You tell me your 2009 Cub story (what will happen this year?)

by Unique on Feb 23, 2009 4:44 PM CST Comment 51 comments

We are getting closer and closer folks! Will this be the year? Will we finally see a playoff win or maybe even advance?! Well this diary is dedicated to all who think they might be able to tell the story of the 2009 Cubs.

Give me your MVP's, your "ace" pitcher of the year, and the surprise player of the year .. and of course .. give your story!

Ok, I'll start. First and foremost.. i'll start to paint the story by giving my MVP's and so on.

Team MVP: Derrek Lee / Milton Bradley

Ace Pitcher of Year: Rich Harden (16-3, 2.87 ERA, 1 CG)

Surprise Player: Mike Fontenot (.280 AVG, 12 HR, 70 RBI)

My 2009 Cubs story: The 2009 Cubs start out "ok" .. flirting with .500 for the first 20 or so games. From that moment on .. the Derrek Lee led Cubs go on a tear. Derrek Lee has a strong year and will gather some league MVP consideration as he hits .305 .. with 34 HR and 115 RBIs to go along with 46 doubles. Milton Bradley performs near his 2008 numbers, and proves to be the left handed bat needed in the middle of the lineup. Soriano has a 30-30 season, also. Like 2008, the Cubs flirt with 100 wins .. but this time they advance in the playoffs.

Aramis Ramirez is the big hero in the NLDS, along with staff ace Rich Harden. Harden -- who still needs his regular rest to be the potent pitcher that we all know he can be -- is determined to prove that he can be healthy over a full season. In the end the Cubs win ar World Series title and their first in 101 years.

What's your 2009 Cub story?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Cliff note version....

MVP: Bradley: plays 150 games .296 BA; 37 HR; 110 RBI
Ace starter: Dempster 21-7; 2.85 ERA
Surprise player: see above

Cubs win 98 regular season games; win NLDS 3-1 vs. Dodgers; win NLCS 4-3 vs. Phillies;
lose WS 4-3 vs. Boston

If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.

by Clutche on Feb 23, 2009 5:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

lose the WS? to Boston? Well, might as well call it a season right now.

Unique, i also think rich harden will kick ass this year, however, no way in hell Lou lets him out there to complete a game. The surprise player will be Gregg. Soriano will win the MVP with another 40-40-40 season.

by xene on Feb 23, 2009 5:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh and after fonzie wins the mvp, Blou will put a gun in his mouth and end it.

by xene on Feb 23, 2009 5:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

abridged

Cubs win 115 games

Bradley is MVP,,,, 333 BA, 42 HR’s and 140 RBI’s
Harden is 16-1 like Sutcliffe

Marmol breaks the save mark at 59 saves

Fontenot leads the Cubs in batting .343

wake up now

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Feb 23, 2009 8:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Marmol won't.....

have that many save opportunities. You’re dreaming about Font hitting .343, try .273

If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.

by Clutche on Feb 23, 2009 8:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Quick version...

Lee bounces back with a little more power.
Soriano hits 40 HRs again and has an elite season.
Guzman excels in bullpen, making Marmol expendable (in the sense that Marmol becomes closer without too much damage to our pressure relief innings)

I don’t know who to choose, but I think 09 will bring a sizeable regression from either Lilly or Dempster.
I predict a big midseason trade for another SP, but I won’t mention names (and I think it might be someone not currently on the radar).
I think Fontenot will be exposed in a more substantial role and not be the asset he was in 08. I also expect Theriot to maintain his power rates, but experience a decline in his OBP.

The playoffs are a crapshoot so I’m not even throwing out a prediction until the season ends, but I do expect 95 wins and a Central Title by 5-8 games.

Free Ronny Cedeno

by Kansas25 on Feb 23, 2009 5:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

lol

I also expect Theriot to maintain his power rates…

by Tate491 on Feb 23, 2009 5:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Harden

I’d be shocked if Lou ever lets Harden throw a CG. Has the ace potential as we all know but can’t see him ever going the distance in a game this year

by jberms1 on Feb 23, 2009 5:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

no way

no way Harden throws a complete game.

I mean, unless Dusty comes back.

Ohhhh I don't know, I got a guy on the other line about some whitewalls - I'll call you back.

by kifaru37 on Feb 23, 2009 5:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

he throws one

IF he has a no hitter or perfect game going.

