Last year I posted a mashup lineup for a couple of different series before going on my hiatus. I thought it might be a good idea to resurrect it. So far I've done the Red Sox and Rockies. The object is to field a team of all nine positions and maybe some bench using players that have suited up for both teams. Some picks are subjective but I try to go with a player who spent a good amount of time with both teams rather than a career Cub or opponent.
The Cubs open the season with a 10-day roadtrip, beginning with the Marlins for a four game weekend series. After the offseason teardown, I don't think I could name any Marlins off the top of my head except for former Cub Starlin Castro.
As usual, I have a few names off the top of my head, but will need a little help from Baseball-Reference to round out the lineup.
Behind the plate we have Benito Santiago. Perhaps more known as a Gold Glove, All-Star, and ROY with the Padres, Santiago has the most significant playing time between these two teams at catcher with a combined 349 games.
Manning first base is the super veteran of both squads, Derrek Lee. He played 924 games with the Cubs and 844 with the Marlins. Nobody else is even close at any position. Lee was a Gold Glover with the Marlins before winning two more with the Cubs.
The rest of the infield is spotty.
More of a utility guy, Emilio Bonifacio gets the nod at second base. If Starlin Castro plays a full season in Miami this year, he'll probably take over this spot. By the way, the card above is listed as a White Sox card over at Trading Card Database because that's where he ended up in 2015, but those are clearly Cubby Blue pinstripes. With no logos and only a Chicago team designation, Cubs card it is.
Kevin Orie is at the hot corner. Despite being traded to or signing as a free agent by nine other teams over the course of his career, Orie only suited up at the Major League level for the Cubs and Marlins.
Rounding out the infield is Alex Arias at shortstop. Another slim pickin's position. Arias was drafted by the Cubs in 1987, made his debut in 1992 and was traded to the Marlins after the season.
On to the outfield, where the competition is a little better.
Chris Coghlan, who was the ROY for the Marlins in 2009 and a World Champion with the Cubs in 2016 is playing out in left field. He played over 300 games with each team.
Just missing the Rockies/Cubs mashup team due to Dexter Fowler, Juan Pierre takes the centerfield spot on this team. He only spent one season with the Cubs, but played in all 162 games. In fact, he maxed out five seasons in a row starting with 3 years in Florida, one in Chicago and one with the Dodgers. He had four seasons with over 200 hits, including two with the Marlins and his only year with the Cubs.
A long time Marlins front office worker after finishing his playing career, the Hawk returns to where he belongs this season. Andre Dawson clearly skews Cubs (867 games to 121) but its my team, my rules. He brings another ROY trophy to this team that he won with the Expos. He also made the Red Sox/Cubs team and would probably make an Expos/Cubs mashup as well.
There are a few good options off the bench. Moises Alou, Luis Gonzalez & Cliff Floyd were all solid outfielders. I'd take John Baker behind the plate too as a back up catcher. Out of the bullpen, Antonio Alfonseca and Kevin Gregg had decent runs (and then not). Carlos Marmol was mostly a Cub, but I'd take him in his prime.
As for who is running this team, only two Marlins managers have Cubs ties, Joe Girardi and Rene Lachemann. Girardi played for the Cubs but never coached them. Lachemann was the Marlins inaugural manager and was also the bench coach for a few years in the early 2000's, so he's my choice to lead this team.
What do you think? Anybody you'd swap out?
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