Manager Lou Piniella told the media today that Jason Marquis and Ryan Dempster would be in the starting rotation.  I am suprised to see both of them in the rotation and Jon Lieber working out of the bullpen.  I would rather have Lieber in the rotation, and then one of the other two out of the bullpen.  Maybe this is just to get Marquis some work, so hopefully the Cubs can eventually trade him.

Piniella also said that Kerry Wood would start out the season as the teams closer.  He was in a battle all spring with Carlos Marmol and Bob Howry.  Wood proved to the coaches that he could pitch on back to back days and did a good job so he earned the spot.  If Wood struggles, look for Marmol to be thrown into the position.

The Chicago Cubs trimmed their spring training roster down by three spots on Thursday.  Sean Gallagher and Jose Ascanio were sent to Triple-A Iowa while Josh Kroeger was re-assigned to the teams minor league camp.

Gallagher is a guy that will probably be called up at some point in the season.  That is if he isn’t traded before hand.  Gallagher is a key player in any trade that happens for Brian Roberts of the Orioles so who knows if he will make another pitcher for the big league Cubs.

The spring roster now has 38 players, and includes 19 pitchers, three catchers, 10 infielders and six outfielders.

The Chicago Cubs are going to play Kosuke Fukudome in center field for a couple of games during spring training.  The plan is to get his feet wet just incase he is needed during the season at the position.  Fukudme is still planned to be the everyday right fielder for the Cubs so don’t put much into this right now.

The only way I see Fukudome moving to center field is if Felix Pie starts off very slow or gets injured.  Pie needs to play everyday and hopefully that is what the Cubs will do.  Fukudome would rather play right field as well so this is pretty much just an insurance deal.

If you listen to Friday’s Cubs game, don’t be suprised when you hear Ryan Theriot batting in the lead off spot, Alfonso Soriano batting second, and Kosuke Fukudome batting in the fifth spot.  That is Piniella’s new genious idea out of Cubs Spring Training.

Ok, I do agree that it would be wise to give Soriano a little bit of rest and not expect him to steal 20 bases out of the leadoff spot etc.  But to put Theriot in the #1 spot is just plain stupid if you ask me.  I still think Fukudome is more of #2 hitter as well.

If the Cubs ever get the trade worked out for Brian Roberts, I could see Roberts batting #1 followed by Fukudome, and then Soriano in the #5 spot.  I think that would be a good lineup, but that won’t happen unless the trade for Roberts happens.

What do you all think? Is Lou being crazy or do you think this would be a good idea?

The Chicago Cubs made a round of roster cuts today to get their spring training roster down to 50.  The two most notable players to be send down were Tyler Colvin and Billy Petrick. Petrick was sent to Triple A Iowa, while Colvin was sent to minor league camp.

Other players sent to the minor league camp included Esmailin Caridad, Jose Ceda, Geoff Jones, Andres Torres, Bobby Scales, Wellington Castillo, and Josh Donaldson.

With the moves, the Cubs’ spring roster now is 50, and consists of 26 pitchers, four catchers, 12 infielders and eight outfielders. 

The Chicago Cubs lost their first game in Cactus League action on Friday as the San Francisco Giants used some late inning runs to get by the Cubs 8-6.  It was a split squad team for the Giants as well so they didn’t have all of their regulars.

Carlos Zambrano pitched two innings for the Cubs.  He gave up one run, two hits, and struckout two batters in his two innings of work. � Big Z did have some trouble fielding a bunt and received and error on the play as well.  Nothing to worry about with Zambrano.  We all know he will be ready for opening day.

As far as the Cubs hitters, Kosuke Fukudome continies to get on base and draw walks.  He drew another two walks and scored two runs on Friday.

What hurt the Cubs in the game was Les Walrond giving up a grand slam to Ryan Rohlinger in the 8th inning.  That pretty much sealed the deal for the Giants.

We will try to have an update this weekend on how the Cubs do, but it could be on Monday as we have a lot of things happening this weekend.  Either way, GO CUBS!

Sorry I haven’t been able to get an update on the blog lately regarding spring training. I have been pretty busy the past week, but I’m here now, and ready to talk Cubs Baseball!

It was interesting to hear Lou Piniella say it would be a three person battle for the closers role as pitchers and catches reported.  Piniella mentioned Kerry Wood, Carlos Marmol, and Ryan Dempster would battle it out.  Make you think what is going on as Dempster is supposed to get a look as a starter as well.  Then out of nowhere yesterday, Piniella said that Bob Howry would be the closer if the season started today.  Lol, does anyone know what is going on with the closers role?!

I thought it was pretty funny that Carlos Zambrano was wearing Fukudome’s jersey as the Japanese reported to spring training.  After playing with Fukudome for a little bit, Big Z then gave him his jersey as they all had a good laugh.  Gotta love a little joking around to keep the players lose.

As far as the starting rotation, it looks like the Cubs will be going with something like this:

1.  Carlos Zamrano
2.  Ted Lilly
3.  Open
4.  Rich Hill
5.  Open

Piniella really wants to split up the lefthanders Lilly and Hill.  I would probably pencil in Jon Leiber or Jason Marquis into that #3 spot and then the other in the #5 spot.  Leaving out Sean Marshall unless Piniella wants to have back to back lefties in the #4 and #5 spots.

How do you all feel with the pitchers?  What is the best rotation Lou can set up?  What is the best option for closer at this point?  Leave us a comment and let us know your opinion!

Pretty much what everyone was expecting will happen during spring training.  Kerry Wood, Carlos Marmol, and Ryan Dempster will all battle it out for the closers role for the Chicago Cubs.  I would hope that either Wood or Marmol are the closer, with the other guy being the setup man.  I don’t want Dempster anywhere near the mound for the Chicago Cubs.

Who do you want to be the closer for the Chicago Cubs? Leave a commend and let us know!

There has been another prediction from a Cubs pitcher at the beginning of Spring Training.  Last year Carlos Zambrano said he would win the Cy Young award and the Cubs would win the World Series.  Well of course neither of those things happened.  And now this year, on the first day of that pitchers and catchers reported, Ryan Dempster said the Cubs will end the 100 year draught and win the World Series.

As I read that, I just think what in the hell are you talking about Dempster?  The team would be better off without you on the roster in my opinion.  I do wish Dempster the best as he is still with the Cubs, but c’mon how many fans out there can really say they want Dempster on the team this year?  I suggest he get some control of the ball and actually help this team out in the beginning of the season, and stop saying the Cubs will win the world series.

Cubs fans, what do you think about Dempsters comments?  Good to be thinking that way?  Or would you rather just have him be quite and get ready for the season?