The St.

Louis Cubs are one of the many aggressive NL Central teams looking at the Cardinals as a divisional champion vulnerable in their pursuit to control the division for a third straight year. The Cubs were just as aggressive before 2013 but after an incredibly disappointing season by their new hail mary CC Sabathia, the Cubs found themselves just two games out of the divisional championship and one out of the Wild Card. Will their increased aggression and desperation to make the postseason pay off in 2014? Batting Lineup There is little not to like here which should come as no surprise as Chicago were one of the best offenses of the National League. Those who prefer the classic lineup construction can find a perfect specimen with top of the Cubs lineup. SS Starlin Castro looks like Jose Reyes in his prime and with CF Shane Victorino behind him, youre looking at a serious threat for men on 2nd and 3rd on a regular basis if not through contact then certainly through speed. Third in line, 1B Rizzo will only improve in 2014 on his excellent season last season. Much like Castro, he gives the Cubs a young, brilliant core. He will strike out at an above average rate but with his age, his performance will more than make up for the failure rate. Batting cleanup is where we find our first point of contention and its simply a matter of taste. LF Jose Bautista Chicagos trade deadline move to make a final push to catch the Cardinals is not what Id be looking for in a clean-up man. The 33-year-olds contract ability is already pedestrian at best and is a very expensive for an all-or-nothing talent. 3B David Wright in an equally expensive piece picked up mid-season in 2013. At 30 years old, hes already in decline. With a peak of .260-.270 and 20 HRs, hes nothing to thumb your nose at but at $16 million per year and only getting more expensive with time, you have to wonder if there is a better option. Perhaps that better option for the five-hole is right being Wright in lefty RF Mitch Moreland. Compared to Wright, you find an increase in 30 points on the batting average and another 5 to 10 HR. Moreland is an excellent, consistent lefty who is less flash than the young stars and the big names but is certainly one of their best pieces. C Josh Thole/Jose Felix and 2B Chris Cates wrap up the Cubs offering and they leave you wondering if they will match their potential in 2014 or be another disappointment to a team counting on every piece if they are going to be able to compete in a division quickly heating up into one of the most competitive in the league. The Thole/Felix platoon experiment is a missed opportunity to production that didnt allow for either one to get comfortable and in a rhythm. Chris Cates rounds out the lineup but only in theory; his .328 average was an aberration and far beyond his ability when given a full season. Defense

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