The Chicago Cubs have been wheeling and dealing lately as they try to rebuild the organization under the new management trio of Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer and Jason McLeod. One of the most important moves that they've made since taking over in Chicago is the recent trade with the San Diego Padres that resulted in first baseman Anthony Rizzo becoming a Cub.
And as Cliff Corcoran writes for SI.com, it appears that the Cubs may have acquired the first centerpiece of their new rebuilding effort:
The 22-year-old Rizzo now becomes the centerpiece of the Cubs' rebuilding. Rizzo, a career .296/.366/.514 hitter in the minors who hit .331/.404/.652 in 413 plate appearances for Triple-A Tuscon last year, could be back up by mid-season and still projects as a classic big-bat first baseman who will benefit from the move from Petco Park to Wrigley Field and could anchor the Cubs' lineup for the rest of the decade.
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Corcoran notes that the expectation is for 29-year-old Bryan LaHair to open the season as the first baseman for the Cubs, but Rizzo will surely see playing time in the majors at some point in 2012.
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