Hoffpauir Lock For Team; Gathright Could Be Out The Door

Micah Hoffpauir has offically made the team.

"Hoffpauir’s fine,” Piniella said. “We’re going to use him to rest Derrek (Lee) at first base and also we’re going to use him some in the (outfield) corners.” - Courtesy of Daily Herald

With Hoffpauir making the team the roster is all set, right? Wrong. Even with Hoffpauir making the team, the Cubs still need another infielder. The candidates are still the same: Estaban German, Bobby Scales, Andres Blanco, and Corey Koskie. German and Koskie have the best chances to make it, with Blanco and Scales likely to start the year at AAA Iowa. Blanco and Scales could become key players if an infielder goes down with an injury during the season. Scales can play all 4 infield positions, along with all 3 outfield positions. Blanco plays shortstop, 2B, and 3B.

Well, if one of these guys is going to make it, whos going to have to leave? Well the answer is simple. Joey Gathright. Gathright is currently the 5th outfielder and is likey not going to get much playing time even if he does make the team. He is a pinch runner/ late-inning defensive replacement. It would be a treat to have him in AAA, but the likelyness of him accepting the assignment would be slim. If Gathright and fellow outfielder So Taguchi, along with Jason Dubois, who had an outstanding spring, are all at AAA Iowa, the Cubs could arguably have the deepest outfield in the league. Read More.

Cubs Make More Roster Cuts; Big Decisions To Be Made This Week

The Cubs trimmed their roster down, going from 54 to 45. The Cubs optioned pitchers Mitch Atkins, Justin Berg, and Jeff Stevens to AAA Iowa. Marcos Mateo was sent to AA Tennessee. The Cubs also sent catcher Wellington Castillo, infielders Luis Rivas, Darwin Barney, and outfielders Doug Deeds and Jason Dubois to the minor league camp. Read More.

Manager Lou Pinella said that he wants to rap up most position battles by the end of this week, if possible. These battles include the closers spot, the backup catchers spot, the last two bullpen spots, and the last bench spots.

The Closers Battle
Kevin Gregg has been great this spring traing, and Marmol not so much. Marmol was without a doubt the best reliever in the league last year, but he has struggled since coming back from the World Baseball Classic. Watch for Gregg to start as closer, while Marmol starts back in his familiar spot as the setup man.
The Backup Catchers Spot
The Cubs are looking for a good defensive catcher with a little pop in their bat. Koyie Hill has hit better than veteran Paul Bako and journeyman Mark Johnson and has the slight edge over Bako. Johnson is a huge longshot, but has stayed in due to Hill struggling at times and Bako struggling all the time. Look for Hill to get the job, unless Bako can find his bat.
The Bullpen Battle
At first Luis Vizcaino and Chad Gaudin looked like a locks for the bullpen spots, but both have struggled and might find themselves in a new city by the end of spring. Jason Waddell, Jeff Samardzija, and Mike Stanton are still battling for the spots, with Gaudin and Vizcaino on defense. Watch for Gaudin to hold his spot as the longman. Vizcaino could be moved with Jeff Samardzija taking his place.
The Bench Battle
1B-OF Micah Hoffpauir has been lights out this spring, and should be a lock for one of the spots. It is uncertain if the Cubs will go with 11 of 12 pitchers to start the season. If they go with 11: Hoffpauir is a lock for the first spot, and look for infielder Corey Koskie, utilitymen Estaban German or Bobby Scales to get the other spot. If they go with 12: look for Hoffpauir to be the HEAVY favorite to win. The only thing that can send him back to Iowa would be German, or more likley Koskie to have an outstanding rest of the spring.
Read More About the Battles.

Cubs Sign German; Koskie Reports To Camp

The Cubs signed utilityman Esteban German to a minor league contract. German was released by the Kansas City Royals to make room for relief pitcher Juan Cruz. German can play all four infield spots, plus left and centerfields. German bats right-handed, and is just the player the Cubs are looking for. He could make the team as a right-handed bat off the bench. Read More.
Corey Koskie reported to camp yesterday. Koskie played for Canada in the World Baseball Classic. Koskie last played for the Brewers in 2006, but was released after suffering from a severe concussion. Koskie and German are expected to battle for the final bench spot, assuming Micah Hoffpauir has clinched the other spot. Read More.

