Spring In Our Step

Last Springs Star!

Spring Training, the time where we can almost touch the season, but have to live with the fact that it is still over a month away. It is the ultimate tease, like dangling a hot dog in front a hungry dog, or like dangling a hot dog in front of a baseball fan at the ball game.

Some things have already occured during the first few days of spring training, so here is a quick round up of all that we have learned about the Cubs in 2009:

* Soriano could be moving from his favoured lead-off spot in the Cubs line-up. The Cubs were 69-36 last season with Soriano occupying the lead-off spot. With Soriano getting older and past trouble with his legs, moving him down the line-up might be the right move for Lou, taking the pressure off Soriano and the need to run.

* Last years fan favorite Micah Hoffpauier is being relied on this season to be the main power source from the bench. With Daryl Ward leaving a vacant spot was filled by the star of last Spring. He is livng proof that a strong spring can propel you into the thoughts of not just the management but the fans as well. He will also work first base and both outfield spots to give everyday players a rest here or there.

* Although Sean Marshall seems to be the leading candidate for the Cubs 5th starters role, it is by no means a foregone conclusion. Aaron Heilman, Angel Guzman and Jeff Samardzija are all eyeing the oppurtunity.

* Carlos Zambrano has revealed that he will not pitch in the WBC. He will focus all his attention on the Cubs, he also is likely to undergo LASIK eye surgery at some point this spring. He joins a list of Cubs players who have decided to give the WBC a miss this year, that list includes the likes of Rich Harden, Ryan Dempster and Angel Guzman.

* Rich Harden has commented that he is ready to go and has had a very productive off-season, and his shoulder feels healthy. Despite this he will still be watched carefully by the Cubs management.

* Unlike years previous, there have been no world series predictions by any of the Cubs players (Lets

keep it like that)

That is a very basic look at some topics right now, i will delve into more detail when there are any developments.

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