MLB Chicago Cubs

Predicting the Chicago Cubs’ 25-Man Opening Day Roster, Dec. 20 Edition

Predicting Chicago Cubs' 25-Man Opening Day Roster

Anthony Rizzo
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After some great offseason moves, the Cubs are likely to be one of the most improved teams in all of baseball this season. Whether they seriously contend for a playoff spot remains to be seen, but their roster will look a lot better. In all likelihood, here's what their full Opening Day roster will look like.

C Miguel Montero

St Louis Cardinals v Arizona Diamondbacks
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C Miguel Montero

St Louis Cardinals v Arizona Diamondbacks
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Montero is the Cubs' newest catcher, and he was an All-Star in 2014. He's a big improvement from Welington Castillo, especially defensively. As a lefty, he makes the lineup much more deep and complete heading into the season.

1B Anthony Rizzo

Arizona Diamondbacks v Chicago Cubs
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1B Anthony Rizzo

Arizona Diamondbacks v Chicago Cubs
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Rizzo is going to be Chicago's first baseman for years to come. He had a career year last season and will look to build on that this year, especially with more protection in the lineup for him. As a lefty power hitter, he's one of the team's most valuable assets.

2B Javier Baez

Chicago Cubs v Colorado Rockies
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2B Javier Baez

Chicago Cubs v Colorado Rockies
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Baez might be the Cubs' most intriguing player in 2014. He showed off his elite power last season, but he also showed a high tendency to strike out. If he can cut down on the strikeouts, he's going to be a great talent for the Cubs, but if he can't, he could end up being a bust at the big league level.

3B Luis Valbuena

Luis Valbuena
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3B Luis Valbuena

Infield07 Luis Valbuena
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This spot will be prospect Kris Bryant's within two weeks, but he won't be on the Opening Day roster because the Cubs will have one more year of team control on him by holding him in the minors for a couple weeks. In his absence, Valbuena is going to be a solid third baseman. Once Bryant gets called up, Valbuena will be a valuable utility man, since he can also play second base.

SS Starlin Castro

Arizona Diamondbacks v Chicago Cubs
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SS Starlin Castro

Arizona Diamondbacks v Chicago Cubs
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Even though there's been speculation that Castro could be on the move this offseason, it seems highly unlikely. He's already a three-time All-Star and seems to be getting better. One thing he needs to improve in 2015 is his power hitting, where he has the ability to hit 20 home runs.

LF Chris Coghlan

Chicago Cubs v Milwaukee Brewers
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LF Chris Coghlan

Chicago Cubs v Milwaukee Brewers
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Coghlan was a very pleasant surprise for the Cubs last season, as he somewhat resurrected his career. There's a very good chance that he will be the club's leadoff man entering the season and show that he belongs in the Cubs' long-term plan.

CF Arismendy Alcantara

Chicago Cubs v Arizona Diamondbacks
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CF Arismendy Alcantara

Chicago Cubs v Arizona Diamondbacks
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Alcantara showed some flashes of good and bad last year. He may eventually become a utility player for the Cubs, but for now he's their starting center fielder. He really struggled against right-handers last season, so he may see more action against lefties, while being platooned with someone like Ryan Sweeney or Jonny Gomes.

RF Jorge Soler

Arizona Diamondbacks v Chicago Cubs
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RF Jorge Soler

Arizona Diamondbacks v Chicago Cubs
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Soler has the chance to be a star for the Cubs if he can stay healthy. He has a very mature approach at the plate, draws walks and hits for power. He may be the most surprisingly good player for the Cubs this season if he can stay on the field.

Bench

Oakland Athletics Introduce Jon Lester and Jonny Gomes
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Bench

Oakland Athletics Introduce Jon Lester and Jonny Gomes
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2B Tommy La Stella
3B Mike Olt
C David Ross
OF Ryan Sweeney
OF Jonny Gomes

The newly acquired La Stella could be a utility infielder and Olt may play in the outfield a bit as well. Gomes could reach an agreement with the team eventually, which would make him the team's fourth outfielder.

LHP Jon Lester

Wild Card Game - Oakland Athletics v Kansas City Royals
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LHP Jon Lester

Wild Card Game - Oakland Athletics v Kansas City Royals
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Lester was obviously the Cubs' big splash this offseason, as they signed him to a six-year, $155 million deal. He will be the team's ace, and they hope he can lift them to a playoff berth. It remains to be seen whether or not he can do that, but he makes them a much better team right away.

RHP Jake Arrieta

Chicago Cubs v Boston Red Sox
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RHP Jake Arrieta

Chicago Cubs v Boston Red Sox
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Arrieta emerged as the Cubs' ace last season and this year he will be their No. 2 starter. That gives the team a very deep top of the rotation, and if Arrieta can stay healthy, their rotation is going to be very good. His sinker and cutter combo is among the best in baseball, which bodes well for him.

RHP Jason Hammel

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RHP Jason Hammel

Chicago Cubs Photo Day
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Hammel, who posted a 2.98 ERA in a brief stint with the Cubs last season, is back in Chicago after spending the end of last season in Oakland. He's a very good No. 3 option and will really stretch out the rotation if he can sustain the success he started in Chicago a season ago.

RHP Kyle Hendricks

Chicago Cubs v Cincinnati Reds
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RHP Kyle Hendricks

Chicago Cubs v Cincinnati Reds
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Cubs fans should be really excited about Kyle Hendricks, because he was simply phenomenal last season. It's hard to imagine he could duplicate his performance, but if he can even come close the Cubs will be in good shape. As the No. 4 starter, he has the potential to make the Chicago rotation one of the deepest in the division.

LHP Tsuyoshi Wada

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LHP Tsuyoshi Wada

Samurai Japan v MLB All Stars - Game 2
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Wada being the No. 5 starter is based on the assumption the Cubs will trade other lefty, Travis Wood, who has been connected to trade rumors with the Phillies. Since they have so many starters, the Cubs can more than afford to deal a starter and Wood may be the odd man out. Wada was pretty impressive last season and will look to continue that momentum in 2015.

Long Relief

Boston Red Sox v New York Yankees
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Long Relief

Boston Red Sox v New York Yankees
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Felix Doubront
Edwin Jackson

Doubront could be the Cubs' lefty specialist out of the bullpen this season and will probably be asked to go several innings regularly. Jackson, if he can't be traded, will be a key long relief man for the team, doing either mop up duty or eating up innings as the team hopes to stay in games.

Middle Relief

Philadelphia Phillies v Chicago Cubs
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Middle Relief

Philadelphia Phillies v Chicago Cubs
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Justin Grimm
Neil Ramirez

Grimm was impressive at the beginning of the year even, though he fell off down the stretch. However, he can still be a key contributor in 2015. Ramirez was the most pleasant surprise in the bullpen last season and could easily be used as a setup man as well.

Set Up Men (2)

Chicago Cubs v Cincinnati Reds
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Set Up Men (2)

Chicago Cubs v Cincinnati Reds
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Pedro Strop
Jason Motte

Strop has been great since coming over from the Orioles near the trade deadline in 2013 as a seventh and eighth inning guy. He will likely continue in the setup role in 2015. Motte, who led the NL in saves in 2012, will also be used as a setup man, as well as an occasional closer depending on how Hector Rondon performs early.

Closer: Hector Rondon

Chicago Cubs v Cincinnati Reds
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Closer: Hector Rondon

Chicago Cubs v Cincinnati Reds
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Rondon was the Cubs' first reliable closer in years and he is likely to continue in that role in 2015. Manager Joe Maddon is known for platooning closers, though, so look for Motte and Strop to potentially get some work in the ninth inning as well.

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