Cubs Tidbits

• The Cubs sent 5 players to the minor league camp, which starts next week. The players included pitchers J.R. Mathes and Matt Smith, and outfielder Richie Robnett.
• Pitcher Carlos Marmol reported to camp yesterday. He is expected to make his first appearence back Saturday or Sunday.
• The Cubs played Team Japan on Thursday. Cubs outfielder Kouske Fukudome went 1-4 with and RBI single.
• 5th starter canididates Sean Marshall and Aaron Heilman have been flat out stellar so far this spring.

Harden Makes Cubs Debut; Cubs Strong All Around In Win

The oft-injured Rich Harden made his Cactus League debut today as the Cubs defeated the Mariners 8-1. Harden had an impressive outing, pitching 2 innings, only allowing 2 hits and no runs. Ryan Dempster followed Harden, and pitched 3 strong innings allowing 2 hits and no runs.
The Cubs bats were alive too. INF Aaron Miles and C Koyie Hill each had 2 hits. OF Doug Deeds went and impressive 3-4. Mike Fontenot continues to be on fire and is starting to run away with the starting 2B job. Read More.

Cubs Tidbits.

• Non-roster invitiee Mark Johnson is reportedly still in the running for backup catcher.
• Koyie Hill is reported to be the front runner for the backup catchers spot.
• LHP Jason Waddell reportedly impressed mananger Lou Pinella, and is in the running for the last bullpen spot.
• RHP Luis Vizcaino has struggled in Cactus League games, and is considered to be the odd-man out to make the roster.

After Win Over Sox, Cubs Improve to 4-0

After a blowout 13-0 win over their crosstown rivals the White Sox, the Cubs are 4-0 in spring training for the first time since 2005. Although the pitching has been pretty good, the talk of the town has been the Cubs offense, which includes Micah Hoffpauir and Mike Fontenot. Hoffpauir, a hopeful to win the last roster spot, has started the spring off scorching hot after hitting 2 home runs, one a grand slam, driving in 8 runs, and improving on defense. He has started every game so far and has played 1B, LF, and RF. Fontenot, who is battling Aaron Miles for the starting second base job, has also started off hot and hit his first homerun against the Rangers. Read More.

Cubs Tidbits

• Pitcher Carlos Marmol has decided after all to pitch for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic. He mulled over the decision for weeks, and was reluctant and first because he is currently competing with Kevin Gregg for the closer role. Read More.
• 5th starter candidate Aaron Heilman was terrific in his first apperence against the White Sox, giving up one hit and striking out 4 over 2 innings. Read More.
• The Cubs signed INF Corey Koskie to a minor league deal. Koskie primarily plays 3B, but in order to make the team will have to play 1B and possibly SS or 2B. GM Jim Hendry says he believe Koskie is capable to do this. He will compete with Hoffpauir, Jake Fox, and Luis Rivas for the last roster spot. Read More.

Samardzija to Start First Spring Game

Jeff Samardzija has been selected to start the first game of spring training, which begins Wednesday. Samardzija, despite being considered for the 5th starters spot, is still battling to be on the team. He still has options, so he could possibly end up at AAA stretching out his arm, and could be called up for an injury or if Sean Marshall can not handle the starting job. Manager Lou Pinella said he is waiting to start his already-set 4 starters until about 2 weeks into spring training, due to the 39 game schedule. Read More.

Cubs Tidbits

• Carlos Marmol is reportedly considering not pitching in the World Baseball Classic because he must compete for the closers spot.
• LHP Jason White was released after failing a physical.
• The Cubs are reportedly still looking at a right-handed bat to back up at 1st and 3rd base.

Marshall Leading Race for 5th Starters Spot

Spring Training is under way, and so are the races. One of the few races for the Cubs this year, the 5th starters spot, is reportedly lead by Sean Marshall, who was the favorite to land it. His competition, as expected is Aaron Heilman, Chad Gaudin, Jeff Samardzija, Angel Guzman, Kevin Hart, and Mitch Atkins. If Marshall holds on, Hart and Atkins would likly start in AAA Iowa. The debate is wether Samardzija will start in Iowa to stretch out his arm, or stay in the bullpen in Chicago. Read More.

Cubs Tidbits

• Reports suggest Mike Stanton could make the team and become the second left hander in the Cubs bullpen.
• Position players to reports early: Milton Bradley, So Taguchi, Darwin Barney, Reed Johnson, and Ryan Theroit.