Imrem: Schwarber can be replaced on this deep Cubs team

It speaks volumes about the Cubs that they expect to absorb the loss of injured Kyle Schwarber without missing a beat.

The best Schwarber can do is be a presence around the team, like on a crutch Monday night when he was introduced to a thunderous ovation before the Cubs' home opener victory over the Reds.

A little while earlier, Joe Maddon was rattling off different aspects of his team: This was good, that was great, something else was better, so on, so forth.

Finally, the Cubs' manager was asked with everything so rosy …

(Maddon took off his eyeglasses and playfully checked to see how rose-colored they were.)

… other than injuries, what concerns you?

The answer was that he isn't looking past that night's game, you know, one game at a time without worrying about the long term.

In other words, not really anything is of much concern right now.

The Cubs looked like they needed Schwarber on this night until they broke through for 2 runs in the seventh inning and Addison Russell hit a 3-run homer in the eighth for a 5-3 victory.

The impression persists that the Cubs are so deep that Schwarber is more expendable than some of his teammates.

Here's a quickie ranking of the hardest Cubs to replace:

1. First baseman Anthony Rizzo: It would be nearly impossible to make up what he provides at bat, on defense and as a leader.

2. Ace starting pitcher Jake Arrieta: The Cubs wouldn't have made the playoffs without him last year and wouldn't this year.

3. Maddon: The manager created a winning culture last season and will make sure the Cubs maintain it this year.

4. Third baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant: The reigning NL Rookie of the Year remains a force in the middle of the lineup.

5. Shortstop Addison Russell: One of baseball's most graceful young players at bat, on the bases and in the field.

6. Starting pitcher Jon Lester: Last year's high-priced free agent was good, not great, and the Cubs need him to be better this year.

7. Center fielder/leadoff hitter Dexter Fowler: As Maddon keeps telling him, “You go, we go” as the man on base for the run producers.

8. Right fielder Jason Heyward: The $184-million man gives the Cubs an imposing athlete who does just about everything well.

9. Pitching coach Chris Bosio: Over a variety of managerial regimes, he has taken what management gives him and makes it better.

10. Left fielder/catcher Schwarber: Finally we get around to his home-run power and as a member of the Reds' traveling party said, “They're going to miss him.”

Special mention — just a guess here — No. 5 starting pitcher Kyle Hendricks is going to have such a big year that he would be difficult to replace.

Honorable mentions go to closer Hector Rondon, second baseman Ben Zobrist and Montero.

The Cubs must be really deep if all those players are mentioned before getting to the likes of John Lackey, Adam Warren and Travis Wood.

Schwarber will move up the list once he is healthy, settles into one position on defense and improves against left-handed pitching.

For now, though, the Cubs can cover for Schwarber's absence but not as easily for, say, Rizzo.

“We have a deep team,” Heyward said.

No wonder Joe Maddon doesn't have much to worry about as long as Rizzo and the rest are around.

mimrem@dailyherald.com