Cubs Season Preview: Welcome to #Optimismdale

If you don't look for anything good to come out of this upcoming Cubs season, you may want to read this season preview instead. But for those of you who expect great things out of the 2011 Cubs, you've come to the right place.

Led by everyone's offseason pick for manager, Mike Quade, the Cubs look to bounce back in 2011 to once again become one of the NL's elite teams. Let's take a look at the 2011 NL Champion Chicago Cubs roster.

Catchers:

Geovany Soto and Koyie Hill - After a disappointing 2009 season, Soto bounced back strong in 2010. This season, the Cubs will be looking for him to produce even more RBIs as he is moved into the 5-6 hole in the lineup, interchanging with Carlos Pena. Koyie Hill returns as a stout defensive backup.

First Base:

Carlos Pena replaces Derrek Lee at first base this year, and finally provides the left-handed power threat that Jim Hendry has been searching for. While he may lack some with the glove and batting average, he more than makes up for in likeability.

Second Base:

Blake DeWitt, Darwin Barney, Jeff Baker - You have to give credit where credit is due, and Jim Hendry did a heckuva job in acquiring gritty middle infielders. DeWitt returns and will split time with Barney against RHP's, while Jeff Baker will continue to tear up LHP.

Shortstop

Starlin Castro - Starlin Castro returns for his second season and the sky's the limit for this kid. Castro, who hit .300 in his rookie campaign, is already being compared to Hanley Ramirez. While some may point out that he could use some improvement defensively, Castro has already shown his willingness to work at his game and is expected to make big strides in the field.

Third Base:

Aramis Ramirez - Ramirez is looking to bounce back after a disappointing season that saw him hitting .150 through May. With a renewed passion and a willingness to work with Rudy Jaramillo this year, not to mention a mutual option that could make Ramirez a free agent in 2012, there's no reason to think that Ramirez isn't going to have a monster season this year.

Outfield:

Alfonso Soriano, Marlon Byrd, Kosuke Fukudome, Tyler Colvin - You really can't go wrong here if you're Mike Quade, what a great problem to have. You have four All-Star caliber players and only three spots for them, most managers would kill to be in that situation. Soriano's leg is healthy and we're looking at a possibility of 30 HRs and 85 RBI out of the 7th spot in the lineup. Marlon Byrd is a fan favorite and last year's only All-Star representative. In RF, Quade has the luxury of choosing between Fukudome's OBP or Colvin's power.

Starting Pitchers:

Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano, Matt Garza, Randy Wells, Andrew Cashner - This could quite possibly be one of the best rotations in all of baseball. With the potential of three 20-game winners in Dempster, Zambrano and Garza, this band of aces is poised to make a deep run in October. Wells has bounced back nicely this spring after a rough 2010, and Andrew Cashner beat out some stiff competition to secure the 5th starter role.

Bullpen:

John Grabow, Jeff Samardzija, James Russell, Kerry Wood, Carlos Marmol, Marcos Mateo, Sean Marshall - I expect great things from this group this season. Let's start with the obvious. John Grabow is finally healthy and is ready to retake his place as one of baseball's elite LH relievers. Sean Marshall has also quietly become one of baseball's finest LH set up men, and along with James Russell, this trio should make division opponents like Prince Fielder and Joey Votto non-factors. Kerry Wood rejoins the team and will be the 8th inning set-up man. Marmol will once again close and do so effortlessly. With Samardzija and Mateo working innings 5-7, Mike Quade shouldn't have any issues with his pen.

3 keys to winning the division:

1. Don't try and do too much. Play your game and everything will take care of itself.
2. Have fun. With a team filled with so much talent, don't forget to enjoy your victories along the way.
3. Be safe. No sense pushing yourselves, we'll need you more in October. If you feel a tweak or a pull, please shut it down. There are 25 men on this team that are more than capable of stepping up.