Cubs To Sign Shane Victorino To Minor League Deal

The Cubs do not have to make a trade before opening day. They hold the cards and will only do so if it significantly upgrades the pitching staff or they suffer an injury during spring training. Despite all their so called depth, it’s really not too difficult to formulate the position players who will likely open the season:

1-Miguel Montero (L) C
2-David Ross (R) C
3-Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B
4-Ben Zobrist (S) 2B, INF, OF
5-Addison Russell (R) SS, 2B
6-Kris Bryant (R) 3B, OF
7-Javier Baez (R) SS, 2B, 3B, OF
8-Tommy La Stella (L) 3B, 2B
9-Kyle Schwarber (L) LF, C, RF
10-Jorge Soler (R) LF, RF
11-Dexter Fowler (S) CF, OF
12-Jason Heyward (L) RF, CF

The Cubs have a roster with incredible versatility which manager Joe Maddon relishes. He also loves to micro-manage his pitching staff during the season and may do so even more in 2016 to keep his starters fresh for the postseason. Because of this it’s very conceivable the Cubs may elect to carry 13 pitchers on their 25-man active roster. If they go with 12, then the following players would the best shot at making the final cut as position players:

13-Shane Victorino (R) CF, RF, LF
13-Matt Szczur (R) LF, RF, CF
13-Arismendy Alcantara ((S) CF, 2B, 3B
13-Munenori Kawasaki (L) 2B, SS, 3B

The Cubs basic starting lineup is set at all positions except LF where Schwarber and Soler will form a fairly regular platoon depending on the starting pitcher. Soler will also start occasionally in LF against a right-handed starting pitcher on days that Kyle Schwarber starts at catcher, perhaps once a week. Both Soler and Schwarber figure to get the lion’s share of AB’s at the DH position during interleague games at A.L. parks, with the other playing LF. Soler may also give Heyward an occasional breather in RF when a particularly tough left-handed pitcher starts a game versus the Cubs or when switch-hitting Fowler gets a day off and Heyward or Baez fills in at CF. Ross will also start at catcher when Jon Lester pitches, as usual. La Stella will be the primary backup at 3B and occasionally at 2B. Baez will be the primary backup at SS and 2B, also filling in at 3B, 1B and CF when necessary. Zobrist will be the regular starting 2B but can be used as at multiple position when Maddon starts playing musical chairs during the course of a ball game. Baez will assume Zobrist’s former super-sub utility role under Maddon in Tampa, likely garnering the most playing time of any of the non-starters.