Realistically, one needs to view both the current, short term and long term depth chart of a team to objectively judge the health of the organization. A short term replacement would be someone called up to fill in for a starter due to injury, but for no longer than a season. Long term replacement is the projected player who will take over that position and keep it for several seasons (until free agency).
FIRST BASE:
Current Player: Rizzo, for whom the front office has invested the long term on his success.
Short Term replacement: None.
Long Term replacement: Vogelbach, a power hitting prospect who may move to the outfield.
SECOND BASE:
Current Player: Barney, who struggled at the plate last season.
Short Term Replacement: Watkins, who did not get an opportunity under Sveum.
Long Term replacement: Alcantara, a low level prospect that is starting to make reputation as a hitter.
SHORTSTOP:
Current Player: Castro, like Rizzo, is part of the front office's "core" roster players long term
Short Term Replacement: Baez, for whom the front office believes is still a shortstop and not a second or third baseman. Baez could force a move at this position within the next year.
Long Term replacement: Baez.
THIRD BASE:
Current Player: A probable replacement level platoon of Valbuena and Murphy.
Short Term Replacement: Rangers cast-offs Olt and Villanueva.
Long Term replacement: Bryant, who is one of the "core" players for the future.
CATCHER:
Current Player: Castillo, who will be given the opportunity to solidify the position.
Short Term replacement: Kottaras is nothing more than a marginal back-up if Castillo gets hurt.
Long Term replacement: None in the system.
LEFT FIELD:
Current player: Lake, who will get a full season opportunity to be a full time player.
Short Term replacement: Sweeney, who appears to be the 4th outfielder
Long Term replacement: Unknown, since it is possible that prospect infielders may be converted to outfield spots.
CENTER FIELD:
Current player: Ruggiano, for whom the front office just traded for this off-season.
Short Term replacement: Sweeney.
Long Term replacement: Almora, if he rises to his potential and gets around injury concerns.
RIGHT FIELD:
Current player: Schierholtz, who is the last year of his deal.
Short Term Replacement: AAA journeymen like Cunningham or Wells.
Long Term replacement: Soler, whose stock is slowly fading in prospect rankings, due partially to injury and attitude.
If one looks at positional depth, the Cubs only have one player, Sweeney, who equals the current starter as a short term replacement. The rest of the positions have no real short term depth, and the long term replacement players are mostly in the low minors (with the exception of Baez who will start at AAA Iowa in 2014). None of the short term replacement players seem to have the ability to win or displace the current player, which is disheartening because objectively, the Cubs could use an upgrade all these positions (based on 2013 performance levels).
