Ted Lilly

In the 2010 season, the Chicago Cubs rotation has been as dependable as a Toyota— especially since the recent move by Lou Piniella of Carlos Zambrano to the bullpen, and complete domination by recently acquired starter Carlos Silva.

This article was originally published at TheDailyCub.com , my blog covering the Chicago Cubs throughout the season.

This is going to be the first in a four-part series breaking down four positions for the Chicago Cubs.

Part one is going to be break down the Chicago Cubs’ pitching, after this article I will be taking on the infield, outfield, and bullpen.

The Cubs have been known for having solid starting pitching, and this season should be no different. Here is the expected rotation:

I had originally meant to begin this series of articles immediately after the New Year, the better to lend them relevance and immediacy. However, in mapping out the process, I felt it urgent enough to begin now.

I plan to provide, for each projected 2010 Cub and for a few key extra players, profiles with predictive and informative value.

A whisper leaked out of Arizona on Wednesday that Chicago Cubs' left-hander Ted Lilly underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery on Tuesday and isn't expected to return until April.

Great. [Collective sigh from Chicago's North Side.]

Here we go again.

So how does the knowledge that Lilly's now expected to likely miss the first month of the season impact the Cubs as they approach this important winter?

Let's examine a few scenarios.

Reports are flying out of Arizona, where the Chicago Cubs are having their first winter management meetings with new owner Tom Ricketts, that apparently 2009 hasn't bottomed out just yet.

Apparently, the team's only All Star might be a question mark to begin the 2010 season.

That's right folks, it appears that Ted Lilly had arthroscopic surgery on his left (pitching) shoulder yesterday.  The Cubs aren't releasing a lot of details, obviously, but they did say they hope Lilly's ready "within the month of April."

As I sat at my computer anxiously awaiting Charlie Manuel's decisions on this year's National League pitching staff, I wondered whether or not the Phillies' skipper thought Josh Johnson would make the team. 

Would Javier Vazquez sneak in?  Who would he choose as the last relief pitcher?  One wonder that I did not think I had to consider was whether or not Yovani Gallardo, Milwaukee's ace, would be on this year's team.