Chicago Cubs Preview: First Base

If you are anything like me then you are getting a little bored with spring training games, it is great to have live

Derek Lee

baseball back, but it just makes me want the season even more, i don’t like the WBC, and the only reason i would watch it is to make sure that none of the Cubs players get injured. So i thought to break the monotomy i would start my season reviews a little earl. There are still many things left up in the air right now, the bullpen for one, the 5th starters role, the back up catcher, and a infielder who can back up Ramirez at 3rd, so there is a chance that by opening day this information could be out of date, however i will start with certain positions that have settled, to give the other question marks time to sort themselves out.

There is no doubt as to the starting first baseman, Derek Lee has been one of the most consistent Cubs players since he came to the North Side in 2004, swapping the sunshine of Florida for the winds of Wrigley. Derek Lee is not only a good offensive play, but his steller defense is invaluable to a Cubs infield. Defense is one area in baseball that is under rated. If people were to ask questions of Lee, it would be his ability to hit into double plays on a regular basis, he led the NL last season HIDP, batting 3rd ahead of the clean up hitter is a vital part of the line-up, one of the mos inportant in my mind, so he will need to lower that HIDP stat, Lee flashed some power last season but fell well short of his 2005 HR total of 46. Although he is not needed to hit with that much power in a lineup that is certainly not short of power bats with Soriano/Bradley/Soto and Aramis Ramirez.

Although this is not part of a baseball preview, i would also like to bring peoples attention to the charity that Derek Lee set up with Boston Celtics CEO Wye Grousbeck. In 2006 Dereks daughter Jada was diagnosed with Leber’s congenital amaurosis,  a rare genetic disease resulting in loss of vision, for further information please visit the First Touch foundation page at:

http://1sttouch.org/home.htm

You can help by just purchasing a Project 3000 wrist band, follow my lead and ‘Believe The Unseen’

Now back to the first base preview, when Derek Lee needs a breather, or god forbid he is injured, Micah Hoffpauier will be backing up first base. Micah installed his name into Cubs minds last Spring by belting home runs, he was given a opportunity during the season to perform in the MLB, and took advantage of it, hitting well over .300. Hoffpauier will be the main left handed threat off the bench, he will also backup the corner outfield spots, giving Soriano and Bradley much needed rest.

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