Chicago Cubs: Spring Training Information

By Jack Cobra
Location: Ho Ho Kam Park - Mesa, Arizona
Pitchers and Catchers Report: February 13th
First Game: February 28th
Schedule

Projected Opening Day Lineup

1. Alfsonso Soriano - LF
2. Ryan Theriot - SS
3. Derrek Lee - 1B
4. Aramis Ramirez - 3B
5. Kosuke Fukudome - RF
6. Mark DeRosa - 2B
7. Geovany Soto - C
8. Felix Pie - CF
9. Carlos Zambrano - SP

Projected Rotation

1. Carlos Zambrano
2. Ted Lilly
3. Rich Hill
4. Jason Marquis
5. Ryan Dempster/Jon Lieber/Sean Marshall

Projected Bullpen

Long Relief: Lieber/Marshall/Sean Gallagher
Situational: Scott Eyre, Carmen Pignatiello, Jose Ascanio
7th Inning: Carlos Marmol, Michael Wuertz
8th Inning: Carlos Marmol, Bobby Howry, Kerry Wood
Closer: Carlos Marmol, Bobby Howry, Kerry Wood
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Key Battles: The eight everyday playing positions are pretty much set this season, but as you can tell from the list above....the pitching staff is very uncertain. The first three members of the starting rotation are set, but the off-season signing of Jon Lieber, coupled with the struggles of Jason Marquis in the second half of the 2007 season and Ryan Dempster moving to the rotation mean that the fourth and fifth spots in the rotation are up for grabs. Look for the pitchers who can be the most consistent in throwing strikes to win those spots with the 'losers' moving to the bullpen to work in long relief.

The bullpen is unsettled as well, but it's not because of a lack of talent. The Cubs potentially have three players who can be their closer in Kerry Wood, Bobby Howry and Carlos Marmol; but Manager Lou Piniella has shown in the past that he's most comfortable with sticking with one closer and letting the others remain fireballers out of the pen. Wood has the inside track because he seems to have the best makeup for the job but Howry can't be forgotten as he's been the most consistent reliever on the Cubs the past few seasons. Marmol is probably a year away from being able to hand the role of closer from a mental standpoint, although he probably has the best stuff, and he will most likely spend most of the 2008 season learning from the veterans.

What to Expect: This is Lou Piniella's second season at the helm and with many of the same players returning from last season, the Cubs can hit the ground running. Look for Piniella to once again emphasize throwing strikes for his pitchers and playing fundamental baseball for his position players. Lou likes to have a young guy or two be a breakout player in camp, so that's always fun to keep an eye on as well. Tyler Colvin and Micah Hoffpauir could be those to watch out for as they were invited to camp but considered major longshots to make the team.

Jack Cobra covers the Cubs, Bulls and sports in general on his blog, Cobra Brigade. He also writes for Yay Sports on Fridays and Epic Carnival.

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