2007 Cubs Projected Lineup

2007 Chicago Cubs

Batting Order

1. CF Alfonso Soriano
2. LF Matt Murton
3. 1B Derrek Lee
4. 3B Aramis Ramirez
5. RF Jacque Jones
6. C Michael Barrett
7. 2B Mark DeRosa
8. SS Cesar Izturis

New manager Lou Piniella is thinking about batting Izturis second, but the shortstop's .295 career on-base percentage might prevent that. Cliff Floyd will get plenty of playing time in left field, but Murton still looks like the best bet for at-bats in the second spot initially. DeRosa could possibly bat second, but he's been spending more time batting sixth and seventh this spring, making him look like a weaker pick. Jones is also a possibility as a No. 2 hitter. Perhaps he'll hit there when Murton is out of the lineup, opening up the fifth spot for Floyd. While some critics feel that Soriano strikes out too often for a leadoff man (160 times in 2006), the Cubs are comfortable enough with his speed and power to leave him there.

Rotation

1. Carlos Zambrano
2. Ted Lilly
3. Jason Marquis
4. Rich Hill

5th spot battle:

Mark Prior, Wade Miller, Neal Cotts and a host of young pitchers including Sean Marshall are in the mix for the final slot in the rotation. If Prior proves he can stay healthy, the spot will most likely fall to him.

Closer: Ryan Dempster

Dempster (nine losses, nine blown saves in '06) will be given the first shot at closing, but he won't be on a long leash. Bobby Howry could get the call if Dempster has a bad opening to the season. Kerry Wood, who is in the bullpen to save wear and tear on his often-injured right arm, has enough electric stuff on his pitches to be a closer, but the Cubs will wait to see how much his elbow and shoulder can take before handing him the job.