30 of 30

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Offseason Update

The Cleveland Indians no doubt closed the gap with the Edwin Encarnacion signing, but the Chicago Cubs are still the team to beat.

The defending champs could use a better primary lefty option for the bullpen now that Mike Montgomery is slated for a spot in the rotation, and further starting pitching depth would be welcome as well.

Aside from that, they look stacked once again from top to bottom.

A replacement for Dexter Fowler as the catalyst atop the lineup might be the biggest concern heading into spring training.

The Cubs were 52-22 (.703) in games where Fowler reached base at least twice last season, and they went 18-18 in the 36 games where he was out of the lineup altogether.

It sounds like Kyle Schwarber will get the first crack at the leadoff spot, at least against right-handed pitching, per Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com.

That should make for an interesting storyline to follow this spring, not that Cubs fans need any more reason to be excited about the potential of a full season from Schwarber.



Rule 5 pick Caleb Smith will also be an interesting one to watch.

Contenders aren't generally in a position to eat up a roster spot on a flier, so the Cubs obviously see something in him. With eight pitchers likely breaking camp with the team, he'll get every chance to win a spot.

