A solution to a problem

There has been speculation for the last month the Baltimore Orioles will trade Brian Roberts to the Chicago Cubs for a combination of prospects. This blog will assume that the deal will be completed and the Cubs will receive Brian Roberts for Jason Marquis, Sean Gallagher, and a no-name prospect.

With Brian Roberts now in the fold, the Cubs have some questions that need to be answered.
1st. Brian Roberts only plays 2nd base, which is currently occupied by Mark De Rosa. Based on some reading that I have done, the Cubs would like to move Mark De Rosa around the diamond like a super utility man. Last season DeRosa's numbers were: 293 BA, 10 HRs, and 72 RBI's. If DeRosa does not have a permanent position, how will this affect his offensive numbers? DeRosa last season played 2nd base, shortstop, 1st base, and left field. The majority of DeRosa's games were played at 2nd base, With DeRosa on the bench, which bench player from last season is down in the minors?

2nd. Roberts would be brought in to be the 2nd basemen, but more importantly the leadoff man. Roberts' numbers from last year were: 290 BA, 12 HRs, and 57 RBIs. With Roberts as the leadoff man, where does Alfonso Soriano hit? Most people believe that Soriano SHOULD be a middle of the order guy anyways, however, when Soriano bats in the middle of the order his batting numbers significantly decrease.

3rd. This last point is made under the assumption that the Cubs have to trade Marquis and Sean Gallagher for Roberts, who pitches in the back end of the rotation for the Cubs? Most signs point to Jon Lieber and Ryan Dempster filling out the back end of the rotation. Sean Marshall would begin the season at AAA Iowa, while Kevin Hart would be the Cubs long reliever.

A trade for Roberts was supposed to be the answer for the Cubs; instead the trade would just raise more questions.