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Feb 23, 2009 6:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You never know.

It’s just my opinion. I think Lou would let him go the distance if he throws 105 pitches. It could happen… unlikely.. but it could happen.

Tamia Lynn Davis:
Born: August 18, 2008

by Unique on Feb 23, 2009 6:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Another Quick Version

97 wins…beating out the Brewers by 9 games.

DLee has a solid year settling nicely into the 2 slot in the order (with Theriot leading off)…but the offensive (and defensive) MVP is Soto, narrowly beating out Aramis (28HR/106RBI), Gameboard (29/93), and Soriano (33/75), by stepping up his offensive numbers with about 35 HR and 110 RBI.

Surprise player – Jeff Samardzija – as a starter – 13-8 with a 3.47 ERA.

Pitching MVP is Ted Lilly, who makes all of his starts and quietly wins 19 games with a 3.60 ERA.

Surprise player #2 – Joey Gathright…no idea on the stats but I think he finds a way to make a surprisingly positive contribution on a good team.

No playoff predictions, except that Milton Bradley’s attitude will make itself known – in a positive way, to help light a fire under his teammates and keep them from being 0-9 under Lou in the playoffs.

Ohhhh I don't know, I got a guy on the other line about some whitewalls - I'll call you back.

by kifaru37 on Feb 23, 2009 5:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'll just make ONE prediction.

Aramis Ramirez is going to have a monster season, be healthy all year, and be a serious MVP candidate.

.320/.398/.580, 40 HR, 125 RBI

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 23, 2009 6:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Haha. Dont we say that every year?

by xene on Feb 23, 2009 6:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He always has a good year.

Always. You just know he’s due for a big year.. you just don’t know when.

I think Derrek Lee is due for another big year.

Tamia Lynn Davis:
Born: August 18, 2008

by Unique on Feb 23, 2009 6:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think DLee will

have a better year than last year. I read that he was “pull happy” last year and he’s concentrating on better AB’s. That’s what we all needed to hear.

Dempster will have some falloff if the run support slips for him. I say he wins 14 this year.

Harden will push Z for being the ace.

The Cubs will start out slow, but still win the division with 90 wins.

That’s all I got.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Feb 24, 2009 6:13 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thats wishful thinking

I can see the RBIs, especially if he’s behind The Game

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Feb 23, 2009 6:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Al, wrong guy

I think Alfonso Soriano will have a monster year this year and content for MVP.

Last year he hit 29 HRs in only 453 ABs. However if you add 75-100 more ABs the HR total probably moves up to 35-40. Plus I think with everybody doubting Soriano he will want to prove his critics wrong. I am expecting:

.280 Ave. 40 HRs, 90 RBIs, 90 Runs, and 20 SBs. That could be good enough to contend with the first baseman south of us.

by Yishbania on Feb 23, 2009 6:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

a little bit higher on the SB's. Like i said above 40-40-40

by xene on Feb 23, 2009 6:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Al....

You mean A-rod not A-ram, correct?

If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.

by Clutche on Feb 23, 2009 8:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Zambrano flirts with 2 no-no's

He brings one into the 8th and one into the 9th…both at Wrigley and they will be the closest to any player pitching a no hitter all season.

Aaron Miles is the first player on the cubs to get one of those game winning memorable hits of the season.

4 pitchers get over 15 wins and Lilly gets 18.

Heilman is going to have a very good April and Mid May but then we get more frustrated with him than we ever did with Howry.

Lou gets ejected twice and Ryan Theriot finally gets ejected after arguing with either being called out on a steal or not tagging someone at second.

by ak123 on Feb 23, 2009 6:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I believe

Lilly wins 20
Harden leads NL in k’s, only missed 5 starts
Fukudome rights the ship, wins the starting job in CF and quiets the doubts
Marmol returns to setup, Gregg saves 32
Bradleys fire rubs off, and team no longer sits on their hands when down a few runs
Cubs lead MLB in runs scored
Cubs lead NL ERA.
Cubs lead MLB in come from behind wins
Soriano/Harden/Bradley all avoid injuries
Theriot stays scrappy
Peavy does not become a Cub.
Cubs win 102 games, due to weak NL Centrral, and win division by 15 (ok so this one is a huge stretch, so this is my WTF prediction)

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Feb 23, 2009 6:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

If we win 102 games

There’s a chance we could win the division by 20…

by ak123 on Feb 23, 2009 6:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Fukie hit a grandslam today i think. In an exebition game for japan.

by xene on Feb 23, 2009 6:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

they mentioned that on CSN this evening

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/02/22/sports/BBI-Japan-WBC-Roster.php

Earlier Sunday, Fukudome hit a grand slam in the second inning to power Japan to a 13-1 win over the Giants in a tuneup for the WBC. Iwamura added a three-run homer in the fifth inning to give Japan a 10-1 lead.

