The Cubs have some openings this year - we all know that an infield spot will be up for grabs, as will an outfield position or two, two starters spots are up for grabs and two bullpen spots can be had as well. Also up in the air is the Roberts trade (Cedo seems to be the stumbling block) and we all wonder if Murton will be on the starting 25.

Here are some key matchups and the guys I favor:

• Utility infield - I favor Fontenot over Cintron because of Mike's ability to hit. He is also a respectable 2B and 3B and I just can't see Cintron making more than a Neifi-like contribution to the team.
• Utility outfielders - Soriano, CF and Fukukome are locks and the competitors for CF and the backup spots are Ward, Fuld, Murton and Pie. Clearly someone has to go; my guess is that Fuld will out-hit Pie and show more "heart and soul" than Pie. Felix will either go back to Iowa or go somewhere in a trade - it's quite possible that Murton could be traded as well. One suggestion has been for Coco Crisp, who reportedly has asked to be traded if he's beaten out for CF by Jacoby Ellsbury - for the right price I think this trade would be beneficial.
• #3 and 5 starters - Marshall, Marquis, Gallagher, Hart, Dempster and Lieber compete for two spots; some might also want to include Holliman and others. My guess is that Lieber and Marquis will win the starting spots and the others will compete for the bullpen spots. Barring injuries, Wood, Howry, Eyre, Marmol and Wuertz are locks in the pen.
• Bullpen - Two spots will likely be open and my guess is that Dempster, Hart, Gallagher and Marshall will be the primary favorites. Pigniatello, Cedo, Ascanio, Harben, Lahey, Samardzija, Mateo and Petrick will also compete in this pitching-rich environment. My guess is that some guys are going places in trades, most likely to Baltimore for Roberts. Look for Dempster and a lefthander (Marshall or Pigniatello) to make the final two spots.
• So who will go in a possible Roberts trade? - I think it's almost a forgone conclusion that Brian Roberts will be wearing a Cubs uniform by Opening Day. Almost certainly the Birds will want a second baseman and the obvious choice would be Eric Patterson. They would almost definitely want a starting pitcher and a reliever. I think Marshall or Gallagher would fit the bill and the reliever would be Samardzija (who the Cubs won't part with,) Cedo (likewise) or Petrick/Pigniattello. I'd personally like to see the Cubs do a fire sale and unload Dopirak, Ryan Harvey and Mark Pawelek. Oh well, ya can't always get what you want...