Welcome to the 19th of 30 "2008 Team Previews", where I'm - you guessed it! - offering up a little preview of the 2008 season for each of the teams. Nothing super fancy, (I'm not writing books here munecas), just a few notes on what major moves the teams made over the winter and a thought or two on their upcoming season. I'm going in reverse order of 2007 standings, so next up is....

Chicago Cubs

2007 Record: .525 (85-77), 1st place in NL Central

2006 Record: .407 (66-96), last place in NL Central

Who’s Out: Cliff Floyd (OF), Steve Trachsel (P), Jaques Jones (OF), Craig Monroe (OF)

Who’s In: Omar Infante (INF), Tim Lahey (P), Kosuke Fukudome (OF), Jon Lieber (P)

Notes: Before I say anything else, make sure you take a gander at the 2006 and 2007 records. With a few changes - Soriano, Piniella - the team was able to surge from last place to first in just one year. This year, the team looks even better. I simply do not see any holes. The lineup has the likes of the aforementioned Soriano, Fukudome, Ryan The Riot, and Lee (hopefully Felix Pie isn't unable to bat due to that unfortunate and frightening twisted testicle). As for pitching, their bullpen is ridiculous with Wood, Marmol, et al. I would be VERY surprised if this team didn't finish at the top of their division again, and I personally have them pegged as the NL pennant winners. Of course, they will then lose to the Yankees in the World Series. Obv.

Labels: 2008 team previews, other teams