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Feb 23, 2009 7:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Kosuke returns

Fukudome, after roaring through the WBC and leading Japan to the championship, carries the momentum and rediscovered confidence through the first month of the season and seizes the CF job for himself by May 5. Year-end splits (batting in the 2-hole): .319/.392/.451 (95 Runs scored). No more of this, “garnering MVP votes” for Aramis. He gets hot in May and never slows down. 44 bombs, 133 RBI, runs away with MVP (after Pujols is suspended for PEDs) and a gold glove to boot. Bradley gets hurt mid-season, is out until early September, only to prove, come playoffs, that this is why we needed a powerful left-handed bat – hitting 7 homeruns in October. Lilly and Z tie with 18 wins. Fontenot wins WS MVP, reminiscent of Eckstein – only to laugh and the comparison and calls the former Cardinal a “bitch” on national television. (Personal high point: DLee sees me screaming at him when the Cubs come to Colorado in August, hits a game winning home run, and mentions me, the “screaming red head in the stands,” in the post-game interview. Yes…)

"Writing is exciting and baseball is like writing. You can never tell with either how it will go or what you will do." -- Marianne Moore

by duboisdm on Feb 23, 2009 7:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

If Dome

bounces back, this club could be real good.

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Feb 24, 2009 10:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

At least

3 of the doubles are weak ground balls that bounce awkwardly off of 3rd base

Ohhhh I don't know, I got a guy on the other line about some whitewalls - I'll call you back.

by kifaru37 on Feb 24, 2009 6:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ugh

meant to reply to the theriot post below

Ohhhh I don't know, I got a guy on the other line about some whitewalls - I'll call you back.

by kifaru37 on Feb 24, 2009 6:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

One prediction

Theriot hits 190 singles, 4 doubles, and 1 homerun while compiling 22 CS and 19 SB

by D-rose on Feb 23, 2009 8:08 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Sad but possibly true this one lol

by Madison Cub Fan on Feb 23, 2009 10:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If Theriot has 195 hits, he'll hit well over .300, and at least be somewhat useful.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 24, 2009 10:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

2009 - Cubs overcome regular season injuries and are healthy for October

I think, unfortunately, the Cubs are due for a lot less health than they got last year. At one stretch in the season, the lineup will be:
CF Gathright
2B Fontenot
1B Lee
LF Soriano
C Soto
RF Robbnett
3B Miles
SS Sellers

Fortunately, that stretch will not be long and the Cubs will squeak into the playoffs with a healthy lineup:
LF Soriano
SS Carlos Guillen
1B Lee
RF Bradley
3B Ramirez
C Soto
2B Fontenot
CF Gathright

The author of this post is not a certified scout, doctor, agent, statistician, manager, or journalist, nor was he ever a very good player, though he tried very hard to be like Ryne Sandberg and was about as scrappy as it gets (in T-ball). Any opinion expressed above should in no way be confused with fact, truth, or reality and is hereby qualified in the following ways: 1) The author does not know as much about baseball as Lou Piniella. 2) The author does not know as much about baseball as Jim Hendry. 3) The author does not know as much about baseball as either Dusty or Darren Baker.

by DGU on Feb 23, 2009 8:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

with all the injuries

I was expecting to see Hoff at 3B

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Feb 23, 2009 10:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Carlos Guillen ceased being a serviceable defensive shortstop 5 years ago

He stopped playing shortstop altogether in 2007 and is now in the outfield mix for Detroit.

A name that you might be able to insert instead is Jack Wilson. Something tells me Wilson will play for the Cubs in 2009.

by BLou on Feb 24, 2009 10:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Guillen was still good in 2005

and fair enough in 2006. He wasn’t so good in 2007. My impression was that he was moved off position to save his legs. In this highly speculative exercise, I’m imagining Guillen brought in to play 3B with Aramis out much of the season and shifting to SS for the playoffs. I’m also imagining Sellers to be good enough to make Jack Wilson not worth the pricetag.

by DGU on Feb 24, 2009 2:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Robbnett....really??

