Snip, snip

The Cubs made some easy choices during the roster moves today, trimming one roster and five non-roster from camp.

Geovanny Soto was the lone roster move, being sent back to Iowa this spring. Soto was not expected to make the roster, unless Blanco and/or Barrett were not ready to go. Both see solid, making Soto unnecessary at this point.

The biggest name among the non-rosters was Jake Fox, who made a name for himself this spring by asking Manager Lou Piniella for playing time. That made a great impression on Piniella, and on the media. His hitting impressed the rest of us. We may see him again this year.

First baseman Micah Hoffpauir, third baseman/catcher Casey McGehee and pitchers Ryan O’Malley and Carmen Pignatiello were cut after uneven spring performances. Hoffpauir has no place to play with Derrick Lee around. McGehee has no place to start with Ramirez under contract, but could make a decent sub in the near future. O’Malley has only so much time left and Pignatiello needs more seasoning. None of these cuts were a big surprise.

The pitching staff appears to be set. Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis, Rich Hill and Wade Miller will be the starting five. I know what you are thinking. I did not believe Miller would be the number five of choice at this point, and it is not sealed in stone yet. Still, he has yet to embarrass himself this spring. His past experience tells Piniella that he is worth the gamble.

In the pen, it looks like Ryan Dempster will close. Scott Eyre and Bob Howry will be set up men, despite uneven spring performances. They will likely be fine once the season starts. Kerry Wood and Wil Ohman will be next in line, unless Wood heads again to the DL. Michael Wuertz has been told he has a spot and Piniella has been mumbling that Angel Guzman has won a spot as a long man and spot starter. That would leave Neal Cotts without a job. Is that possible? Where does Piniella favorite Rocky Cherry and the generally despised Roberto Novoa fit in the mix? We will know for certain in about ten days.

The fielders have all been sorted out, with the exception of the twenty-fifth man. Piniella is still pondering whether to go with another weak-hitting back-up infielder or another outfield bat. It is still possible that General Manager Jim Hendry may pull the trigger on a deal that will solve the problem.

March is growing shorter. It is time for those names written in pencil to make big impressions if they have not yet. Marquis goes tomorrow. Hopefully, he can bag five innings. We need another win to stay ahead of the league. Let’s make it happen!