Felix Pie is not a Cubs anymore. Reed Johnson is the hardcore player every team needs. He can play good defense and when he gets hot will be a top notch hitter. I will never forget the catch he made last year diving head first into the brick and ivy in center field. It was just incredible!! I hope he gets his shot along with the others to be the starter but in all reality it is possible for there to be a platoon of all three players. I hope that it won't be this way the whole year so that way one of them can get in a groove but its all up to who's going to be ready to play.

Like all my blog entries I hope to hear some feedback from the readers!!!