Cubs still stacked:
Chicago makes some minor changes but has the feel of a champ.
Mets arms, new NL stars and other story lines, Page 7
NL rotations ranked, Pages 8-9
The Chicago Cubs are no longer waiting for next year. The longtime lovable losers won their first World Series title since 1908 last season, beating the Cleveland Indians in seven games to end a 108-year drought. Now the Cubs will look to become the first repeat champions since the New York Yankees won three in a row from 1998 to 2000. USA TODAY Sports special correspondent John Perrotto sizes up the team. (*Denotes prospect)
Catcher
Willson Contreras, one of the last holdovers from before president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer were hired after the 2011 season, made such a strong impression as a rookie last year that he is clearly the Cubs’ longterm answer behind the plate. Veteran Miguel Montero will get more starts after the retirement of David Ross, and Kyle Schwarber is hoping to get an occasional start behind the plate despite suffering a major knee injury last season. Depth chart: Contreras, Montero, Schwarber, *Victor Caratini, *Taylor Davis
First base
Anthony Rizzo has emerged as the team leader on and off the field, and the 27-year-old is signed through 2019 — the Cubs hold options for 2020 and 2021. He had his best season in 2016, setting career highs with a .292 batting average, 170 hits, 43 doubles and 109 RBI while tying a career best with 32 home runs.
Depth chart: Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, Contreras, *Jeimer Candelario
Second base
Switch-hitting Ben Zobrist figures to start here against right-handed pitchers and play left field against left-handers in place of Schwarber. Zobrist took his place in Cubs lore by being named World Series MVP after doubling home the winning run in the 10th inning of Game 7. Javier Baez, MVP of the National League Championship Series victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers, had his coming-out party in the postseason. The 24-year-old will play second base against lefties and will make starts at each of the other infield positions.
Depth chart: Zobrist, Baez, Tommy La Stella, Jemile Weeks, *Ian Happ
Third base
Where does Bryant go from here? He was NL Rookie of the Year in 2015 and won the NL MVP award last season when his 7.7 in Baseball-reference.com’s version of wins above replacement (WAR) led the league. La Stella is a capable fill-in on days when Bryant starts at one of the outfield-corner positions.
Depth chart: Bryant, Baez, La Stella, *Candelario, Chris Dominguez
Shortstop
Addison Russell was selected to the All- Star Game last year in his first full major league season. Though overshadowed by some higher-profile teammates, the 23-year-old figures to be a key player for the Cubs for many years to come.
Depth chart: Russell, Baez, Munenori Kawasaki, *Elliot Soto, *Bryant Flete
Left field
Schwarber had reconstructive knee surgery in April after being injured in an outfield collision during the first weekend of the season yet made a near-miraculous recovery to return in time for the World Series. Serving as a designated hitter and pinchhitter, the 23-year-old went 7-for-17 with a double and a stolen base. Depth chart: Schwarber, Zobrist, Bryant, Contreras, Albert Almora Jr.
Center field
Jon Jay was signed to a oneyear, $8 million contract as a free agent, and the veteran lefthanded hitter will platoon with Almora after Dexter Fowler left for the NL Central rival St. Louis Cardinals in free agency. The Cubs hope Jay can help serve as a bridge until Almora, their first-round pick in the 2012 amateur draft, takes over as the