Cubs are loaded; Alvarez on the block.

by T.J. Lane

Well the winter meetings have come and going, going, gone, with only a handful of significant signings and a small amount of trades. No team has stepped up to the plate and hit that Ruthian homerun.

Except for the Cubs.

The Chicago Cubs starting pitching staff is loaded. Flat out loaded. Mail Pouch spit juice, doctored, drop-off-the-edge-of-the-world, wicked breaking ball, loaded.

Here’s the Cubs’ depth chart penciled-in starting rotation: Jon Lester, Jason Hammel, Jake Arrieta, Travis Wood, Edwin Jackson, T. Wada, Felix Doubront, and Jacob Turner. That’s eight starters. Three of the eight can be a number one starter on any MLB team. However the Cubs’ bullpen is weak, so a few starters can be used as trade bait or used as middle or long relief.

Their offense needs help, too. That’s why I see a trade maybe with Pittsburgh for Alvarez.

Keep your head up. Shoulder width stance. Swing for the fences…and always KeepScore!

Thomas “T.J.” Lane is a eco-founder and principal at KeepScore Baseball/Softball Scorebooks.