The active roster as of January 2, 2o13

[ryno4ever]

Pitchers
Scott Baker R-R
Michael Bowden R-R
Alberto Cabrera R-R
Shawn Camp R-R
Lendy Castillo S-R
Rafael Dolis R-R
Scott Feldman L-R
Kyuji Fujikawa L-R
Matt Garza R-R
Edwin Jackson R-R
Carlos Marmol R-R
Trey McNutt R-R
Brooks Raley L-L
Hector Rondon R-R
Chris Rusin L-L
James Russell L-L
Jeff Samardzija R-R
Arodys Vizcaino R-R
Robert Whitenack R-R
Travis Wood R-L

Catchers
Welington Castillo R-R
Steve Clevenger L-R
Dioner Navarro S-R

Infielders
Darwin Barney R-R
Starlin Castro R-R
Junior Lake R-R 6'2"
Anthony Rizzo L-L
Ian Stewart L-R 6'3"
Luis Valbuena L-R
Christian Villanueva R-R
Josh Vitters R-R
Logan Watkins L-R

Outfielders
Tony Campana L-L
David DeJesus L-L
Brett Jackson L-R
Dave Sappelt R-R
Nate Schierholtz L-R
Jorge Soler R-R
Alfonso Soriano R-R
Matt Szczur R-R

[ryno4ever]

Okay, this should open up some pretty interesting discussions. What are your thoughts? Where does this team need an upgrade? What do they seem to be making progress in? What should we expect?

You can click on this link to take you to where you can look up each player's stats.

[Ivy Killa]

Id like to start by saying i really hope an injury free stewart is an improvement over last year, i just was not impressed especially considering colvin was given up for him....too bad theo/jed couldnt have gotten chase headly instead.

[ChiCubs1984]

Is it just me or did I just get a sick feeling in my stomach looking at that roster?? I sure the heck hope it improves the next couple of years.

[ryno4ever]

I see a lot of youth (heck, when I was looking at the site, I'd say 90% of this team were either infants or weren't born when the 1984 Cubs took the field)! That may work in our favor, however, because you don't have a lot of veterans who are already "set in their ways" on how they do things.

As far as Ian Stewart, I am too, hoping that he will be better with a healthy wrist, but I'm not expecting much out of that position. I'm hoping Sori comes out as strong as he did last year.

The rotation seems to be falling into place: Garza, Jackson, Samardzija, T.Wood, and probably a dogfight for #5. I believe Scott Baker is coming off of Tommy John and won't be ready opening day, but there seems to be a lot of other guys who want the 5 spot, so it should make for a good competitive Spring Training!

[SkullKey]

" ... because you don't have a lot of veterans who are already "set in their ways" on how they do things. ... "

I think this is critical and likely a conscious part of the plan. The Hoy-Stein regime intends to develop Cub TEAM first players - not prima donnas and excess egos.

Remember just a short while ago we had at least 2 players (good players) who declared they knew well enough how to play and didn't need to listen to their coaches. Doesn't exactly set a good example for the younger players does it! What if B. Jackson decided he knew what he needed to know and told the coaches to leave him alone.

The team comes first from now on and I suspect malcontents will be given a very short string. There really is a "Cubs Way" now. I believe they even have manual don't they? - I would love to read that.

The fairly near future is bright and we're going to have fun watching it develop.

[SkullKey]

I lot of strange names on that list but also some names with real talent. Remember Hoy-Stein hasn't had much over 1 year so far and just 1 draft. I see progress.

Even above talent I want to see a real TEAM on the field.

[cubbyfanforever]

I only know but a handful of players on that list

[ryno4ever]

You may not know them now, but in the near future, if the "plan" works, they will be household names, and good ones, at that!

[ChiCubs1984]

Hey as long as they hold up that nice gold trophy in the next few years, I will always remember their names just like my 1984 club.