Opening Day Starter

Who will start Opening Day on April sixth? For the past four seasons, it has been The Baby Bull who has trounced his way onto the bump to jump start the Cubs' season. However, after an inconsistent 08' campaign, going 14-6 with a 3.91 ERA and failing to notch 200+ innings, Pinella isn't so quick to hand the ball over to Big Z. He is leaving it up to a spring competition between Ryan Dempster, who had a great regular season in 2008, going 17-6 with a 2.96 ERA.

"I've been the Opening Day starter," Zambrano said. "Dempster had a good year last year and he deserves it."

What do you think:Is it time to pass the reins onto Dempster? Or do you think Big Z deserves to continue the tradition for the fifth straight season?

Big Z's First Outing, Marmol WBC Bound (UGH) & Other Random Notes

Carlos Zambrano looked as sharp as Steve Stone's commentary on Monday afternoon, going two innings, striking out three as the Cubs were defeated 9-1 by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Carlos Marmol, who just last week announced he would stay in Arizona to compete for the closers job, has just told coach Lou Pinella he will pitch for his home-country of the Dominican Republic. Pinella has said that it will not affect his opportunity to compete with Kevin Gregg.

Milton Bradley is being cautious with his recent leg injury. He will DH in Wednesday's game and could see action in the outfield by Friday.

Young Guns Show Early Signs of Strength

The Cubs have started Spring Training with a 2-0 record, notching wins against the LA Dodgers, 5-3 on Wednesday and the Milwaukee Brewers, 7-3 on Thursday.

Joey Gathright started the spring going 3-3 on Thursday, with an RBI and three singles. Micah Hoffpauir hit a go-ahead grand slam in Wednesday's contest, catapulting the Cubs to a win.

Both Gathright and Hoffpauir need to show coach Lou Pinella they can play consistent baseball to secure a spot on the 25 man roster. In past years, the Cubs have weltered, ever so quickly, in the playoffs. If the Cubs want consistent play in September and October, these young players must perform and fit into the mix, giving veteran players spot days off during the long 182 game season.

In other news, newly acquired Milton Bradley took himself out of Thursday's game because of tightness in his quad. This is not something Cubs fans want to see, but keep your heads up, it is the 2nd game of a 39-game spring.

Cheers to The Man

Happy 69th birthday to Cubs great Ron Santo.

Once again, Santo was shut out of Cooperstown in 2008. It is a shame, not only as a Cubs backer, but as a baseball fan. I have had the opportunity to meet Mr. Santo on a few occasions, and he is a stand-up man who deserves to be inducted as a baseball immortal.

I just hope that will come in 2010 and he is around to see that day.

World Baseball Classic or Spring Training

Since Bud Selig introduced the World Baseball Classic, there has been the daunting question: Do you go and support your home country, or do you stay at Spring Training and prepare for the upcoming season?

It is quite the conundrum. Especially for the managers of the prospective WBCer's: What do they do? Do they take a back seat and let their players compete in the WBC? Say no, take heat from the player, the media and members from the international team? What does the General Manager think?

Cubs relief pitcher Carlos Marmol, who is "competing" for the closer job this Spring, deliberated about playing for his home country, the Dominican Republic, and has since decided to stay in Spring Training and work with pitching coach Larry Rothschild.

Cubs coach Lou Pinella said he would stay out of the way of Marmol's decision and let him do what he felt was right. I don't think Pinella wanted his first-time closer candidate going to pitch in ten extra games and I am sure he will sleep better now that he knows Marmol will be gracing the Cubs with his presence this Spring.

I think it should be left up to the GM and Manager of the respective ball clubs. Why you ask? It is simply because these players are getting paid A LOT of Ching-Chang to play for their MLB teams. Although I think it is a great thing to represent your country, I do not think that the WBC has the right timing (right before the start of the season). By playing in the WBC, players risk injury and hurt their chances to compete into late September and October for the World Series.

Steve Rosenbloom of the Chicago Tribune seems to agree.

Chestnut Mountain

Well, I am proud (not really) to say that, after 22 years of presence on this Earth, that I have now skied. It was eventful...I ran into a fence, had a few too many drinks (the bartender over-served me naturally), and had a ass-load of laughs with my roommates Nate, Jake and Ben. I don't remember the last time I had that much fun doing something (I guess being at Wrigley in July can trump the whole skiing thing). There is nothing sweeter than hanging from that lift with three of your best buddies, with no worries in the world and only the wilderness below your feet.

I woke up this morning with a knot on my forehead and my knees look like I caught Bob Gibson in game seven of the World Series. However, all things considered, it was a great experience and I finally got the hang of it after about four hours of sitting on my ass in the snow.

Alf Exiled from Leadoff Spot?

Chicago Cubs left-fielder Alfonso Soriano may be moved down in the order, according to manager Lou Pinella. The once speedy lead off man has spent several years at the top of the order, but his injuries over the past two years have limited his base-stealing potential. Although the Cubs were 33 games above .500 with Soriano in the lead off spot, they may benefit from pushing him down in the order, paving way for Ryan Theriot or Aaron Miles to step into the role, creating more balance in terms of on-base-percentage, stolen bases and more patience at the top of the order.

Alf has said he is OK with the move, as long as he is in the lineup on a daily basis. I think Alf would benefit more in terms of power numbers in the sixth spot, behind the combination of Lee-Ramirez-Soto/Bradley. Keeping him down in the order could prevent him from landing on the Disabled List for the third consecutive summer.

Let's face it: Alf is not a patient hitter, he swings for the fences and not for average, and is not the prototypical lead off man. I think Pinella is making the right move here. Give him some AB's in the middle of the order during Spring Training and see how the lineup pans out.