Cubs' Late Sprlng Update and New Developments

The Cubs are going into the final four games of spring training with about as difficult a test as possible – two games each with the 2002 and 2001 World Series champions. Dusty Baker will have a good idea where his team is by the end of the week.

A couple of weeks ago, there were several pitchers fighting for the final spot in the bullpen, while the offense was set for opening day. Well, with Antonio Alfonseca’s hamstring injury that will keep him out until May, that opened another spot in the bullpen as Baker looks to use the “lovely” closer by committee. Meanwhile, Bobby Hill will start the season in Triple-A, leaving the Cubs without a lead-off hitter.

Wednesday’s cuts included sending Hill and Francis Beltran to Triple-A, Felix Sanchez to Double-A and returned Augie Ojeda, Mike Sirotka, Midre Cummings, Trenidad Hubbard and Javier Cardona to the minor league camp.

Going into the final week of the exhibition season, this is how the 2003 Cubs opening day will fill out:

Damian Miller – the former D-Back catcher learned a lot from the masters (Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling) and it will be interesting to see how well he handles the Cubbie Kids. Miller will have to improve on his offensive effort from the spring (.219 BA, 0 HR, 5 RBI).

Hee Seop Choi – the big 1B lived up to expectations this spring (.304, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 7 RBI), but now must show he can do it during the regular season. He will get most of the starts, with Eric Karros facing most of the tough LHPs.

Mark Grudzielanek – has won the 2B job by default, despite a spring spent most on the sideline with an injured ankle. That ankle isn’t going to help his attempt to bat lead-off – when healthy, Grud has averaged an OBP over the last three years of .317 (just .301 in 2002). He must also improve on his .113 spring BA.

Alex Gonzalez – truly took hold of the No. 2 spot in the order this spring (a whopping .429 BA with 4 2B, 2 HR and 11 RBI). He has a good shot at having a career year.

Mark Bellhorn – gets the chance to prove he can play 3B everyday. He only hit .200 in the spring, but led the team with three HR (with 3 2B and 9 RBI). The Cubs are allowing a drop in defense for him, so he will need to hit for average.

Moises Alou – the most important offensive player that needs to improve this season, as he moves into the No. 4 hole. He’s supposed to be physically ready for the Chicago cold this year, but only had an average spring (.256, 3 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI).

Corey Patterson – should be in a safe spot hitting sixth, hopefully while regaining his confidence. He had a good spring (.250, 3 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBI).

Sammy Sosa – Same old Sammy, but needs Alou to back him up. Good spring after a rough start (.324, 3 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI).

The rest of the Cubs offense:

Paul Bako – a defensive catcher that does provide a left-handed bat off the bench.

Ramon Martinez – one of Baker’s favorite players from the Giants, he’s a fundamentally sound player at 2B, SS and 3B. He had a poor offensive spring, but he’s there for his defensive versatility.

Lenny Harris – Can play all four spots in the infield, and left field, but he’s most important off the bench as baseball’s all-time pinch-hits leader. He hit .305 last season.

Eric Karros – brought in as insurance behind Choi, Karros will see a lot of time against tough lefthanders. After missing the first 2 1/2 weeks of spring, Karros did battle back to hit .269 with a HR and six RBI. And, he is going to wear No. 32, NOT No. 23 for the Cubs!

Troy O’Leary – while the FA signings in the bullpen were huge, O’Leary may be the surprise, and best, signing of the off-season. O’Leary hit an even .500 this spring with 4 2B, 1 3B and 8 RBI. As the fourth OF, he’ll be ready to step in if Alou creaks too much in Chicago.

Tom Goodwin – speed. Speed, and he can play center. If he could hit, the Cubs would find a way into the lead-off spot. Oh, well.

The starting pitching:

Kerry Wood – last weekend, Wood was expected to pitch a simulated game Wednesday, but he took to the mound against the Angels, feeling better after his inner ear infection. So he will be ready for opening day. Lack of run support, and allowing a few extra walks, have kept Wood from being an All-Star, but, along with Sosa, he is the team leader and will has made a name for himself in straightening out the squad. Wood was 0-1 with just eight IP and a 3.24 ERA going into Wednesday’s game.

Matt Clement – 2002 was his breakout year; so all he has to do is do it again. And he should. He had a poor spring, however, 1-3 with a 7.07 ERA in 14 IP. Nevertheless, Baker made a surprise switch in the final week of spring by naming Clement the No. 2 starter and dropping Prior to No. 3. That does make sense – Clement has more experience, and this makes Prior one of the two best No. 3 SPs in baseball.

Mark Prior – he is quickly following in Wood’s footsteps – both on the mound and in the clubhouse. The Cubs expect to see the benefits of shutting him down last September. He had a great spring, having gone 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in 18 innings.

Shawn Estes – an important pitcher in this line-up as he is the only lefty. He has had a couple of poor seasons, but a good spring (1-1, 3.60 in 15 IP) shows that he has the ability to turn it around.

Carlos Zambrano – he needs more consistency, but he not only should dominate other teams’ No. 5, he can battle with their No. 1’s as well. Went 2-1, 3.74 ERA in 21 IP.

And, finally, the bullpen:

Mike Remlinger – was the No. 1 FA signee last winter and will be one of two RPs that will get the permanent call as closer if Alfonseca is out longer than a month or so. Over the last four seasons, Remlinger has the lowest ERA of any LHRP (2.65).

Dave Veres – the other closer candidate. Baker looks at Veres’ 94 career saves, compared to Remlinger’s 16, and if he doesn’t stay with the committee, Veres may be the man. He is strong against both right- and left-handed hitters.

Mark Guthrie – the Cubs’ third FA signee, who is coming off one his best years in his career with a 2.44 ERA. He will be one of the first guys off the bench.

Joe Borowski – It is absolutely impossible to believe that, after last season, that Borowski has to fight for a job. But that’s how much the bullpen has changed. But he’s back and will be the middle-relief workhorse.

Kyle Farnsworth – he was issued an ultimatum over the winter – get focused or get out. He seems to be about to make the turn. Will it be all the way to being the closer of the future? Jury’s still out.

Juan Cruz – the swing man – I wish he was going to Triple-A to get steady work, but, for now, he’s a pretty good spot-starter/long-relief guy who should have a better season this year.