Spring training will be important to complete the Cubs 2013 roster.
However, the main characters in next season have been solidified in the line-up.
The 2012 Opening Day lineup was:
1. DeJesus, rf
2. Barney 2b
3. Castro, ss
4. Soriano, lf
5. Stewart, 3b
6. Baker, 1b
7. Bryd, cf
8. Soto, c
9. Dempster, sp
The projected 2013 Opening Day lineup is barely unchanged:
1. DeJesus, cf
2. Barney 2b
3. Castro, ss
4. Soriano, lf
5. Stewart, 3b
6. Rizzo, 1b
7. Schierholtz, rf
8. W. Castillo, c
9. Garza, sp
The 2012 Opening Bench was:
Clevenger c, LaHair 1b, DeWitt inf, Mather of, Valbuena inf, R. Johnson of
Pitching Staff was:
Starters: Dempster, Garza, Samardzija, Volstad and Maholm.
Bullpen: Marmol, Wood, Dolis, Russell, Camp, L. Castillo.
The projected 2013 Opening Bench are:
Navarro c, Valbuena inf, Campana of, Sappelt of, ____________ 1b, ___________, inf
Pitching Staff projects as:
Starters: Garza, Samardzija, T. Wood, Baker and Feldman
Bullpen: Marmol, Dolis, Russell, Camp, Rondon, ____________ rp
It appears that three minor (non-starting) positions will be filled this spring; a back up first baseman, a utility infielder and a relief pitcher. But the a comparison with the 2012 opening day roster shows no real improvement in player talent.
