Levine: Crowded Cubs Lineup A Good Problem For Joe Maddon

By Bruce Levine--

MESA, Ariz. (CBS) -- A loaded roster that boasts plenty of high on-base percentage players and power bats is rarely a problem for a big league manager. In the case of Cubs manager Joe Maddon, having too many good players may be the biggest challenge he will have entering the 2016 season.

A couple weeks into spring training, Maddon isn't yet sharing how he will dole out at-bats for his outfield rotation that's comprised of four players who deserve everyday playing consideration -- Jason Heyward, Dexter Fowler, Kyle Schwarber and Jorge Soler. On top of that, getting quality playing time and plate appearances for Javier Baez will also be a challenge with his super-utility role now in full operation mode in Mesa. A career infielder, Baez is now capable of playing the outfield as well.

At stake is both the players' pride and their rhythm at the plate. Everyone wants to play regularly, and it's easier to find success with consistent playing time.

Maddon has more campaign slogans every season than the late Ernie Banks, the Hall of Fame infielder and Cubs legend who would wax poetic every spring about the team winning it all. ("The Cubs will be great in 1968," he once said.) This positive reinforcement and "us against them" mentality goes a long way for would-be egocentric players, checking their personal agendas at the clubhouse door in spring training. Maddon selling this all season to so many talented players will be a test of the selfish verses the unselfish.

Working a few options around on paper Friday evening, Maddon envisioned sugar plumb fairies and Santa Claus in April. The lineup possibilities on Opening Day in Anaheim are endless, with the DH spot available for the bat-heavy Cubs.

"I afforded myself the chance to look at a DH lineup," Maddon said with a smile on his face. "Hitting (Addison Russell) ninth sounds pretty good, allowing it to get around to the rest of the lineup. You look at 8-7-6-5 and it all makes sense. This would not be for protection but the function of the whole group."

In the April 4 opener, power, speed, on-base percentage and bat control all could be at the Cubs' fingertips with a lineup like Fowler-Heyward-Ben Zobrist-Anthony Rizzo-Kris Bryant-Schwarber-Soler-Miguel Montero-Russell. That lineup would have two speed/power players at the top, a switch-hitter next following by four power bats that should combine for 100 homers this season.

This power unit doesn't even include Baez, who could be a potential power and RBI machine himself. Is this a pipe dream for Chicago or a nightmare for opposing pitchers this season?

"I don't know yet," Maddon said of his flush, full lineup choices. "I always say when you send the lineup over to the other side or they send it back to me, you are always looking for that little hole. Who do we pitch around to get to this guy? (A lineup like this) is very difficult to figure how to play through it. There are really no soft spots. If you're able to move really good hitters further down in your lineup, it just means you are thick all the way through."

Baseball history will tell you that you never have too many good players.

"Theory and reality are two different things," Maddon said. "Reality is some guys will struggle and some guys will get hurt. There are so many variables. What gets overlooked in these discussions is it is not going to be perfect. You draw up your plans and you know it isn't going to work that way. So all of these other contingent plans and concepts are very important."

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.