At this Polaroid moment in time, the Cubs 2014 roster may be constructed as follows from the current 40 man roster and minor league system:
Starting pitchers:
1. Samaradzija
2. E. Jackson
3. T. Wood
4. Arrieta
5. Villaneuva
6. Rusin *
7. Raley *
8. Hendricks *
* long relief or start season in AAA
Bullpen by role:
Closer: Fujikawa
8th: Strop
7th: Bard
6th: Grimm
LHP: Russell
RHP: Lim
RHP: Parker
Starting Position players:
LF: Lake
CF: Sweeney
RF: Schierholtz
3B: Olt
SS: Castro
2B: Watkins
1B: Rizzo
C: Castillo
Bench:
IN: Barney
IN: Valbuena
IN: Murphy
OF: Bogusevic
C: Boscan
A few points on the current depth chart:
1. The starting rotation is currently weaker in depth than in the last two seasons.
2. The bullpen is another unknown with a new closer, new set up man and a rehabbing reliever in Bard.
3. One of the reasons Sveum may have been terminated was his stubborn loyalty to veterans like Barney instead of playing a young player like Watkins, especially in the last month of the season. One would imagine that the front office wants to promote Olt and Watkins to starters to get a little fan interest bump in spring training.
4. It is hard to tell whether Lake will continue to bat well in his sophomore season, when the league begins to adjust to him.
5. There will be a large hole at back-up catcher since Navarro will leave for a better/starting role with another team. The minor league system does not have a quality catcher ready for promotion.
6. The bench is filled with journeymen infielders which is another glaring need for an upgrade.
