Joe Maddon recently speculated on what the lineup might look like for 2017. I thought this might be a good time to compare it to the opening day lineup from the beginning of last season and analyze the projected 2017 Cubs offense.
| 2017 Projected Cubs Lineup | 2016 Opening Day Lineup |
| LF- Kyle Schwarber | CF- Dexter Fowler |
| 3B- Kris Bryant | RF- Jason Heyward |
| 1B- Anthony Rizzo | 2B- Ben Zobrist |
| 2B- Ben Zobrist | 1B- Anthony Rizzo |
| SS- Addison Russell | 3B- Kris Bryant |
| RF- Jason Heyward | LF- Kyle Schwarber |
| C- Wilson Contreras | DH- Jorge Soler |
| Pitcher | C- Miguel Montero |
| CF- Jon Jay | SS- Addison Russell |
Compared to the start of the 2016 season a lot has changed.