All about the big picture Cubs fans

The 2012 Chicago Cubs campaign will kickoff Thursday at Wrigley Field. When the Cubs take the field it will be the start of the Theo Epstein era (Tom Ricketts’ first real baseball move). Expectations for the Cubs season are as low as they’ve been in years. That’s probably what’s best, the team is in the midst of a makeover, a makeover that will take more than one offseason.

Remember back in 2008 when it was so much fun to follow the Cubs on a game by game basis? This won’t be that year. While it’s easy to get caught up in the day to day goings on of the club, it’s probably not in your best interest. The 2012 Cubs are going to be a below .500 team, still there is reason for optimism. Here are my top five reasons to enjoy the Cubs on the field this year:

1. The growth and maturation of 22 year old All Start shortstop Starlin Castro.
2. Matt Garza throwing every fifth day.
3. At somepoint this season both Anthony Rizzo and Brett Jackson will join Castro in the Cubs everyday lineup.
4. Will Dale Sveum become the manager Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer hoped he would?
5. Additions and subtractions. The Cubs will be making changes throughout the season. Who comes and goes?

Off the field, I think there is alot to look forward to as fans. First and foremost how will Jason McLeod shape the Cubs farm system moving forward. The June draft will be real interesting as the Cubs management team will begin shaping the organization with their kind of players. Besides the draft and player development, here are a couple more reasons to be optimistic:

1. State of the art baseball facilities in DR and Arizona are in the process of being built.
2. Wrigley Field renovations are coming.
3. Down the road the Cubs are going to realize crazy money for their tv broadcast rights.

These three things will help the Cubs become more competitive in the coming years. The next 10 years of the Cubs will be fun, just keep in mind 2012 is the first step in a long journey.

Play ball!