As spring training looms, the Cubs official website has a graphic on the team's current "depth chart."
It is probably the closest we can get to the mindset of the management.
The starting rotation:
Lester, Arrieta, Hammel, Hendrick, T. Wood. (Wada, Turner, Doubront)
I would think Hammel would be #2, and the #5 slot a competition between Wood, E. Jackson, Turner and Doubront.
Outfield starters:
Coghlan, Fowler, Soler
No surprise here. The trade for Fowler puts Alcantara in utility role.
Infield starters:
Olt, Castro, Baez, Rizzo, Montero
With Valbuena traded for Montero, the third base caretaker position goes to Olt, who has just been plain terrible since becoming a Cub. If Bryant wants to play third, the position is wide open for him.
Bench players:
Alcantara, La Stella (infielders)
Szczur, Sweeney, Denorfia, Lake (outfielders)
Castillo, Ross, Lopez (catchers)
Bullpen:
Rondon (closer), Motte, Strop, Ramirez, Parker, Grimm, Rosscup, Schlitter, E. Jackson, German
UPDATE: The Cubs claimed left-handed relief pitcher Drake Britton from the
Boston Red Sox on Wednesday. To make room on the roster, Chicago
designated right-handed pitcher Gonzalez Germen for assignment.
With 13 known starting players (8 field + 5 starters), the team only has 12 positions left on the 25 man opening day roster.
Maddon's style has been comparable to NL skippers, so it is likely he would want another position player over a bullpen specialist in order to pinch hit, double move or platoon.
The Cubs will only carry one more catcher, Ross for Lester, so Castillo continues to the be odd man out. Olt is the weak link in the infield, so Alcantara and La Stella have to make the club (with the prospect that Baez may have to learn another position, third, if Olt fails). The only outfielder who is going to be on the bench is Denorfia. Lake, Sweeney and Szczur have weak journeymen skills at this point in their careers. Alcantara will be the 5th outfielder-super sub like Bonifacio did last season.
With four bench bats, that leaves a maximum 8 bullpen slots. An extra starter, such as Wada or Doubront could make the club, leaving seven pure relievers on the roster.
The bullpen depth has Parker over Grimm which is odd, unless Grimm goes back to AAA to reconvert to being a starter. The fall of E. Jackson appears complete if he is the 9th bullpen option, a role which I don't believe he will take. The Cubs have dead money on his deal so it is possible he will be cut.
The bullpen chart only has one unproven lefty, Rosscup. It is possible that Ortiz or Wada will become the lefty reliever.
As one can judge, the Cubs still really have little depth throughout the 25 man roster. It is still dominated by utility journeymen hitters.
