I apologize if someone has already written a diary with these projections, but I just picked up my Sporting News Fantasy Baseball guide and thought I'd post the magazine's projections for some key Cub players, along with my thoughts:

Alfonso Soriano: 623 AB, 106 runs, 37 homers, 96 RBI, 36 SB, .272 avg

Actually, that would be a downturn from last year. I hope he does better than that for the money he's going to be making.

Derrek Lee: 578 AB, 106 runs, 37 homers, 102 RBI, 12 SB, .290 average

Basically, they expect him to make a nearly complete comeback to his old, pre-injury self. Hope they're right and that the wrist doesn't bother him.

Aramis Ramirez: 538 AB, 88 runs, 35 homers, 106 RBI, .304 average.

I'll take it.

Mark DeRosa: 460 AB, 67 runs, 10 homers, 62 RBI, .274 average.

About what you'd expect. Not worth the money, really.

Michael Barrett: 428 AB, 57 runs, 17 homers, 62 RBI, .292 average

Pretty much equal to last year. Good for a catcher.

Jacque Jones: 544 AB, 74 runs, 28 homers, 84 RBI, 10 SB, .281 average

Seems pretty much equivalent to 2006.

Matt Murton: 482 AB, 76 runs, 14 homers, 68 RBI, .300 average

Doesn't look like the editors expect a real breakout year. This is more of the same.

Carlos Zambrano (El Tortuga): 16-7, 220 innings, 205 Ks, 3.19 ERA

Good, but not breakout. I'd like to see him win 20.

Rich Hill: 12-9, 189 innings, 172 Ks, 3.81 ERA

They expect him to be a solid number three.

Mark Prior: 8-5, 131 innings, 134 Ks, 3.85 ERA

Optimistic

Ted Lilly: 12-10, 186 innings, 4.40 ERA

I can live with that, but not for the salary we're paying.

Jason Marquis: 11-13, 195 innings, 4.80 ERA

Certainly better than a year ago. Adequate for a fifth starter.

Kerry Wood: 2-2, 58 games, 62 innings, 75 Ks, 2.61 ERA

If this happens, he'd be a really solid middle-man. I'd be happy with these stats.

Ryan Dempster:  13 saves, 3.91 ERA.

Looks like they expect him to lose the closer's role eventually.

Bob Howry: 9 saves, 2.87 ERA

Looks like the editors expect him to perhaps take over as closer.

The one key Cub position player for whom this publication gives no stats projection is Cesar Izturis. All the editors say to potential fantasy drafters of Izturis is: "He's the Cubs' problem, not yours."

Not good.