I’d expect Jim Edmonds to get a call if someone went down. Or Jason Dubois or Tyler Colvin get a shot

#34: You'll be missed!

by Chanman25 on Feb 24, 2009 12:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Robbnet's on the 40-man.

I expect he may end 2009 ahead of Hoffpauir, Dubois, and Colvin on the OF depth chart. Colvin’s the wild card – he could shoot to the top or fall off altogether.

by DGU on Feb 24, 2009 2:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Being on the 40-man doesn't mean you're major league quality.

Evidence in recent years: Russ Rohlicek, Adam Harben, among others.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 24, 2009 2:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Right.

But being on the 40-man makes you more likely to get called up in an emergency situation.

by DGU on Feb 24, 2009 3:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

True.

I suspect Robnett is #40 on the 40-man, though.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 24, 2009 3:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Win when it counts

Win in October.
I just want health for the 2009 Cubs.

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Feb 24, 2009 6:50 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

If Harden pitches enough games to go 16-3

AND has a CG, that would make HIM the surprise player of the year. The ERA wouldn’t surprise me, though. I think the total would be closer to 10-3 since he will miss six weeks due to shoulder soreness.

by daeviant on Feb 24, 2009 9:24 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Well...

90 wins, good for a playoff spot

Team MVP – Milton Bradley

Very good seasons — Rich Harden, Milton Bradley, Aramis Ramirez, Ryan Theriot,

Good seasons — Ted Lilly, Carlos Zambrano, Carlos Marmol, Kevin Gregg, Joey Gathright, Reed Johnson, Aaron Miles, Geovany Soto

So-so seasons — Sean Marshall, Angel Guzman, Luis Vizcaino, Kosuke Fukudome, Mike Fontenot, Derrek Lee, Paul Bako

Disappointing seasons – Ryan Dempster, Neal Cotts, Alfonso Soriano,

All that matters – winning in the postseason

by BLou on Feb 24, 2009 10:47 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Wow

I floored that BLou thinks Alfonso Sorieno is going to have a disappointing season.

by Madison Cub Fan on Feb 24, 2009 4:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Tyler Colvin contributes off the bench, wins us one or two games in September

#34: You'll be missed!

by Chanman25 on Feb 24, 2009 12:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

If given the oppertunity to start,

I think Aaron Miles will shush some doubters, but he won’t be as productive as DeRosa last season…

#34: You'll be missed!

by Chanman25 on Feb 24, 2009 12:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

MVP’s, your “ace” pitcher of the year, and the surprise player of the year ..

MVP: Soriano
Ace Pitcher: Ted Lilly
Surprise Player: Sean Marshal, who locks up the #5 spot and wins 15 games.

The Cubs struggle at first, but right the ship in June, win 92 games, and roar through the playoffs, beating the Mets 3-0 in the first round and the Phillis 4-1 in the second round to clinch their first division title in decades. They face the Angels in the WS and beat them, 4-2.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on Feb 24, 2009 2:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I will have a few too many Old Styles in Jun, Jul and Aug...

And forget little details like who came out of the bullpen first, or who pinch hit when.

That’s my story…

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that.

We know it's the most valuable position on the football team. We've gone through so many scenarios at that position we can write a book, moreso on what not do."

-- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
.

by SackMan on Feb 24, 2009 4:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I think this one has a very good chance of coming true.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Feb 24, 2009 4:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

im thinking

Bradley slumps a little in the cold weather and cramps up. Cubs fans freak, other baseball fans bash the cubs only to look stupid when he turns it around in june and goes on a tear the rest of the season.

Cubs MVP : ARAM as always
Ace pitcher: Zambrano
Surprising player : Fonty ( Seriously he ends up with with 23 HRS) He gets starting job after Miles gets into a freak accident
Biggest dssapointment: Pie becomes the player we thought he was with the Baltimore

Cubs win world series after leading 3 games to none against the Yankees they scare the shit out of us letting the Yankees tie the series up. With the Cubs winning game 7 proving that these are not the same Cubs. We all cry, drink, hug, and take off work for the next week.

by Kchance on Feb 24, 2009 4:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs