The Cubs have seven games left. They are two games over 500. They can lose four games and still have a winning Cactus League season. Hopefully, they can do better than that.
There are still a few decisions to be made. After Wade Miller outdueled Barry Zito this afternoon, Manager Lou Piniella was tripping over himself not to declare Miller the fifth starter in the rotation.
There are still 35 men left in camp. That’s ten over the limit, including three non-roster players. If the Cubs decide they want to keep one of the non-rosters (unlikely) they would have to boot someone from the forty man roster.
More likely, the Cubs are considering trade options. There are several teams who have injuries going into the last week of spring who need someone to help. The Cubs could be saying goodbye to Jacque Jones, Angel Pagan, Ronnie Cedeno or one or two of their stable of young pitchers.
You may be surprised by my mention of Cedeno, but think about it. The Cubs have announced that he has made the opening day roster. Coach Alan Trammell is boasting about his ability in the media. Whenever I would hear Jack Brickhouse, Harry Carey or other Cub announcers boasting about a young player, it was days before that player was traded. Cedeno could be the next one to follow the pattern. So could Angel Guzman, but he is less likely, considering the trouble with starting pitching last year.
The number of men in camp is decreasing. They days to opening day are doing the same. Who will remain in Cubbie blue and who will be wearing other colors. We will know on Monday, April 2nd, when the Cubs open in Cincinnati. I love this time of year!!
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