Spring Training 2

Outfielders...

The 2009 Chicago Cubs will boast a slightly new look in the Wrigley Field grass this summer, with the addition of Milton Bradley, who GM Jim Hendry signed to a three-year, $30 million-dollar deal this off season. The Cubs, for many years, have sought after a left-handed hitting outfielder to break up the middle of the order and take pressure off of boppers Derrick Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Geovanny Soto and Alfonso Soriano. The past few signees by Hendry---Jeromy Burnitz, Cliff Floyd, Todd Hollandsworth and Jacque Jones---did not pan out for the North Siders and were about as reliable as impeached Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Soriano will start in left-field, Bradley in right and Kusoke Fukodome will move to center.

In 2008, Reed Johnson became a regular off-the-bench player for the NL Central champs, and he will be rewarded for it by coach Lou Pinella in 2009. He hits for average, can steal bases and plays all outfield positions. Switch-hitter Aaron Miles will also give regulars a day off every week or so.

For the Cubs to be competitive in the regular season and deep into the playoffs, the outfielders need to play consistent baseball and concentrate on the fundamentals (hitting cutoffs, keeping the ball in front of them and improving on their fielding percentage). Also, Kusoke Fukodome needs to play better, plain-and-simple. In 08' he looked like a screw going into the ground on every swing and he lost confidence as September and October inched closer. If he doesn't perform, do not expect Lou Pinella to give him as many chances as he did throughout the 08' campaign.