As spring training winds down, and certain players continue to have nagging injuries and questions, the Cubs would seem to know who will make the major league roster.
This team is going to be another utility fielder platoon machine.
Emilio Bonifacio has the opportunity to play full time by playing part time at second, third and outfield. As the only real double digit base stealer on the roster, he seems to fit the lead off role better than Castro.
Ryan Roberts is also getting some attention for infield play, as a possible displacement for Donnie Murphy at third in a platoon with Valbuena. He can also play LF and second.
Mike Olt has a nagging shoulder injury which puts his career in Brett Jackson set-back mode. His "shoulder fatigue" issues has not allowed him to play third base. He can't win the third base job if he can't field the position. I suspect he will start on the DL and extended spring training rehab.
In the pitching world, Jake Arrieta has been shelved and John McDonald just got pulled after throwing two pitches. More shoulder fatigue or soreness issues. That leaves Chris Rusin as the #5 starter by default.
The starting rotation was partially announced already. Samardzija, Wood, E. Jackson, then Hammel and Rusin.
The bullpen is fairly well set. Veras is the closer, with Strop as set up man. Two lefties, Russell and Wright, will make the squad. That leaves three open slots between Parker, Cabrera, Villaneuva, Vizcaino and Rosscup. Villanueva is going to be a spot starter. Vizcaino is still nursing back from TJ surgery so AAA may be his ticket. Cabrera is out of options.
Wellington Castillo and George Kottaras are the catchers.
Outfield is thin with Junior Lake, Ryan Sweeney, Justin Ruggiano and Nate Schierholt. The front office likes ex-Red Sox prospect Ryan Kalish, but he is another lefty bat. Bonifacio, a switch hitter, could get more playing time than we expect in left if Lake starts off slowly. Brett Jackson is still barely hanging on to a 40 man roster spot, but it is doubtful he makes the club.
Besides Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo, the infield could be shaken up but will not be . . . Valbuena and probably Bonifacio will platoon at third and Barney and Bonifacio will platoon at second. Murphy probably gets the last bench spot due to his power potential.
So the latest projection for opening day is this:
SP: Samardzjia, Wood, E. Jackson, Hammel, Rusin
BP: Veras, Strop, Wright, Russell, Villaneuva, Parker, Cabrera
OF: Lake, Ruggiano, Sweeney, Schierholtz
IN: Valbuena, Castro, Barney, Bonifacio, Rizzo, Roberts, Murphy
C: Castillo, Kottaras
